A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
295: Gunga Beach sunset
When I was accompanying a group of students on their way to João Pessoa, a day was spent on the beach of Gunga in the state of Alagoas. Following my visits in 2008 and 2009, it was the third time I stayed at this beach paradise. Just like the first time, the bus driver had to use all his experience and agility to guide the bus over the bumpy and paved secondary road. Most students immediately searched for the nearby beach pavilion and ordered a large amount of beer right away. This was not my intention, I preferred a long beach walk, with a camera in my hand. Late afternoon, we enjoyed a breathtaking sunset.
(Marines killed in WWII). At the Monumento Nacional, marines killed in World War II are remembered. More than one thousand sailors of merchant vessels and marines were killed thanks to the torpedoes fired from the German U-boats. The monument was erected at the Aterro do Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro in 1960.
Monumento Nacional in Rio de Janeiro
BRAZILIAN HISTORY:
1564 Death of Martim Afonso de Souza (1490/1500 – 1564/1571), founder of São Vicente (SP).
In December 1531, the Portuguese king João III sent out an expedition, with De Souza (appointed as governor of Brazil), as the commander. This expedition was in fact the start if the Portuguese colonization of Brazil. Less than two months later, the fleet arrived in Pernambuco. One year later, the same fleet, in search of the legendary ‘Rio da Prata’ (River of Silver), in São Vicente, where De Souza organized the very first elections on the American continent: Elections for the city council of São Vicente. In 1533, De Souza battled against the Moors and Hindus for the dominance of Portuguese India. His victory was awarded with the title viceroy of India. In 1545 or 1546, he definitely returned to his motherland.
At present, you will be confronted frequently with banners that announce and justify a certain strike, with the demands written in capitals. Since 1964, it was strictly forbidden by the dictators, to strike. On July 21, more than three million employees in the sectors of banking, public transportation, metal industries, commercial services, public services, were on strike. Numerous manifestations and demonstrations took place in entire Brazil The military regime intervened violently, arrested the leaders of the strike and gatherings were forbidden. The strike became the start of a labor union: Central Única dos Trabalhadores, one month later.
1902 Foundation of soccer club Fluminense (RJ).
The Tricolores (Their nickname is derived from the colors white, wine red (grená) and green) have established their fame in Brazilian soccer. The team from Rio de Janeiro has conquered the national championship four times: Three times in Série A: (1970, 1984, and 2010), and one time in Série C (1999). In 1952, Fluminense won the World Cup. The most famous players at Fluminense were Telê Santana (later, he became coach of the national team), Didi, Waldo, Rivelino, and Branco (yes, he scored the winning goal against the Netherlands in the quarter finals of the World Cup in 1994).
1674 Start of the Bandeira expedition, led by Fernão Dias Paes (1608-1681).
He was a descent of the first colonists in São Vicente, who were searching for gold and emerald. Stories about the ‘El Dorado’, that was never found, attracted many fortune seekers and adventurers. Fernão was one of them. With the promise of richness and fame, he started an expedition that lasted seven years, from São Paulo to the inland of Minas Gerais. He never has found the treasures, only the less valuable tourmaline. But his expedition was of significant value. During his expedition, he was accompanied by his son and bastard son He had his bastard son hanged since he suspected betrayal against him.
2007 Earthquake with a force of 6,1 degrees according the Richter Scale between the states of Amazonas and Acre.
According to USGS (U.S. geological institute), the quake occurred at 10.27 am (BST), at a depth of 632,9 km, and at 425 km northwest of Rio Branco, capital of the state of Acre. The quake was slightly felt in the region, and there were no reports of victims. About three years later, on May 24, 2010, another earthquake, with a force of 6.5 was registered. Witnesses reported not having felt this quake.
2007 Gold medal for the Brazilian handball team at the Panamerican Games, after having beaten Cuba.
Handball was added to the Panamerican Games in 1987. In Cuba 1991, there was no women’s handball competition. Brazil won bronze in 1987 and 1995, and gold in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011.
foto: video still ESPN Brazil
2007 Gold medal for Brazilian Danielle Zangrando (judo, until 57kg).
Judoka Danielle beat American Valerie Gotay in the final. At the age of 16, she won bronze during the world championships in 1995.
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
294: Erythrina speciosa tree
Erythrina speciosa, known as the coral tree, is common in southeastern Brazil. These shrubs are popular in the city parks, as I have seen in Parque Municipal in Belo Horizonte. This striking shrub is also located along the banks of Lake Pampulha. In winter, the shrubs lose their leafs while the red flowers bloom. The result is a red-dominated shrub, a beloved spot for hummingbirds. With their tall, slender beak, the hummingbirds manage to extract the sweet nectar, while they hover in the sky.
(Friend’s Day). This day was introduced by Argentine Enrique Ernesto Febbraro. He was inspired by the first man on the moon on July 20, 1969, which day was not only a technological milestone, but also a day that provides opportunities to make friendships with anyone, on the Earth and beyond. In 1979, the day was introduced in Argentina by decree 235/79, and Brazil followed little time later. In 1985, the United Nations added this day on their calendar, followed by more than one hundred nations. On April 27, 2011, the United Nations declared July 30 as the International Day of Friendship.
“Não sei se a vida é curta ou longa demais para nós, Mas sei que nada do que vivemos Tem sentido se não focamos o coração das pessoas E isso não é coisa de outro mundo. É o sentido da vida! É o que faz com que ela não seja nem curta, nem longa demais Mas que seja intensa, verdadeira, para enquanto durar. Muitas vezes basta ser Colo que acolhe, braço que envolve, Palavra que conforta, silêncio que respeita, alegria que contagia,
Lágrima que corre, olhar que acaricia, desejo que sacia, amor que promove.”
Cora Coralina
Nunca foi um bom amigo quem por pouco quebrou a amizade.
A good friend does not end a friendship because of a minor issue. Popular saying
O que é um amigo? Uma única alma habitando dois corpos.
What is a friend? That is the only soul that houses in two bodies.
Aristoteles
AMIGO…
É COISA BOA,
É COISA LINDA,
É COISA CHATA,
É TUDO E MAIS UM POUCO,
É PARA TODOS E PARA NINGUÉM,
É COISA PARA TODO HORA.
AMIGO É INDEFINIDO.
AMIGO É DA GENTE PARA TODO A GENTE.
E DE GENTES PARA NOSSA GENTE.
AMIGO É ASSIM, AMIGO.
(World Friendship Day). Another confusing date. In 1935, the American Congress introduced the National Friendship Dayon the first Sunday in August.. This initiative was followed by a number of other nations. In contrast, in for example Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, the Dia do (or del) Amigo is on July 20, today.
Dia do Revendedor de Petróleo e Derivados / dos Postos de Gasolina
Born in Ceará (1844), padre Cícero Romão Batista may be considered as a Messiah for the poor people in Northeast Brazil. The large majority in this region is catholic, but they consider the Vatican as too distant from them. Not only in kilometers, but also in the understanding of their harsh circumstances. Therefore, they are very sensitive for charismatic people who appear to be as poor and humble as they are. A good start for a charismatic public figure as Padre Cicero. A saint for the one, a demagogue of the other. The legend around the priest was born in 1889. During the mass, one of the worshipers was not able to swallow the Host, because it was transformed in a red substance. Investigations did not reveal its origin, and this happening was considered as a miracle. It was not the only ‘miracle’. Soon pilgrimages were organized to this chapel. Cicero even became politician, became major of his parish. That gained him many opponents. The catholic church blocked his religious tasks. After his death, his town Juazeiro became one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Brazil, with more than 2 million pilgrims annually. Some among them arrive on their bleeding knees at the statue, in their eyes a sacred place.
