Last Friday evening (26 May) saw the official opening of the Brasil Junino Festival at the Embassy of Brazil in London. Over 130 guests and members of the press were dazzled by a series of unique Brazilian cultural shows celebrating Brazil’s June Festivities.
The cocktail reception officially opened a 10-day Brazilian festival at the Embassy of Brazil in London, a cultural extravaganza designed to promote Brazil’s famous Festas Juninas, or June Festivals. London represents the final leg of Brasil Junino’s European tour, having already visited Lisbon, Madrid and Rome.
“We hope to give visitors a rare snapshot of Brazilian culture, set to a tantalizing backdrop of colour and sound”, explains Edilane Oliveira, Brasil Junino’s curator. “Brazilians famously love to party, but the Festas Juninas, or June Festivals, offer a fascinating expression insight into Brazilian culture and symbolism – it is our story and deserves to be shared”, she added.
The programme – which includes stage performances, presentations, traditional costumes, as well as an exhibition profiling the largest and most-spectacular festivals in Brazil – is open to the public daily, from 1 pm to 7 pm, and gives Londoners an exclusive opportunity to participate in these uniquely Brazilian festivities.
The line-up includes a number of headline Brazilian acts, including Zeu Azevedo, the legendary Brazilian musician, composer and saxophonist, as well as live dance recitals, or quadrilhas juninas, by Si Bobiá a Gente Pimba, from Brasilia and Raio de Sol, from Pernambuco State. There are also plans for a series of live street performances throughout Central London, to help promote the initiative.
In 2016 Brasil Junino reached critical acclaim in Brazil after the exhibition received more than 500,000 visitors during the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Now, in London, the organisers are hoping to not only promote tourism in Brazil, but celebrate the cultural bonds that exist between Brazil and the UK.
“The two countries share a love for festivals, music and the arts. Festa Juninas represent a nationwide celebration of life and community, so nothing could be more fitting than inviting London to the join the party and learn a little in the process”, Edilane Oliveira concluded.
Brasil Junino opened on 27 May and runs to 4 June at the Embassy of Brazil in London, 14-16 Cockspur St, St. James’s, London SW1Y 5BL. It is open to the public from 1 pm to 7 pm daily and entry is free. A full list of the program and further information is available at www.brasiljunino.com.br
Brasil Junino – Festividades Juninas Brasileiras
About the organisers – Brazilian Integration Institute (IBI)
Created in 2005 with the objective of promoting Brazilian culture and tourism, as well as supporting local communities, IBI is responsible for the organisation and running of the largest June Festival in Brazil, known as the “Maior São João do Cerrado” – The Biggest June Festivity, St John’s Day, in Brazil.
About the sponsor – The Brazilian Tourist Board (EMBRATUR)
EMBRATUR is a federal, state-owned agency part of the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism that is responsible for providing of support and marketing expertise when it comes to promoting Brazilian tourism overseas.
CONTACTS
For further information, images, videos please contact:
Chris Fuzinatto
Bossa Brazil PR
T: 020-7323 9904
M: 07958 233 538
E: press@bossa-brazil.com
