São Paulo – If you want to buy some Arab clothing, costume jewelry and handicraft, but a trip to the Middle East or North Africa is out of the question, just stop by Expo Mundi Brasil. The event featuring Moroccan and Emirati stands will run until November 7 at São Paulo’s Shopping Tucuruvi.
In the Moroccan area, you can check out the work of fine artist Abdelaziz Bahsain, who’s lived in Brazil since 2010. He is exhibiting paintings inspired by life in the desert. “I like to paint pictures of nomads because there’s no paperwork or borders when it comes to them; they’re travellers,” he says.
Another attraction in the Moroccan stand is Arab calligraphy. Visitors can find out more about the history of the different types of Arabic calligraphy and of the reed pen, a writing tool made of reed or bamboo.
The Moroccan also writes names and words in Arabic on demand. “I get asked to write down people’s names or words like love, peace, harmony, patience, happiness, passion. Most people ask for the names of their family, father, mother and children all written in a single picture,” he explains.
Women looking to try out a typical Moroccan outfit can drop by the stand and put on a kaftan, the tunic worn by Moroccan women, as well as take pictures. Also available from Bahsain’s stand are decorated keychain holders and mirrors with Moroccan frames. It’s all on sale.
Dubai
The United Arab Emirates stand is run by Rabia Dar, who came from Dubai to sell items including rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, tunics, purses, sandals, and velvet paintings. Dar doesn’t speak Portuguese and she relies on Brazil’s Adriana Silva to sell her costume jewelry.
“The expo’s organizer is a friend of my brother’s. He’s the one who buys the items, and I resell them,” Dar explains. All clothes come from Dubai, whereas the costume jewelry is from countries such as Turkey and Pakistan.
But the goods are inexpensive. Silver items, for instance, sell for BRL 55, and sandals go for BRL 40. Purses range from BRL 110 to BRL 150, and tunics cost BRL 190.
The exhibition comprises 15 stands total, including the likes of Senegal, Indonesia, Peru, India, Italy, Pakistan and Greece, plus six Brazilian states: Minas Gerais, Ceará, Rio Grande do Sul, Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
Quick facts
Expo Mundi Brasil
Where: Shopping Tucuruvi – Praça de Eventos – Piso Plataforma
Av. Dr. Antônio Maria Laet, 566 – Tucuruvi – next to Tucuruvi subway station
Through November 7
Dates and hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 10 am to 10 pm / Sundays and holidays, 12 pm to 8 pm
Free admission
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum