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2019 was harmonized with one of the largest National Music-therapy student meet on current history, over 169 students gathered to study, socialize, connect, play, sing and listen for the event held in São Paulo by the month of October. The meet that holds the name “Encontro Nacional de Musicoterapia – ENEMT” which literally means National Music-therapy Students Meet is organized by the students themselves and annually held since 2009, being this ENEMT the consecutive 11th. Having the COVID-19 lockdown restricted the personal meets, 2020 is likely to be the first year without the gathering since its first note. Former Latin America Delegate Dr. Lázaro Castro has written a chronological history and memoir for the event, published by UNESPAR’s (State University of Paraná) periodic Incantare. The article holds precious info about past events, including a thorough analysis on how the event consolidates an important formation and identity builder for the country.
In the effort to bring some memoir to the XI ENEMT we should recall some of it’s main moments. We had the opportunity to interact in workshops, present projects, reflect and get updated in neuroscience, music-therapy politics, social projects and amazing initiatives by peers on the field. Aside that we gathered to socialize and exchange a lot during the 4 days of the event. On the very last day we went to Sala São Paulo to watch a Piano and Orchestra ensemble, the place is a historical site that mixes a train station with one of the most recognized concert halls in Brazil, after that we made our way to Ibirapuera park for a picnic and some last farewells.
I’ve also made the effort to reach some of the participants that I had the privilege to know in the very same event that happened to keep some kind of contact throughout this last year, some of the sayings and feelings transmitted were of very fond memories, inspirations, lightheartedness and dynamicity of the event and even fraternal love and companionship in high regards for the dimension and organization of the gathering. Karina, one of the attendees symbolized the event as “paths”, in a freely made translation and adaptation of one her sharings she says: “it is (the event) a space in which paths gather paths contrast, paths that assimilate, paths that diverge, paths that identify, but nonetheless aspiring paths towards music-therapy, a worthwhile trip.”
For the history of this event, for what it symbolized, and for the gathering of those that want to make their trip and paths crossed in this world worthwhile on their own self-realization and the welfare of others, I bid farewell and that we might play and listen to ourselves sooner and brighter than any expectations.
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Henryque Cunha
WFMT Student Delegate for Latin American and the Caribbean
