Soul of a Jangada and Green Sea: Fagner’s Poetry Translating Ceará’s Essence
FORTALEZA – Amid the fast-paced rhythm of global markets and major technological transformations, there are sanctuaries where time seems to dictate its own rules, guided by the blowing wind and the movement of the tides. To comprehend the true strength of Ceará, one must, at times, slow down and look at the state through the eyes of its poets. It is precisely this gentle and welcoming atmosphere that singer Raimundo Fagner immortalized in his performance of “No Ceará É Assim” (That’s How It Is in Ceará), a classic composition by Carlos Barroso.
The song functions as an affectionate and irresistible invitation to discover a territory that manages to balance, with rare harmony, the infrastructure of the future and a coastal lifestyle that preserves its purest essence.
“To See the Beautiful Beaches of My Ceará”
The lyrics open as a soft call to those who wish to discover the natural beauty of Ceará’s coastline. These are 600 kilometers of shores sculpted by shifting dunes, colorful cliffs, and an emerald sea of warm waters. It is the perfect setting that draws travelers from all corners of the world, digital nomads, and investors who find within the tranquility of our coast the ideal balance between productivity and quality of life.
In the verse “Where the coconut tree has deep green leaves / Swaying in the wind close to the sky,” the music paints the very frame of Ceará’s hospitality. This identical wind, which sways the coconut groves in the song, is what powers today’s modern wind farms and drives kitesurfers on iconic beaches like Jericoacoara and Cumbuco, converting the ocean breeze into one of the planet’s greatest assets for sustainability and tourism.
The Legend and Identity: The Land of Light
Barroso’s poetry and Fagner’s voice also rescue the state’s cultural DNA: “And there was born the virgin of the poem / The beautiful Iracema of the honey-sweet lips.” The mention of José de Alencar’s celebrated literary character reinforces Ceará’s identity as a mystical place, rich with tales of courage, passion, and freedom. This cultural wealth overflows into regional gastronomy, sophisticated handicrafts, and the delicate nature of renda de bilro (bobbin lace), creating a unique atmosphere that enchants anyone who decides to plant roots in Ceará’s soil.
The Gliding of the Jangadas and the Rhythm of the Sea
The heart of the song beats in the calm and resilient rhythm of life by the shore:
“The little jangada goes gliding across the sea The fisherman goes catching his fish The endless green sea… In Ceará, that’s how it is in Ceará”
The image of the jangadas (traditional fishing rafts) cutting through the “endless green sea” symbolizes the ancestral and respectful relationship of the people of Ceará with the ocean. This peaceful routine, where livelihood comes from patience and knowledge of the currents, coexists today in perfect harmony with the development of the Blue Economy and environmental preservation. Ceará shows the world that it is possible to achieve economic growth while keeping one’s feet in the sand and respecting the traditions that brought us here.
The Lifestyle at the Vertex of the Atlantic
For the CTN Hub ecosystem, portraying Ceará through this melody serves as a reminder that the state’s high-performance business environment is sustained by an incomparable lifestyle. International executives and global entrepreneurs choose Fortaleza and the Ceará coast not only for its ultra-fast connectivity or port infrastructure, but for the absolute certainty that, at the end of a day of high-stakes decisions, there will always be a golden sunset, swaying coconut trees, and a gentle ocean breeze to welcome them home.
Because, deep down, the entire world already knows: in Ceará, life and good business glide as smoothly as a jangada at dusk.
Ceará Global: Good business starts here.
