CULTURE

MUSIC - Brazilian music is full of passion, of sentiment, of joy. It is the result of a long simmering mix of heritage from AmerIndian, Portuguese and African sources meeting global influences to create a magical, mystical music. Wherever you go in Brazil there is always the music. Whether it is the poly rhythms from percussion instruments at a street corner or a sophisticated discussion of the current year's Carnival songs, the culture shares a common inspiration through their music. After 500 years of history the brazilian music developed some unique and original styles like Choro, Forró, Frevo, Samba (in a lot of styles), Bossa Nova, MPB and others. Samba is no doubt the best known form of Brazilian music worldwide, though Bossa Nova and other genres have also received much attention abroad. All genres of Brazilian music formed a solid tradition

CARNIVAL - The Brazilian Carnival (Portuguese: Carnaval) is an annual celebration in Brazil held 40 days before Easter and marking the start of Lent. During Lent, Roman Catholics, which constitute the majority in Brazil, are to abstain from bodily pleasures. Brazilian Carnival as a whole exhibits some differences with its counterparts in Europe and other parts of the world, and within Brazil it has distinct regional manifestations. There are several major differences between Carnival in the state of Bahia in Brazil's Northeast Region and Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. The musical styles are different at each carnival.