The Arraial Theater, inaugurated in 1997, is intended to theatrical and musical performances, circus and dance performances, and other cultural events, as long as it conforms to its physical structure and public capacity, respecting its condition as a historical building and in accordance with the projects and guidelines advocated by the Culture Policy of the State of Pernambuco. After been closed for six years, it was reformed and reopened in 2011 and in 2014, renamed Arraial Ariano Suassuna, in honor of one of the greatest defenders of Brazil Northeast popular culture, Brazilian literature classics author such as O Auto da Compadecida and The Romance dÀ Pedra do Reino.
The theater first name was an Ariano suggestion, by then State Culture Secretary ; since 1997, was the year of the Arraial de Canudos destruction centenary. The reference to this historical episode is in the Antônio Conselheiro and his companion Maria Villanova figures, who were portrayed in a beautiful stained glass window that adorns the sides of the theater stage.
In order to guarantee the democratization of the public management plan that provides for the occupation of the equipment, it is the only theater in the metropolitan region to offer, through Public Convocations, the concession of an incentive for the maintenance of seasons as an instrument of the democratic process, besides helping promote the work of dissemination of theater programming by the cultural producers themselves.
As it is the only state-run theater in the Pernambuco state, through the Pernambuco Historic and Artistic Patrimony Foundation – Fundarpe, considered as a small theater, with capacity for 94 seats, central air conditioning and two dressing rooms, besides stage with 9.4 meters wide and 7 meters deep. It is positioned in Recife City cultural scene, as an important rehearsals, promotion and dissemination of shows space. In addition, it receives state and national productions, constituting itself as a strategic equipment for the development of the State cultural production.
Visitation: From Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.