Brasil Observer # 09 - English Version

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PHOTO: AGÊNCIA BRASIL

LEIA EM PORTUGUÊS

DO COMPANIES VOTE? The real owners of elections in Brazil >> Pages 4 and 5

LONDON EDITION APRIL 24 – MAY 7

PHOTO: UK IN BRAZIL

BRITISH FUNDS IN BRAZIL The UK finances science development scheme >> Page 6

www.brasilobserver.co.uk

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PHOTO: DIVULGATION/CIAT

AS NEW RESEARCH PROVES THAT THE FOREST INHALES MORE CARBON DIOXIDE THAN IT EMITS, BRASIL OBSERVER SPEAKS TO ONE OF THE STUDY`S AUTHORS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THIS BIOCHEMICAL PROCESS AND WHAT THE FINDINGS MEAN TO US

>> Pages 10 and 11

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IN FOCUS Important news from last two weeks

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BRASILIANCE Why are the elections so expensive in Brazil?

LONDON EDITION 06

UK IN BRAZIL The UK invests in science development in Brazil

EDITOR IN CHIEF

08 09

PROFILE The music and poesy of Daniel Debiagi

10 11

FRONT PAGE REPORT The Amazon under a new research

Host-cities special: Manaus

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CONECTANDO

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2014 WORLD CUP

A tour over the world of tea

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BRASIL OBSERVER GUIDE Culture clash and much more…

Ana Toledo ana@brasilobserver.co.uk

EDITORS Guilherme Reis guilherme@brasilobserver.co.uk Kate Rintoul kate@brasilobserver.co.uk

PUBLIC RELATIONS Roberta Schwambach roberta@brasilobserver.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS Bianca Brunow Dalla, Bruja Leal, Clarice Valente, Deise Fields, Gabriela Lobianco, Luciane Sorrino, Marielle Machado, Michael Landon, Nathália Braga, Ricardo Somera, Rômulo Seitenfus, Rosa Bittencourt, Shaun Cumming, Wagner de Alcântara Aragão

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16|17 CAPA DO GUIA 18 NINETEEN EIGHT-FOUR 19 GOING OUT 20|21 N EW CANVAS OVER OLD 22|23 T RAVEL 24 MUSIC TO WEAR 25 FOOD

DEMYSTIFYING THE AMAZON

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PRINTER

By Ana Toledo – ana@brasilobserver.co.uk

Much has been said over the years about the future of our Amazon rainforest. It is no surprise, for five and a half million square kilometres of our world are covered by the greatest place for biodiversity in the world. Though in times of Brazil’s rapid development, sometimes at any cost, there are plenty to worry be concerned about.

In 2007, a report of the IPCC (UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) warned of the risk of the Amazon becoming a savannah by the end of the century. According to the report, this would be the result of a new configuration of vegetation in the region stimulated by ongoing global warming. Though more recent research has painted a more optimistic outlook, a report by the same body released in March this year, said that the forest no longer runs this risk.

One the key determiners in clarifying the fate of the Amazon in the above study was, was the question of absorption versus emissions of carbon dioxide by the Amazon forest. The need to answer this question has brought numerous scholars to Brazil, among them Emanuel Gloor, professor in biochemical cycles of the University of Leeds in England. With two pieces of key research relating to the role of the Amazon in CO2 emissions released last month, we interview Gloor in this edition to find out how this news relates

digala@wakeupcolab.com.br

Iliffe Print Cambridge iliffeprint.co.uk to us - read more on pages 10 and 11.

The new data is not thoroughly pessimistic about the Amazon rainforest, highlights the fragile balances that exist and the need to preserve this vast area.

We all need to show resilience in ensuring tropical forests are returned to their normal state. While the forest naturally loses some vegetation each year, the biggest threat is the impact that deforestation causes to the local environment, such as soil erosion and the silting of rivers, which effect all life forms living in the rainforest.

Therefore, the resistance of deforestation in the Amazon becomes a matter of existence for all us, not just those locally concerned about local biodiversity or traditional peoples of the region.

In this edition, we focus on various aspects of the Amazon region.

Besides the cover story and interview, our special World Cup 2014 section brings a pinch of history and discusses how the preparations for the Cup are taking shape in Manaus. If you dream about experiencing the wonders of the Amazon for yourself, don’t miss our guide to the fantastic hotels of jungle on pages 22 and 23 in the Brazil Observer Guide.

Any exploration of the Amazon only seems to reveal more intrigue and magic so we hope you enjoy the journey!

Keep in touch.

ACCOUNTING ADVISORY Atex Business Solutions info@atexbusiness.com BRASIL OBSERVER is a fortnightly publication of the ANAGU UK MARKETING E JORNAIS UN LIMITED (Company number: 08621487) and is not responsible for the concepts expressed in signed articles. People who do not appear in this expedient are not authorized to speak on behalf of Brasil Observer. The contents published in this newspaper may be reproduced if properly credited to the author and to Brasil Observer.

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IN FOCUS ROUSSEFF’S SUPPORT FALLS BUT OPPONENTS ARE STAGNATED

PHOTO: REPRODUCTION

Even the rain could not stop the protest against the World Cup in Sao Paulo which saw a thousand people take to the streets on 15 April

Public approval ratings in regard to the performance President Dilma Rousseff’s governing fell in April, as was indicated by Brazil’s leading research institutes. According to Vox Populi, in February 2014, Rousseff’s Workers Party were rated as “excellent or good” 34% of people, a figure already lower than in previous years. In April, this figure had fallen to 33%. More surprising results came further down the table, those who had a “positive” view dropped from 30% to 24% in the same period. Those with a negative impression rose from 13% to 15%, while “bad and very bad” rose from 22% to 27%.

The same survey, however, did show that these changes in view would not necessarily affect people’s voting intentions in the general election later this year. In February, Rousseff had 41% of the vote intention, which had only dropped to 40% which would still give her a large majority.

Among her political opponents, similar small fluctuations were measured.

Aecio Neves (Social Democracy Party) had 17% of the vote in February, dropping to 16% in April. With only Eduardo Campos (Socialist Party) gaining support with an increase from 6% to 8% in the same period.

Taking into account the blank and spoiled votes, which could reach 15%, Dilma still have chance to win the October in the first round of the election.

LANGUAGE PROVES A BARRIER FOR SCIENCE WITHOUT BORDERS SCHEME The Science without Borders program, which aims to send Brazilian under and postgraduate students to universities abroad, is facing critical period after the return of 110 students who failed to meet standard of English proficiency required for their host institutions.

Of this figure, 80 were not able to take up they places at Canadian universities and 30 could not stay to study in Australia.

A further 1,200, students who were scheduled to travel to Spain, were excluded because they did not pass the assessment of Spanish proficiency, which the Spanish government required. The program had already been criticised for the low academic achievement of students, mismanagement and misunderstanding between the public and private initiatives in the distribution of scholarships. Of the 26 thousand scholarships to be funded by companies, just over 5,000 were actually granted (20%). The government has implemented 65% of its goal of 75,000 scholarships.

Despite these criticisms, supporters of the program argue that such teething problems were unavoidable given the magnitude of the project and objectives involved - it is estimated that project has a worth of R$ 3.2 billion. The program promises to have granted all grants and scholarships by the end of 2015.

Supporters will have to go further in defending the project as wider criticisms have been made to its entire proposition. Some have argued whether sending undergraduate students abroad for a year is the most appropriate way to internationalise science, as despite being a great life experience, at that stage of their academic progress it is unlikely that there will be great scientific made, even more given the general lack of fluency in a second language.

BRAZIL: DANGEROUS PLACE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS A report by the British NGO Global Witness has found that Brazil remains the most dangerous place in the world for environmental activists. Of the 908 deaths activists documented between 2002 to 2013 across 35 countries, almost half - 448 were recorded in Brazil.

In 2002 when records were started, 51 murders in Brazil. The worst figures were documented in 2012, when 147 activists were killed. The authors of the report also acknowledge that the information surrounding such deaths is scarce and that their data only show the tip of the iceberg. They say it is very likely that in African countries like Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and Zimbabwe such figures would also be high, but that their rigours methodology cannot be fully applied in these regions. Hence why figures are the highest in Latin America and Asia.

In Brazil, the big landowners and timber companies are largely responsible for conflicts with subsistence farmers, indigenous people and activists. Global Witness also found that of the 908 crimes, only a few trials have been held, resulting in just 10 convictions.

WORLD CUP RESENTMENT AT ALL TIME HIGH The Datafolha poll released in early April indicates that 55% of the population in Brazil believes that the World Cup will bring more harm than good to the country. Of those polled, 41% also disagree with the realization of the event. These figures are the worst measured so far, even during the demonstrations last year, hostility was not so high.

With less than two months before the World Cup, the government is hoping that these negative perceptions can be reversed, as was the case in London ahead of the Olympics. A year before the city hosted the 2012 Olympics, 48% of the UK population did not approve the high public spending for the competition. The final costs were equivalent to R$ 31 billion, almost four times the original budget. After the event, polls found many had changed their mind – in 2013 two out of three Britons said that the investment was worth it.

According to the federal government, the Confederations Cup last year generated 303,000 jobs and had a turnover of R$ 20.7 billion, of which R$ 9.7

billion was eventually incorporated into GDP. This could be a point of more optimism as a study has predicted that the World Cup should add R$ 183 billion to GDP over the next five years.

Such figures weren’t enough to prevent nearly a thousand people, taking the streets of Sao Paulo, despite the heavy rain on the night of 15 April protesting over the country’s policy with protestors shouting: “If we do not have rights, we shouldn’t have the World Cup”.

The population’s distrust of Brazil hosting the tournament is many down to the high costs involved in the World Cup. It is estimated that preparations for the event have consumed nearly R$ 30 billion, mainly through the government funds (85%). In 2007, when Brazil was chosen to host the 2014 World Cup, a survey released by FIFA predicted that the country would need to invest to R$ 2.7 billion for the renovation and construction of the new stadiums. Real figures have been far higher, according to the last government’s balance sheet,

released in September 2013, the spending had already surpassed 8 billion, and that is not the end of the spending.

The spending is not the only point of discontent, of the 50 urban mobility interventions promised as the legacy of the World Cup, 13 were discarded and the other does not benefit the entire population, since most are located around the stadiums.

The forced removals of people - which might exceed 20 thousand families in Rio de Janeiro alone and the death of eight workers in the construction of arenas have also generated a lot of dissatisfaction.

Given all of these complaints, it is only right for the government to be concerned about possibility of violent protests during the tournament. Though any heavy handed government intervention will add fuel to the fire of the complaints of NGOs and human rights organisations who are already warning that the country could see brutal repression of demonstrations, as public security will be highly prominent.

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BRASILIANCE

THE REAL COST OF ELECTIONS Thanks to private funding, election campaign spending in Brazil has to escalated to billions of reais and favour the interests of large companies, but movements against the interference of economic power are growing

By Wagner de Alcântara Aragão

The long standing relationships between political parties and the private companies who endorse them means spending on election campaigns in Brazil has increased into billions of reais. In an attempt to reduce this expenditure and prevent economic power determining influence on the electoral process, political debates to end (or at least the restrict) private financing is gaining traction in the country. Many want to see amounts of money donated by companies to parties and candidates limited, or even prohibited.

A major step in this direction was achieved with the recent judgment by the Supreme Court in the case filed by the Lawyers Association of Brazil (OAB). In the lawsuit, dating back to 2011, the OAB challenge the constitutionality of current electoral legislation in relation to the contribution of private funds to parties and candidates during election campaigns. The OAB argued that such donations by companies seeking to protect their interests, goes against the Constitution.

The trial opened in December 2013, and was adjourned on 2 April in order for Gilmar Mendes, Justice of the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court to collect his views and present his case.

During this period, seven of a total of 11 ministers voted, six agreeing that such donations did represent a breach of the constitution, only one vote was contrary to that understanding and the others are yet to vote. Even if Gilmar Mendes and the other three ministers reject the OAB’s lawsuit, the majority have voted in support of it.

At the time of writing, no date for the resumption of the trial has been set. Once the trial continues and all votes have been cast, the Supreme Court will decide on when to implement any changes in law surrounding partisan funding, with some speculating whether this could be introduced in time for this year’s general election or later ones.

Under current rules, private companies can donate up to 2% of gross income before the election year to po-

litical campaigns or parties. In assessing the regulation and examples of this, one of the ministers who voted in the trial, Justice Minister Luiz Fux, found that this funding had increased the influence of economic power in the electoral process.

HIGH SPENDING In declaring his vote for the unconstitutionality of private campaign financing, Fux cited data showing an increase of 471% in the costs of election spending in Brazil over ten years. In the 2002 general election, for the Presidential, House of Representatives, Senate, State Governments and Legislative Assemblies, campaigns consumed R$ 798 million.

In the smaller elections for Municipalities and City Councils in 2012, this figure had grown to a staggering R$ 4.5 billion.

In the elections of 2010, Fux found that the average amount spent by an elected congressman reached R$ 1.1 million and for senator R$ 4.5 million.

“The exercise of political rights is incompatible with political contributions from corporations. A company can defend political causes, such as human rights, but there is a great distance for it to justify their participation in the political process”, said the minister.

Another move towards the end of private campaign financing came with a recent substitution made to the law 60/2012. The Senate bill, was tentatively approved by the Committee on Constitution and Justice on 16 April and was referred to the House of Representatives.

The author of the bill, Senator Roberto Requiao said: “Let’s convince the deputies to immediately seek emergency [action]. If parties are caught up in transactions from committees, they are pressured by campaign donors, who want to remain the owners of governments and Congress.”

brasilobserver.co.uk 5

FIGHTING CORRUPTION The end of private campaign financing is considered the most effective measure in combating corruption in Brazilian politics. Senator Requiao has also said: “When we see private groups donating R$1 billion and 400 million to political campaigns, we can only conclude that this cannot continue. When any great entrepreneur donates such money he expects a return. The parties are hostages to these lenders, and people who believed in democracy are completely orphaned in this process”.

This assessment is echoed in the words of Congressman Henrique Fontana, who is part of a special committee of the House of Representatives formed to discuss political reform. Fontana argues that the financing of electoral campaigns by companies goes against the principle of ‘one man, one vote’. “The point is that you and I have our vote, but the owner of the bank, has over R$ 150 million’s worth. This unbalances the election”.

With the end of private financing, campaigns would be funded solely by public funds through existing party fund. But, given the current wave of criticism voiced by society towards, there is much rejection to the idea of public funds that could be better spent on key services being channeled into campaigns spending.

For Fontana, the end of private funding would have to also be supported by consensus to conduct more austere election campaigns. “The first major consequence of this decision is that less money will be available to parties, thus the the second is that campaigns will have to be significantly cheaper.

ALL THOSE AGAINST The prohibition of private financing will not be easy, mainly because, unsurprisingly there is strong resistance to the ban amongst legislators themselves. In a declaration aimed at thwarting a possible Supreme Court decision finding private campaign financing to be unconstitutional, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Henrique Eduardo Alves, announced a counter action. Alves has said the Chamber of Deputies will vote in May to amend the constitution and political party law. One of the main points relates to the regulation of private campaign financing, however rather than prohibit such financing, they proposal to maintain the current legislation and seek to further enshrine the right for each party can choose to get private, public or both.

SOCIAL MOVEMENTS ADVOCATE THE END OF PRIVATE FINANCING Popular Initiative Project wants 1.5 million signatures

Over 40 organised civil society groups, including trade unions, labour movements, class councils and students’ unions have been working together since September to combat private election funding. They have formed the Coalition for Democratic Reform Policy and Clean Elections, with the goal of collecting 1.5 million signatures in support of a popular bill to change the rules of Brazil’s political-party system.

To find out more, you can visit www.reformapoliticademocratica.com.br where you can access the proposal in Portuguese. Here’s a quick summary of the key points.

Prohibition of private financing and implementation of public financing for election campaigns: 1) Termination of the voting system given to individual candidates in cases of councillors and MPs, and adoption of the electoral voting system in pre-sorted lists 2) Regulation of Article 14 of the Constitution in favour of direct democracy 3) Increased participation of those currently underrepresented in political parties and public bodies

PHOTO: AGÊNCIA BRASIL

ROUSSEFF WANTS REFERENDUM

Dilma during the CDES meeting

PHOTO: AGÊNCIA BRASIL

After the wave of demonstrations in June last year, which demanded amongst other things, a stronger anti-corruption and ethical standards for national politics, President Dilma Rousseff has proposed to Congress that a referendum be held to advance the discussion of political reform.

The proposal has not been advanced in Congress, as it has been pushed aside even by members of the governing coalition, who do not hold the same respect for Rousseff as her predecessor and political partner in Lula, who enjoyed a more favourable environment for the discussion of political reform because of his high popular approval.

Rousseff does not seem ready to abandon the cause, on 16 April, at the closing session of the Council for Economic and Social Development which she led, Rousseff told the business leaders, workers and members of the government present that only the popular consultation will create effective political reform in Brazil. Rousseff has also proposed that the regulation of private financing is among the points that should be determined directly by the electorate.

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brasilobserver.co.uk

UK IN BRAZIL

Chancellor launches £9m fund in Brazil PHOTO: UK IN BRAZIL

The fund at the University of Sao Paulo was announced by the Chancellor during his trade trip to the country Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has launched a £375 million fund to promote economic development though science and innovation at the University of Sao Paulo (USP) on the final day of his visit to Brazil, in the first half of April.

The newly named Newton Fund, will improve the science and research capabilities of emerging powers and strengthen ties with Britain.

The £375 million fund will allow the UK to use its strengths in scientific research to promote economic development and welfare in emerging economies while building long-term collaborations with countries that will produce leading innovations in the future.

The fund will lay the foundation for ongoing collaboration between the partner countries and the UK, promoting the UK as an international partner of choice and seeking opportunities for commercial collaboration as we work towards sustainable global growth.

The Chancellor made the announcement at a ceremony at the University of Sao Paulo to sign the first match funding agreement with a Brazilian partner. The Association of State Funding Agencies has committed £3 million pounds a year for 3 years matched by the Newton Fund.

The £18 million agreement will support bilateral collaboration in areas such as food security, Future Cities, bio-economy and neglected diseases.

Speaking in Sao Paulo, Brazil the Chancellor said: “Investing in science is at the heart of the government’s long term econo-

Osborne visits University of São Paulo

mic plan and sustainable growth is key to tackling global challenges.

“These are not challenges we face alone. Partnerships with countries such as Brazil who are rapidly increasing their investments in scientific research will help strengthen ties between our countries and deliver new economic opportunities for us both.”

Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts, said: “Science and innovation are central

to economic development and growth in all countries. They underpin solutions to many of the development issues facing the world today – from poverty reduction to improved health and sustainable growth.

“There are clear benefits of international collaboration on science research and this new programme will enable the UK to engage visibly with countries of strategic importance, across science, education and innovation areas.

“The fund is named after the pre-eminent UK scientist Isaac Newton. Each individual programme in a partner country will also be named after a renowned scientist or statesman/woman from that country.

“The Newton Fund will support research collaborations, researcher and student mobility & partnering schemes, building links between science institutions, developing innovation partnerships and support for innovation capacity building.”

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PROFILE

Daniel Debiagi:

the poet who turns feelings into music

brasilobserver.co.uk 9

When mixing music and poetry, Daniel Debiagi does not hide behind a guitar or keep secrets hidden in his drawer.

The singer-songwriter tells us in this exclusive interview how melancholy is a positive force in his work and reveals his inspirations for album Drama-Flor, released in March.

Here Debiagi reflects on his compositions, like Meio Mundo (which he presents on stage as

a woman). Analyses the current trend of singers who launch their music independently on the internet and recalls funny moments from the beginning of his career, including the time he sang in a bar in Porto Alegre and was strangled by a member in the audience!

The situation these days is very different for the poet, who now receives flowers from his listeners.

Interview and photo: Rômulo Seitenfus

As a dramatic singer and composer, what do melancholic moments provide for your art?

Melancholy has its positive and creative side. It excites me to put out what I’m feeling in words, rhymes, music. Even if times aren’t good, even if sadness comes, when all is well again I find a new song and a relief in the soul.

How do you feed your inspiration? How did the album Drama-Flor come to be?

My inspiration comes from words, sentences, excerpts from books, music, all that can awaken that inner desire to expose what I feel or invent - sometimes this can be from pain, loneliness, and disappointments. I usually start writing the lyrics and then pick up the guitar to create the melody afterwards.

The Drama-Flor album is a compilation of feelings turned into music, with different styles of songs that demonstrate some of my restlessness as a composer and singer. Produced by Marisa Rotenberg and co-produced by Gelson Oliveira, Drama-Flor is my first authorial record after more than ten years composing. In it we seek light and more natural sounds.

In your show, when presenting the song Meio Mundo, you put on lipstick on stage. The song is written from the view of a woman named Consuelo. Who is she?

I wrote the samba track Meio Mundo from a female perspective, as if they were words of a free woman, who was no stranger to heartbreak and decided not to stick to one love. So when performing in the show I created a character named Consuelo. At one point of the show, I start my makeup on stage, putting on lipstick and placing a flower on my ear to represent this woman. She tells a little of her history through three songs with lyrics, representing the three phases: first, the vows of love, then, after betrayal and finally, revenge.

Would you say that Resto de Ti is your most dramatic song?

Right now in Brazil we are enjoying a rich period for independent music, but without much space in the media for it

It is a blues track that I like to sing and yes it is my most dramatic song. I try to convey the pain of ending a passionate romantic relationship. De Canto I wrote for myself with words I needed to hear at the right time; it is in the style of chamamé - a South American rhythm widespread in southern Brazil. With lyrics in Spanish by Isabel Janostiac, Empezar, brings out my passion for tango in the accordion and voice.

Do you agree that we are living in an open era for new musical artists in which new singers are encouraged to launch their careers independently?

I hear a lot of Brazilian music, lots of MPB [Popular Brazilian Music], both classical and new artists. Right now in Brazil we are enjoying a rich period for independent music, but without much space in the media for it. The MPB scene has been creating a lot of quality music, gaining momentum and bigger audiences online with free downloads.

Describe one of your earliest memories of childhood...

I had a large cupboard with two doors in my bedroom room, I covered the whole inside with reflective paper and Christmas lights to create my first stage as a child. I opened the door, sat in with my guitar and made presentations to imaginary audiences.

Tell us an unusual story, about your musical career.

I was playing my guitar and singing in a bar in Porto Alegre, at the birthday party of an acquaintance when suddenly, I feel two hands choking my neck during a song. It was the aunt of the birthday girl who was very drunk, and decided to throttle me because she did not like my music! Without understanding what was happening, I tried to continue singing, until I was breathless, before friends freed me from the hands of that lady with an instinct for alcohol and musical intolerance!

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The album Drama-Flor is available to download for free at www.danieldebiagi.com

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FRONT PAGE PHOTOS: DIVULGATION

The Amazon has become a battle ground of ideology in debates around climate change

Environmentalists have long argued that the Amazon rainforest is essential in the fight against climate change. Now a study directed by researchers in the UK has proved that the forest inhales more carbon dioxide than it emit

By Kate Rintoul

There are some places on Earth that are so awe-inspiring to humans that we ascribe great meaning to them. Everest has come to represent endeavour and resilience, the Sahara desert: hardship and the depths of the Pacific Ocean exploration and navigation. As the largest rainforest on Earth, measuring 5 million km², with the world’s largest river (by volume) running through it and home to millions of varieties of plant, insect, fish, birds and mammals the Amazon has come to represent a great deal of things for a great deal of people.

For the indigenous groups living under the canopy of trees, the forest is home, holding all the essentials of human existence and the answers to life’s great questions, with their religion and philosophy

all relating to what they observe in nature.

To the majority of us living outside the rainforest, it represents the wonders of nature and also a possible salvation in the current fight against climate change.

Because the Amazon represents too much to so many different groups it has also become a battle ground of ideology in debates around climate change, preservation, human intervention and protection.

As with other parts of the climate change debate, detractors have sought to downplay the role of the forest, arguing that through the natural loss and breakdown of vegetation, the Amazon produces equal, or more amounts of CO2 than it absorbs.

It is essential for us to understand scientifically, rather than metaphorically what role

the Amazon forest really plays in the balance of the world, so that we can answer climate change deniers and to justify the protection of this precious piece of Earth.

This is the approach being taken by the University of Leeds and other institutions, including NASA in recent research studying the levels of CO2 processed and emitted by the forest. The study, which looked at only natural processes rather than human deforestation, employed the use of light aircraft and satellite technology to prove that the Amazon forests do remove more CO2 than they emit.

This finding resolves a debate that has been echoing on since the 1990s and was the first time scientists were able to measure tree deaths caused by natural

processes throughout the Amazon forest, even in remote areas where no data have been collected at ground level. Until now, scientists had only been able to estimate the Amazon’s carbon balance from limited observations in small areas.

This discovery is important in the fight to protect the Rainforest and proves that the forest can soak up half a ton of carbon per hectare every year, slowing the effects of climate change.

To find out more about the techniques employed in the study Brasil Observer spoke to one of the authors, Emanuel Gloor, professor in biochemical cycles at the University of Leeds, who was once again back in the Amazon doing research when we spoke over email.

brasilobserver.co.uk 11 Why was it so important to settle the debate surrounding the carbon absorption of the Amazon?

We would like to know how land vegetation will respond to a warming climate and increasing atmospheric CO2 levels. Will land vegetation thrive or suffer – and if the latter at what point?

From global records of atmospheric CO2, global fossil fuel emissions and estimates of ocean carbon uptake we know by differencing that land vegetation is a sink for atmospheric CO2 which has increased over the last twenty years. It is approximately of the same magnitude as the ocean carbon sink. One candidate for at least part of the land carbon sink is tropical rainforests.

Regular forest censuses using biometric measurements of trees at a widespread network in tropical forests – the RAINFOR network – suggests this is indeed the case. These results have however been disputed because one piece was missing – a full quantification of forest disturbance at all scales. It is now clear that tropical forests have indeed been rather stimulated in growth over the last decades and have contributed to the land vegetation sink.

The study also relied upon hundreds of measurements collected by the RAINFOR Amazon Forest Inventory Network which has many partners from around the world. Could you tell us a little bit more about how the network functions?

RAINFOR is directed from Leeds and Oxford.

The person who is instrumental in making RAINFOR happen is Oliver Phillips from University of Leeds but the network includes a large amount of institutions in South America and Europe.

The roots of the network go back to Al Gentry who I believe worked at St. Louis botanical garden where Oliver Phillips was a post-doctoral student maybe 25 years ago. The network consists of 1 hectare forest plots distributed all across the Amazon Basin. At each plot each tree with diameter larger than 10 cm is being catalogued and its diameter recorded, as well as tree death and if known the cause. Censuses of the plots are regularly repeated, provided there is enough funding.

Your research is highly collaborative, involving many partners, including several Brazilian academic institutions. What are the benefits of these collaborations? As a researcher, what do you value and enjoy about working with other researchers from different academic areas and countries?

Some of the work I am involved in would not be possible or very difficult without collaborations. For example analysing air from flasks for greenhouse concentration levels outside Brazil would be difficult because of logistics and also, sometimes export procedures.

Besides that, I do very much enjoy collaborative work, probably partially because of my personality but also because our field is cross-disciplinary thus it is natural to team up. g

Spatial distribution of large disturbances in the Brazilian Amazon: Cluster map of blow-downs of Amazon

As a professor in biochemical cycles, your research is more focussed on chemistry than human factors, which affect the Amazon. Clearly, there should be a human awareness and understanding of your research and how it relates to them.

One message is that care for the forests is needed – another one that global warming shows effects already and is likely to add some pressure on the well-being of the forests. The fossil fuel emissions problem is however a global problem and is very difficult to solve.

How long have you been researching in the Amazon? What first drew you to this area? Did observing the Amazon using data from light aircraft and satellites change your perceptions of the forest?

I have been working in the Amazon for approximately since six years. I am interested in measuring and understanding how the global earth system as whole is changing – with focus on the carbon cycle.

The two land regions which because of their vast extent are most important in this regard are Siberia and the Amazon. Having joined a department in UK which is one of the leaders in tropical ecology and specifically the Amazon it was natural to join forces there.

My perception of the Amazon was actually ra-

ther confirmed by aircraft and satellite images as large-scale forest disturbances are indeed really rare. That is also the perception one gets when flying over the Amazon with passenger aircraft.

Some of your research is primarily financed by the UK Environmental Research Council (NERC) and the State of Sao Paulo Science Foundation, do you think this is reflective of a wider partnership between UK and Brazilian institutions in researching and protecting the Amazon?

Yes – there is a tradition of collaboration between Brazil and UK. There is now also an agreement between FAPESP and NERC on collaborative work and there are joint calls for proposals.

You were also part of another recent study that looked into the effects of droughts on the Amazon forests, what were the maligning findings and what should we take from this?

We know that the Amazon undergoes a warming trend similar to the rest of the globe.

There is also an increase in both droughts and severe floods. It is unclear how the Amazon forests will change in the future.

The main causes of droughts in the region is a warming and changing climate and the only remedy is to find a way to reduce fossil fuel emissions to stop this trend.

Are you currently working on any future studies relating to the forest that you can tell us about?

Yes we are continuing to look at how the Amazon forests change and have a manuscript on longer term trends in review.

While the emotional ideals of the Amazon are important, the scientific findings by the likes of Emanuel Gloor, John Miller and the hundreds of other researchers in the rainforest are the most potent arguments in the defence and protection of the Amazon forest.

While we shouldn’t seek to right the many wrongs of climate change through the forest alone, we have to ensure that deforestation and global warming do not destroy this incredible ecosystem.

The recent studies looked only at the natural processes at play in the rainforest and found that the balances between absorption and emissions, and life and death to be very fine.

