brazilian culture

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Açaí, just like anything in excess, can be bad for your health. Is that stopping me from having it every day? No. I guess that means I’m on an açaí diet. If you are one of the people who still don’t know what this chocolaty blueberry type fruit is, let me explain. READ MORE>

Too early for Carnival? Afraid so. Too early to dream (and possibly plan)? Of course not!

My last mention of the party of all parties revolved around the city of Recife but I´d bet that few have heard of the Italianesque Carnival of inland Pernambuco. A little more than 60 miles from Recife lies the city of Bezerros, often called the Land of Papangus. A Pap-what, you ask? A Papangu! Its a person that disguises themself with a Venetian-like mask and a long tunic, among other things, during Carnival-time across Pernambuco, especially in the city of Bezerros where such traditions are strongest. READ MORE>

  Picture source

Viva São João !!!

As we speak, Brazil is full of bonfires, all kinds of corn dishes are being cooked, and everyone is getting ready to dance forró all night long!

São João (Saint John) is the saint honored on June 24th. The festival is native to Northeastern Brazil, but nowadays it is spread all over the country. It's also called "Festas Juninas" (literally 'parties of June') because the celebrations take place over the month of June, and also honor Santo Antonio and São Pedro. READ MORE>

 Never had I seen a pindaíba tree. On my latest trip to the South of Brazil, more specifically, to the state of Santa Catarina, I could finally see a real pindaíba tree. It’s a tall tree, reaches up to 60ft, and has a multi-lobed red colored fruit. This tree is on the endangered species list, but it will probably live forever on the minds of Brazilians because of a very street smart expression. READ MORE>

Oi galera,

I found this video on YouTube... American journalist Seth Kugel is interviewed by  vejapontocom (Veja is a Brazilian magazine and Vejapontocom is its YouTube channel) . Seth graduated in Political Science in Yale and has a master's degree in Public Politics from Harvard. He has been writing for the New York Times since 1998, and also works as Brazil's correspondent for the Global Post Agency.

The interview is divided in 3 videos: READ MORE>

How exciting, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts will be hosting a Brazilian art exhibit, starting next week! It is called "When Lives Become Form: Contemporary Brazilian Art, 1960's to Present”. It starts on November 5th and it goes until January 31st. The exhibit will focus on the art from the Tropicália movement and contemporary artists. READ MORE>