Abolitionistconferences

The 1st Emancipatory Conference took place in 1880, at the Teatro São Luís, and ended with the freeing of an enslaved person. The choice of venue was strategic because the theater was a privileged spot in the city's new routine after the reforms introduced by the Rio Branco Cabinet. Its operas, vaudevilles, orchestra performances, and chamber music drew both aristocrats and common people.

The idea emerged when Black activists André Rebouças, José do Patrocínio, and Vicente Ferreira de Sousa got together with the goal of figuring out how to convince public opinion of the importance of putting an end to the slavery system. In addition to the São Luís, the lectures could also take place at the Lírico, Recreio, Dramático, or Polytheama theaters.

Pamphlet with the lecture delivered by José do Patrocínio on May 17, 1885, at the Theatro Polytheama. Fundação Biblioteca Nacional Collection.

Image description: The image is a photograph of an old pamphlet. It is in black and white with some brown stains. At the top, there is the title "CONFEDERAÇÃO ABOLICIONISTA" in capital letters. Below that, it reads "CONFERENCIA PUBLICA" also in capital letters. Next, there is the name "José do Patrocínio" and below it, "FEITA NO THEATRO POLYTHEAMA". It continues with "Em sessão da Confederação Abolicionista DE 17 DE MAIO DE 1885". There is a handwritten signature at the bottom, followed by "FOLHETO N.º 8". At the end, it reads "RIO DE JANEIRO Typ. CENTRAL de Evaristo Rodrigues da Costa TRAVESSA DO OUVIDOR 1882".

At the door, young women decked out in green-and-yellow ribbons collected donations to purchase manumissions. On stage, speakers selected from among “men of great prestige,” as Patrocínio defined them, denounced the limits of the Free Womb Law and the mistreatment of enslaved people, and demanded the immediate abolition of slavery, without compensation.

Starting in September, a musical number was added before the presentation of the emancipation letters. And the event came to be known as the Conferência-Concerto (Concert-Conference). The Banco do Brasil manager and merchant João Clapp joined the trio, and it was he who welcomed the audience. Different social strata filled the galleries to take in this mix of artistic performance and political rally.

Image description: The image is a black-and-white engraving. At the center is a portrait of a woman with voluminous hair and flowers on her head. Around her are leaves and hanging fruit. In the background, there is a theater scene with spectators and a stage. At the bottom, a crowd raises their arms in a gesture of acclaim.

In 1883, as 115 enslaved people were emancipated, the audience threw flowers and more flowers onto the stage. From then on, the camellia became a symbol of abolitionism. The theater opened up as a non-institutional space for public debate on slavery and anti-slavery propaganda. The Abolitionist Conferences were commonplace until the fall of the liberals in 1885 and the rise of the slaveholder Baron of Cotegipe to the presidency of the Council of Ministers.

"Under the protective wings of this sublime angel, let me find shelter." Drawing and verse by João Clapp – 01/24/1888. Fundação Biblioteca Nacional collection.

Image description: This is a black-and-white illustration, possibly an engraving or a drawing, depicting an angelic figure with open wings, holding a skull. The skull is marked with the word "abolicao." The figure is positioned in the center of the image, with large, detailed wings, while the skull is below it. To the right, there is a series of handwritten notes, written in Portuguese. In the bottom left corner, the word "Liberfasl" is written in thick letters.