In Rough Rio de Janeiro Neighborhood, Ballet as ‘Anesthetic’ and Escape

Remarkable!

So inspiring...thanks NYT. Art inspires and art can literally save lives...this wonderful story proves it yet again. Art is indeed our humanity and dance speaks to all people....bravo!

Such courage and fortitude! What an amazing woman. I hope we see one of those girls pirouetting around on the world stage one day, either politically or artistically.

How do we donate?

I can only hope the NYT will choose to follow up on this story. I'd very much like to know what happens to Ms. Oliveira and her school.

If only a similar demonstration could take place at the White House. But then, of course, the Trumps don't support the arts. Maybe instead a fashion show, where all the models are immigrants about to be deported.

How would one go about donating to Ms. Oliviera and her troupe?

I enjoyed the story, very inspiring. I was expecting that it could have a video clip of a performance. It will be so enriching seen those girls performing. Thanks.

Good story, wonderful project. It would have been nice to see some photos of the girls in class inside the library and more about their routine--school? work? how many times a week do they attend class? Are they all from the favela? Have they attended as a group any ballet performance in that theatre? Perhaps some of the very rich can make a donation for good seats for the girls as a group to one of the classics. Take them to a great modern dance performance too. Hope they are watching some great world performances and performers in You Tube too. I watch them a lot there. This merits a longer reportage.

Beautiful story ! Ms. Oliveira I applaud you, and must say your passion and dedication is heroic and gives us a glimpse at how humanity is universal and still alive. You give hope for those young and old, and what a great example of using dance as a way to unite and bring together kids regardless of there surroundings! Thank you to Ernesto Londono for telling this story !

Great and inspiring article. I lived in Rio many years ago in Copacabana. I had two views. One was of the bay and the other a favela. Eu fico com saudade do Rio. I miss the city and its great people.

This is a GREAT story and is exactly what it takes to build a great community/country! This story needs to continue and happen in other countries and people could have good lives where they exist rather than feeling they have to migrate/go some where else to live.

Ms. Oliveira is amazing - keep fighting the good fight. At times like these it's easy to give up, but we can't.