If you were to add deforestation, in which 2,700 million acres of the rainforest are burned each year it is easy to see that humans could very quickly destroy the natural balance. This would transform Amazon into the world’s largest source of carbon dioxide and that would really be the worst thing the forest could come to be.

The research paper ‘Drought sensitivity of Amazonian carbon balance revealed by atmospheric measurements’ was published in the journal Nature. You can access at http://goo.gl/VAMQDH

12 brasilobserver.co.uk

WORLD CUP 2014

2014 WORLD CUP Manaus, capital of Amazonas state, will host four matches during the World Cup, including England’s debut in the competition against Italy

FOOTBALL IN THE FOREST

By Nathália Braga

It is time for the state of Amazonas to be known by everyone in the world for more reasons than the wonderful giant Amazon Forest it is home to. With the state capital Manaus one of the twelve host cities for the 2014 World Cup, the region should gain more attention from Brazilian tourists and those from abroad who will have the opportunity to learn about the local culture.

Among the tourists, there will most definitely be many football fans from the land of the Queen. England will play their first match on Amazonian land, to the dismay of their coach Roy Hodgson, who said before the group draw, he wouldn’t want his team to play in the humid climate. The average annual temperature is 28ºC, and from June to November, the dry season thermometers record scorching highs of up to 40ºC. The mayor of Amazonas, Arthur Virgilio, publicly refuted the concerns of the England coach, defending the city’s tropical climate and saying the England team would not be welcome. The tense exchange of statements occurred before the group stage draw in December when both sides were hoping England would not end up playing in the Amazonian capital, which as fate would have it, is exactly what transpired.

Of course, passion for national football is so strong in England that, regardless of location, the English will certainly have a strong presence this June; the expectation is that approximately 10 thousand fans will travel to Brazil to see the World Cup. AMAZONIA ARENA So you can imagine that the England side’s training sessions will include steam rooms or bikram (hot) yoga as they prepare to play Italy in the modern purpose-built stadium in Manaus.

Amazônia Arena

The Amazonia Arena was the eighth stadium to be completed for the tournament. The construction, which incorporates local idiosyncrasies, took four years to complete. The shape of the stadium, which features a metal structure reminiscent of a style of basket typical was inspired by local indigenous crafts and the 44,000 seat grandstand includes the colours of the abundant tropical fruit found in the forest.

The building will host four first round matches of the World Cup. The first match will be between England and Italy on 14 June, then on 18 June it’s time for Croatia to play Cameroon, followed

by USA and Portugal on 22 June finally with Honduras vs. Switzerland at the end of the group stage on 25 June.

Manaus will not host any games in the second phase, which has generated some questions about the real necessity to construct such a large stadium in the region, which is not known for it’s football culture. The local and federal government, however, argue that investments are important for the World Cup and that the stadium will serve as a space for concerts, conferences and events, boosting the local economy.

HISTORY Manaus is the seventh most populous city in Brazil, an economic and industrial centre for the Amazon region. Its industrial process was strongly influenced by the British, who migrated to streng-

then trade relations in the early twentieth century and helped in the construction of railways, sewers and electricity.

For those, who perhaps like Roy Hodgson have questioned what Manaus has to offer - the answer is much more than you think! Even close to the city it is possible to find exotic and unexplored lands, which even Brazilians do not know.

The city is surrounded by nature and provides an authentic immersion into ecology. Some of the attractions and activities include many parks, the opportunity to participate in extreme sports in the forest and travel by boat to the meeting of the impressive Negro and Solimões rivers, (read more on pages 22 and 23).

You might be surprised to realise that the Amazon is not only for those looking to be at one with nature, there are also important historical buildings in the capital, like the majestic Amazonas Theatre, opened in 1886. The Port of Manaus was formerly managed by the British company Manaus Harbour Limited and currently houses a museum in one of the impressive English colonial style industrial buildings.

Another prominent building is the Adolpho Lisboa Municipal Market, located practically on the banks of the Rio Negro which has been open since 1882.

Visitors will find regional delicacies including tacacá, a yellowish broth served with shrimp and tapioca starch.

The tropical atmosphere, the receptivity of the people and the features of indigenous culture present in Manaus make it one of the most important host cities in regard is to showcasing Brazil’s rich history, culture and diversity of a country. All this can be found in the expansive forest, the lungs of the planet.

WORLD CUP 2014

brasilobserver.co.uk 13

PHOTOS: DIVULGATION

POSITIVE: SUSTAINABLE ARENA The Amazonia Arena was expected to be the most sustainable of the 2014 World Cup stadiums as the design included the use of solar energy and reuse of rainwater, even though a last minute change will see solar production reduced after the World Cup, the arena still has some good green credentials.

Some have argued that by even considering and implementing sustainable concerns into such a high profile building, the project has acted as an example in good practice and possibilites.

The reuse of rainwater will be done with the help of a special metallic roof, which will act as a large trough, collecting water which will then be fed into three water tanks that supply the lawn’s irrigation system. The Arena also has a unique system of facades that provide ventilation to the stands.

The design and construction also made use of local building materials, eliminating the need to transport the materials and reducing environmental pollution.

RR

NEGATIVE: DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FOR WORKERS

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AMAPÁ

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AC

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MATO GROSSO DO SUL

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MATO GROSSO

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SERGIPE BAHIA

MINAS GERAIS ESPÍRITO SANTO

SÃO PAULO

SP

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PR

PARANÁ

SANTA CATARINA

SC

RIO GRANDE DO SUL

RS

MANAUS - AM Amazonas Theatre (1), Meeting of Negro and Solimões Rivers (2) and Sun down (3)

Region: North Population: 1,982 million Area: 11,401 km2 Climate: Close to the equator, annual average of 28 ° C Vegetation: Rainforest Altitude: 92 meters

AMAZONIA ARENA Amount invested: R$669 million Capacity: 44,000 people Field dimensions: 105 X 68 meters

RIO GRAND DO NORTE PARAÍBA

PIAUÍ

ACRE

AL SE

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CEARÁ

MARANHÃO

PARÁ

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Both a general lack of safety standards and an attempt to accelerate the pace of construction caused accidents, three of which were fatal during the Arena’s construction.

These deaths in Manaus represent half of those which occurred during stadium renovations and constructions ahead of the World Cup, the three others occurring at the Corinthians stadium in Sao Paulo and in Brasilia, at the Mane Garrincha stadium.

The first death in Manaus was in March 2013 when a worker fell from a 4 meter high beam. In December, another worker fell when working in the external metal frame and in February of this year, a Portuguese worker was killed while was dismantling a crane.

In response to these accidents the construction company Andrade Gutierrez, who was responsible for the work and safety of those on site publicly lamented the deaths and promised that the causes of accidents would be investigated. It is still highly questionable that the construction of one stadium, to be used on four occasions should really lead to the loss of three lives.

AMAZONAS

CE

RIO DE JANEIRO

14 brasilobserver.co.uk

CONECTANDO

TRAVELLING FAR AND WIDE TO CREATE A LOCAL BUSINESS I studied advertising at university, but five years ago, I decided to leave my profession behind and follow my dream: to own a restaurant. I studied for one year in Argentina and became a pastry chef, this experience of patisserie and desserts changed my foci and I decided to focus on opening a cafe. Rather than coffee, I picked to specialise in tea because it seemed trendier right now. I saw plenty of packed tea houses booming in Europe and in Argentina.

So, I planned a trip around the world, to visit the main countries known for tea, either because they produce it or have a well developed tea culture.

My first stop was a week long trip to Paris, followed by another week in London. The tea rooms and pastry shops in both cities are amazing. I got many ideas about menus, decoration and brand concepts. In London, besides from drinking tea and eating cake, I enrolled on a Tea Masterclass with Jane Pettigrew.

My next stop was Turkey, where I ended up spending four months. In Istanbul, I worked at a Spice and Tea Bazaar, at a cafe and at a tea house. I also spent a month working at a tea farm in çiftekopru, a tiny Turkish village.

It was amazing to pick tea. I

finally could get really connected to the raw material and the whole experience.

After Europe, I went to Asia. I spent forty days in Thailand, where I worked on another tea farm and spent a weekend with people from a Lahu tribe, who grow tea on the mountains. Then I went to Shanghai, taking mandarin lessons at Fudan University and tea lessons with a Master in the Art of Chinese Tea, who luckily for me, spoke English.

It was very difficult it is to communicate in China, because most people only speak Mandarin or Cantonese. This didn’t hinder my discoveries and I have decided to continue visiting tea farms in China on a regular basis, in order to buy always the best teas, so I am learning Mandarin! At the moment I am working at a tea farm in the countryside of China. This is the Tea Paradise and the land of opportunities. I decided to stay longer here and learn more.

Before going to Brazil, I will visit Taiwan which has traditional and contemporary bubble teas which I want to serve at my tea room. Final stop is Morocco, known for fresh peppermint tea with honey.

But was it necessary to travel the world to open a tea

room? I wanted not just learn about tea, but to experience it, live it. I have learnt so many things from so many different people that it would have been impossible to learn in a class.

Some things you can only learn through experience. I have also made amazing connections, finding some great suppliers and to understand the whole industry. It’s all about being present, looking for opportunities and grabbing them.

Once I am return to my hometown, Curitiba, I will open my first tea room, with international pastries and tea from the countries I have visited, along with some other main tea producers, I didn’t get to visit this time like India, Sri Lanka, Japan and Vietnam.

I’m already planning on my next trip. There is so much to learn about tea!

You can read more about my experiences and the world of tea on my blog www.caminhodocha.com. You can even possible buy some tea online, from whatever country I happen to be in at the time. If you are a fellow tea enthusiasts who wants to know more, I also write for two other blogs: www.demkarakoy.com (a tea house in Istanbul) and www.secretsommelier.com (for which I provide the tea notes).

HOW TO PARTICIPATE? Conectando is a project developed by the Brasil Observer that aims to put into practice the concept of ‘glocal’ communication, helping a local story find a global audience of readers. You can be involved too, just send your story to us! Find out how to get involved by contacting conectando@brasilobserver.co.uk.

