First ‘Brazilian Day’ celebrations planned for County Roscommon

The county’s first ‘Brazilian Day’, to celebrate Brazilian Independence Day, will take place at Kilbride Community Centre tomorrow Sunday, September 15th.

The day will be an opportunity for the Brazilian community to share their experiences and culture with every nationality living within the county.

Many aspects of Brazilian culture will be on display with free workshops on percussion, gafieira dance, capoeira (martial arts), music, football, gastronomy and crafts being run, along with information on legal rights and mental health with support from the Brazilian Embassy.

It is set to be the biggest celebration of Brazilian culture in the county, building on the recent successful Brazilian Day held in Gort, which was attended by outgoing Brazilian Ambassador to Ireland Marcelo Biato, who proposed to idea of hosting a Brazilian Day in the two western towns of the country.

Catia DaNova is a member of the Brazilian community in Roscommon, first moving to Ireland in 2001. She was a founding member of the Brazilian Cultural Club in the county. She now works as a Community Development Integration worker with Vita House Outreach Centre, and she spoke of the importance of this day to Brazilians. “I think it’s a brilliant celebration to have, it’s a long time since we’ve had a community event for the Brazilian community. This event is a cultural event, and the reason we are doing this on September 15th is because it is the month of our independence and we are showcasing our music, martial arts and aspects of culture,” she said.

The highlight of the event is a business Q&A with two experienced advisors, Noel Connolly and Fernanda Hermanson. Two successful Brazilian entrepreneurs will also be on the panel, Bianca Fachel from Birdland Studios and Carolina Musetti from Baken it Happen.

“This is for Brazilian people that are already here a long time and have Ireland as a forever home, who want to set up their own business,” added Catia.

The Brazilian Day will also see members of the Brazilian community who have already set up businesses showcasing their skills and products. “The doors will be opening at 10 a.m. and all the stalls are Brazilian, with food, painting, we have a dentist, cosmetics, people in health and mental health, a therapist, so it will bring people together,” said Catia.

Doors in the Kilbride Community Centre (F42 N277) will open at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 15th, with the opening ceremony starting at 12 noon, and the event will conclude at 5 p.m..