Haroldo was one of the most influential composers of carnival music in Rio de Janeiro, in the past century. During his productive life he wrote no less than 453 musics; more than 300 of them were carnival musics. Haroldo did not enjoy his ultimate success, “Que Tristeza”, since he died of a heart attack prior to the first performance.
Alberto Santos Dumont is the principal Brazilian aviation pioneer. He made his first motorized flight in 1906. source
SANTOS DUMONT
O Reporte da História
‘O Pai da Aviação’
Life and Works 1
Life and Works 2
1903 Inauguration Marco das Três Fronteiras.
In Foz do Iguaçu, the borders of Argentina (Puerto Iguazú), Paraguay (Puerto Presidente Franco), and Brazil form a triple frontier. In each of the mentioned locations an obelisk as been erected as a landmark. The three obelisks form a equilateral triangle, as a symbol of equality and fraternity between the three countries. The Brazilian as well as the Argentinean obelisk were erected on July 20, 1903, each decorated in the national colors. In the near future, a second ‘Friendship Bridge’ between Paraguay and Brazil will be constructed. Also a panoramic tower has been designed.
TRÊS FRONTEIRAS
(Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina)
Brazil
Argentina
Bridging the borders?
Showing the three columns
1874 Second attack against the Citadel of the Muckers – movement of protestant colonists in Rio Grande do Sul
2007 Panamerican Games, judo: Gold medal for Edinanci Silva, after defeating the Cuban Yurisel Laborde
Edinanci also won the gold medal at the 2003 Panamerican Games. She won bronze twice at the World Championships in 1997 and in 2003.
2007 Panamerican Games, judo: Gold medal for Tiago Camilo, after defeating the Cuban Jorge Benavides.
Tiago also won the gold medal at the Panamerican Games in 2003 and 2011. He became world champion in 2007, and gained silver (2000), and bronze (2008) at the Olympic Games.
2007 Panamerican Games, swimming: Gold medal for Thiago Pereira (200 m medley).
Thiago won six golden medals during the 2007 edition, and more six during the 2011 edition of the Panamerican Games. He reached 5th (2004) and 4th (2008) during the Olympic Games (200 m medley).
(Charity). Many religions encourage the worshipers to donate to poor people. The christian doctrine encourages to donate openly, but that it is preferable to donate discretely. The Islam has the zakat (‘purification’), the third of the five pillars of the Islam. The worshipers are obliged to donate a fix share of their income and capital to the poor people, or to causes that are beneficial for the Islam, such as the contributions for the construction and maintenance of mosques. The day was established by Lei (law) 5,063 in 1966.
(Soccer). On 19 July 1900, the first Brazilian soccer club was founded: Sport Club Rio Grande. In 1894, soccer was introduced from England by Charles Miller (from São Paulo),when he returned from England with two soccer balls and his acquired knowledge of the game rules. The first international match of the Brazilian national team was played in 1914, against the English club Exter City. Due to the fabulous talents of Pelé and Garrincha for example, Brazil has gained international recognition as a principal soccer nation. Brazil has won the World Cup five times: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.
HYMNS OF THE PRINCIPAL
BRAZILIAN SOCCER TEAMS
Teams from the state of São Paulo
Teams from the state of Rio de Janeiro
Teams from the state of Rio Grande do Sul
Teams from the state of Minas Gerais
Teams from the state of Pernambuco
Teams from the state of Bahia
BRAZILIAN HISTORY:
1900 Foundation of the oldest (still active) Brazilian soccer club, Sport Clube Rio Grande (SCRG).
The club was founded by Johannes Christian Moritz Minnemann. In 1936, SCRG won the championship of the Gaúcho competition (Rio Grande do Sul). At present, SCRG participates in the second division of the Gaúcho competition. Due to its reputation as oldest club, SCRG received the nickname ‘Vovó” (grandpa).
