Jessica Carro and Zoukology speak with Berg live at the Congress in Porto Seguro! Part one if our interview with Berg!

The interview

Jessica Carro: Okay, so we're here with the one and only Berg at the Berg Congress. This is my first time here, and just from my experience — this is a dream. We arrived yesterday and I haven't stopped dancing since. It's been beach, it's been pool, it's been amazing people. But this is about Berg, so my number one question: how long has this been going on? How long have you been doing Berg's Congress?

Berg Dias: This congress, for ten years.

Jessica: Ten years now — that's incredible. And how has it grown since you started? I see it's super crowded, and it seems like there are people here from all over, from every country. Was it always like this, or did it grow to this point?

Berg: Yes. It has grown very gradually — each year, more people. Because of the interaction of new people from different places, different cultures, and the same need, which is dancing — but without anyone trying to be, like, a star. The star is us being together. That's the magical thing about the event. That's why each year more and more people feel that they are a part of the… how do you say… quebra-cabeça?

Jessica: The puzzle.

Berg: Puzzle. So each person is a part of a puzzle. And the thing is, we never finish — each time we need more people. It's a picture that's kind of endless. It will never be complete, because people become addicted to it. So each time more and more people coming — it becomes like an addiction, for people to get to know other people.

Jessica: I'll tell you one thing. This is my first time, I got here yesterday, and I've never felt an energy like the energy I felt when I got here. I couldn't stop dancing even if I wanted to — my feet hurt so bad, but there was no way to stop. And I think that's something everyone feels. It's a beautiful thing, because no one's trying to show off or look good — everyone's literally just in the dance and in the moment. And I'll tell you one thing: I think I'm addicted, because it's day two and I'm already thinking about next year. And has it always been in this place? Can you tell us a little bit about this venue? Because I know this is your house, isn't it?

Berg: Yeah. It's a house I bought many years ago, and then I started bringing people from Europe for holidays — and the holidays were just for dancing. Each time more and more people were interested, because other people had been and told them it was amazing. And it started growing slowly, slowly — each time more people. The dance is something natural; it's something where we express how we feel. And everybody feels that they feel alive — they feel, "I have an importance; other people maybe want to know me." And we have something in common, which is the dancing, so it's easier to make friends — or people get boyfriends, girlfriends, or whatever. But it's not what they come for. They come to dance — but somehow they end up finding somebody they connect with, and end up together.

Jessica: A beautiful love story!