São Paulo – The Brazilian embassies to Oman and Egypt celebrated the bicentennial of Brazil’s Independence this Wednesday, September 7. The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) supported the two events. Pictured above, the ceremony in Oman.
In Muscat, the Omani capital, the South American country’s 200 years of emancipation from Portugal were marked by a ceremony that brought together Brazilian music and cuisine. The Brazilian ambassador to Oman, Lígia Maria Scherer, received authorities at Al Bustan Palace, a hotel in Muscat. Representatives of a Brazilian business mission to the country, organized by the ABCC, also participated.
In her speech, the ambassador praised the attributes of the Brazilian state, bilateral relations, and the aligning positions of Brazil and Oman on the international scene. Among the guests of honor at the event were Sheikh Khalifa Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman, and members of the Shoura Council, the legislative body of the Arab country.
The event featured the performance of the Omani royal anthem by the local pianist Zara Al Yousef and the Brazilian national anthem, played on the grand piano by Brazilian Amin Assaf.
Also, musicians Erika Ribeiro and Vana Boch came from Brazil for the event. The duo played a set with Brazilian popular music on classical arrangements. “At the event, we presented works by [artists such as] Villa-Lobos, Ary Barroso, and Jacob do Bandolim, in our arrangements and others, with some adaptations,” said Ribeiro.
Boch is a cellist with the Symphony Orchestra of the University of São Paulo (OSUSP) and professor at the State of São Paulo Music School (EMESP), and Ribeiro is a professor at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO) and soloist. “I love Brazilian music, and it was very satisfying to have been able to play this set in the Middle East,” said Boch.
Egypt
At the Brazilian Embassy to Cairo, the celebration brought together officials from the Egyptian government and ambassadors from countries such as Paraguay, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Also at the event were guests such as Amr Moussa, Egyptian Foreign minister and former secretary-general of the League of Arab Nations; Ali El Moselhi, Egyptian minister of Supply and Internal Trade; and Hussein Mansour, head of the Egyptian National Food Security Authority (NFSA).
The celebration in Cairo featured the national anthems of Brazil and Egypt, followed by a welcome speech by the Brazilian ambassador to Cairo, Antonio de Aguiar Patriota. There was also a celebration to the sound of Brazilian popular and classical music.
On the occasion, Patriota highlighted Brazil established solid formal diplomatic relations with Egypt after the First World War, and 100 years of uninterrupted bilateral ties will soon be celebrated, with a permanent diplomatic presence in Cairo. The ambassador also pointed out the entry into force of the free trade agreement between Egypt and Mercosur paves the way for economic exchanges on a larger scale.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
