Learn all about Children's Day in Brazil
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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class - Holidays in Brazil Series at PortuguesePod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind holidays and observances in Brazil. I’m Becky, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 19. “Children's Day” or Dia das crianças in Portuguese. |
| In this lesson, we're going to talk about the holiday dedicated to kids—Children's Day. |
| The fact that the kids have to share their day with Our Lady of Aparecida doesn't mean they're not entitled to any presents! |
| Now, before we get into more detail, I've got a question for you- |
| Do you know some of the slang or synonyms for the word "boy" used in different parts of Brazil? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later, so keep listening! |
| Although World Children's Day is on November 20, in Brazil Children's Day is celebrated on October 12. |
| The date was fixed in Brazil in 1924. However, it was not 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. The campaign was a success, and since then, that day has been generally adopted as a time for giving gifts to children! |
| And what kind of gifts do the kids want? Among the traditional favorites are “dolls,” or bonecas in Portuguese and little “cars,” or carrinhos in Portuguese, but nowadays most kids are more into technology, preferring digital tablets and phones. |
| Besides getting gifts from their “parents,” or pais in Portuguese, uncles and aunts, “grandparents,” or avós, and various relatives and friends, the kids also have fun at school with special Children's Day activities! |
| Although in Brazil this holiday tends to be rather commercial, it is also a day of “solidarity,” or solidariedade in Portuguese. At this time, many “NGOs,” or ONGs in Portuguese, collect toys and clothes to donate to underprivileged children. Among the largest of these are the Children's Institute and the Social Solidarity Fund. There are also volunteers who set up fun activities for underprivileged children in celebration of their day. |
| October 12 also has major historical and religious significance. It was the day when America was first discovered in 1492, and it is the feast day of the national patron saint of Brazil, Our Lady of Aparecida. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| Do you know some of the slang or synonyms used for the word "boy" in different parts of Brazil? |
| A very common word is garoto. A word for “kid,” curumim, in the Brazilian Indian language, Tupi-Guarani can also be heard. In the southern states, kids are called guri or piá. For older boys, the slang terms moço and rapaz are often used. |
| How was this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| How do you celebrate Children's Day in your country? |
| Leave your comments on the lesson page at PortuguesePod101.com, and we'll see you in the next lesson! |
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