Carnabeirão

I am a keen fan of Axe-Music (originates from Salvador – Bahia), which is one of the many music genres originating from Brazil. The success of Salvador Carnival (the largest street carnival in the world), which celebrates Axé Music, has led to the development of dozens (if not hundreds) of smaller scale events all year round. The one I attended takes place in Ribeirão Preto, 300km west of São Paulo city. Actually, I starting to write this entry by the swimming pool at the top floor of the hotel, which boosts a nice view over the city, though the city itself is nothing to die for… (PS. As I write this, two black weird looking birds land in the terrace to drink water from the swimming pool). This is not the first time I attend this carnival – I’ve done it in 2008.

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I have met many interesting people and yesterday I've also met some friends that I did in 2008. Some of them I did not even know they were coming this year too. Neither did they know that I was coming, so it was a big (and good) surprise for both of us. The weather is very good, it is 3pm the sun is shining and the temperature is around 30ºC. The evenings are a bit cold though, with the temperature going to the mid teens. I am looking forward to the second show by Chiclete com Banana, my favourite Axe-Music band. Yesterday’s was quite good, but I think tonight one is going to be even better as it is the last night of the event.

With Renato, who was dressed as a cow. Renato is the 'clown' who keeps everyone laughing throughout. The sign is saying 'another cow in the event'.

Very close to Bell Marques, the legendary singer from Chiclete com Banana

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In the middle of the crowd I met Carol, a friend from São Paulo I've made at Carnabeirão 2008

UPDATE: The second show was really good. After playing for 4h30m yesterday, Chiclete com Banana performed for more than 4 hours again. The atmosphere was amazing, with everyone singing and interacting.

The Carnabeirão 2010 crowd arriving for the last day of the event

With Tim, one of the organisers of the tour

Again, very close to the 'Trio' (Truck), where the band plays

Surprise, surprise! With Bebel and Estela, two girls who I met in the 2008 event

Two of the new friends I've made this year
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On Saturday lunch was at a 'Xácara' (or farmhouse) a few kilometers away from Ribeirão Preto Town Centre. The lunch was a Churrasco (or Barbecue), with grilled meat and salads served. Alcohol consumption was included in the price - the fruit cocktails were delicious, but one needs to be careful as the portions are very generious... There was a DJ playing national and international hits and mid afternoon there was a fantastic funk performance (another genre of music, originating from Rio de Janeiro's favelas). The MC was brilliant. At the beginning I though it was a CD playing, and to my surprise the guy was singing live! Very, very interactive, with the MC singing most of the famous funk songs. Needless to say, people did get in to singing along. I've made a couple of videos and will try to post them on youtube when I am back in the UK.

The 'galera' on our way to the BBQ

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"Tenha fé no azul que está no frevo..." dancing ‘cavalo mambembe’ song. Basically two of more people give hands and move the waist up and down. It is very traditional in Micaretas. Chiclete also sang this song both days.

And that was it, on Monday the 12th very early in the morning I flew to Niteroi in Rio de Janeiro state, to attend the Community-based Tourism Conference and deliver another guest lecture at Fluminense Federal University. I will post about Niteroi in the next entry

Brazil trip - Week 1 (São Paulo)

I am currently in Brazil on a tour to enhance the profile of Bournemouth University and the School of Services Managament among the tourism and hospitality academic community. This trip involves a series of guest lectures, meetings with ‘study abroad’ agents and the British council, attendance of the Community-based Tourism conference in Niteroi (RJ) and a number of media appearances.

The School of Services Management offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the field of Events, Food, Hospitality, Leisure, Retail, Sport and Tourism and is one of the UK's leading institutions for the study in these areas. Our Tourism Masters Programme is the largest of its kind in the UK, attracting students from around 40 nationalities. However, at the moment we do not attract many students from Brazil, perhaps because we have done little promotional work here. According to the most recent numbers, there are around 10.000 students graduating in a tourism-related degree in Brazil every year. In addition, as the Brazilian economy becomes more international, good command of English is a pre-requirement to get a job, notably with multinationals. The internationalization also requires cross-cultural skills and the international feature of our Masters provide an excellent opportunity to develop these skills. It is also a fact that a much stronger Real (the Brazilian currency) has led to the halving of our fees in Brazilian currency terms when compared to 4 years ago. All these facts suggest that there is an opportunity to attract Brazilian students to our Masters.

The first two guest lectures took place on Wednesday (7^th) at São Paulo University (East Campus). At the East Campus they have both day and evening courses and hence my host, Professor Karina Solha, asked me to talk to both groups of students. The first presentation focused on the future of a Marathon as perceived by its stakeholders. This presentation is based on Jenna le Couillard’s undergraduate dissertation that I supervised. The second presentation focused on the Gastronomic Experience of European Tourists in Portugal. This presentation is based on a series of conference presentations and journal articles undertaken with Professor Antónia Correia (Algarve University) and Carlos Ferreira da Costa (Aveiro University).

Both presentations were very well received and students asked many interesting (and some challenging) questions. In this campus they also have a hotel management degree where students learn and practice cooking skills. The chef who runs the practice kitchens prepared a surprise – Portuguese cabbage soup (or Caldo Verde), which we ate in between the presentations. It was delicious and very Portuguese. There was even Portuguese red wine to drink! (I had one small glass only… there was still one presentation to go!)

The 'caldo verde' soup when finished

Enjoying the 'Caldo Verde' in good company

With Chef José Roberto and Prof. Karina Solha after the second presentation at USP

The next day I delivered a guest lecture to students and academics from Anhembi Morumbi University. The presentation was about the future of a marathon as perceived by its stakeholders. The turnout was really impressive, with more than 70 people attending. The university did a press release announcing the presentation, with one of the key São Paulo state newspapers publishing it in their event calendar section (see below). The presentation was followed by lunch at the University premises. The lunch was prepared and served by hospitality management students. The three course meal was delicious and I had countless classes of pineapple and mint freshly squeezed juice – it was to die for! By the way, the presentation was about the Future of a Marathon as perceived by its stakeholders.

Lunch at Anhembi Morumbi Uiniversity

On Friday 9^th, I did a 30 min TV interview with Wanderley Nogueira for the portal terra.com.br and Joven Pan Radio Station from São Paulo, arranged by the Anhembi Morumbi University Public Relations office. I had never done a TV interview like this, but it was a quite interesting experience. It was very pleasant to talk to Wanderley about the topical area of the organization and legacy of mega-events. Brazil will host the two largest mega-events – The world Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016 – and not surprisingly Brazilians and actively debating how to capitalize on the opportunity posed by the events. I will post the link as soon as it is available.

With the Journalist Wanderley Nogueira

On the leisure side, besides catching up with the many friends I have in Sao Paulo, this weekend I am attending one of the many off-season carnivals that takes place around Brazil - Carnabeirão. More about this in the next blog entry.