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Holidays in Brasil and in Curitiba
Holidays are very important to Brazilians and are a big part of the culture. The major holidays celebrated in Curitiba are:
Carnaval - February (dates will vary) Carnaval and Mardi Gras grew from the same source - one last celebration before the rigours and solemnity of Lent. Carnaval in Rio is of course world famous, but Brazilians will tell you that you get more of the flavour of a 'real' carnaval in smaller cities (such as Salvador,Olinda, Recife or Fortaleza). The holiday period extends from the Friday night before Ash Wednesday through to noon on Ash Wednesday.
Good Friday and Semana Santa - March/April (variable) The week before Easter is a celebrated Holy Week by many in Brazil. The official holiday when most businesses will be closed is the Friday before Easter.
Note: The Monday after Easter is not a celebrated holiday like it is in some European countries.
Páscoa (Easter) - March/April (variable)
Aniversário de Curitiba (Curitiba´s day) - March 29
Dia de Tiradentes - April 21
Tiradentes was the leader of a failed independence attempt, who was arrested and executed in 1789.
Dia do Trabalho (Labor Day)- May 1
Worldwide holiday that resulted from labor union efforts to celebrate economic and social achievements by workers.
Corpus Christi - June (variable)
A Catholic celebration (also a national holiday in Brasil) during Holy Week (Holy Thursday) in honor of the Holy Eucharist. It is the day when Christians commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ and his apostles.
Dia da Independência - September 7
In 1807 Napoleon invaded Portugal, and King João VI of Portugal set up a court-in-exile in Brazil (then a Portuguese colony). King João stayed until April 1822, when he returned to Portugal leaving his son Dom Pedro, in charge. Dom Pedro II refused demands from the Portuguese Assembly that he return to Portugal and gave control of Brazil to the Assembly. On September 7, he declared "independence or death!" for Brazil and had himself crowned King of Brazil in December. There was huge popular support in Brazil and little resistance from Portugal, and within a year all Portuguese troops had left Brazil.
Padroeira de Curitiba - September 8
Saint's day for Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais, the Patron Saint of Curitiba.
Padroeira do Brasil e Dia das Crianças - October 12
Saint's day for Nossa Senhora Aparecida, the Patron Saint of Brazil; more recently also celebrated as Children's Day, for which children are given all manner of toys and candy.
Dia do Funcionário Público - October 28
A holiday for public sector employees (only).
Finados (All Souls Day) - November 2
Note: “The feast is celebrated on November 2 even in years when that date falls on a Sunday. In the traditional Latin rite, the observance is transferred to Monday, November 3 if November 2 is a Sunday, as the Mass for the dead and its black vestments is seen as inconsistent with the joyous nature of Sunday.”
Proclamação da Republica - November 15
Dom Pedro II ruled Brazil for more than 60 years, presiding over the bloodiest war in South American history (more than 100,000 Brazilian deaths and a million Paraguayan deaths). He also reluctantly allowed the abolition of the slave trade (1854) and emancipation for slaves (1888). The end of slavery effectively marked the end of the monarchy, and on November 15, 1889, Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca led a bloodless military coup, proclaiming Brazil a republic. He was so bad as a leader that the army refused to support him when he declared himself dictator in 1891. He was forced to resign in favour of his deputy, Marechal Floriano de Peixoto. Peixoto turned out to be an even worse leader and was finally forced to resign in 1894, when the first president of Brazil was elected.
Natal (Christmas day) - December 25
Ano Novo (New Year´s day) - January 1
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