The bamboo revolution in Brazil
- Lucio has been a pioneer of contemporary bamboo craftsmanship in Brazil since 1985
- He is the founder of a nationwide movement celebrating the postive impact of bamboo as a material
- His practice was itinerant for 20 years, and is now based in Minas Gerais
Lucio Ventania’s journey with bamboo began at the age of ten, when he met his master and stepped into a world that would define his life. From 1975 to 1985, he dedicated himself to an intensive apprenticeship, learning every technique from basket weaving to furniture and architectural structures. But what truly shaped him was the understanding that craft could transform lives. "For me, bamboo has the power to be a bridge between environmental concerns and social change," says Lucio. When he opened his studio in 1985, his purpose was clear: to share knowledge of bamboo as a tool for dignity, income, and healing in rural communities. He created CERBAMBU, which became the national reference centre dedicated to bamboo learning, biodiversity and social technologies.
Interview
- What has working with bamboo taught you?
- Bamboo teaches me to observe before acting. It bends, but it does not break easily. As a child, I learned that true strength is flexible. The material demanded respect and patience, and in return it revealed endless possibilities.
- Why is social impact central to your practice?
- From the beginning, I believed that working with the hands has power. In rural areas, many people lack formal education, but they have intelligence and skill. Bamboo can offer them income, purpose, and even provide therapeutic value.
- What was the vision behind the project Bamboo Circle of Brazil?
- We wanted to bring the full cycle of the benefits of bamboo to communities. We involved psychologists and artists, so that the impact could be cultural, agricultural and social all at once. It was about empowerment, not just craft. For 20 years we travelled to 60 cities in five states across Brazil with a multidisciplinary team. We trained over 10,000 people, planted more than one million bamboo plants, and promoted biodiversity instead of monoculture.
- Why create a permanent campus after years of travelling?
- In 2008, I felt we needed continuity. The reference centre allows research to be undertaken, preserves over 20 bamboo species, and hosts three workshops per year. It became a stable ground for deeper learning and for apprentices from Brazil and abroad.
Lucio Ventania is a master artisan: he began his career in 1983 and he started teaching in 1986