Daniele Lieuthier is from Brazil, but she decided travel the world when researching her new business idea. She took a nine-month trip across three different continents to learn more about tea and is currently in China, learning all she can before opening her own a tea room

By Daniele Lieuthier

PHOTO: PERSONAL ARCHIVE

Daniele Lieuthier

brasilobserver.co.uk 15

Brasil Observer

GUIDE

CULTURE CLASH In May 2014 the transatlantic bass adventure that started last year continues with a new set of top artists from Brazil and the UK showcasing the deepest roots of Reggae and in bass music today. Brazilians Ministereo Publico (photo) and Soraia Drummond bring the new sounds of Bahia to UK shores. >> Read on pages 16 and 17 PHOTO: DIVULGATION

A aventura cultural transatlântica continua com um novo conjunto de artistas do Brasil e do Reino Unido apresentando as correntes mais profundas da ‘Bass Music’ de hoje. De terras tupiniquins, Ministereo Publico (foto) e Soraia Drummond trazem os novos sons da Bahia. >> Leia nas páginas 16 e 17

16 brasilobserver.co.uk PHOTOS: DIVULGATION

Ministereo Publico: soundclo

BAHIA REPRESENTS BRAZIL IN MUSIC DUEL WITH ENGLAND

By Gabriela Lobianco

The project from the promoters British Underground who aim to highlight the global significance of Reggae and Bass Music is back for its third edition: Bass Culture Clash: Brazil x England.

The event will take place next month, first in London (3 May) and then in Brighton (8 May). It will be the second time that Brazilian artists have been selected to the interchanges, influences and musical fusions within these genres.

This year’s edition will feature the UK´s Little Simz and JUS NOW, along with Ministereo Publico and Soraia Drummond, from Brazil’s NorthEastern state of Bahia. The artists will perform at the Roundhouse in Camden.

For the presentation in Brighton, at The Great Escape, Stylo G will replace Little Simz. Music workshops and debates will also take place on the 26 April and 3 May at the Roundhouse.

Born in the 1950’s from a generation of musicians rehearsing new ways to play ‘rocksteady’, Reggae was synonymous with the Rastafarian songs, celebrating African roots by emphasising rhythmic repetition. The genre took its name from The Toots & The Maytals (one of the earliest groups to champion this new sound) song ‘Do the Reggay’.

The style evolved in the cultural milieu of Jamaica and the Caribbean (former British colonies), with political lyrics that addressed the social and economic injustices experienced there.

According to Jody Gillett, who manages the partnership between the UK and Brazil and co-curated this year´s event, project focused on artists from Bahia in 2013 and 2014 because of the lively “dub reggae” scene that is widespread in the state. “There are lots of amazing artists from other states in Brazil, it’s just we started this story with Bahia and it has been a very rich experience,” Gillett said when speaking exclusively to Brasil Observer.

According to Monique Badaró, Advisor in International Relations for Bahia´s Department of Culture, who was also involved in the event, Bahia’s music scene has always had a strong connection to London. Having been exiled in the English capital in the late 1960s, the Bahian-born

Caetano Veloso would later sing about walking down Portobello Road, listening to the sound of Reggae in the song Nine out of ten, on his seminal album Transa, recorded in 1972.

Badaró added that the experience of Bass Culture Clash in the UK is interesting for “placing contemporaries from both regions side by side, to look at the culture of reggae and, providing emerging artists the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences”.

Badaró also recalled who the influences of reggae music in Bahia are were intensified after Gilberto Gil, also from Bahia released his version of No Woman No Cry, in 1979. The single, with the Portuguese title (‘Não chores mais’) sold over 500,000 copies in Brazil and inspired generations to come.

“Currently, many independent bands on the scene play dancehall, dub and other derivatives of Reggae, and many musicians use sound effects and techniques inherited from the Jamaican style”.

Since 2007, the Bahian Government, through its Department of Culture, has developed an international policy aimed at creating a new image of the state abroad. It was as a guest of Bahia Music Export program that Crispin Parry, director of the British Underground first had contact with Bahian culture and was introduced to a large crop of musicians connected to reggae, hip hop, dub and Afro sounds. Parry believes that the project is “a unique experience for artists to share the stage with their international peers and offers a fantastic opportunity for audiences to discover new music”.

It will be the first presentation of the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Soraia Drummond in England, having performed in France last year.

She hopes to find an audience of “people who have open hearts and minds to meet new sounds, to see how soundsystem culture was absorbed in Brazil”.

After the 2013 edition, when the bands OQuadro and Os Nelson came to England, this was followed by shows in Ilheus and Salvador, in Bahia. The expectation for 2014 is that similar events will happen in Brazil at the end of the year. Jody Gillett hopes “to build on the success of last time and invites everyone to join us on the bass adventure”.

Soraia Drummond: soundcloud.com/soraiadrummond

Stylo G: soundcloud.com/stylogmusic

BASS CULTURE CLASH: BRAZIL X ENGLAND 3rd May | ROUNDHOUSE, LONDON | 19:30-23:30 | www.roundhouse.org.uk

brasilobserver.co.uk 17

oud.com/ministereopublico

BAHIA REPRESENTA O BRASIL EM DUELO MUSICAL COM A INGLATERRA Por Gabriela Lobianco

JUS NOW: soundcloud.com/jusnow

Little Simz: soundcloud.com/littlesimz

8th May | THE GREAT ESCAPE, BRIGHTON | 12:00-16:00 | www.greatescapefestival.com

O projeto musical do British Underground que pretende destacar o significado global do Reggae e da Bass Music está de volta para sua terceira edição: Bass Culture Clash: Brazil x England acontece nos dias 3 e 8 de maio, primeiro em Londres e depois, em Brighton. Será a segunda vez em que o Brasil se destaca nesse projeto de intercâmbio de influências e fusões musicais dentro de tais ritmos.

A edição deste ano contará com os artistas Little Simz e JUS NOW, do Reino Unido, e Ministereo Publico e Soraia Drummond, do Brasil. Eles se apresentarão no RoundHouse, em Londres. Na apresentação em Brighton, no The Great Escape, o artista Style G substitui Little Simz. Oficinas, workshops e debates de música também acontecem nos dias 26 de abril e 3 de maio como parte integrante do festival, somente em Londres, no RoundHouse, em Candem Town.

Nascido na década de 1950 em uma geração de músicos que ensaiavam novas maneiras de tocar ‘rocksteady’, o Reggae apareceu com os cânticos rastafári de raízes africanas, enfatizando a repetição rítmica. O termo ficou conhecido depois que o grupo Toots & The Maytals gravou ‘Do the Reggay’. O estilo evoluiu da cadência da Jamaica e do Caribe (excolônias Britânicas), trazendo letras cada vez mais politizadas que abordavam a injustiça social e econômica.

Segundo Jody Gillett, curadora dos artistas brasileiros e encarregada pela conexão entre parceiros do Brasil e Reino Unido junto ao British Underground, o Bass Culture Clash focou a Bahia nas edições de 2013 e 2014 devido a forte cena “reggae dub” difundida no Estado. “Existem muitos artistas incríveis de outros lugares no Brasil, mas começamos essa história com os baianos e tem sido uma experiência musical muito rica”, disse com exclusividade ao Brasil Observer.

Como afirmou Monique Badaró, assessora de Relações Internacionais da Secretaria de Cultura do Estado da Bahia, a cena musical baiana tem muita proximidade com Londres. Exilado na capital inglesa no final da década de 1960, Caetano Veloso cantaria mais tarde que caminhava na Portobello Road ao som do Reggae – canção ‘Nine out of

tem’, parte integrante do disco Transa, de 1972.

Por isso, disse Badaró, a experiência do Bass Culture Clash no Reino Unido é interessante por “colocar lado a lado os trabalhos de ambas [as cidades] em torno da cultura do reggae e seus derivados contemporâneos, propiciando aos artistas emergentes a possibilidade de troca de informações, conhecimentos e experiências”.

Badaró também relembra que as influências do reggae são antigas na música baiana e se intensificaram a partir da versão de Gilberto Gil de ‘Woman no Cry’, de Bob Marley, em 1979. O compacto, com título em português de ‘Não chores mais’, vendeu mais de 500 mil cópias no Brasil. “Atualmente, várias bandas da cena independente tocam dancehall, dub e outros derivados, sendo que muitos músicos utilizam efeitos sonoros e técnicas herdadas do estilo jamaicano”.

Desde 2007, o Governo do Estado da Bahia, através de sua Secretaria de Cultura, desenvolve uma política internacional voltada a criar uma nova imagem da Bahia no exterior. Foi como convidado do programa Bahia Music Export que o diretor do British Underground e produtor no Reino Unido do Culture Clash Project, Crispin Parry, teve contato com a cultura baiana e foi exposto à grande safra de músicos ligados aos ritmos do reggae, hip hop, dub e sons afros. Parry acredita que o projeto é “uma experiência única para os artistas dividirem o palco com seus pares internacionais e oferece uma oportunidade fantástica para o público descobrir novas músicas”.

Será a primeira apresentação da cantora, compositora e multi-instrumentista Soraia Drummond na Inglaterra, apesar de ela já ter se apresentado na Europa, no ano passado, na França. Ela espera que as apresentações contem com “pessoas que tenham coração e mente abertos para conhecer o novo, para perceber como a cultura soundsystem foi absorvida e resignificada em nossa brasilidade”.

Na versão de 2013, quando vieram para a Inglaterra as bandas OQuadro e Os Nelson, também aconteceram shows em Ilhéus e Salvador. A expectativa para a edição de 2014 é que o evento aconteça no final do ano no Brasil. Jody Gillett espera que o sucesso de 2013 se repita e que “muitos se juntem nessa aventura”.

18 brasilobserver.co.uk

NINETEEN EIGHT-FOUR

LET’S TALK ABOUT BRAZILIAN CINEMA

FALEMOS DE CINEMA BRASILEIRO

By Ricardo Somera

Por Ricardo Somera

In the last decade, Brazilian cinema has changed a lot.

