São Paulo – The destination for many tourists in the summer, the beach Jurerê Internacional, in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina state, hosts the 1st edition of the Fair of the Countries, which will gather exhibitors of handicrafts, apparel, food and other items from the culture of more than ten nations, including Brazil and its many regions.
The colors and sounds of Morocco and Egypt attract the attention right at the fair’s entrance. Born in Tetouan, Morocco, Abdelaziz Bahsain is the person responsible for the Moroccan products, from the paintings and personalized pieces with Arabic calligraphy to the low-sugar sweets.
Bahsain is a visual artist and moved to Brazil eight years ago – currently he lives in the capital of Santa Catarina state, one of the reasons why he took his art to be exhibited in the Jurerê Internacional beach. The sweets of his tent attract the visitors’ attention, according to Maria de Lourdes Makowiecky, the fair’s organizer.
She says that the fair displays near 10,000 pieces made by artisans that can be had by visitors for prices ranging from BRL 5 (USD 1.5) to BRL 10,000 (USD 3,112). “More than that, those visiting the fair have the opportunity to connect with people from other cultures, countries, and share experiences. All the exhibitors are very attentive and enjoy talking,” she says.
At Egypt’s stand, decorated in the way of a typical tent of the African country, three people take turns during the day. Mohamed Hamoda, born in Cairo and now living in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the Egyptians that interact with the crowd and offers his works, such as replicas of the pyramids and other pieces. Arab desserts are also sold in the tent.
Makowiecky says that this edition, despite being being held for the first time at Jurerê Internacional, is not a new experience for her: “During the year, I use to organize fairs in shopping malls in many cities throughout Brazil,” says the organizer, born in Florianópolis but that currently lives in Curitiba, Paraná state.
In addition to Egypt and Morocco, there are also exhibitors from South Africa, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Pakistan, Peru, Senegal and Turkey, among others, plus from many Brazilian states such as Amazonas, Para, Paraná, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo.
Quick info
Fair of the Countries
From January 7 to 29, from 2 pm to 10 pm
Where: Av. dos Búzios, in the corner with Rua Algas, Jurerê Internacional, Florianópolis (SC)
Admission free
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
