By: Jennifer Bentley
New York and other cities around the world are gearing up for this year’s celebration of Brazilian Day. The festival celebrating Brazil’s independence will take place this year on August 31, and has been labeled as part of the official New York City calendar.
Brazilian Day is one of the largest festivals held in the city, spanning more than 25 blocks. People from all over the country, and from all over the world join to see musical acts, eat Brazilian food, and buy unique products sold throughout the festival area. Musical groups, including samba drum groups play at various locations throughout the festival, delighting festival goers of all ages.
This year will mark the festival’s 30th anniversary. Brazilian Day NYC was originally founded in 1984, by Joao DeMatos, who also founded the Brazilian American Cultural Center, The Brasilians Newspaper, and TV Global International. It was hoped that the festival would encourage and promote a celebration of Brazilian American culture in the city, and across America. Originally more of a block party, that year’s event only took placed on 46th street between Avenue of the Americas and 5th Ave, right in the center of what is today known as “Little Brazil”. Today, the event is considered to be the largest Brazilian event that takes place outside of Brazil itself. Brazilian Day NY continues to grow in size, with more people expected to attend than ever.
Unlike the first event, this 30th anniversary Brazilian Day NY is expected to bring in more than 1 million people from all over the world. This year’s event will feature popular musical artists such as Daniel, Tiago Abravanel, Aaulo, Ivete Sangalo, and Carlinhos Brown, among others. Performances will take place on 6th Ave. and in Little Brazil, and will be MC’d by Caua Reymond. Because a large crowd is expected, officials are urging anyone who hopes to attend the event to arrive early in order to avoid lines. The DJs for the event are expected to begin providing entertainment no later than 11am.
While most participants will be attending the event to party and have a good time, the organizers of Brazilian Day NY hope that this event will also serve a greater purpose: to encourage unity with the community of more than 1 million Brazilians living in the United States, 300,000 of which live in the three state area of New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. These hardworking people have contributed much too American society, and this festival intends to celebrate their contributions in every area – though especially in music and the culinary arts.
Photo By Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNerwswire