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

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

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

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