This transformation has led millions of people to the cinemas (some for the first time), launched popular jargon (as was the case of Tropa de Elite, or Elite Squad in English) and seen Brazilian films awarded the top accolades (Cidade de Deus/City of God).

For those who are still a newbie and know little about our cinema, you should first know that our emerging industry is divided into two parts: derivatives and authorial. Derivatives are adaptations of television series, plays and even TV novellas. Authorial films are based on books and those made by directors with a recognisable artistic footprint.

From 8 to 13 May the Odeon Covent Garden hosts the sixth edition of the Brazilian Film Festival, which is a great opportunity for British and Brazilians living in London know a little more about our rich film culture. That said, I was a little disappointed to see that compared to the previous two years, when I started to follow the festival, there has been a noticeable shift in the selection, perhaps to target a new audience.

Serra Pelada, translated to Bold Mountain, is probably seen as the most prominent of this year’s selection thanks to its large cast and established director, Heitor Dahlia (Cheiro do Ralo), but the film proved a box office flop attracting just 100,000 viewers in its debut weekend in Brazil. As the film is a derivative of the popular Serra Pelada series, broadcasted on TV Globo, it looks as though everyone skipped the ticket and popcorn price and waited to see the movie for free on TV months later.

Most of the other films selected have only circulated in the art circuit in some capitals of Brazil, so have not been seen by many Brazilians, or critics. Two of them worth a look: Meeting Sebastião Salgado and Tattoo. The first because it shows the life and work of the best known Brazilian photographer in history and the second for being one of the most critically awarded Brazilian films of the year. Tattoo follows the romance between an 18 year-old soldier and a cultural agitator who owns an anarchist cabaret. The story highlights the clashes and reflections of a generation, while the audience analyses from the periphery.

It has been a good year for Brazilian cinema, with many box office records broken, largely down to the success of entertaining and accessible films starring comedians, like the hilarious Minha Mãe é uma Peça starring Paulo Gustavo, and Meu Passado me Condena starring Fabio Porchat. If you’re looking for something with a little more substance and quality, it is better to revisit Fernando Meirelles, Eduardo Coutinho, Walter Salles and Jose Padilha, who unfortunately are not included at this year’s event in Covent Garden.

Though those who want to see what’s happening in Brazilian cinema need not wait for the annual event as it was announced that the film The Way He Looks, directed by Daniel Ribeiro and winner at the Berlin Film Festival 2014 will be screened in the UK in November after Peccadillo Pictures bought the broadcast rights.

For more information about the Brazilian Film Festival of London and to see the full schedule, visit www.brazilianfilmfestival.com.

Na última década, o cinema brasileiro mudou – e muito. Levou milhões de pessoas ao cinema (algumas pela primeira vez), lançou jargões populares (como foi no caso de ‘Tropa de Elite’) e foi premiado pelos principais prêmios do mundo (‘Cidade de Deus’).

Pra quem ainda é novato e conhece pouco sobre o nosso cinema, saiba que a nossa novíssima indústria é dividida em duas vertentes: derivados e autorais. Os derivados são aquele tipo de filme que são adaptações de séries de televisão, peças de teatro e até mesmo personagens de novela. Os autorais são aqueles baseados em livros e de diretores com uma pegada mais artística.

De 8 a 13 de maio, no Odeon de Covent Garden, acontece a sexta edição do Brazilian Film Festival, que é a oportunidade de ingleses e brasileiros que moram em Londres conhecerem um pouco mais sobre a nossa cultura e matar a saudade. Pena que em comparação aos dois anos anteriores – quando comecei a acompanhar o festival – a seleção tenha tido uma queda de qualidade na meta de mostrar o que o cinema teve de melhor no ano anterior, no caso 2013.

‘Serra Pelada’ é o filme de maior destaque entre os selecionados devido ao grande elenco e também ao diretor Heitor Dália (‘O Cheiro do Ralo’), mas foi um fracasso de bilheteria atraindo apenas 100 mil espectadores no fim de semana de estreia no Brasil. Era de se esperar, já que o filme é uma condensação da série Serra Pelada, exibida pela TV Globo – todos esperaram para ver o filme de graça pela TV meses depois. Grande produção de uma história mal contada.

A maioria dos demais filmes selecionados só circulou no circuito de arte de algumas capitais do Brasil, quase não sendo visto pelos próprios brasileiros. Mas dois deles vale o seu olhar: ‘Revelando Sebastião Salgado’ e ‘Tatuagem’. O primeiro porque mostra o trabalho do maior fotografo brasileiro da atualidade; o segundo por ser um dos filmes brasileiros mais premiados do ano.

‘Tatuagem’ acompanha o romance entre um soldado de dezoito anos e um agitador cultural, dono de um cabaré anarquista: confrontos e reflexões de uma geração analisados a partir da periferia.

O cinema brasileiro bateu recordes de bilheteria em 2013 com os filmes estrelados pelos maiores comediantes de stadup comedy do país, como o divertido ‘Minha Mãe é uma Peça’, estrelado por Paulo Gustavo, e ‘Meu Passado Me Condena’, estrelado por Fábio Porchat.

Mas, se você está atrás de qualidade, é melhor revisitar Fernando Meirelles, Eduardo Coutinho, Walter Salles e José Padilha, que infelizmente não estarão circulando por Covent Garden.

Em tempo: premiado no Festival de Cinema de Berlin de 2014, o filme ‘Hoje eu quero voltar sozinho’, de Daniel Ribeiro, teve os direitos de exibição no Reino Unido comprados pela Peccadillo Pictures. Deve estrear em novembro, com o título ‘The way he looks’.

Para mais informações sobre a sexta edição do Brazilian Film Festival of London, acesse www.brazilianfilmfestival.com.

PHOTOS: DIVULGATION

‘Meeting Sebastião Salgado’ and ‘Tatoo’ are the best movies to see during the Brazilian Film Festival of London

brasilobserver.co.uk 19

GOING OUT PHOTOS: DIVULGATION

MONA KUHN: ACIDO DORADO Until May 10 Where Flowers Gallery – 82 Kingsland Road (E2 8DP) Tickets Free >> www.flowersgallery.com

Abstraction is key in Mona Kuhn’s new series of works. On view will be a selection of photographic works ranging from landscapes, architectural details, reflections and a single figure repeatedly obscured and dislocated.

The human figure emerges like a surrealist mirage, fragmented and indistinct, only to be submerged in shadows or over exposed. The building’s facade is glass and mirrors; it serves as an optical extension to the artist’s camera and lens. Light is split into refracting colours, desert vegetation grows sideways, inside is outside and outside in.

Mona photographs beautiful nudes that are not simply about being naked. They are about the body being a residence of who we are as human beings. Through intimacy with her subjects, knowledge of traditional iconography, and technical mastery, Kuhn portrays the complexities of human nature, both tempting and provoking the viewer’s imagination.

Born in Brazil in 1969, the first child of German parents, Mona Kuhn currently resides in Los Angeles. She has exhibited extensively in the United States, Europe, and South America.

Where Koko – 1a Camden High Street (NW1 7JE)

Where Islington Assembly Hall – Upper Street (N1 2UD)

Where Barbican | Tickets £10-£45

Tickets From £10 >> www.thelukas.co.uk

Tickets £28 >> www.islington.gov.uk/assemblyhall

>> www.barbican.org.uk

LATIN-UK AWARDS

MARCOS VALLE

RODRIGO AMARANTE

April 30

May 10

May 21

The annual Latin-UK Awards (better known as The LUKAS) is Britain’s only spectacular showing off the best of Britain’s diverse Latin cultures - from Flamenco and Kizomba to Salsa, Samba and Tango. The best home-grown Latin talent will perform on stage, joined by international stars, like Puerto Rican Salsa superstar Yan Collazo.

Brazilian Rapper Aggro Santos will also give a special performance, as well as Royal Ballet Dancers Fernanod Montaño, Thiago Soares and Marianela Nuñez.

Marcos Valle is for sure one of the major songwriters of MPB (Brazilian Popular Music). As author of more than three hundred songs, with music that has been recorded by artists like Elis Regina, Tim Maia, Roberto Carlos, Sarah Vaughan, Chicago, Dizzy Gillespie. Marcos has had big success on the European dance floors since 1990 with both his original recordings and the re-recordings and re-mixings of his music by other artists and by DJ’s not only in Europe but also in Japan and China.

Rodrigo Amarante is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist that has made an international name with his band Little Joy (alongside The Strokes’ drummer Fab Moretti and Binki Shapiro) and by recording and playing with Devendra Banhart on his last three albums. Amarante is an inescapable figure in Brazilian music and has influenced a whole generation in his homeland.

After the last 5 years of voluntary exile in the US he has now made his first solo album entitled Cavalo - which will be released worldwide by Mais Um Discos on May 5th 2014.

“Desde 1992 servindo a Comunidade Brasileira”

Mudança segura e personalizada!

Horário de Atendimento: Segunda a Sexta das 08:00h às 19:00h Sábados das 09:00h às 12:00h Escritórios em Portugal e Espanha: E-mail: info@packandgo.co.uk

+44 (0)1895 420303 EE1 0660 PackAndGo_50x254mm_w_Portuguese_Local.indd 1

Mudança Doméstica e Internacional

Importação e Exportação de Frete Comercial

Serviço Aéreo, Marítimo e Rodoviário

Armazenagem e Empacotamento

Serviço Especializado para Antiguidades

Serviço Porta a Porta para qualquer lugar do Brasil

20 anos

Aniversário em 2012 – Vamos celebrar!

Garantia do melhor preço.

Entre em contato conosco para mais detalhes.

www.packandgo.co.uk 31/08/2012 23:05

20 brasilobserver.co.uk

NEW CANVAS OVER OLD

FEW THINGS I’M LOVING ABOUT RIO

By Kate Rintoul

It has been a busy few weeks in Rio - apartment hunting became a full time job with viewings every day and repetitive checking of ‘Bom Negocio’ (like Gumtree in Brazil). Just as we were giving up hope, we found a bijou little place that already feels like home.

