Brazilian Independence Day will be observed with a big celebration this Sunday in downtown Hartford. This is the 9th annual Brazilian Day Connecticut celebration and for Ester Sanchez-Naek, the founder of Brazilian Day Connecticut, the mission is to promote Brazilian culture in the state. "They will have a little bit of Brazil here in Hartford," said Sanchez-Naek. "We are a unique people, and the Festival reflects that."
Sunday's Festival in front of the Brazilian consulate on Market street in Hartford will indeed have a little bit of everything Brazil: samba music, people dressed in Carnivale costumes, and of course those delectable grilled meats called churrasco.
Sanchez-Naek said there has been a recent worldwide fascination with Brazilian culture. "Brazil is in fashion right now because of the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics," she said. "For those who want to go to Brazil, this going to be a great opportunity for them to know more about the culture and the people of Brazil."
Also on Sunday, a performance by Orquestra Jovem das Gerais, an orchestra of Brazilian teens who will play the Brazilian National Anthem, and a performance by the Samba School Unidos de Miami.
Watch this video of Samba School Unidos de Miami
According to the Brazilian consulate, there are about 40,000 Brazilians living in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Sunday's festivities get underway at noon. You can learn more at braziliandayct.com.
