Imaging Brazil 337: Praça da Liberdade Christmas Decorations in Belo Horizonte, MG (2011)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

337: Praça da Liberdade Christmas decorations

It has been a long tradition that the municipality of Belo Horizonte provides exuberant Christmas decorations on the most famous square in the city: Praça da Liberdade, the Freedom Square. There are several buildings around the square that used to belong to the Minas state government. You can still notice the names of some federal secretariats on the façades. These secretariats have since disappeared, their spaces are now occupied by a number of museums with interesting local and national collections. One side of the square is occupied by the governor’s palace. The double row of palm trees are decorated with lighting and Christmas decorations, each year with a different design and theme. Other trees on the square also receive their Christmas lights. The open spaces on the square are filled by large Christmas figures. It is good to imagine that in the weeks before Christmas the square is difficult to reach by car. Many families with small children come here to marvel at the colorful lighting and decorations.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2011, 2017

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IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2014 – 002

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2014.

Part 2:
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Reflection of Christmas lights
Minas Gerais (MG) – Green mountains from the roadside
Ouro Preto (MG) – Between the roofs

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Reflection of Christmas lights

Minas Gerais (MG) – Green mountains from the roadside

Ouro Preto (MG) – Between the roofs

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2014, 2017

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2008 – 065

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2008.

Part 65:
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Christmas decoration in shopping mall
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Giant Christmas tree
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Christmas decoration in shopping mall

 

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Christmas decoration in shopping mall

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Giant Christmas tree

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Christmas decoration in shopping mall

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2008, 2017

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2009 – 034

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2009.

Part 34:
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Indigenous headdress
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Cruzeiro supporter
Itabira (MG) – Christmas decoration
Itabira (MG) – Christmas decoration

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Indigenous headdress

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Cruzeiro supporter

Itabira (MG) – Christmas decoration

Itabira (MG) – Christmas decoration

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2009, 2017

Imaging Brazil 266: Christmas Decoration in Belo Horizonte, MG (2010)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

266: Reflection of blue and gold

Almost all shopping malls in Brazil make much work with Christmas decorations. No effort will be spared to show the most beautiful decorations to customers. Those decorations are often related to a single theme, and almost all show scenes of wintry atmospheres, that you may be common with in Northern and Western Europe, and in North America. Brazilians who have never seen snow in their lives, can see polar bears and penguins in carving Christmas decorations. In one of the largest shopping malls in Belo Horizonte, I saw a huge Christmas ball. The light of a blue Christmas tree was reflected in this large golden ball.

 

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2010, 2017

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2011 – 002

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2011.

Part 02:
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Christmas lanterns
Mariana (MG) – City view
Mariana (MG) – Two churches
Mariana (MG) – City view

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Christmas lanterns

Mariana (MG) – City view

Mariana (MG) – Two churches

Mariana (MG) – City view

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2011, 2017

Imaging Brazil 045: Joy! in São Paulo, SP (2005)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

045. Joy! 

DECEMBER 2005: Joy!

It’s really strange to see Christmas ornaments that are associated with winter, in a tropical country such as Brazil. To see snow, Brazilians should at least fly to Argentina or Chile, or further: to Denver, to Canada, to the Alps, for example. Nevertheless, many shopping malls in Brazil opt to use English-style or American-style Christmas decorations. Inevitably, you will meet Santa, who will take your children on his lap, and allow having some necessary pictures taken for some fee. A Santa Claus with a thick, red winter coat, trimmed with fur, with a red hat, and snow-resistant, black boots. In Shopping Iguatemi, where I took this photo, the decorations were even shown in the original language: in English.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2005, 2014

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2007 – 001

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2007.

