Dia do Agente Fiscal da Receita Federal
(Tax inspector)
Dia do Idoso
(Elderly). This is not the only Day of the Elderly. The days of 27 September and 1 October (international) are Dia do Idoso in Brazil.
Dia Nacional do Livro Didático (Textbook)
BRAZILIAN HISTORY:
1844
Duel between Bento Gonçalvez and Onofre Pires.
Onofro had accused Bento of murder and theft. Bento, leader of the Farroupilha Revolution and president of Rio Grande do Sul, killed Onofro in the duel.
1907
Brazilian statesman Rui Barbosa nominated as Brazilian representative at the Conference in The Hague.
1940
First service of natural gas-powered city buses in Rio de Janeiro.
1970
Refusal of President Emílio Garrastazu Médici to revoke AI-5 (Ato Institucional-5).
2003
Three thousand soldiers sent to Rio de Janeiro to guarantee safety and order during carnival.
1914
Start of a scientific expedition through the Amazon Region by Cândido Rondon and former American president Theodore Roosevelt.
They discovered the Dúvida River, which was eventually renamed into Roosevelt River.
2007
Robbery with murder of three French members of the Terr’Ativa organization in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
303: Praia da Estação
In contrast to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Recife and Salvador, Belo Horizonte has no carnival tradition. For a long time, the time has been known as the place to go when you want to escape from carnival activities. More recently, the city has invested a lot in the development of carnival, including carnival parades. In 2010, a pre-carnival activity was created with the intention of better use of public areas in Belo Horizonte. The large, refurbished square in front of the railway station, Praça (square) da Estação, was renamed into Praia (beach) da Estação. Mainly students gathered during some Saturdays to enjoy the warm and sunny January days. They brought their beach towels, sunburn cream, and beer. A number of street carnival groups (‘blocos’) played there too. Some members of a percussion group are seen on the photo.
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
250: Colorful umbrellas
Pernambuco has a rich and colorful culture. Both Recife and Olinda are widely known for colorful carnival that attracts millions of visitors. Also well known is the frevo, which has a very interesting history. Late nineteenth century, two military bands participated in carnival parades. These bands were very competitive and tried to outdo each other by playing louder and faster. Some members of these orchestras drove the bystanders apart with capoeira movements and with knives, and soon these rough guys from both orchestras were fighting each other. These fights in many injuries and even deaths. Eventually, the knives were replaced by little, colorful umbrellas, and capoeira movements were further refined to the typical frevo dance. the man in the picture sells the little umbrellas.
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
216. Colorful umbrellas
JANUARY 2009: Colorful umbrellas
Just a few kilometers from Recife is Olinda, a historic town that is included on the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nowadays, the city has expanded in almost all directions, but the cozy historic center is surprisingly well preserved. Typical of the center are the small houses that are plastered with a broad range of bright colors. Since each house has a different color, the postman flawlessly delivers the mail to the address with proper combination of colors. Not only the houses are equipped with bright colors. The small umbrellas, typical of the region and associated with the frevo dance. The umbrellas with the colors red, green, blue and yellow are found in every corner of the city; also here, with their long sun shades, attached to a whitewashed wall.
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
200. Carnival group
MARCH 2008: Carnival group
It was just over a month since the carnival was held in Rio de Janeiro. The biggest party on Earth, as boasted by the Carioca’s (residents of Rio), had attracted many carnival revelers, and tourists from home and abroad. You would think that it would be quieter afterwards in the city, at least for some months. On the contrary. As seen in the picture, I witnessed a small show of a so-called bloco de carnaval, a carnival group. Back then it was Easter, this bloco used this theme in their call for attention to more tolerance and less violence and prejudice. The motley crew drew a lot of attention, especially from curious tourists, and I was one of them.
Uma seleção pessoal com as fotografias e suas histórias.
006. Palhaços
FEVEREIRO 2005: Palhaços
O carnaval em Pernambuco é bem conhecido no Brasil. Existem diferenças significativas entre o carnaval que acontece no Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo, e o multicultural de Recife e Olinda. O carnaval em Pernambuco é dominado por músicas e danças típicas, como o frevo. Em 2005 participei do carnaval no centro histórico de Recife, no Marco Zero. A localidade é caracterizada por um grande número de casas históricas que datam desde a ocupação holandesa, no século XVII. No caminho para o Marco Zero conheci essas jovens vestidas de palhaço, que, com um largo sorriso, posaram espontaneamente para a minha câmera.
Samba school Unidos da Tijucais one of the oldest, still active, samba schools in Brazil. The school was founded on the final day of 1931. Five years later, in 1936, Unidos gained their first championship in the elite class. In that year, the school introduced the samba enredo, that accompanied the parade with music. Between 1960 and 1980, the school suffered great difficulties. Only in 1981 the highest level, the elite class, was reached again. In the past decade, Unidos gained four championships: in 1936, 2010, 2012, and 2014.
Recent results:
2014: 1st Elite group 2013: 3rd Elite group 2012: 1st Elite group 2011: 2nd Elite group 2010: 1st Elite group
“Um conto marcado no tempo – O olhar Suíço de Clóvis Bornay”. A tale marked in time – The Swiss look of Clovis Bornay.
The samba school will homage Clóvis Bornay (1916-2005), famous for creative fantasies for various samba schools. Born of Spanish and Swiss descent, his roots made him inspire the costumes upon European tradition, among which Venice. The samba school will present Swiss folk tales, for example Wilhelm Tell, the Saint Bernard dog, the edelweiss flower.
