Spotlight News Bulletin nº 127

SPOTLIGHT NEWS BULLETIN

© VisitBritain/ Simon Winnall

Nº 127 JUL / AUG / SEP 2019

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EDITORIAL

spotlight news bulletin edition

400 copies A publication directed to members of the Fundação Britânica de Beneficência Editor Derrick Marcus dmarcus@osite.com.br Graphic design project Eólica Graphic design Casamarela Arquitetura e Design Printing Gráfica Ogra Proof Reading Alison Steel British Society São Paulo Fundação Britânica de Beneficência Rua Ferreira de Araújo, 741 1st Floor, Brazilian British Centre, Pinheiros 05428-002 São Paulo SP Tel.: +55 (11) 3813 7080 contact@britishsociety.org.br

NEXT ISSUES OF THE BULLETIN Nº 128 Oct/Nov/Dec 2019 Deadline Sep 7th Nº 129 Jan/Feb/Mar 2020 Deadline Dec 7th

Lots of the activities occurred in the community during the last few months and are fully covered in this issue which I hope you will enjoy.

We would like to congratulate the British Society team, and Rachel Govier, the chair lady, for an excellent Queens´ Birthday celebration which was enjoyed by almost 300 guests.

I think you all know that the hard copy version of Spotlight is fighting for survival.

The reasons are clear and transparent. The British Society has its focus correctly on offering the best possible conditions to the services of the welfare programme, and any other expenditure takes away funds from that programme.

I as editor of Spotlight firmly believe that the hard copy is a vital communication tool and is needed to promote all the activities of the community. On the other hand ,we have those that believe that an electronic version can achieve the same ends.

The best administrative decisions in any organization are based on the best information available. We ,in Spotlight and those on the Board are , at the moment, just guessing what our readers really want. We do not know.

I am therefore asking all those who are receiving this copy to answer the following four questions.

A) Do you want to receive any copy of Spotlight?

B) Would you like the electronic version?

C) Continue to receive the hard copy?

D) Are you willing to pay R$100,00 a year for all 4 or 6 copies?

All answers just yes or no.

Those readers which have paid to date , and those that have informed already need not reply. Replies can be by phone +55 11 3813 7080, or by e mail contact@ britishsociety.org.br or by post.

With this information we can make our decision based on facts. Please make an effort to reply as soon as possible, but no later than July 31st. The ball is now in the hands of you readers and it is now up to you to decide. Please remember our calendar and the next deadline is September 7th.

Our proof reader was travelling and we went to press, so any errors found blame the editor! Enjoy this edition.

Derrick Marcus

BRITISH SOCIETY

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May was a very busy month: There was a charitable party organised by the British Community and we arranged another visit by St. Paul’s students, a partner school, to the Casa Madre Teodora, a state government-run home for the elderly that we have aided for several years. We have also added activities at the Conviviality Center as well as celebrating important dates with the elderly who take part in this Project.

Charitable Event: the Queen’s Birthday Party On 9th May. the British Society, an institution that includes various member organisations and individuals in the British community and sponsors the Fundação Britânica de Beneficência– organised a party to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 93rd birthday.

This is one of the main event of the community in São Paulo, and is a charitable event. The “profit” accrued is invested in our social projects and helps bear the costs of our work for the elderly. All this is only possible thanks to our benefactors, supporters and those who donated at the party. We thank all these people for supporting our cause!

As has been customary, this beneficent event was held at the Centro Brasileiro Britânico.

About 300 people made the most of the opportunity the cocktail offered to meet friends and update conversation. The list of invitees included the heads of the several organisations that are a part of the British Community in São Paulo, both in the diplomatic corps as in the fields of education, commerce, tourism, third sector, and leisure. Several of the Commonwealth’s expats were also present, as well as people with British ancestry that have family ties in the United Kingdom and still cherish its traditions.

In order to improve the event, this year we had two special participations: the Students’ Choir of the British College of Brazil and the Saint Paul’s School PTA Choir.

The children, conducted by their teacher, Silvia Bechara, and accompanied on the keyboard by professor Thiago Araújo, presented themselves at the beginning of the event and enthused the public, especially the elderly folk who were present and are assisted by Fundação Britânica.

Rachel Govier during her speech at Queen’s Birthday Party 2019

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BRITISH SOCIETY

British College of Brazil Choir conducted by Professor Silvia Bechara

Rachel Govier, president of Fundação Britânica highlighted the history of the British Community in São Paulo and the work that is being carried out by the FBB in order to benefit the elderly that are participating in our projects; Emily Shirtcliff, Minister-Counsellor of the British Consulate in São Paulo, who focused the existing various areas of cooperation between the United Kingdom and Brazil; and Sérgio Carré, who gave a beautiful testimony about the help given to his mother over her last years by the Fundação and is, at present, giving to his father.

