Brazilica is a unique annual festival that has been held in Liverpool since July 2008. Dedicated to Brazilian culture and arts, it is a week-long celebration featuring dance, art, culinary, and music events. The Brazilica festival attracts thousands of performers and spectators from Brazil and across Europe. Find out more at liverpoolski.
What is it?
The Liverpool Brazilica Festival is a significant cultural event for the city, drawing in over 70,000 people annually! It’s an incredible mix of dance, music, and vibrant colours, celebrating all aspects of Brazilian culture. The exciting sounds of samba can be heard across the city, and the streets of Liverpool come alive with a wonderful, dazzling, and spectacular samba parade featuring bands from all corners of the world.
Latin American films and music, parties and parades, food and drink – all of this is Brazilica, a unique event that the whole family can enjoy. For more than a decade, it has taken place every summer in Liverpool, and for a full seven days, the city is immersed in the festive, triumphant, and sizzling atmosphere of a Brazilian carnival. A welcome bonus – the festival is free to attend.
The History of the Festival
It all began with the creation of a samba school in 1995, founded by the husband-and-wife team, the Morrises. In 2000, the school’s troupe performed at the Rio Carnival, and the participants were so enchanted by the spectacular procession that they decided to replicate it on the streets of their hometown. In 2007, the school’s creative team founded the Liverpool Carnival Company with the aim of holding a samba parade in Liverpool. In 2008, the city was awarded the title of European Capital of Culture, and a Brazil-style carnival was organised to mark the occasion. It was a resounding success, leading to the decision to hold the Brazilica Festival annually.
From 2008 to 2010, the festival lasted for just one day. In 2011 and 2012, it became a weekend event running from Friday to Sunday, and in 2013, the decision was made for Brazilica to become a seven-day cultural festival.
How the Festival Unfolds
Typically, the celebration begins with Liverpool’s city-centre cafes, restaurants, and shops hosting an event called “Samba in the City.” Brazilian flags are displayed everywhere, guests and residents are offered caipirinhas (Brazilian cocktails), and the thrilling rhythms of samba fill the air. All of this marks the start of the festival and creates a festive mood.
In the following days, the entire city sings along with guests from Latin America and dances at street parties. Those who wish can attend dance workshops, visit exhibitions, watch sporting competitions, or enjoy culinary shows. Festival guests also have the opportunity to visit various venues located throughout the city, where they can learn interesting facts about Brazil and its carnival, sample national drinks and dishes, try on incredible colourful costumes and carnival makeup, and watch theatrical performances and film screenings.
In the evenings, the carnival festivities become even more spectacular. The streets of Liverpool are illuminated with colourful, shimmering lights, salutes, and fireworks; caipirinhas flow like a river; Brazilian samba battles between professionals and amateurs break out here and there; and the infectious tropical music inspires an irresistible urge to dance in any guest.
It all culminates in a grand festive procession, featuring dance troupes from all over the world. The parade moves towards the main stage, where DJs and music groups from Europe and Latin America take the spotlight. In the outlying streets, the festivities gradually wind down, concentrating in the centre of Liverpool. The final chord is the selection of the festival queen.
The Queen Competition
This is one of the most popular events of the Brazilica festival. Here, the most talented and fiery samba performers gather to compete against each other in this art form. Dazzling beauties battle it out to the end, showcasing not only their dancing skills to the judges and audience but also their charm, beauty, and intelligence. In addition to the queen, the judging panel also selects two festival princesses.
The winning participant receives the crown from the hands of the previous year’s queen, accepts congratulations and ovations, gives interviews, and continues to delight the audience with her dancing. The selection of the queen is a stunning celebration of sparkle, carnival glitter, Brazilian drums, and the very best dancers.
Brazilica is a full week of non-stop fiesta, the biggest Brazilian samba show that can rival the Rio Carnival itself in beauty and spectacle! If you are tired of monotonous daily life, want to experience vibrant emotions by immersing yourself in the passionate atmosphere of Latin America, or simply want to relax and dance, then the Brazilica festival in Liverpool is just what you need! It’s no wonder that the Brazilian-born former Liverpool FC player, Fábio Aurélio, said of the festival: “It is impressive to see Brazil and its carnival in Liverpool. The atmosphere reminds me of home, and I am sure that Brazilica is destined for great success.”