At our meeting last Thursday morning, Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians and guests were treated to an unusual double speaker program. Both sessions were fun and enlightening.

Joao Alfonso, our 2024-25 inbound Rotary Youth Exchange student from Brazil, entertained and informed us with a tradition that helps define Brazilian culture, the cultural phenomenon of Carnaval. Running from the Friday before Lent to Ash Wednesday, Carnaval is a major driver of the Brazilian economy, attracting over 46 million participants and generating just under $2 billion (US) dollars annually.

The celebration traces its roots to the Portuguese colonial period when settlers brought the “pre-Lenten tradition of ‘Entrudo’, a festival of street games, water fights, and general revelry. Over time, these festivities merged with African cultural influences, especially rhythms and dances brought by enslaved Africans, helping to shape the early forms of samba. Today, Carnaval is a symbol of Brazilian identity, celebrated in diverse styles across the country – from the glamorous parades in Rio to the street blocos in Salvador and Recife.”