The tertulia story
I first learned the word “tertulia” when I was living in Maputo, Mozambique. Of course it’s a word that’s been in use for many years but within the context that I first learned it, tertulia was used to describe a certain kind of party that included Mozambicans, expats and the arts/cultural crowd, and performances of music, dance, poetry, etc. I love the spirit of the tertulia and I want to recreate that with events in Boston--a global mashup of immersive experiences that uses the arts to bring people together.
I am passionate about the arts, and intercultural learning and exchange as tools to make our world a better place. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to live, work and travel in different countries, which has been so important in my ability to build bridges and understanding across borders and cultures.
Tertulia is founded upon my vision to provide platforms for local and international artists and artisans from around the world—artists who teach us about other realities and ways of life, and speak out against many different forms of injustice. At its core, Tertulia embraces the basic concept of social enterprise and the philosophy that the sale of fair-trade products will make an impact on the lives of the artisans who make them, with the profits earned also supporting Tertulia’s arts programming in Boston and online.
Tertulia seeks to serve specific needs in local communities by providing artists and artisans from near and far with yet another platform to access audiences and markets, and by providing U.S. audiences with experiences that allow for deep connection and transformation through immersive cultural experiences. If, as a result, Tertulia advances the career of an artist in Boston or from a different corner of the world; assists an artisan’s family with their child’s school fees; or inspires a U.S. audience member to believe that another world is possible; I will consider Tertulia a success.
—Stephanie Scherpf