March 5, 2019: Carnival
Like many Brazilian traditions, Carnival came to Brazil with the Portuguese people. It’s called by the name of Shrovetide or entrudo, which is the custom of playing during the carnival period. Later, it was followed by the dance carnivals and street carnivals. In the early twentieth century, the samba schools began to evolve, and in recent decades, some cities have built their samba stadiums or sambódromos, exclusively for Carnival. Each city has its unique Carnival traditions. But the agenda is the same: have fun and dance a lot.
March 8, 2019: International Women’s Day
In Brazil, this date is remembered with “flowers,” or flores in Portuguese, and small tributes to the women. Many husbands, sons, and employers present the women in their lives with “bouquets of flowers,” or buquê de flores in Portuguese, or potted plants accompanied by a short note. Children prepare small gifts for their mothers at school. On this day, lectures are often organized on “women’s rights,” or direito da mulher in Portuguese, and subjects connected to career development or health care.
April 19, 2019: Good Friday
Holy Week commemorates the last earthly acts of Jesus Christ—his passion, death, and resurrection. It starts on Palm Sunday and ends on “Easter Sunday” or Domingo de Páscoa. The sixth day of this week marks “Good Friday” or Sexta-feira Santa. During this day, special masses are held and processions take place. There are also many traditions associated with this day. The main one is abstinence from eating red meat.
April 21, 2019: Tiradentes’ Day
Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, commonly known as Tiradentes, was the leader of the Minas Conspiracy, which took place in Minas Gerais. The goal of the group, formed by the elite of Minas Gerais, was to become independent from Brazil and establish a “republican government,” or governo republicano. However, one day before the conspirators put their plans into action, one of them betrayed the group in exchange for exoneration from his debts with the crown, and Tiradentes was sentenced to death. He was a mark in national history and became a “martyr,” or mártir. The day of his death is a national holiday.
May 1, 2019: May Day
May 1, Labor Day or Dia do Trabalho, was selected as an homage to a workers’ demonstration in Chicago in the U.S. in 1886. On Labor Day, Brazilians remember all the trials and struggles those workers went through to obtain the “rights” (direitos), that working people enjoy today. In the beginning, the day was characterized by “strikes” (greves), as well as protests, marches, and demonstrations. However, this changed when President Getúlio Vargas assumed power. Following his leftist propaganda, he dedicated this day to the worker. Nowadays, the government traditionally announces the annual increase in the “minimum wage” or salário mínimo on Labor Day.
June 12, 2019: Boyfriends and Girlfriends Day
While in most countries Lovers Day is celebrated on the Feast of Saint Valentine’s Day, in Brazil it’s celebrated on June 12, the eve of the Feast of St. Anthony (Santo Antônio). It’s customary for couples to exchange gifts, chocolates, flowers, and cards on this day as an expression of their love. Some make elaborate plans for a special evening either at a favorite restaurant or perhaps the cinema, while others opt for a romantic getaway.
June 24, 2019: June Saint’s Festivals
This isn’t a holiday, but a popular festival, and each region of Brazil celebrates it in its own way. The festivities begin with a huge spread of food, consisting mostly of corn, rice, and peanut products, among many other local delights. As this festive period falls at the beginning of winter, hot drinks are often served, such as a Brazilian mulled wine called quentão. A typical part of the June Festival celebrations is traditional “square dancing,” or quadrilhas.
August 11, 2019: Father’s Day
Father’s Day is celebrated in Brazil on the second Sunday in August. The date was set by the well-known journalist Roberto Marinho, who wanted to boost his business and consequently his newspaper sales. They say the date was chosen by his advertising consultant, Sylvio Bhering, because August 14 was the feast day of St. Joachim, the patron saint of his family. Roberto Marinho’s plan worked, and the date has since proved very “profitable” (rentável) for stores. On this day, most children buy a gift for their father, write letters and “Father’s Day cards” (cartão de dia dos pais), and plan to spend the day in a unique and special way.
September 7, 2019: Independence Day of Brazil
Brazil was a “colony” (colônia) of Portugal for 285 years. However, when Napoleon invaded Portugal in 1815, the Portuguese Court was forced to move to Rio de Janeiro. The Portuguese Court remained in Brazil until 1820, when the Liberal Revolution of Porto in Portugal forced King John to return to Europe. In 1822, a court order was issued by Pedro de Alcântara, the prince regent of Brazil, for his return to Portugal. But Pedro was petitioned to stay by the Brazilian people and decided to remain in Brazil. His decision was the first step towards the country’s independence. Pedro declared Brazil’s independence on the banks of the Ipiranga River with the famous words, “Independence or death!” or in Portuguese Independência ou Morte!
October 12, 2019: Children’s Day
The date was fixed in Brazil in 1924. However, it wasn’t widely known until 1960, when Estrela, one of Brazil’s largest toy manufacturers, launched a marketing campaign in partnership with Johnson & Johnson targeting that date. Among the traditional favorites are “dolls” (bonecas) and “little cars” (carrinhos). But nowadays most kids are more into technology, preferring digital tablets and phones. Besides getting gifts from their “parents “(pais), uncles and aunts, “grandparents” (avós), and various relatives and friends, the kids also have fun at school with special Children’s Day activities.
October 12, 2019: Our Lady of Aparecida Day
Our Lady’s image was discovered at the Paraiba River. Three “fishermen,” or pescadores in Portuguese, were trying to catch fish for a very important dinner. After many attempts in vain, they caught with their net the image of the saint without a head. In the next attempt, they fished out her missing head. And after that, fish came in abundance. This was the first “miracle” of the saint. Because of it, the saint was called Our Lady Aparecida, because she appeared to the fishermen. And from then on, many miracles were attributed to her. During the day of Our Lady, over 150-thousand faithful devotees visit the holy place to thank her for her blessings, and “pay promises,” or pagar promessas in Portuguese.
October 15, 2019: Teacher’s Day
As the name implies, Teacher’s Day in Portugal is a day to show teachers appreciation for all they do. This can include giving them gifts or cards.
November 2, 2019: All Souls’ Day
All Souls’ Day is a Catholic holiday celebrated on November 2. On this day, people pray for the eternal life of their deceased loved ones. Although All Souls’ Day is a celebration of the eternal life of those who are gone, it’s usually observed in Brazil as a day of sadness, when good times are remembered, but also the pain and grief of our loss. On All Souls’ Day, families take flowers and candles to the cemeteries, and pray for the souls of their loved ones.
November 15, 2019: Republic Proclamation Day
In the late 1880s, the Brazilian monarchy started to lose power and entered a period of crisis, because it lost the support of the Catholic Church, the army, and the landowners. On November 15, 1889, the Republicans seized their opportunity and staged a “military coup,” or golpe militar, thereby establishing a republic in Brazil. It was Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca who declared that Brazil would be a republic from that day forward. Despite its historical importance, November 15 isn’t really celebrated as a holiday. Some schools hold parades and some towns organize events or shows.
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