PRESS RELEASE
AUGUST 9, 2022
New York, August 9, 2022 – For the third consecutive year, BR Day New York, a huge Brazilian festival that occupies several blocks of Sixth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, had to be canceled. The event, which celebrates Brazil’s Independence for 34 years with musical performances, Brazilian food, and culture, was scheduled to take place on September 4, the Sunday before Labor Day, as usual.
It is worth mentioning, however, that the traditional street fair on Sixth Avenue will still take place. Only the musical performances have been canceled.
The organizers of the festival decided to suspend the shows due to a combination of factors that created an unfavorable scenario for an event like this.
Mr. João De Matos, founder and president of BR Day NY, explains that, first of all, the Covid-19 pandemic is still a threat, and it would be a very high risk to allow a gathering of more than 1.5 million people, the usual audience for the event. He adds that the recent outbreak of monkeypox, which is rapidly spreading in New York, was also a factor considered by his team.“We believe it is irresponsible to allow a crowd of 1.5 million people to gather knowing that many could get sick from one disease or another,” he says.
Mr. De Matos also cites the recent protests due to the presidential elections in Brazil in October as another reason for the festival’s suspension.
“This will be one of the most polarized elections – if not the most – in Brazil’s history. As a result, many protests are happening, even outside Brazil. BR Day, due to its popularity and proximity to the election day (October 2), could become a setting for protests and demonstrations that could result in conflicts.”
He adds that this situation would require additional security procedures.
“It was the first time the NYPD mentioned the need to put another type of police at the event, a special team to contain possible riots.
That scared us a bit. BR Day has always been a very peaceful celebration.”
Finally, Mr. De Matos mentions logistical issues.
“BR Day is a large event that involves many people coming from Brazil.
Normally, we have to transport about 120 people in two days. With all the issues involving the airline industry now, it would be nearly impossible to achieve that goal in such a short period of time.”
“BR Day requires a lot of organization and planning. But how to plan with so many ups and downs, so many uncertainties we are living through right now?” he concludes.
BR Day New York
BR Day New York
The event, which is the largest Brazilian festival abroad, was created in 1984 on 46th Street, also known as “Little Brazil,” by João de Matos and a group of Brazilians who wanted to celebrate Brazil’s Independence Day and feel closer to their homeland. As more and more people attended the event over the years, the festivities had to be expanded to Sixth Avenue. Today, BR Day New York is a complex event that takes place every Sunday before Labor Day, gathering more than 1.5 million people annually. Many of those who attend the festival come from neighboring states. This incredible audience, waving their flags and wearing the green and yellow colors of Brazil, makes the celebration even more special.
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