Part 1:
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Christmas lights
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Spider
Jacaraipe (ES) – Candle on the beach
Jacaraipe (ES) – Tree on the beach

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Christmas lights

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Spider

Jacaraipe (ES) – Candle on the beach

Jacaraipe (ES) – Tree on the beach 

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2007, 2016

Imaging Brazil 194: Reflection of Christmas Decorations in Belo Horizonte, MG (2008)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

194. Christmas decorations 

DECEMBER 2008: Christmas decorations

Traditionally, much attention is given to the Christmas decorations at Praça da Liberdade in Belo Horizonte. Every year, this square – surrounded by stately former (state) government buildings – is transformed into an attractive square with Christmas decorations in a specific theme. Just before Christmas, it is almost impossible to reach the square by car. Entire families spend the evening there, enjoying a hot dog or a hamburger while strolling through the fairy-lit square. Children marvel at the Christmas characters, and enjoy themselves with the newly purchased toys, that are being offered by street vendors. Usually I was there to make some pictures of the decorations. In 2008, I even managed to take a picture of the reflection of such a decoration in a rain puddle.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2008, 2016

Imaging Brazil 139: Christmas Lights in Belo Horizonte, MG (2007)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

139. Christmas lights

JANUARY 2007: Christmas lights

Christmas lights at Praça da Liberdade. Each year, late November, the most famous square of Belo Horizonte, Praça da Liberdade, is decorated with many Christmas ornaments. Since 2001, I have visited admired the colorful decorations on this square. In 2006, almost every big tree was lit with running lights in various colors and shapes, as seen in the picture above. I was lucky to have visited the square on 6 January, on the final day before the clean-up of the decorations. Praça da Liberdade is surrounded by buildings constructed in different styles: Neoclassical, Art-Deco, Modern and Post-Modern. One of the city’s landmarks is also located here: Edifício Niemeyer, designed by and named after the famous architect, Oscar Niemeyer.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2007, 2015

Imaging Brazil 098: Tropical Santa in Rio de Janeiro, RJ (2006)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

098. Tropical Santa

DECEMBER 2006: Tropical Santa

December 2006, only two weeks before Christmas. I was in Rio de Janeiro, and I joined a group of students in their climb of the Urca Mountain, the little brother of the Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar). It was a very hot day, and we were sweating a lot, on our way to the top. From the top, we much enjoyed magnificent views of the City of Rio, especially the neighborhoods of Botafogo and Flamengo. The top of Urca hosts a concert hall, where rehearsals were going on. Those who visit the concert hall surely would not climb on foot, but rather prefer the much more comfortable but pricey cable car. The most notable artist on Urca was the Man in Red, with a full white beard. It was Santa Claus! He should have been suffering a lot, to wear his winter clothes during that hot afternoon. But when I took a closer look, these winter clothes were made of silk-like material. A kind of a tropical Santa suit, but he looked like any Santa in the world. A cameraman had to record this precious tropical Santa moment.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014

Imaging Brazil 092: Navigating Dog in Guarulhos, SP (2006)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

092. Captain Bobby

DECEMBER 2006: Captain Bobby

In 2005, I was invited to spend Christmas with friends in Guarulhos, near the city of São Paulo. An entire suckling pig was roasted and was part of a delicious Christmas meal. There were some leftovers of the poor pig, for the dog, Bobby. Of course, these leftovers made Bobby very happy. Bobby had a real dog’s life, he was quite spoilt: His Greyish Dogness got his showers on time, had his walks on time, and received his food and water on time. Even his royal mattress was taken care of. Bobby even owned a yacht, which he was able to use on the big water. Water of a big garden pool. Bobby didn’t care about that; he made his own cruise….

 

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014

Imaging Brazil 096: Red Carpet in Rio de Janeiro, RJ (2006)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

096. Red carpet in SAARA

DECEMBER 2006: Red carpet in SAARA

SAARA ( similar to the Portuguese word for Sahara , but is an abbreviation for the shopkeepers’ association in downtown Rio de Janeiro) , is the cozy shopping center in downtown Rio de Janeiro . A number of narrow streets with dozens of small shops, where you can buy almost everything. You need to be aware of pickpockets, as you should be cautious in any big city in the world. As long as you don’t behave too obvious, nothing may happen. When I was there, I visibly enjoyed the atmosphere in the crowded streets. Covered markets are located next to the narrow streets; you can buy a wide range of products of the parallel market. Pirate CDs and DVDs, cheap electronics, clothing, shoes, perfumes. In order to create a more colorful street image, the city had rolled out red carpets on the pavements. And not only in SAARA. Various pavements in the districts of Ipanema and Copacabana were also covered with red carpets. It was a strange sensation to walk on these carpets. As if you were a real royalty or celebrity.