Closing the event we had the draw of the beneficent raffle conducted by our Master of Ceremonies, Marcos British College of Brazil Choir conducted by Professor Silvia Versteeg, with the help of the girl scouts of the Carajás Bechara Group. Over 20 prizes donated by our supporters were handed to the winners while the public continued amusing themselves and taking advantage of the party’s delicious eats and drinks.

BRITISH SOCIETY

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Emily Shirtcliff speaking about the cooperative work devel-

Sérgio Carré giving his testimony about the help given to

oped by the British Consulate

his parents by the Fundação Britânica

Public listening to the speeches

Marcos Versteeg and the girl scouts during the drawing of the beneficent raffle

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BRITISH SOCIETY

The Conviviality Centre in May We had many new activities at our Conviviality Centre for the Elderly in May. On the 15th we started offering Workshops in Creative Memory and Computer Skills technology. These are now being held on Wednesdays.

We also celebrated Mother’s Day, honouring the mothers and grandmothers who participate in this Project.

Lastly, the project has greatly increased the number of those registered during the month and some activities cannot accept any more participants, which is a clear sign of success!

If you would like to help us increase the number of openings in the Project, contact the British Society.

May in Numbers • 66 elderly people were enrolled in the Conviviality Centre’s activities in May • 21 was the average daily presence of the elderly received at the Conviviality Centre’s activities during the month of May • 57 carer-escorts were available for doctor appointments under the Care Programme

• 3 was the number of carer-escorts offered to residents of the Casa Madre Teodora dos Idosos, a state government-run home (Long-Term Care Institutions) supported by our Extended Programme • 1 event with volunteers at the Casa Madre Teodora dos Idosos How our Welfare Department works The Welfare Department of the Fundação Britânica is responsible for the management of social programs.

Welfare is composed of a team of four: Isabela, coordinator of social projects, Ana, social projects assistant, Marina, social educator and Rachel Govier, member of the Board and current president of the FBB. Currently the FBB provides assistance to about 170 seniors, who participate in 5 social projects. These programs are: Protection (Acolher), Support (Amparar), Care (Cuidar), Extended (Multiplicar) and the Conviviality Centre for the Elderly (Centro de Convivência para Idosos). Each project has its own policy of inclusion, and its objectives and specificities. In the Protection program, we contribute in sheltering and caring for of the elderly in an appropriate long-term partner institution. In this project, the elderly person can be fully supported in their needs, if their frail health, financial vulnerability, and lack of family ties are identified.

BRITISH SOCIETY

In the Support program we provide assistance for elderly people who are very vulnerable with regard to finances and family. In this program we provide financial assistance that can meet the basic needs of the elderly person, such as food, medicines, and health care. In order to be part of this program, a socioeconomic evaluation of the person is made to understand the individual needs and the frailty of their family ties.

The Care program permits all community members who are over 60 years old to request a carer-escort for medical consultations and examinations, avoiding the elderly person from going alone. The purpose of the program is also to prevent the elderly person from failing to make the necessary medical follow-ups because they do not want to go alone for consultation / examination / treatment. With this, the program contributes to the health care of the elderly. In addition, the program offers transportation for those who need assistance with transportation.

In addition to these community-oriented programs, we have the Extended program that offers financial assistance to long-term public institutions for the elderly (ILPIs). In addition to financial support and with the help of volunteers, we also organise visits, donations, etc. for the elderly in the home. Recently the home we are supporting was visited by St. Paul’s students, who spent the afternoon with the elderly.

Finally, the newest program of the FBB, the Conviviality Centre for the Elderly, is open to all people over 60.

The Centre is located at the unit of Cultura Inglesa Butantã, and the activities that are carried out there aim to provide healthy aging, activities that stimulate cognitive functions, put the body in motion and are fun :)!

Thus, the space seeks to build its workshop grid according to the demand of those who signed up for it.

The space is collective and open to all!

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The Welfare team and the FBB are committed to building a more just and inclusive society for the elderly, contributing to the reduction of their isolation and vulnerability. As Rachel Govier said in QBP, “The board of the FBB is committed to making sure that no member of our community is left alone or in need of financial assistance. We strongly urge everyone here to help us find these people. If you know of anyone in a vulnerable situation please tell us so that we can seek the best way to assist them. Just call Rachel (98415-6715) or Isabela (97669-4633)”. Isabela Bertho - Coordinator of Social Projects Welfare in numbers These are the main indicators of our social work for the community and for the elderly cause between April and May 2019: • 104 was the number of carer-escorts to doctors and medical appointments within the Care Programme, which is available to everyone from our community.

