President Dilma Rousseff’s performance in the polls has been absolutely disastrous recently. At the same time, it is misleading to say, in English, that her “approval rating” is 10%. That is because unlike polls done on American presidents, Brazil’s Datafolha polling system is tripartite. Respondents are given three options. They can rate the government “good/great,”(…)
Brazilian football and (corrupt) politics – a brief history
Brazilians’ love for soccer has been exploited by crooks, dictators, and dirty politicians for decades. Above, dictator Emilio Médici celebrates after his country’s 1970 World Cup victory. By Mauricio Savarese When former Brazilian soccer boss José Maria Marin was arrested in Switzerland at the end of May, most fans here just knew him as the old guy that(…)
Across Brazil by train
Tragically, there are only three remaining long-distance passenger trains that can take you across Brazil’s spectacular landscapes. Sam Cowie took a ride from the middle of Minas Gerais to the coast of Espírito Santo. By Sam Cowie Maybe it’s a British thing, but I’ll take a train journey over a plane any day. Passing through(…)
It’s a dog’s life in Brazil
Brazil’s love for its animals is the stuff of literary legend. But its current relationship with suffering of its huge stray population, as well as its pets, is much more complicated, and often heart-breaking. By James Young Belo Horizonte “There was only one condition stated in the will and that was that the heir, Rubião,(…)
Culture in Rio takes a hit as Daros quickly exits
Directors of the beautiful Casa Daros art space stunned Rio when they announced it would shut its doors just two years after opening. Does this forebode a dark period for cultural projects as the city is pounded by recession and scandal? By Nathan Walters Rio de Janeiro A tragedy has struck Rio de Janeiro, and(…)
Who’s who in the battle for Brazil?
Why do ‘pro-government’ protesters battle cops, while pro-impeachment protesters hug them? Which team are these guys on, again? A guide to the current crisis Vincent Bevins São Paulo I just spent a month away from Brazil, which served to remind me of just how inscrutable the struggles currently rocking this country are to foreign observers. They may know(…)
Brazil’s upper middle class returns to public life
For years, crime, classism and old habits have kept Brazil’s well-to-do away from the messy reality of the country’s streets. But the World Cup, and now, anger at the government, have brought them back onto the scene. By James Young “Go downtown?* Are you crazy! It’s far too dangerous!” (*Or “Go to the football” or(…)
Brazil protests in 2015 – very different from June 2013
Brazilians are back on the streets protesting, denouncing water shortages, budget cuts, and price rises – but in a more politically divided nation, the mood this time round is very different. By James Young Brazil may never have talked as much about protests as it has over the last two years. First, there were the huge(…)
São Paulo’s water crisis, set to music
You have probably heard that we are living through a difficult water crisis in São Paulo. Longtime From Brazil contributor Claire Rigby wrote an excellent story about it in the Guardian. Then, for reasons which we do not entirely understand but certainly cannot take issue with, Will Butler from the Arcade Fire wrote a song inspired(…)
Eduardo Cunha and Brazil’s backwards Congress
For Brazilians that voted for President Dilma, hoping that her campaign messages of social progress and left-wing struggle would translate to reality, the rise of Eduardo Cunha (pictured above, center) is a nightmare. The new President of Brazil’s lower legislative house is a dedicated homophobe as well as a classic Brasília dealmaker – with all(…)
