Brazilians in Beijing cebrate June Festival

Brazilian families and their Chinese friends. Photos by Paula Viotti

By Liang Meilan

More than 350 Brazilians and Chinese people attended Festa Junina (June Festival) last Saturday evening, a traditional Brazilian festival celebrating the summer harvest. The event, held at the playground of Beijing City International School, featured Brazilian delicacies and a quiz on basic facts about China and Brazil.

Traditional Brazilian foods such as corn cakes, popcorn and caipirinha, a cocktail consisting of lime, sugar and rum, were served. Most of the food and drinks were made by members of Brasileiros em Pequim, or Brazilians in Beijing, the largest Brazilian organization in town and the organizer of the event.

“June Festival is similar to the Chinese people’s Mid-Autumn Festival,” said Ligia Liu, president of the organization. “As a country in the southern hemisphere, Brazil’s harvest season occurs in the first half of June.”