The Brazilian national day, officially on September 7, celebrates the historical declaration of the independence of Brazil from Portugal, proclaimed by the then prince, Pedro, in 1822 on the banks of the Ipiranga River in São Paulo. A turning point in the history of both countries, the so-called ‘Ipiranga shout’ marked the end of the long period of colonial rule which began in 1500, when the first Portuguese vessels landed on Brazilian coasts.
The apex of the Portuguese presence would take place in 1808, with the dramatic escape of the royal court – under regent João, prince Pedro’s father – to Brazil due to the Napoleonic wars. For the first time in history, the colony supplanted the metropolis in importance and became the seat of the monarchy and the centre of the Portuguese empire.
With the end of the military conflict in Europe and the attempt to restore the status quo ante, symbolised by the emblematic Vienna Congress (1814-15), it was only a matter of time before a weakened Portuguese crown moved back to Europe – which effectively happened in 1821 – and Brazil returned to the previous state of a mere colony.
. The strong liberal-nationalist wave that swept Europe in the postwar scenario spread out and crossed the Atlantic, having a decisive impact on Latin America’s decolonization process.
Brazil’s independence, therefore. falls not only in the context of the decline of Portuguese colonial influence but more than that, it was a result of the irresistible ideological thinking that would profoundly alter power relations and fates at that time and in the years to come.
Film festival
During the month long celebration of the Brazilian National Day, the Embassy of Brazil offers the public the 3rd Brazilian Film Festival, which will happen in Colombo from September 26 - 29, at the BMICH.
This year the festival will bring some of the best movies from Brazil again. The program will include different genres such as drama (Central Station and Linha de Passe), documentary (Oscar Niemeyer), romantic comedy (If I Were You - 2), biography (Olga) and action (Elite Squad: The Enemy Within). There will also be a kids’ session with free popcorn and soft drinks (Monica’s Gang: An Adventure Through Time).