2004 Launch of the national campaign ‘O Melhor do Brasil é o Brasileiro’ (The Best of Brazil is the Brazilian).
The campaign was launched with the intention to rescue the self-esteem of Brazilians, that appeared to be low. Brazil and Brazilians did not play significant roles in history, with the exception of certain sportive achievements (as in soccer and volleyball). One of the campaign elements was the slogan ‘Eu sou brasileiro e não nunca desisto’ (I am Brazilian and will never desist). The immense campaign was launched in the presence of President Lula.
2007 Launch of the suborbital rocket VSB-30 V4 by Agência Espacial Brasileira (Brazilian Space Agency).
VSB stands for ‘Veículo de Sondagem Booster’ (Booster Sounding Vehicle), a type of a suborbital rocket. The rocket was developed in cooperation with DLR (German Space Agency). The 12.6 meter long rocket is able to carry a load of about 400 kg, to a height of 270 km. The first launch in Alcântara (MA) was on October 23, 2004. The second and third launches were in Sweden, in order to obtain European qualification certificates. The fourth launch, in Alcântara, was partly successful. There were problems with the parachutes and the localization system, and the rocket disappeared in the ocean. In 2009, the VSB gained international qualification and now may become a successful Brazilian export product.
2008 Death of Brazilian actress Dercy Gonçalves (1907)
Dercywas born as Dolores Gonçalves Castro in the state of Rio de Janeiro in 1907. She was born in a poor family and dreamed of a singing career. She started her career at the age of sixteen, when she escaped her house and joined a traveling theater company. She soon lost her voice, but she quickly gained fame as a comedienne. Dercy started her movie career in 1943 in ‘Samba em Berlim’. In 1958, she starred in ‘A Grande Vedete‘, which may be considered as one of her career highlights. In 1957, she made her television debut. She joined Globo and she became very popular with the Sunday broadcast ‘Dercy de Verdade’, which gained more than seventy percent of the television viewers. In 1991, she was honored in the samba enredo of samba school Viradouro. At the age of 83, she participated in the parade and caused controversy when she showed her bare breasts. She was the actress with the longest career, more than eighty years, according to the Guiness Book of Records. According to her last will, she is buried in upright position in a self-created mausoleum, which resembles the pyramid of the Louvre in Paris.
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
293: Billboard
Some English words and expressions are used in Brazilian Portuguese in a very different way. Well-known is the example of ‘notebook’, and you will associate this word with a notepad. However, in Brazil, it is a laptop. Another confusing word is ‘outdoor’: you`ll be thinking about outdoor activities. However, in Brazil, it is a billboard. Billboards are quite common in the Brazilian urban landscape. Gigantic posters – whether or not illuminated – scream their messages to the motorists and other road users passing by. This billboard is partly stripped of the advertising message, but the woman, with her spread arms, has been retained.
(Troubadour). The word is probably derived from Latin (trobaire: poet). Every troubadour (or minstrel) is a poet, but not every poet is a troubadour. The ‘trova’ is a ballad that consists of four rhyming strophes. The verses were sung around since the Medieval Ages by troubadours or minstrels. In 1950, a cultural movement emerged, that reflected upon the trova: “Trovismo”. This term was invented by poet/ politician J. G. de Araújo Jorge and by poet Gilson de Castro, better known for his pseudonym Luiz Otávio (18 juli 1916-1977). In 1960, their dream became true: The foundation of an official union (União Brasileira de Trovadores) and their work “Os Primeiros Jogos Florais”. Luiz Otávio was honored as the “Prince of the Brazilian “Trovadores”. In 1980, neotrovismo emerged, by the foundation of the “Clube dos Trovadores Capixabas” by poet Clério José Borges: a new boot for Trovismo. At present, more than 3000 trovadores are active in Brazil; their symbol is the rose, their patron saint is St. Francis of Assisi.
Saudade palavra doce que traduz tanto amargor; saudade é como se fosse espinho cheirando a flor…
BASTOS TIGRE
B- Trovas Filosóficas (philosophic): Thoughts.