Ironically we had spotted the apartment online in the first week of the search but had discounted it because it didn’t have wifi, which we thought would be a hassle to have fitted but unlike in the UK where you have to wait weeks to get an engineer out - in Brazil you can be up, running and online in 72 hours. This is just one recent discovery that I love about Brazil, so as this week I thought I would share a few other things I am loving about Rio. 1. KILO DINING All Brazilians in the UK - aren’t you missing your visits to the Kilos?

For other readers, Kilos are a form of buffet dining but rather than the “all you can eat” you pay by the kilo and are free to choose from a huge variety of dishes. This suits my indecisive nature as I invariably end up feeling that I made the wrong choice in restaurants.

This is why kilos are great - you can pick little bits of things without having to commit to a whole plateful. For me the best bit is the extensive salad bar. I have already sermonised on the virtues of Brazilian produce so I won’t go into it again, suffice to say it’s very easy to get your five a day here and enjoy every mouthful.

2. THE FACT THAT EVERYONE IS SO FRIENDLY You know that moment when someone stops to help you, or you exchange a friendly smile with someone? These small gestures of empathy are what make us human but unfortunately they are too far between in most cities. In my six weeks here I have had innumerable lovely exchanges with complete strangers; each has filled me with a little more faith in people and made me feel welcome.

3. FINDING ART DECO TREASURES I knew a little about Rio’s great Art Deco architecture before came but I hadn’t expected to find myself walking down whole streets lined with wonderful deco features. While some of the buildings look a little shabby, this only seems to add to their charm because such is the credibility of the design that they can still look impressive, even with chipped paintwork, ‘Pixação’ and satellite dishes.

4. THE WEATHER I hadn’t wanted to write about this, I know it is an obvious choice but I saw on Facebook that you’ve been enjoying a nice spring in London so I’m gonna go for it. The weather is AMAZING - seriously when does the novelty of being able to wear summer clothes all the time wear off?

5. EXPLORING THE DIFFERENT NEIGHBOURHOODS Because apartment search took longer than we expected, we ended up moving around, so far we’ve lived in Laranjeiras (green and family orientated), Copacabana (2 blocks from the beach, with a fair few fellow gringos about), Lapa (rough and ready but packed with charm), Santa Teresa (a peaceful bohemian hill top village) and now Gloria (lively and full of people on the go).

It’s been great to explore each area, especially on foot, within ten minutes you can go from a high brow classical musical recital in a square to a packed fish market.

PHOTOS: REPRODUCTION

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ALGUMAS COISAS QUE ESTOU AMANDO NO RIO Por Kate Rintoul

Lá se foram mais duas semanas no Brasil, desta vez no Rio de Janeiro. Duas semanas, aliás, de uma correria danada – a busca por um apartamento para morar se tornou um verdadeiro “full time job” com visitas diárias e pesquisas repetitivas no site Bom Negócio. Quando estávamos quase desistindo, encontramos um pequeno apê suficientemente aconchegante para nos sentirmos em casa.

Ironicamente, havíamos descartado o lugar na primeira semana de busca porque não havia wifi, que pensávamos ser tão difícil de instalar quanto em Londres, onde temos que esperar semanas para a instalação – no Brasil é possível se conectar em até 72 horas. Esta foi apenas uma das recentes descobertas, então decidi compartilhar algumas outras coisas que estão me fazendo amar o Rio. 1. COMIDA POR QUILO Brasileiros no Reino Unido, vocês não sentem falta da comida por quilo? Eu simplesmente adoro esse sistema, com as diversas opções que ele traz – muito mais do que aqueles em que você pode comer o quanto quiser. Combina muito mais com minha natureza indecisa, já que eu invariavelmente acabava fazendo uma escolha que no final me fazia sentir ter optado pelo prato errado.

Por isso os famosos quilos são ótimos: você pode escolher pequenas porções de cada coisa sem ter de se comprometer com um prato imenso.

Para mim o melhor são os variados tipos de salada. Já escrevi sobre as virtudes dos vegetais brasileiros então não vou me estender; é suficiente dizer que os quilos são excelente opção.

2. O FATO DE TODOS SEREM AMIGÁVEIS (1) Kilo Food, (2) Art Deco in Lapa, (3) Summer all year and (4) Gloria, where I’m living now

Sabe aquele momento quando alguém para o que está fazendo para te ajudar, ou quando você troca um sorriso com alguém? Esses pequenos gestos de empatia são o que nos tornam humanos, mas infelizmente estamos sempre correndo nas grandes cidades. Nas minhas seis semanas aqui eu tive incontáveis trocas de gentilezas com pessoas completamente estranhas; cada uma delas me fez ter mais fé nas pessoas e me fez sentir muito bem-vinda.

3. DESCOBRIR TESOUROS DA ‘ART DECO’ Eu conhecia um pouco da grande arquitetura ‘Art Deco’ do Rio antes de chegar, não esperava me deparar com ela ao caminhar por ruas inteiras. Ainda que alguns prédios se encontrem meio sujos, parece que isso apenas adiciona mais charme porque é tamanha a credibilidade do design que eles ainda parecem impressionantes.

4. O CLIMA Não queria escrever sobre isso. Sei que é óbvio. Mas tenho visto no Facebook que aí em Londres vocês estão curtindo a primavera então... O cilma aqui é SENSACIONAL – sério, podemos usar roupas de verão o tempo todo!

5. EXPLORAR DIFERENTES BAIRROS Por conta da busca pelo apartamento ter demorado mais do que pensávamos, acabamos nos deslocando bastante. Até agora moramos no bairro Laranjeiras (muito verde e familiar), Copacabana (a duas quadras da praia, com muitos gringos indo e vindo), Lapa (cheia de charme), Santa Teresa (pacífica e boêmia) e agora Glória (muito viva e cheia de pessoas passando pra lá e pra cá). Tem sido incrível explorar cada área, especialmente caminhando.

22 brasilobserver.co.uk

TRAVEL

AMAZON: INTO THE WILD

Escaping the stressful routine of large cities is what many tourists seek to do when choosing a holiday destination and Brazil certainly has many options for this.

Of course those seeking relaxation often first think of the country’s numerous beaches, but what about finding rest and enjoyment in the heart of the Amazon rainforest?

You can enjoy the comforts of some great hotels, ranging from luxury to more rustic guesthouses, all while in the jungle.

The hotels and local agencies offer tourists the opportunity to experience living with the local population and to experience firsthand the amazing fauna and flora of the region.

Swim with pink river dolphins, see the handicrafts of the region, and take part in some alternative activities from fishing with locals to forest trails, and

PHOTOS: DIVULGATION

Amazônia Golf Resort

Ariaú Amazon Towers

AMAZÔNIA: NO CORAÇÃO DA SELVA

Juma Amazon Lodge

Fugir da rotina estressante das grandes cidades é o que muitos turistas buscam na hora de escolher um destino para viajar. E, no Brasil, não faltam opções para isso. Quando o foco é relaxar, porém, é mais comum listar as inúmeras praias que o país possui. Mas você já pensou em buscar o descanso no coração da floresta Amazônica?

Dos luxuosos aos mais rústicos, a estrutura hoteleira da região oferece aos turistas a oportunidade de viver experiências com a população local e a incrível interação com a fauna e flora.

Visita aos botos cor-de-rosa, artesanatos, pescaria, trilhas na mata, passeios noturnos, contemplação do nascer do sol são alguns dos atrativos que fazem a experiência dentro da selva inesquecível.

brasilobserver.co.uk 23

night walks before contemplating sunrise surrounded by nature. These are just some of the attractions that make the jungle experience memorable and unique.

When it comes to eating, a wide variety of flavours from the region enrich the menus of local restaurants thanks to the influence of indigenous, Portuguese and African cuisine. Specialties include the various species of freshwater fish, the delectable forest fruits and unusual local spices.

Here, Brasil Observer has listed three options of hotels in the jungle, to help you appreciate the diversity of hospitality available in the Amazon.

ARIAÚ AMAZON TOWERS Designed by the famous French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and located 60 km from Manaus, this is a traditional resort

consisting of eight wooden towers built on stilts. Some activities include walking 6km in the hotel’s suspended walkway, touring the jungle, piranha fishing, taking a canoe trip, observing nocturnal animals, visiting native homes, seeing pink river dolphins and observing the Meeting of the Waters (Rio Negro and Solimões).

Ariaú Amazon Towers offer packages for up to four days and three nights, the values range from £140 to £490, for more information visit: www.ariau.tur.br.

JUMA AMAZON LODGE This lodge has 20 cabins designed with consideration of the surrounding forest.

Located 100 miles southeast of Manaus on the banks of the Rio Negro near the Meeting of the Waters, a stay at this hotel is one to remember.

Local food

The cabins are one of the main attractions of the hotel, which seeks to drawer out the adventurous spirit of guests looking to appreciate living on the Amazon River.

The accommodation is located in the treetops and includes a balcony, private bathroom and hammocks, in some cabins hot water is provided by solar panels.

The lodge’s tour packages include daily ones, without the need to stay overnight and go up to six days and five nights.

Prices range from £200 per night for a single room to £1,200 per night for a special cabin on the lake. More information is available: www.jumalodge.com.br.

AMAZÔNIA GOLF RESORT This is the most modern and well equipped resort, with countless activities and modern recreational facilities to enjoy.

Rio Negro e Solimões River

Além disso, a grande variedade de sabores da região enriquece o cardápio dos restaurantes locais, boa parte proporcionada pela influência da culinária indígena, portuguesa e africana – com as diversas espécies de peixes de água doce, frutas e temperos.

O Brasil Observer elencou três opções de hotéis na selva para que você possa entender a diversidade que a região proporciona.

Alguns atrativos incluem caminhada de 6 km em passarela suspensa, tour pela floresta amazônica, pesca de piranha, viagem de canoa, observação de animais noturnos, visitas a casas de nativos, contato com botos cor-de-rosa e observação do Encontro das Águas (Rio Negro e Solimões). Há pacotes de até quatro dias e três noites e os valores vão de R$ 499 a R$ 1.750. Informações: www. ariau.tur.br.

