The South American powerhouse and African stalwart will be put under the spotlight and compared as the very first pair of countries in their brand new segment on CNN International’s ‘Connect the World’, which takes different countries to compare on a weekly basis taking the viewer beyond headlines and into the stories that are changing our world.

The idea behind the interactive show is to demonstrate that our vast world is a lot smaller than we think and interconnected in a myriad of ways.  As such, CNN invite African people and South American people to interact and send in their own ideas and make comparisons between Nigeria and Brazil, from music to the economy to religion. The show will explore the intriguing personal parallels the audience is able to draw between the nations profiled weekly.

Already the founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, has drawn comparisons between the countries, and thoughts voiced by author Paulo Coelho and Gymnast Daiana dos Santos as to what Brazil means to them which can be seen on their website: cnn.com/globalconnections.

Can you find something to connect Nigeria to Brazil? If so, you are welcomed to express your thoughts and post your comments or videos to form part of this new weekly segment for CNN on cnn.com/globalconnections.

___________________________

Global Connections
Aired on CNN International every Friday for the next 8 weeks and online.
Viewers are invited to submit their iReport video, text or photo. Find out how: cnn.com/globalconnections
MORE: connecttheworld.blogs.cnn.com

Photo by Sara&Joachim

In line with the country’s important debates, Queen Mary’s (University of London) Portuguese department and its Cineclub invite all Brazilians to a seminar about the participation and role of women in national politics.

In 1932, President Getúlio Vargas’ new Electoral Code granted women the right to vote and be voted for. In 2005, women corresponded to 51.3% of the Brazilian population. Nevertheless, their participation in political life remains limited and disproportional: in the 2006 elections, National Congress was made up of just 45 federal deputies and nine senators (elected and replaced), or in other words, 9% of the total number of members of Parliament.

Through video clips, Else R. P Vieira’s introduction will feature the women who opened the doors to areas in which they could exercise political power- formally or in social movements- from 1932 up until both of President Lula’s two terms.

How do Brazilian filmmakers project the insertion of women into the political arena? Do they show the emancipation of women or consolidate images of the historical division of the sexes in politics in Brazil? Do they reinforce the stereotypes associated with women in politics or contribute towards them overcoming such stereotypes? Maria Angélica Lemos’ and Que Bom Te Ver Viva look at different aspects of women in politics.
________________________

Programme of events:

18:30
Introduction: Marcos Históricos na Trajetória das Mulheres na Política Brasileira
Else R. P. Vieira

19:00
Film Mulheres na Política – Política Feminista (Brasil, dir. Maria Angélica Lemos, 2008)

19:40
Interval

19:50
Film Que Bom Te Ver Viva (How Nice To See You Alive) (Brasil, dir. Lúcia Murat, 1989)

21:00
Drinks and Debates

Please note that due to the tube strikes this event has been delayed until Sept 24th

6.30pm, Free Entry
Alfred Hitchcock Cinema,
Arts Building, Queen Mary University of London
DIRECTIONS: qmul.ac.uk
register to attend the event: e.vieira@qmul.ac.uk

For the first time in London, dance to the amazingly contagious sound of Bicho de Pé, one of the most popular bands of Forró in Brazil. Support from London based Trio da Ilha and great tunes by DJ Forró Kindred.

Bicho de Pé’s first CD sold 120,000 copies. Since then they have supported the likes of Ivete Sangalo, Elba Ramalho, Zé Ramalho and Alceu Valença and performed alongside Chico César, Dominguinhos, Osvaldinho do Acordeão, Forróçacana, Falamansa, Rastapé, Planta e Raiz, Edu Ribeiro and Ponto de Equilíbrio, amongst others. They are currently working on their third album.

