Though the sun was hidden behind thick clouds June 6, the ByWard Market was still lit up by the third annual Saravah Brazilian Festival.
With music pumping through the street, aromas of empanadas and sausages filling the air, plus vibrant jewlery and clothing stands at every turn, the Saravah Brazilian Festival showcased a piece of Brazil in Ottawa.
Now in its third year, the festival’s sea of green and yellow has grown from roughly 500 attendees to nearly 7,000.
The day-long festival featured live performances, Brazilian Zouk and Forro dance classes and many vendors.
For Gabriella Rangel, the Saravah Brazilian Festival offers a connection back to her home in Brazil.
“I haven’t been back home in three years and sometimes I get a little homesick,” she said “It’s nice to have a little home somewhere else.”
Rangel, a face painter from Sprinkle Spark Studio, returned for her third year at the festival. She said events like Saravah help challenge misconceptions about Brazil.
“When I first came here years ago, people wouldn’t even know what language we speak. They just know the things that they hear in the news or stereotypes,” she said “It’s a good way for people to know more about our culture.”
All throughout the street, couples, friends, grandparents and children were dancing, singing, and laughing with each other.
“It’s the best atmosphere. People are enjoying themselves and enjoying everything around them,” Silvia Lima, an attendee from Rio de Janeiro, said.
Lima and her husband were visiting from Rio de Janeiro to see their daughter, Lais Maurilio. This was Maurilio’s second year at the Saravah Brazilian Festival.
“For me, it’s very important when we have events from the Brazilian community to show up and show support as a Brazilian,” Maurilio said. “I think it’s important for everyone to see our culture and know a little more about our music, our food, and everything that we do.”
Saravah, which translates to “welcome” or “good luck” in English, is a non-profit organization that organizes events inspired by Brazilian culture. The event was founded by Claudia Balladelli, Silvia Saraiva and Malu Anastacio – all of whom moved to Ottawa from Brazil.
They said they were determined to bring Brazilian energy and passion into their new home of Ottawa.
“I arrived in 1996,” Balladelli said. “There were barely any Brazilians in Ottawa. The community was very, very small, and it grew very slowly”.
While working as a promoter at Mercury Lounge, she said she discovered a passion for hosting and bringing together the Brazilian community.
“The Brazilian culture involves you, hugs you, and surrounds you with this very positive vibration. You just feel welcomed,” she said. .
Jolyane Boivin, known as DJ JolyB, opened and closed the festival. She has been performing at the festival for all three years.
Although she was born in Quebec, Boivin developed a love for Brazilian culture that she said she hopes to share with her audiences.
“Being able to perform at this festival has been such an amazing experience,” she said. “I fell in love with Brazilian culture a few years ago, and this festival is a celebration of that.”
“Canada is known for welcoming different cultures, for embracing different cultures and not asking people to change their values. It’s all of these cultures that make up what Canada is,” she added.
While most of the festivities were held outdoors, the final performance was moved inside Chateau Lafayette due to the weather. Although rain threatened throughout the day and eventually brought the party indoors, it never dampened the crowd’s energy.
“It can be raining, we’re gonna be jumping up and down,” Balladelli said. “We’re gonna be happy.”
Featured image by David Mutabazi / 1K STUDIO]
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