ARIAÚ AMAZON TOWERS

JUMA AMAZON LODGE

É um tradicional complexo turístico com oito torres de madeira construídas em palafitas. O hotel foi idealizado pelo oceanógrafo francês Jacques Cousteau e está localizado a 60 km de Manaus.

Possui 20 cabanas construídas de forma integrada à Floresta Amazônica. Localizado a 100 km a sudeste de Manaus às margens do Rio Negro nas proximidades do Encontro das Águas.

For family holidays, the hotel has swimming pools, a kid’s club, playground, teen’s club, a snack bar, spacious lounge. Couples seeking a more restful time should visit the onsite Spa, saunas, fitness centre and restaurants.

Planning a special occasion? The hotel also boasts separate areas for parties, events, dances, diverse cuisine, and of course the 18 hole Golf course.

The hotel also operates scheduled torus and activities in the Rainforest. Activity packages also include daily regional coffee tastings, art workshops, rabbit hunting games and competitions.

Located 58km from the international airport of Manaus, no doubt some of the England team’s entourage will be staying here in June! Some apartments can be rented from £460 per night. For more information visit: www.amazoniagolf.com.br.

Pink river dolphins

As cabanas são em si um dos principais atrativos do hotel. Foram feitas para priorizar o espírito aventureiro do hóspede valorizando a forma de viver do ribeirinho amazônico.

As acomodações estão situadas na copa das árvores e incluem varanda, rede, ventilador, banheiro privativo e redário. Algumas cabanas possuem água quente por aquecimento solar.

Os pacotes turísticos incluem diária com e sem pernoite. Há pacotes de hospedagem que varia de um dia sem pernoite até seis dias e cinco noites. Nos pacotes maiores, o hotel oferece pernoites na selva. Os valores variam de R$ 702 (quarto individual) a R$ 4.468 (cabanas especiais do lago). Mais informações: www.jumalodge.com.br.

AMAZÔNIA GOLF RESORT Conta com moderna estrutura de lazer com, piscinas, saunas, kid´s club, playground, fitness center, Teen´s club, restaurantes, snack bar, amplo salão e diferenciados espaços para festas e eventos, SPA, programação de passeios na floresta, bailes, festas, culinária diversificada, e um campo de Golfe com 18 buracos.

Localizado a 58km do aeroporto internacional de Manaus. Os pacotes incluem diária com café regional, oficinas de artes, além de brincadeiras de caça ao coelho e gincanas. Apartamentos duplos podem ser alugados por três parcelas de R$ 567. Mais informações: www.amazoniagolf.com.br.

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MUSIC TO WEAR

STYLE WITH ADIFFERENCE Translated by Marielle Machado

Some of the best things in life are the restlessness moments that are not part of our usual pattern - late night chats, surprising experiences, dancing until the sun comes up to name a few. The Music to Wear blog and column is the creation of two writers looking to share these personal experiences and also explore the cultural differences they notice between Brazil and the UK outside of their private conversations.

We see this as a way to expand discussions about culture, music, style, standards and everything else. For us an outfit is not just clothes you wear – but a representation of experiences, emotions and cultural references, through which we express who we are at a specific moment.

This is by no means a style guide or fashion “how to”, so before you go looking for our professional background on the subject, we’ll save your time and tell you that we have no intentions of coming up with rules here. In fact, it will most often we’ll be doing precisely the opposite.

Through the lens of fashion, we to talk about real life, our daily influences and things we simply love. From amazing travel stories to amazing discoveries we make without leaving the house.

Music to Wear is a conversation between two friends with similar interests who currently live in two very different cities: London and Vitória, Brazil.

We admit that we probably don’t know much about a lot of things. We know what we like and dislike and yet we’re happy to have open minds and to run into contradictions when something we once thought was ugly becomes beautiful or vice versa.

Even though we talk about clothes – this is NOT another fashion column. We won’t just prescribe how to apply makeup – we’ll tell you about amazing colours and new discoveries. We won’t paste photos of perfect g

but unattainable interiors, instead we’ll tell you how we translate trends into our actual homes.

This is not another blog about cooking, but we will talk about food. Despite the name, it’s not exclusively about music, but we will share our loves with you.

The truth is that we both need to exercise our creativity and fill up our lives with beautiful things every day and we just want to share a little bit of this with you.

WHO WE ARE: MARIELLE MACHADO (TEKA) Teka is a marketing executive who currently lives in London with her Scottish husband, but always lets her mind wander far beyond the city she lives in.

She rediscovered her style after she moved to London when she embraced her inner fashionista and began to have fun exploring the various possibilities the city offered. Teka loves the life she has, but often wishes to be back home in Brazil. A self-professed fashion victim of her own style, she is always on the lookout for amazing deals and incredible places to visit. Her humour sways between sweet and sour in a heartbeat and she loves good music.

BIANCA BRUNOW DALLA (BIA) Bia is a journalist with a passion for design, interior decoration and experimental cooking. She lives in Vitória with her husband, their mini vegetable garden and imaginary pets. Bia likes to experiment the colours of makeup and has been having fun with clothes since she was a child. While she travels a lot in her own imagination, she wants to travel more (in the conventional way). She loves where she lives but would love it even more if she could make use of her coat collection.

In fact, she is slightly envious of Teka because of that, until she remembers she can eat rice and beans every single day in Brazil.

This column is monthly, but if you can’t wait till then this conversation continues at www.musicaparavestir.co.uk

ESTILO COM DIFERENCIAL Por Bia Brunow Dalla

Conversas de madrugada, troca de experiências, bonitezas compartilhadas e uma inquietude com tudo que insiste em se encaixar em um padrão. A coluna Music to Wear será uma forma de compartilhar nossas experiências pessoais e diferenças culturais entre Brasil x Reino Unido sem a segurança das conversas particulares. É ampliar uma discussão sobre cultura, música, estilo, linguagem, padrões e tudo mais.

Acreditamos que uma roupa não é só uma roupa – mas um emaranhado de emoções e referências traduzidas nos tecidos e combinações daquele momento.

E antes que você saia por aí procurando nossas referências técnicas do assunto, adiantamos que não temos a intenção de ditarmos coisa

alguma por aqui. O objetivo é uma publicação “vida real”, sobre influências diárias e coisas bonitas – histórias mirabolantes vividas tanto em viagens sensacionais quanto dentro de casa.

Uma conversa entre duas amigas de amores parecidos, em cidades completamente diferentes.

A gente não entende muito de muita coisa, só do que gosta e o que não gosta. Ainda sim vivemos esbarrando em contradições na medida que alguma coisa feia se torna bonita ou o contrário.

Essa não é uma coluna de moda, mas fala de roupa. Não é de maquiagem, mas fala de cor. Não é de decoração, mas fala de (in) utilidades bacanas. Não é de culinária, mas fala de comida. Não é de música, mas fala de amor. A grande verdade é que a gente precisa exercitar a sensibilidade pra encher a vida de coisas bonitas a cada dia.

SOBRE AS AUTORAS: PHOTOS: PERSONAL ARCHIVE

MARIELLE MACHADO (TEKA) Formada em publicidade, mora em Londres com o marido escocês e seus pensamentos grandes demais até pra cidade onde vive. Redescobriu seu estilo depois de se mudar para o Reino Unido. Em Londres conheceu seu lado fashionista e começou a se divertir com as possibilidades diversas da cidade. Ama a vida que tem, mas amaria ainda mais poder voltar pra casa, no Brasil.

Fashion Victim dos seus próprios gostos, vive garimpando por aí uma oferta imperdível e paisagens incríveis para visitar. De um humor docemente ácido e um excelente faro para boa música. g

BIANCA BRUNOW DALLA (BIA) Formada em jornalismo, apaixonada por design, decoradora (da sua própria casa) e cozinheira intuitiva. Mora em Vitória – ES com o marido, sua mini-horta e seus animais de estimação imaginários. Curte maquiagem porque tem cor e se diverte com roupas desde criança. Vive viajando no próprio mundo, embora deseje viajar mais (da forma convencional). Criativamente e profissionalmente inquieta. Ela mora no Brasil, mas tem um Pub inglês – veja bem? E só não gosta mais de onde vive porque não pode se enfeitar todos os dias com sua coleção de casacos de frio. Tem uma leve inveja da Teka por isso, amenizada pelo fato de que no Brasil tem feijão e arroz todo dia.

Por aqui essa conversa será mensal, mas continua em www.musicaparavestir.com.br

FOOD

brasilobserver.co.uk 25

PHOTO: REPRODUCTION

COOKED LAMB WITH FENNEL

By Luciane Sorrino

A tasty fusion between the meaty succulence of lamb and the unique aniseed flavour of fennel, cooked in one pot

I N G R E D I E N T S

I N G R E D I E N T E S

1 front leg of lamb (1,5 kg) 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 500g tomatoes, peeled with seeds removed 2 bulbs of fresh fennel 1 onion, salt and pepper to taste

1 pernil dianteiro de carneiro de 1,5 kg 4 colheres de sopa de azeite extravirgem 500g de tomate sem pele 2 ramos de erva-doce fresca 1 cebola, sal e pimenta a gosto

P R E P A R A T I O N

P R E P A R A Ç Ã O

Wash the meat and trim off the excess fat, pat dry and cut into pieces. Clean the fennel bulbs, cut them into thin slices and set aside.

Chop the onion into small pieces.

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil and fry the onion and the meat over a low heat. Season with salt and pepper while browning and add the tomatoes. Simmer for a few minutes.

Add the fennel and cook over low heat for another half an hour, add a little water if necessary, and adjust the amount of salt to your taste.

Lave a carne e retire os excessos de gordura; seque-a e corte em pedaços. Limpe os ramos de erva-doce, corte-as em rodelas finas e reserve. Pique a cebola em pedaços pequenos.

Em uma panela grande, doure o azeite, a cebola e a carne em fogo baixo. Tempere com sal e pimenta enquanto estiverem dourando e acrescente os tomates sem pele e sem sementes. Refogue durante alguns minutos.

Junte a erva-doce, deixando cozinhar em fogo baixo durante meia hora, acrescente um pouco de água se necessário e ajuste a quantidade de sal.