___________________________

Sun 3rd Oct, 7pm, £15
London O2 Academy Islington
Buy tickets: wegottickets.com
Or from the following locations:
Brazuca Hot Dog  NW1      |     Barraco NW6 / NW10     |     Bankete  E1
Bem Brasil  W1D / W1F     |     Casa Brasil  W2     |     Las Americas Butchers SW9

A thousand bricks from the Southbank Centre Favela on Festival Terrace, built by young people from Project Morrinho Pereira da Silva favela, Rio de Janeiro, and young people from Stockwell Park Estate will be given away to the public on Saturday 5th September, the last day of Festival Brazil, Southbank Centre’s HSBC-sponsored summer long celebration of today’s Brazil.

The brightly coloured painted bricks will be given away between 10am and 4pm. Bricks can be reserved on a first come, first served basis by emailing: brickfavela@southbankcentre.co.uk. Simply send an email by Friday 3rd September to reserve your brick.

Since 19 June Festival Brazil has brought together a rich and varied programme of music, visual arts, dance, literature, debates and performances across Southbank Centre, including Ernesto Neto’s immersive installations at the Hayward Gallery, with outdoor sculptural pool; sell-out concerts by Tropicália icons Gilberto Gil and Maria Bethânia; and talk by football legend Socrates.  Visitors of all ages have participated in the many free events celebrating the joyous and energetic Brazilian way of life, with capoeira, samba, drumming and carnival workshops and performances.

___________________________

Sept 5th, 10a,-4pm, free
Southbank Centre
London SE1 8XX
southbankcentre.co.uk



Buenos Aires has one of the most active and unusual street art scenes in the world. An economic crash in 2001 acted as a catalyst for a generation of young artists to start painting in the streets. Public acceptance of street art nurtured the scene, giving artists the freedom to experiment at a scale and level of complexity unseen in other cities. Graffitimundo was set up to promote this extraordinary scene, and supports the artists through exhibitions, events, tours and an online shop & gallery.

Showcasing pieces from Federico Minuchin & tester of rundontwalk, the FASE collective, Buenos Aires Stencil, Malatesta, STENCILLAND, Chu, Defi, Orilo, and Jaz, the exhibition will feature some of the eclectic styles that make up the thriving Buenos Aires street art movement.

___________________________

Opening at 6pm on Thursday 26th August – Sunday 12th September
Normal gallery hours: 10am – 6pm
Pure Evil Gallery, EC2A 4RH
pureevilgallery.arloartists.com

The Mayor’s Thames Festival is a two day celebration of London and its river with an exciting mix of arts, spectacle and entertainment, all focused around the River Thames, taking place of riverside walkways, bridges, docks and open spaces from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge and beyond.

The festival commissions new work, and transforms unusual spaces on and around the River Thames with a mixture of street arts, performance, carnival, pyrotechnics, illuminations, art installations, exhibitions, river events, massed choirs, circus, music and dance, food and feasting. The finale is a magical illuminated Night Procession that winds along the north and south banks of the Thames, followed by a fireworks display fired from the centre of the river itself.

There is plenty on offer for all to take part in and enjoy: photography masterclasses, live African music, a festival market, river parade and river races. Check out the full programme listing here: thamesfestival.org

___________________________

THAMES FESTIVAL
Sept 11^th-12^th, free
thamesfestival.org

A jam-packed night kicks off with a series of short films from Brazil from 7.30pm, including the award winning Suburban Madness.

The night’s live music brings together a selection of the freshest new acts from the UK Latin underground live music. Movimientos Live -DJs Cal Jader, Arias and guests- present a bang up to date brand of across the board Latin flavours from Cumbia mash ups to Salsa Dura, electronic and urban beats, returning after a hectic summer of festivals.

To celebrate Brazilian Independence Day a new 40 track compilation from DJ Mais Um Gringo entitled Oi! A Nova Musica Brasilera will be launched. For a free 4 track download check the Mais Um Discos website maisumdiscos.net.

The exciting line up continues, with Latin Dub Soundsystem, Cumbé and Fronteras playing live. Latin Dub Soundsystem return with their skanking hot brew of Latin rhythms, Hip Hop, and Dub fried Carnival beats- their outstanding live band fronted by the charismatic Colombian Hip Hop flows of MC Magico and soulful vocal tones of Eva Abraham, coming straight from Stop Making Sense Festival in Croatia.

