Miami Gets Its Children’s Day, the Brazilian Way

Children's Day (Dia das Crianças) was created in the early 1920s in Brazil by a House representative named Galdino do Valle Filho. The Brazilian congress approved the bill, president Artur Bernardes signed it into law  and Children's Day became official on November 5, 1924.

Since then Children's Day has been celebrated in Brazil during community parties when children receive special gifts. These parties often happen in public parks where children regardless of economic status can participate and enjoy shows with  magicians and clowns.

All the states in Brazil celebrate Children's Day on October 12. It goes without saying that since its introduction the celebration was warmly embraced by Brazil's toy and candy factories.

In an effort to mirror Brazil's children's party time, Brazilians in South Florida, started celebrating Children's Day in 2003. In 2004, the VFP Foundation (Fundação Vamos Falar Português), a non profit organization created by a group of Brazilian professionals, decided to join in the fun and also commemorate the date.

Vamos Falar Portugues (Let's Speak Portuguese) has been around for four years and has found some partners like the Consulate of Brazil, the City of Doral, the Miami Dade Public Library, and some Brazilian private companies. The main goal, the group says, is to promote the Brazilian culture among kids in South Florida.

VFP has been celebrating Children's Day in Miami for three years and they would like to see their effort duplicated all throughout Florida and other areas and states where there a large Brazilian presence.

This year, the event will count on activities for the parents and kids to play together, including tug war, sack race, bouncing house, mini basketball, and others activities – all of them with prizes for the winners (kid and parent).

For lunch participants will be served feijoada, Brazil's national dish. For those who don't know feijoada is made with black beans, pork, collard green, manioc flour, white rice, and orange slices. There will be an alternative menu for kids.

After lunch, there will be several performances including magic show, hip hop, bingo, and at the end of event every kid will receive a gift from the VFP foundation. All funds collected will be for VFP's educational projects.

Service

Dia das Crianças in Miami
Date: October 11, 2008
Place: German American Society Club
Ticket includes activities including lunch and gift
Tickets in advance: adult: US$ 15.00 - kid (2- 12): US$ 12.00
At the entrance: adult US$ 18.00 kid: US$ 15.00
Tel: (305) 804-5957
Email: cristiane@vamosfalarportugues.org
Website: www.vamosfalarportugues.org