A Message from the Consular General
Today Brazil celebrates a historical landmark, 200 years of its independence from Portugal. On the 7th of September 1822, Portuguese regent Prince Pedro de Alcântara de Bragança e Bourbon, by the banks of the Ipiranga river, in the city of São Paulo, declared independence and created the biggest country in Latin America. He then became our first Head of State, Dom Pedro I. On the 15’* November 1889, the Empire of Brazil came to an end to become a Republic. It was first called the Republic of the United States of Brazil and finally, in 1967, adopted its current name, the Federative Republic of Brazil.
By receiving immigrants from almost all over the world, the country became the cultural and ethnic melting pot it is today. The original Tupi-Guarani tribes that lived in the continent for millennia encountered the first Portuguese settlers in the year 1500. Then the African element was added to the mix due to the infamous slave trade which peaked in the 18t century. These three ethnical elements – the Natives, the Portuguese and the Africans – were the basis of our initial national identity. However, from the second half of the XIX century until the end of World War I1, other groups, first from Europe, like Italians and Germans, and later from other regions, like the Lebanese, Japanese and Arabs, started migrating to Brazil by the millions, all of them looking for a brighter future in the New World.
Today, Brazil is among the top 10 largest economies in the world, with a population of over 215 million, ranking 7th in the world, in a territory of continental proportions. It’s a country very rich in natural resources, including oil & gas. Brazil has an industrialized economy, showing competitiveness in sectors like software, construction, medical equipment, aircrafts, automobiles and machinery in general. Besides, it is one of the world’s largest exporters of agricultural products such as soybeans, maize, coffee, cotton, poultry, beef, and sugar. Because of this, Brazil plays a decisive role for the world’s food and energy security.
The Brazilian Consulate in Lagos is delighted to gather this evening distinguished Nigerian dignitaries and personalities, fellow consular members, and dear friends of Brazil to celebrate this important night with
us. My wife Ivana and I hope you will enjoy these samples of Brazilian food, music and culture we managed to offer you tonight, thanks to the effort and support of my whole staff, and so many sponsors and friends we want to acknowledge and offer our profound gratitude.
On behalf of the Brazilian Government and People, I would like to wish you all a happy Bicentennial Anniversary of Brazilian Independence! Muito obrigado.
Amb. Francisco Carlos Soares Luz, Consul General