Cumbé bring a traditional element with their brand of Colombian roots sounds, showcasing their self-penned songs including Champeta, Cumbia and Mapale rhythms, very infectious stuff whilst Frontera play a quirky mix of classic Latin anthems in a upbeat rock style, as they mix cover versions with a selection of their own original songs.

___________________________

Movimientos Live @ The Notting Hill Arts Club
Brazilian Independence Day Special
September 7^th, 7pm-2am, Entry, £5
nottinghillartsclub.com
movimientos.org.uk
maisumdiscos.net

Running from midday Saturday until Monday, Feng Sushi will be setting up a stall and selling Asian Steamed Buns with Brazilian BBQ meat – pork, beef and chicken + pickles and sauces. These appear to be rather fantastic and a big hit in NY – Momofuku being the most famous.

Brazilian twisted cocktails will also be served to add to the carnival atmosphere – and for this weekend, make the most of the Strawberry Sake Caipirinha (£5.50) – buy one get one free!

The stand will be run by Dave, the BBQ king of Feng Sushi, and Clebson a native of Brazil who’s background is also as a chef. Let’s just hope the rain stops and the sun comes out!

Keep up with the latest news from Feng Sushi on twitter and take a look below at more of the fabulous food to be found inside the restaurant as part of Festival Brazil, until 5th of Sept.

Brazil Menu
Sushi Samba Selection £9.00
- Mango, Crab ISO Brazil Roll, Hot Roll with Salmon
and Chinese Leaf Gunkan with Salmon Tartar

Mango & Papaya Salad £5.50
- with Brazil Nuts, Coriander and Lime Juice

São Paulo Ceviche £8.50
- Cubed Cucumber, Tomatoes, Salmon
and Hamachi, Micro Herbs,
Lime Dressing and Yuzu Tobiko

Usuzukuri £11.50
- Paperthin Salmon & Seabass Ceviche
with Grated Spicy Mooli

Summer cocktails:
Sake Sangria £5.50
Yuzu Drop £5.50
Strawberry Sake Caipirinha £5.50

Enjoy the English Summer with The Feng Sushi Brazil Picnic Box:
Delicious Sushi, Sashimi & Salads, plenty for 4 people £44
Including drinks: 1 btl. of white organic wine,
2 Belu waters or 2 juices £56
Collection or Daytime Delivery

___________________________

Feng Shushi
Unit 9
Royal Festival Hall – SE1 8XX
Waterloo
020 7261 0001
fengsushi.co.uk
twitter.com/SillaBjerrum

If you had to choose one term that’s on everyone’s lips in the design world today, it would be ‘sustainability’. It has struck a chord in the market of product design and these designers were some of the few who knew how to capitalise on the benefits of working with such a fascinating concept, full of possibilities.

In order to show avid consumers the sheer range of products in the market, whilst serving primarily as inspiration for other professionals, Taschen has launched the book Product Design In the Sustainable Era, authored by Dalcacio Reis and edited by Julius Wiedemann, both Brasilians, graduated in design. Spread across over 400 pages it features 180 projects from 20 countries, exploring products like a chair made of old skateboards and a bicycle (above) that collects and filters water when pedaled.

“It’s important to highlight that what is sustainable today could be outstripped tomorrow, after all it’s a process that’s in constant evolution”, affirms Wiedemann. “It’s still difficult for people to understand the complexities involved in the creation and the development of a sustainable product; it’s necessary to have an educational process”.

The editor’s favourite item is the Bware Water Meter from the Israeli studio A2: a simple device that is applied to taps and showers which informs the user how much water is being used. Simple and intelligent, and definitely sustainable.

By Heloisa Righetto

————————————-
Product Design
in the Sustainable Era
£24.99, 444 pages
taschen.com