In 2025, Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) collaborates with FLUP—Festa Literária das Periferias in Rio de Janeiro as part of the ongoing Middle Ground programme. Anchored in Rio’s favelas, FLUP was founded in 2012 by Ecio Salles and Julio Ludemir and works to counter a deeply entrenched hegemonic articulation of Brazil’s literary world by spotlighting works by Black, favela-based, and peripheral writers. A welcome guest on FLUP festival stage is queer singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper Bia Ferreira. Having now achieved great fame in Europe, Ferreira is considered one of her country’s most influential contemporary musical voices thanks to her unsparing and angry analysis of Brazilian society. Her performances thrive on a powerful mix of art, politics, activism, and empowerment, with lyrics that constitute fiery pleas against everyday racism, discrimination aimed at queer people and social injustice. Since 2023, Ferreira has played over a hundred concerts in sixteen countries across Africa, Europe, and North and South America, building up an international fan base and enjoying worldwide success with her first two albums, Igreja Lesbiteriana, Um Chamado (2019) and Faminta (2022).