A festival of Brazilian culture is taking place for the first time in Varna between August 1 and 10 2008.

Organisers of the event are the Brazilian embassy in Bulgaria, under the patronage of Brazilian ambassador Paulo Américo Veiga Wolowski; the cultural section of the Brazilian ministry of exterior; the Brazilian consulate in Varna, under the patronage of consul Mihail Mihov; Varna municipality and the association Varna – Cultural Capital of Bulgaria.

Musical performances, cinema projections and visual arts exhibitions will entertain spectators, while dancing fests and culinary attractions will tempt them into joining the fun.

To please lovers of classical music, the pianist Christina Ortiz will perform pieces by Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky, as well as works by Brazilian composers, in the Opera House and the Euxinograd Palace.

In contrast to classical music, the sounds of traditional Brazilian rhythms will sustain the energy levels of the audience. The Semente samba group will dance on the stage of the Open-Air Theatre in Varna.

On August 5, Bulgarian jazz musician Vassil Petrov and the Varna-based band Brazil Acoustic will entertain gusts with Brazilian rhythms.

Lovers of visual arts can view an exhibition by painter Rogério Dias in the Archaeological Museum in Varna. For those interested in trying new activities, the “English yard” of the museum will host percussionist Claudio Kron’s workshop for teaching Brazilian percussion instruments.

To satisfy cinema maniacs or visitors just curious to compare Brazilian cinema to the mostly American and European films to which Bulgarian audiences are accustomed, 10 contemporary Brazilian films will be projected between August 3 and 14 in the Europe Hall of the Varna Festival and Congress Centre.

Whenever spectators become tired of the performances, they can have a taste of traditional Brazilian cuisine, presented by master chef Beto Pimentel. Among the traditional dishes from Rio de Janeiro, São Paolo and Minas Gerais will be feijoada, moqueca, farofa and more.