 

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014

Imaging Brazil 091: Christmas Gifts in Guarulhos, SP (2006)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

091. Christmas presents

DECEMBER 2006: Christmas presents

I spent Christmas 2006 with friends in Guarulhos. Guarulhos is a metropolis that is located next to the mega city of São Paulo, and is widely known for the international airport. The friends living in Guarulhos enjoy a comfortable life: a big house, well-paid jobs. Not far from their house, only a few kilometers away, big favelas (slums) are located. Generally, favelas have a bad name, and are associated with poverty, drug lords, drug traffickers, murderers, muggers. However, the vast majority of the favelistas is peaceful and has the daily struggles for a decent life. The children lack good food, clothes, shoes and toys. Hence, my friends had gathered some money for buying little presents for these children and young mothers. On Christmas Day, I was invited to join the friends. We put on a red Christmas hat, and climbed in the pick-up truck. The driver carefully parked the truck, with the rear in the direction of the favela. Soon the first kids appeared and made others run to the truck. They eagerly accepted the little bags with toys and candies. Some of them tried to beg for another bag. It was good to see the smiles appear on their sometimes dirty faces. Our Christmas thought. I chose to show this picture, since it clearly shows that not everyone in a favela is black…

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014

Imaging Brazil 046: I Believe, in São Paulo, SP (2005)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

046. Believe 

DECEMBER 2005: Believe

During my short stay in the metropolis of São Paulo, I had visited one of the richest districts in the city: Jardim Paulista, not far from Avenida Paulista. This district hosts expensive apartments, luxury shops that exhibit exclusive merchandise for exorbitant prices. When you are familiar with a city like Belo Horizonte which is less rich, I can imagine that you may be amazed by the luxury that is exhibited in Jardim Paulista. Even my yearlong experience of luxury in the Netherlands didn’t stop me from being amazed of what I saw. Shopping Iguatemi is another example. This giant mall exhibits hundreds of luxury stores; many of them bore expensive sounding trademarks. This shopping mall was decorated with English-American Christmas ornaments. Much attention was paid to these decorations, and most striking for me was this motto: ‘I believe in Santa Claus’. . Well, what to say?

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2005, 2014

COLORFUL BRAZIL. Eyetest: Find the Lizard (Belo Horizonte, MG)

Eyetest: Find the Lizard. In BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

Downtown Belo Horizonte, a few weeks before Christmas. Many people wander around for their Christmas shopping. They carry a large number of bags, printed in bright colors and designs. It is impossible not to see the brand names and logos that are screaming for attention.
On a pavement in downtown Belo Horizonte, not far from the crowded stores and warehouses, a lizard tried to survive. He moved on the pavement, thereby making itself almost invisible. I almost had hit its long tail. He ran away, seeking shelter at safer places.

The original picture was taken in December 2011

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BELO HORIZONTE, MG: Less Than 900 Days To GO

BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

At Praça da Liberdade, the principal square in Belo Horizonte, a giant hourglass shows the countdown until the start of the 2014 World Cup. This hourglass, with mirror-like panels, shows the logo of one of the major sponsors of that soccer tournament.
Yesterday, December 25th, 2011: The countdown clock shows the number ‘900’.
Faltam 900 Dias, only 900 days to go, when Brazil welcomes the world’s best soccer players, to compete with Brazil for the World Title.
Belo Horizonte will host 2 matches in the group phase, one match of the final 16 knock-out phase, and one semi final.

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Christmas in Brazil: ITABIRA, MG (2009)

ITABIRA (MG)

Itabira is a mining city at about 100 km from Belo Horizonte. At present it counts a little more  than 100 thousand inhabitants. Itabira is the birthplace of one of the most famous poets of Brazil: Carlos Drummond de Andrade.

Complete photo gallery (49 images): CLICK HERE 

In 2009, PET-bottles were used as the basis for the Christmas decorations throughout the city. The city hall, a principal square, the lampposts in the center, and one principal avenue were the locations of these PET decorations.

Christmas bells, snowmen,trees, angels, candles, the Holy Family, and the house of Santa Claus.  Thousands of used PET bottles were cut, stitched and painted to obtain surprising decorations.

Globo News: Recycled material for Christmas decorations in Belém (PA)

Related blog about PET bottles and Christmas decorations, in Recife (PE)

 

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