Duas vidas todos temos, muitas vezes sem saber: — a vida que nós vivemos, e a que sonhamos viver…
LUIZ OTÁVIO
C- Trovas Humorísticas (humoristic): Comedy.
Eu, trabalhar desse jeito, com a força que Deus me deu, pra sustentar um sujeito vagabundo que nem eu ???…
ORLANDO BRITO
TROVADOR
O Menestrel Moacir Reis (Florianópolis)
O Menestrel Moacir Reis
BRAZILIAN HISTORY:
1967 Death of Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco (1897-1967), former president of Brazil.
Humberto was a military officer, and was colonel in the Brazilian Expeditionary Force that battled in Italy during the Second World War. We was appointed as chief of the army staff by president Goulart. He was one of the coup members that ousted the same Goulart in 1964. Two weeks after the coup, Humberto was sworn in as the new president. During his mandate until March 1967, all leftist parties became dismantled. The Brazilian airline company Panair (part of Panam at that time) had to end the activities, and Varig took the position of national airline carrier. Shortly after his resignation as president, he was killed in a plane crash in Fortaleza. It remains unclear whether this plane crash was an accident or not.
1841 Coronation of D. Pedro II as emperor of Brazil.
Pedro de Alcântara João Carlos Leopoldo Salvador Bibiano Francisco Xavier de Paula Leocádio Miguel Gabriel Rafael Gonzaga de Bragança e Habsburgo, is the complete name of Dom Pedro II (1825-1891). In 1831, his father, Dom Pedro I, abdicated, after fierce protests of the Brazilians against his inability to govern Brazil and against his participation in the Portuguese Civil War (Pedro was king Pedro IV in Portugal). Following his abdication, Pedro’s daughter Maria ascended the Portuguese throne at the age of fifteen. At that time, little Pedro was only five. Regents governed Brazil until 1840, when the Brazilian parliament judged 14-year old Pedro old enough to govern Brazil. This motto was ‘União e Indústria, “Union and Industry”. He guided Brazil into the industrialist period. Pedro II governed no less than 58 years, until the military coup in 1889. Two years later, he died in Paris, where he lived in exile. His body was later transferred to Brazil, and he now is buried in Petrópolis.
1821 Annexation of Banda Oriental (future Uruguay) by the Portuguese.
Banda Oriental was added as the province Cisplatina to the Brazilian colony. The Uruguayans battled for their independence for 19 years. In 1811, Southern American Liberation Wars were in full progress, the Uruguayan hero José Gervasio Artigas (1764-1850) battled together with the Argentinians against the Spanish rulers and defeated them. José returned to Uruguay (then called Banda Oriental, after the eastern margin of the Uruguay River), where he started the siege of Montevideo. The Portuguese, in turn, invaded Banda Oriental, but the city was spared. Artigas became leader of the people of Banda Oriental, that joined the Federation of River Plate (future Argentina). The Portuguese invaded, secretly agreed by Argentina, Banda Oriental in 1816. Artigas lost the battle against the Portuguese, and exiled himself to Paraguay. Following the annexation in 1821, revolutions broke out, until the nation declared itself independent in 1825. Together with Argentina, the young independent country Brazil fought a 500-day war, until the ratification of a treaty in 1828, confirming the independence of Uruguay.
source The country was almost completely deserted
for a short time, because of the fights.
Independence process of Uruguay
1971 Final match of Pelé in Brazilian Team.
At the age of 16, Pelé entered the Brazilian national team. In the match against Argentina, Pelé scored, but Brazil lost 1-2. At the age of 17, Pelé won his first World Cup. He participated in four world cups (1958-1962-1966-1970), but did not win in 1966. His ultimate match in Maracanã was witnessed by almost 140 thousand spectators. They pleaded him to stay. Pelé was very nervous before this match, and did not score. He was very emotional when he was substituted. Pele played 115 times for the national team and scored 95 times. Obviously, he did not win the Copa América. His ultimate match as professional was in 1977, during a match between New York Cosmos and Santos.
