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CARNIVAL
Carnival in Brazil is celebrated in February just prior lent.

In Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo there are famous and big groups called Escolas de Samba where hundreds of people parade every year at an avenue- in Rio it´s at the famous Sambodromo, and prizes are awarded to the best groups.

Carnival brings lots of tourists to Rio de Janeiro, they come attracted by the beauty of the country and for the Carnival balls and parties.

In other states where there aren´t big groups they usually have (trios elétricos) which are cars that play music and people dance to samba and axé music while following these big cars.

Different bands play during all the week for those who follow trio elétrico. Each band plays for 8 hours a day.

There are also matinee balls. They happen in sports gymnasiums and clubs during Carnival days in the afternoons and usually younger people go to matinees.

People go to Carnival Parties to dance and have fun, a lot of fun!

Carnival is our most famous holiday, also the longest one as it lasts for 4 days, beginning on a Saturday and ending on a Tuesday. Carnival always ends on a Tuesday which precedes Ash Wednesday (which is another National Holiday in Brazil).

April First
April first is Lie's day in Brazil, it isn't a national
holiday because every body works on this day.
On April first people tell a lot of lies and play
tricks on friends and everyone we have the chance.
People say things such as: My mom's car was stolen! And
when the other say, "Oh really?" you say "April First".
You can call a friend and tell him that you had a car
accident and then he will ask you:"really" and you say:
"April First"
But that's a problem, if you tell something true nobody
will trust you because it will be April First:o)

Easter
On Easter we celebrate the Ressurection of Jesus Christ after his cruxification.

The Jewish used to remember Easter to celebrate the day God introduced them to the Promised Land. After Jesus Christ, Christians remember Easter to celebrate the
New Alliance that God made with His people by the Death and Ressurection of Jesus Christ.
On this day, people give chocolate eggs to each other and especially to the children to represent the new life that we have in Jesus.

For children what they expect most are the chocolate eggs, the Easter Bunny and also the Egg Hunt prepared by their parents!

Labor Day - May 1st
In July of 1889, in Paris, this date was established to celebrate Labor Day in many countries. There was a serious reason to choose this day. On May 1st 1886, in Chicago, United States, some workers, many of them European anarchists had started a strike to reduce the 16 daily hours of work to 8 hours. Policemen and strikers had died during the movement conflicts. In 1894, Brazil had made its first attempt to celebrate this date, and some anarchists and socialists were arrested in São Paulo, they were accused of organizing a movement. After that, many anarchists and socialists celebrations had followed. However, as time passed, May 1st has lost its original meaning the struggle to labor rights and it has been treated as just a national holiday where most people have a day off.

Mother´s day
It´s celebrated on the second Sunday of May.
On this day, we buy presents to our moms, write beautiful cards to express our love and we usually try to stay with our mom during the day for lunch and to spend the day talking and having fun.
In terms of business, this is the second most profitable holiday in Brazil. The first one is Christmas.

Junina's party

Junina's party is celebrated in June and it is a
folklorical party.
In the past years in the country areas the weddings were made in the night of São João, with the bride and groom, parents,
guests reunited around a bonfire.
It became a very popular traditional party and during the month of June
this party is made all over the country.
Adults and especially children were typical costumes called Caipira´s costumes, and they dance "quadrilha" aa typical dance. There are colorful flags and bonfires in the parties
The food and drinks are also typical.

Valentine´s Day
It´s celebrated on June 12th , this date was probably chosen because its Saint Anthony´s Day Eve, the best known matrimony saint. In 1950, João Dória, a famous Brazilian advertiser , created an advertisement with the following slogan Its not just on kisses that you prove your love. And so, Brazilian Valentines Day was created, and its a day just for boyfriends and girlfriends to exchang cards, gifts and prove their love in many ways. Many couples go out for dinner or prepare a small celebration at home.

Father´s day
It´s celebrated on the second Sunday of August.
In 1950 , the publicitarian Sílvio Bhering , created in Brazil a day to remind and homage the fathers.

We buy presents to our fathers and usually families gather for a big lunch or a delicious barbcue.

Children´s Day
Here in Brazil this day is celebrated on October 12th.
It´s a National Holiday because it´s Nossa Senhora da Aparecida´s day, the Patroness Saint of Brazil.
On this day, children receive presents from their parents and close relatives. Also some projects are made for helping poor and homeless children around the country.

Teacher´s Day
Teacher´s Day is celebrated on October 15th here in Brazil.
Our teachers assume the responsibility to educate their students not only in front of the institution , but in front of God, too.
Because it´s up to the teachers to help the young people become a man or a woman that will be a citizen of the future.
We don´t have classes on this day and some students give presents to their teachers such as flowers, cards or any other gift to tell the teacher that he or she is an important person in their lives.

All Soul's day
On this day we go the cemetery to visit people that we loved.
People that are not here with us anymore.
Generally we take flowers candles and we pray for them to have a better life in heaven.
It's celebrated on November 2nd.

Christmas
It's a wonderful holiday in all parts of the word, and
here in Brazil it isn't different. We celebrate the
birth of Jesus.
People decorate their houses, make beautiful Christmas
trees and give presents to each other.
On the night of December 24th people prepare nice
suppers for their friends and families and wait together
for midnight to eat, and children wait anxiously for
Santa Claus.
It's a date of cofraternization as everybody thinks
about the others and try to live in peace.

New Year´s Day

Happy people all around wait for a better new year.
On the night of December 31st, people here in BRazil prepare special suppers and parties and wait together for midnight, where almost anywhere we can see nice firework displays.

A lot of Brazilians get dressed in white, wishing for peace in the coming year, promises (new year resolutions) are also popular around here.

When the bell rings midnight, we hug and kiss our family, relatives and friends, have a sip of champaign, and the party goes on until late in the dawn, or until early the following morning!