By Anna Avalanche and Gisa Miles
The sympathy and contagious joy of the Brazilian people are characteristics present in every corner of the country. The Brazilian natural beauty and diversity of its people are trademarks of traditions that result in celebrations exuberant, full of beliefs, colors, shapes and sounds. Partying runs in the blood of most Brazilians, and their festivals are a good excuse to do it longer and harder!
Brazil is internationally known for Carnival but there are more popular feasts such as the New Year, Parintins festival, Micaretas, June Feasts and Oktoberfest. These enthusiastic celebrations, which combine singing, music and much dance, attract millions of foreign tourists to the country every year. In them, it is almost impossible to remain as a mere spectator – everyone participates, everyone plays along and those who visit, become fans of these wonderful parties. Which is the best festivity in Brazil? Well the ones you visit, of course! In addition to the national popular feasts, Brazil also offers regional celebrations that animated and conquer tourists from all over, like:
New Year's Eve (Reveillon) - throughout Brazil is one of the most majestic and democratic feasts. It is celebrated in many different ways in all regions of Brazil, but nothing can compare with the beauty of festivities on the beach. Fireworks, music concerts and African traditions merge to create the magic of Reveillon. There is homage paid to Iemanja, queen of the sea. People jump waves to attract good fortune in the New Year. They celebrate together, illuminated by a huge fireworks event that decorates the skies of the Marvelous City at midnight.
June Feasts - “Festas Juninas” or June Festivals are traditional celebrations which were brought over to Brazil by Portuguese colonizers. They celebrate St. Anthony, on June 13, St. John, on June 24, and St. Peter, on June 29.
June Festivals developed into a unique kind of celebration with a wealth of regional expressions. The feasts have some typical features: music, costumes, food, decoration, games. A bonfire is always present. Remember that June is one of the coldest months of the year in Brazil. Food is heavily based on corn and other ingredients available on farms; boiled corn, baked corn, popcorn, several candies based on corn, milk and peanuts (pe-de-moleque, canjica, curau, pamonha, cocada, etc). To drink, several juices for kids, and, to help adults warm up, quentão (the name means "very hot"; the drink is prepared with ginger, sugar, and “cachaça” - a Brazilian white rum made from sugar cane).
The June circuit in the Northeast of Brazil is one of the most famous and traditional around the world. Caruaru, in the State of Pernambuco, and Campina Grande, in Paraíba, dispute the title of best feast in the country. The first is known as the “capital of forró”, a popular dance and music, while the other as the “Biggest Saint John in the world”.
Parintins festival - The Amazonian folklore festival
This large folkloric celebration presents myths, tales and legends using characters, parade carts, giant puppets, choreographies, and much music.
It festival mobilizes the Paritins city in Amazonas around the fight between the "Caprichoso" and "Garantido" bulls. The historical rivalry between the two bulls dominates the city, permeates people’s imagination and culminates in one of the most popular parties in Brazil. The Festival held every night on June 28, 29 and 30. In the Bumbódromo Arena, the bulls put on a grandiose spectacle of dance, music, drama and special effects – a true rural opera that drives its 40 thousand daily spectators into a frenzy.
Oktoberfest – in October, the city of Blumenau in the State of Santa Catarina enters into festivities, showing visitors from all over Brazil and the world its rich culture. With music, dance and typical cuisine, the party preserves the customs of German immigrants who settled in the region. The Oktoberfest in Blumenau was inspired by the German namesake festival, which originated in 1810 in Munich when King Luis I, later King of Bavaria, married to Princess Teresa of Saxony. To celebrate the wedding was held a horserace. The success was all that the festival has been held every year with the participation of the people of the region. Based in the Munich Oktoberfest, the version blumenauense was born in 1984 and today is the second largest German festival in the world!
Micaretas – The out of season carnivals. Created in the city of Feira de Santana unpleased with the carnival, which did not take place that year due to heavy rainstorms. It was so successful that it became a national hit. Since the 1990’s, many Micaretas take place in many Brazilian cities, almost throughout the year. This feast is animated by a Trio Elétrico, a truck equipped with a high power sound system and a music group on top of it, playing for the crowd. Some Brazilian artists had been known singing in a Trio as Elba Ramalho, Daniela Mercury, Ivete Sangalo, Carlinhos Brown.
Do you love Carnival? Did you miss Carnival this year?
Don't worry...
Here in Brazil you can have Carnival all year around the Micaretas!!
Accept this invitation and come celebrate life in Brazil !!!
This article has been sponsored by AA Trade Company, Cleary (128,128,0) http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cleary/128/128/0
For more pictures and information see:
Portuguese blog: http://dejavu-intl-portuguese.blogspot.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/annaavalanche/
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