Brazil is a country of the well-known architect Oscar Niemeyer, writer Jorge Amado, composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, and also of football, good coffee, thrilling carnival, infinitely long and lovely serials, the energetic samba, fascinating capoeira and quick Formula 1.

The main feature of Brazil is Brazilians themselves: descendants of white colonizers, Indians and African slaves. Modern nation resulting from merging of different cultures differs by emotionality, sentimentality and optimism. However, the main trait of Brazilians is benevolence.

For instance, if you ask a stranger to direct you, he will explain you the way in detail, even though he does not know the right way, he never says "I don't know", supposing the indifference can offend you.

Holidays are very important for Brazilians. Probably, that is why they have so many holidays. Holidays are often celebrated noisily, cheerfully, with music and dances.

• January, 1 — Unity Day;
• February—March — Carnival;
• April—May — Catholic Easter;
• April, 21 — Tiradentes;
• May, 1 — Labour Day / May Day;
• September, 7 — Independence Day (since 1822);
• October, 12 — Our Lady of Aparecida and Children's Day;
• November, 15 — Proclamation of the Republic Day;
• December, 25 — Catholic Christmas.

January, 1 New Year's Day
New Year in Brazil is a summer holiday since it takes place at the height of summer that coincides with Russian winter. Officially the holiday is called Confraternização, that literally means "fraternisation".

February, 2 Carnival in Brazil
Carnival is the largest, colourful, emotional and impressive national holiday in Brazil.

April, 21 Tiradentes
«Se dez vidas eu tivesse, dez vidas eu daria ao Brasil» - «If I had 10 lives, I would devote these 10 lives to Brazil». (Tiradentes)
In Brazil April, 21 is a state holiday timed to the day of Joaquim José da Silva Xavier's death, known as Tiradentes. Tiradentes was one of the most outstanding fighters for independence of colonial Brazil of the 18th century, who was at the head of a big plot hatched out in the centre of a Brazilian goldfield, in the state of Minas Gerais.

May, 1 Labour Day / May Day
Now the workers' international solidarity day in Brazil is called «Dia do Trabalho» meaning «Day of Work». Simultaneously it is a state holiday and day off, as well as in many countries of the world.

August, 25 Soldier's Day in Brazil
Soldier's Day is a holiday in honour of soldiers of the Brazilian army. For the first time this date was celebrated in 1923.

September, 7 Independence Day
In Brazil September, 7 is declared Independence Day (o Dia de Independência do Brasil). The aspiration to defend its political independence appeared in Brazil in the beginning of 18th century in a colonial epoch.

November, 15th Proclamation of the Republic Day
Annually in Brazil November, 15 is a holiday called Dia da Proclamação da República, meaning Proclamation of the Republic Day.

December, 25 Catholic Christmas
Annually in Catholic countries December, 25 is Christmas Day, which is one of the main holidays of the year. Brazil is not an exception.

Besides official state holidays there are many interesting local festive events celebrated within a state.For example, annually in the state of Santa Catarina a traditional October holiday takes place attracting 2 million persons.Or at Fenaostra in Florianopolis (the capital city of Santa Catarina State) there are Azores folklore show, culinary competitions with participation of both local and foreign cooks; also there are restaurants where it is possible to taste different seafood dishes.

Translated from: calend.ru