‘Pelé was considering to continue in the second half’
1892 Creation of a Bacteriological Laboratory in the state of São Paulo, by Lei nº 43.
The Instituto Bacteriológico e o Laboratório de Análises Químicas e Bromatológicas was the precursor of the renown Butantan Institute. French scientist Félix le Dantec was the first director. After six months, he was succeeded by Brazilian scientist Adolfo Lutz. Theinstitutemanaged to control epidemics of cholera, yellow fever and bubonic plague. The Butantan Institute was created in 1901.
BUTANTÃ (BUTANTAN) INSTITUTE
Instituto Butantã
TVendo e Aprendendo:
Instituto Butantan
Instituto Butantan Part 1
Instituto Butantan Part 2
Instituto Butantan Part 3
Instituto Butantan Part 4
Instituto Butantan Part 5
Instituto Butantan Part 6
1959 First appearance of the dog Bidu as a comic in the jornal ‘Folha de São Paulo.
The dog, inspired upon a schnauzer, was created by cartoonist Maurício de Souza. The cartoonist later became famous with his creation of ‘Turma da Monica’.
copyright: Maurício de Souza
1987 Death of Gilberto Freyre (1900), sociólogist, anthropologist, historian, writer, painter, and politician.
Gilberto is widely known for his anthropological studies of races and cultures in Brazil. His best known work is ‘Casa Grande & Senzala’ (The Masters and the Slaves), about the black heritage in Brazil.
GILBERTO FREYRE
De Lá Pra Cá 1
De Lá Pra Cá 2
De Lá Pra Cá 3
De Lá Pra Cá 4
Caminho Gilberto Freyre 1
Caminho Gilberto Freyre 2
Caminho Gilberto Freyre 3
Caminho Gilberto Freyre 4
1913 Introduction of four time zones in Brazil, by law.
From east to west, Brazil measures more than 4300 kilometers. In 1884, it was decided, after a meeting of 24 countries, to introduce time zones. The time zones divided the states of Pará and Amazonas in two time zones. In 2008, these divisions disappeared, following slight adaptation of the time zones. Since 1931, Brazil has summer time from October to February. Also in 2008, it was decided that the southern Brazilian states will have a summer time from the third Sunday in October until the third Sunday in February. In 2011, Bahia joined this group of states.
The left map shows the initial time zones. In 2008, the times zones were adapted, the zones within the states of Amazonas and Pará disappeared. The right map shows the states with summer time (darker color)
1841 Luís Alves de Lima e Silva promoted to Brigade General and awarded the title of Baron of Caxias.
Luís received the title because of this peaceful approach to bring Maranhão back under central control.
1824 Arrival of the first 39 German migrants in Porto Alegre (RS).
This group of German colonists arrived as a result of an imperial program to colonize Southern Brazil. They arrived in the then called Province of São Pedro, and continued their travel to São Leopoldo, where they arrived on July 25.
1847 Death of Bento Gonçalves (Leader of the Farrapos Revolution).
Bento was born in Triunfo (RS) in 1788. He is considered as one of the most important people in the history of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Bento, together with Antônio de Souza Neto and Italian freedom fighter Giuseppe Garibaldi, fought in independence war (1835-1845) against the Brazilian Empire. The revolutionaries (farrapos or raggamuffins) were defeated, and peace was offered by Luiz Alves de Lima e Silva, general of the imperial army (see above). In return, the farrapos chose Luiz as their state president.
1969 Safe of Adhemar de Barros, governor of São Paulo, robbed by rebels of VAR-Palmares.
The money – now worth about 15 million euros – was the so-called ‘caixinha’ of the corrupt activities of the ex-governor. Planning of the robbery was worked out in deep detail, and participated by 13. Dilma was linked to this rebel group. The money was transferred to a Swiss bank account, and was used for financing movements against the dictatorship. See also the articles of IstoÉand brasil247.