Example images of the fantasies:
Um conto marcado no tempo – O olhar Suíço de Clóvis Bornay
Carnaval
Eterna é nossa união
Que bom voltar
Pra reviver esta emoção
Quem dera com o meu pai reencontrar
Tantas histórias encantadas
Se fez o sonho e não quero acordar
Seres alados, castelos erguidos
Sopro gigante, herói destemido
Nos montes de neve um anjo a proteger
Melhor amigo que o homem pode ter
Gira mundo no tempo, templo da invenção
Tudo cabe no bolso ou na palma da mão
”O som da caixa”, jóia de valor
Quem procura acha, a senha do amor
Novo tempo
Relativa idade do conhecimento
Brilhante pensamento
Explica a vida em todas as direções
Sábia mente, a hora voa com o viajante
Brilha o sol num instante
Aquecendo tantas gerações
Hoje eu vejo que o ontem
É o aprendizado para o amanhã
Suíça, em tua história a inspiração
Com teus sabores na avenida
Quebrando o gelo, lá vem o pavão
Deixa o dia clarear Tijuca
Tá na hora a gente vai à luta
O relógio disparou alô gente bamba
Vai pro Borel o prêmio Nobel do samba
Samba school Imperatriz Leopoldinensewas founded in 1959. The name is a homage to empress Leopoldina, the first wife of Brazilian emperor Pedro I. The presentations performed by this school are a guarantee for originality and glamour. Imperatriz is an 8-time champion in the elite class, their most recent victory dates back from 2001.
Recent results:
2014: 5th Elite group 2013: 4th Elite group 2012: 10th Elite group 2011: 6th Elite group 2010: 8th Elite group
“Axé-Nkenda – Um ritual de liberdade – E que a voz da liberdade seja sempre a nossa voz”. Axe-Nkenda – A ritual of freedom – and that the voice of freedom is always our voice
Imperatriz, inspired by soccer player Daniel Alves eating a banana as a reaction against racism, will show us the riches of Africa. The ancient kingdoms, the cultural richness of the numerous peoples and tribes. The continent rich in colors and flavors, and which sons have great influence in the Brazilian culture. The school also pays attention to prejudice against blacks, the fight against racism, and will end with Mandela, as the great example of African pride.
Some example images of the fantasies:
Axé-Nkenda – Um ritual de liberdade – E que a voz da liberdade seja sempre a nossa voz
Foi um grito que ecoou, “Axé-Nkenda”!
A luz dentro de você… acenda!
Nada é maior que o amor, entenda
A voz do vento vem pra nos contar que na mãe África nasceu a vida
Pura magia, “baobá” abençoado… tanta riqueza no triângulo sagrado
Mistérios! Grandeza! O homem em comunhão com a natureza!
Tristeza e dor, na violência pelas mãos do invasor
E o mar levou.. Nossa cultura um novo mundo encontrou
Põe pimenta pra arder, arder, arder!
Sente o gosto do dendê, o iaiá, oyá
Tem acarajé no canjerê, tem caruru e vatapá (é divino o paladar)
Capoeira vai ferver! Vem ver! Vem ver!
Abre a roda que ioiô quer dançar… Sambar…
Traz maracatu, maculelê… É festa até o sol raiar
Liberdade! Sagrada busca por justiça e igualdade
E com arte eu semeio a verdade
O despertar para um novo amanhecer
Faço brotar a força da esperança
Deixo de herança um novo jeito de viver!
Vamos louvar o canto da massa
Unindo as raças pelo respeito
Vamos à luta pelos direitos
Uma “banana” para o preconceito
“Mandela”! “Mandela”!
Num ritual de liberdade
Lá vem a Imperatriz! Eu vou com ela
Eu sou “Madiba”! Sou a voz da igualdade
Samba school União da Ilha do Governadorwas founded in 1953, by a group of friends, who were watching a small parade of samba schools on the island of Ilha do Governador. They worked out the idea that the island needed a big samba school, and União da Ilha was created. The samba school ranked third in the elite class twice, and is 2-time champion in the transition class, in 1974 and in 2009.
Recent results:
2014: 4th Elite group 2013: 9th Elite group 2012: 8th Elite group 2011: Hors concours Elite group 2010: 11th Elite group
The samba school, inspired by the tremendously popular selfies, will present us all aspects of beauty. Despite the strict ban of taking pictures and selfies during the parade, the school will show some selfies.
Some example images of the fantasies:
_____________________________________________
Samba Enredo
Complete parade / desfile 2014
Samba text:
Beleza Pura?
Floresceu… desabrochou uma explosão de cor
Bem-vinda, oh, mão natureza
Transformando, esbanjando formosura, é beleza pura
Vem no tempo vai no vento, quem vai julgar
O povo sempre deu um jeito de se enfeitar
Cada um é tão bonito quanto possa imaginar
Sou sambista, minha arte é universal
O que importa é estar na moda, na avenida principal
Me visto de ilusão, transbordo de emoção sou
Chique estou no carnaval
Lá vem ela toda prosa, gostosa fiu, fiu
A beleza tá no seu interior, nos olhos de quem vê
No verdadeiro amor
Diga espelho meu no swing dessas feras
Tem mais bela do que eu? Ele respondeu:
No reino encantado, quem nasce pra brilhar, jamais se apagará
Mamãe, tô forte e tenho sorte
Meu charme é passaporte para ser superstar
Eu tô na tela da TV sou a cara da riqueza
Tiro foto de mim mesmo eu só quero aparecer
Vim sem nada pra vida, nada vou poder levar
O meu destino diz, que eu serei feliz
A Ilha chegou, a festa começou
O show é da comunidade
Sem desmerecer ninguém, sou a mais linda
Encantando a cidade
Inside Brazil 