Brazil is a fusion of ethnicities. We are daughters and sons of pain, of encounters many times not harmonic in its beginnings. But our history is what makes us unique and gives us a beauty that we carry with pride. 

We are mixed, but not one. Brazil is huge, there is no such thing as one Brazil, or one mix. Each corner of the country has its particular history and cultural expressions. It’s an endless journey of discoveries and so many stories to be told. The acknowledgment of our diversity as a national cultural identity arose during Brazilian Modernism, twenty years after the original movement started in Europe. It was worth the wait, Brazilian Modernism rebelled against the academicians and the European influence that dominated the arts in the country until then, highlighting the importance of a vast array of regional artists. 

In Brazil everything blends and becomes syncretic. We believe that everyone and every place carries something good and worth knowing. We pray for the catholic saints and the African “orixas”. Our spirituality doesn’t require fidelity, it requires faith. For us, nothing is impossible.

Brazilian’s appreciation for rituals is usually shown through parties, especially carnavals. This simplistic representation many times without context doesn’t honor the meaning behind our cultural manifestations. There is art, history, spirituality and love involved. Rituals are much more than a party; they are in each meal, self care routine, and step of life. 

We make instant friends. If you land in Brazil today for a lunch churrasco (barbecue) you might be invited for coffee with my grandma, dinner at my house, and after all of that a party at my cousin’s.  All on the same day. Home is where we are powerful, supreme. It’s where we find the respect and safety that our institutions don't provide us with. It’s where we feel relevant and respected.

Personal space isn't a real thing in Brazil- we will greet you with a kiss, even if we’ve never met you before. In São Paulo, you may get one. Travel to Rio, and you’ll get two: one on each cheek. By now, you should be prepared for three kisses when traveling to the Northeast. Every region is different, but what never changes is the warmth and enthusiasm you are met with the second you step off the plane.

Honoring Brazil is recognizing its plurality and fragmentation. Celebrating an infinity of rhythms, sounds and colors of our culture. In Brazil, we believe our nationality is a lifestyle, and we love to say “now you are a little Brazilian too”. Sendo means being, and this is an invitation for you to dive into our culture: Sendo Brazilian with us.