Former square dance leader becomes a seamstress and brings to life the costumes of the June square dances in Campina Grande

Between the rhythm of the forró and the sparkle of the full skirts, Wagner Silva, from Campina Grande, learned early on that the quadrilhas juninas in Campina Grande are more than just a typical dance: they are a feeling of belonging and cultural resistance. The love that began as a school performance became the life mission of the former quadrilhas dancer and choreographer, who today dedicates himself to bringing color to the quadrilhas through the sewing of the juninas costumes.

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Since he was little, Wagner was fascinated by school performances in the month of June, but it was only in 2012 that he took a further step in his June trajectory and joined a neighborhood square dance group. The following year, he was already in the special group, choreographing a large June dance.

“I fell in love more and more. I improved, studied, grew. I joined a June festival where I stayed for 11 years. And it was there that I experienced incredible things, won titles, faced challenges, and only fell in love with the culture even more,” he recalls.

In addition to being a square dancer and choreographer, Wagner discovered another passion in the world of the June square dances: sewing. And this new side of the business became his main source of income, to the point where he had to give up his other occupations and focus solely on producing traditional clothing. The seamstress currently works for eight square dances in Campina Grande (PB) and one in Mato Grosso, with the support of his entire family in making the pieces, employing eight people in his studio.

Anyone who thinks that the June festival in the city of the biggest São João festival in the world only happens in June is mistaken. The productions begin in November. As a result, the income of the city's employees and their families comes from sewing for the June festivals that take place throughout the year.

For Wagner, the importance of the quadrilha’s costume goes beyond what common sense imagines. “The costume is much more than just pretty clothes. It conveys the theme, the story, the identity of the quadrilha. It has to be in line with the synopsis, the colors, the elements that they will use on stage. It is so important that if it is missing [the costumes], the quadrilha will not go out. You can go out without props, without a band, just with a CD. But without costumes, you won’t go out,” he says.

Among so many pieces made, one has remained etched in Wagner's memory and heart. A challenge proposed by the Mistura Gostosa group, who wanted an outfit representing corn with a skirt simulating the husks of the cob. Initially, he refused the request, but changed his mind and produced the most memorable piece made by his studio. “When we started putting together the pieces that make up the skirt, we looked at each other and said: 'Wow, we did it'. It was a remarkable piece, when we saw her dancing in the competition, we started to cry, because it was a piece we never thought of making and it was perfect. Where we end up is one of the most talked about skirts."

The Campina native, who has participated as a dancer in the June square dances for many years, knows how important the costumes are for the dancers. He has experienced the despair of not receiving the pieces from the tailor in time for the performance, and even had to improvise a group at his mother's house, so that he could do it himself and not leave his companions without performing due to lack of uniform.

For many, the month of June is just another month on the calendar. But the month of worship of Saint John is a feeling that is built daily, that is renewed with each dedication and dedication to keeping alive the essence of the northeastern June festivals.

Wagner doesn't think twice when explaining his love for the June festivities, and the seamstress even puts this feeling above his own family: “I love my father and mother, my daughter. I love my family. But São João, for me, is a love that I can't explain. It's something we wait for all year to arrive. And only God knows how much I cried last year when I said, 'I'm going to have to stop sewing, because otherwise I won't be able to do it.'"

The Biggest São João Festival in the World is made up of stories like Wagner's, of those who live this love all year long. The June feeling is rooted in those who are born in Campina Grande and dedicate themselves, body and soul, to this cultural expression that keeps the Northeastern tradition alive.

*Terraiá 2025: Terra's coverage of the São João festivities is sponsored by Amazon.com.br and Loterias CAIXA and supported by Pringles®.