By Yula Rocha

Rio de Janeiro, 20 October 2025 – The Uma Só Voz choir, formed by people experiencing homelessness, set the tone for an emotional afternoon honouring more than thirty years of Paul Heritage’s work dedicated to socio-cultural projects that have brought to light themes and communities often overlooked in Brazil and around the world. In recognition of his contribution, the PPP Director received the highest honour awarded by the municipality of Rio de Janeiro – the Pedro Ernesto Medal – at a City Council ceremony attended by partners and friends.

Photos by Renan Olaz – CMRJ

Before the formal proceedings, led by Councillor Flávio Pato, Math de Araujo, author of Capitães de Água and one of the artists in the PPP-produced play Becos, recited one of his first poems in tribute to Paul. Guitarist and composer Johnathan Panta, also an artist from Maré and a PPP collaborator, accompanied Paul’s husband, musician and singer Rodrigo Faria, who performed a song by Caetano Veloso: a declaration of love to Paul and to the city of Rio de Janeiro.

On the platform, long-time friend Julita Lemgruber, sociologist, Coordinator of the Centre for Studies on Public Security and Citizenship, and former Director of the Rio de Janeiro prison system, recalled the day young Paul appeared at her door with a “crazy idea” to run theatre workshops for prisoners whose most basic rights were barely guaranteed. His intention was to prove that “art can liberate, because even people behind bars dream.” It worked, and everyone fell in love with that gentle Englishman.

Dreams of a more just society have been a constant thread throughout Paul Heritage’s life in Rio de Janeiro, the city that has welcomed him since the 1990s. Friends invited to speak at the ceremony revisited memories of this journey filled with powerful and transformative partnerships. In addition to Julita Lemgruber, architect and artistic director Gringo Cardia and former Rio Secretary of Culture, filmmaker Marcus Faustini also spoke, the latter referring to Paul as one of the most significant figures in the history of Brazilian culture. Eliana Sousa, Director of Redes da Maré, expressed with emotion that the tribute only begins to reflect what Paul represents to Brazil. Eliana recalled her visit to London, arranged by PPP, where she took part in the first international exchange on public security with the Metropolitan Police. In a video message, PPP Associate Artist and Indigenous filmmaker Takumã Kuikuro sent warm thanks for the many doors that Paul has opened for the Kuikuro people of the Upper Xingu.

In addition to the Pedro Ernesto Medal, Paul Heritage received the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) from the British Crown this year, in recognition of his contribution to cultural relations between the United Kingdom and Brazil. He previously received the Brazilian Order of Rio Branco in 2004 for the same achievements.

The cultural bridge Paul has forged between the two countries was highlighted by the British Consul-General in Rio, Anjum Noorani, representing the UK Government at the ceremony. “Paul is not only a Professor of Drama at Queen Mary University of London. He is a visionary, a tireless advocate for the transformative power of the arts,” said Anjum.

Throughout his career as a researcher and cultural producer, Paul Heritage brought Shakespearean theatre from England to Brazil and took acclaimed groups such as AfroReggae from Rio to London, among many other leading voices in Brazilian culture. As Anjum noted, it was in the favelas and Indigenous territories that Paul found his true stage, where he saw possibilities for healing and empowerment and helped restore voice and dignity to those made invisible and forgotten.

“British Consuls come and go in Rio de Janeiro, but the one who always stays is Paul Heritage,” Anjum concluded.