• 47 home visits were made to the elderly people of our community in order to check their situation and provide any assistance needed.

• 66 people are enrolled in the activities of our Conviviality Centre.

• 21 people in average attended these activities daily during May. If you want to be included in any of these Programmes or are curious about our work, please send a message to contact@britishsociety.org.br or call our office.

Articles submitted and written by British Society

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THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION – SÃO PAULO BRANCH

April Churrasco Our first Churrasco of the year took place on the 27th of April and was held at St Paul’s School, with 120 guests attending the event.

We received feedback about some points that could be improved on. This feedback is appreciated and will help us to organise a better event in the future.

We would like to thank the whole team from the school who were involved in the organisation, with the operation on the day and for the kind permission of providing the venue and thank everyone behind the scenes who made this event a success with their effort, donations to the Ladies stall/raffle, support and time

The raffle was successful and was greatly assisted by the Scouts selling the tickets. The draw was carried out

by Louise Simpson Head of St Paul’s School and Jim Little from the British Consulate Sao Paulo.

Enjoying the beer

Kieran Mc Manus, Graham Wallis , Paul Mc Mahon

Our next Churrasco is planned for the 28th of September 2019 and will once again be at St Paul’s School.

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION – SÃO PAULO BRANCH

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Lycée Pasteur – VE Day We participated in the VE Day Ceremony in commemoration of the end of World War II. The event took place on Wednesday the 8th of May, 2019 at the French Lycée Pasteur in Rua Vergueiro.

The reason for this event is to remember VE Day - Victory in Europe Day which was first celebrated on May 8th 1945 marking the official end of the Second World War in Europe. It is remembered every year here in Sao Paulo by the French community and took the format below this year: American Memorial Day We took part in the annual Memorial Service at Fellowship Community Church, Rua Carlos Sampaio on Sunday, 19 of May 2019. This was sponsored by the American Society’s Veterans Association and Fellowship Community Church.

St Paul’s School International Day For the first time the Legion supported the Fundação Britânica de Beneficência at the St Paul’s School International Day. D Day This year was the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings that took place on the 6th of June 1944, had defeated the Germans. The D-Day landings have been one of the most remarkable Allied wartime oper- called the beginning of the end of war in Europe. ations that resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control.

Working alongside the UK Government and other partners the Royal British Legion in the UK organised various comCodenamed Operation Overlord, the battle be- memorations to mark the anniversary. gan on D-Day, when some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches This included a voyage on the MV Boudicca to a series of along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified commemorative events on both sides of the Channel for 300 coast of France’s Normandy region. The invasion of the veterans who helped liberate France during the Secwas one of the largest amphibious military assaults ond World War. in history and required extensive planning. By late August 1944, all of northern France had been Paul McMahon liberated, and by the following spring the Allies President Royal British Legion São Paulo Branch

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ASSOCIAÇÃO DE AMPARO AOS ANIMAIS Human Foods That Are Dangerous For Dogs And Cats

A number of human foods are dangerous to pets. Many of these foods may seem tasty to our pets but can prove deadly if eaten. It can be very tempting to offer pets food from the table, but pets should not be given human food unless recommended by your veterinarian.

Xylitol – An artificial sweetener found in products such as candy, mints, toothpaste, mouthwash and gum. It is harmful to dogs because it causes a sudden release of insulin in the body that leads to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Xylitol can also cause liver damage in dogs. Within 30 minutes after eating, a dog may vomit, be lethargic (tired) and/or be uncoordinated. However, some signs of toxicity can also be delayed for hours or even for a few days.

Chocolate – Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that in large quantities can be toxic. Even a few ounces of chocolate can be enough to cause illness in a small dog. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid or irregular heart rate, restlessness, muscle tremors, and seizures.

Grapes And Raisins – These can cause acute and sudden kidney failure in cats and dogs. It is unknown what the toxic agent is in these fruits, however clinical signs can occur within 24 hours of eating and include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. Other signs of illness relate to the eventual shutdown of kidney functioning.

Avocados – The avocado tree leaves, pits, fruit and plant bark are likely all toxic. Clinical signs in dogs and cats include vomiting and diarrhea. (Note: some dogs love avocados and seem to be immune! Mine vomits the pieces of avocado skin but is otherwise quite happy when he finds an abacate under the tree….)

Garlic And Onions – contain chemicals that damage red blood cells in cats and dogs. Affected red blood cells can rupture or lose their ability to carry oxygen effectively. Cooking these foods does not reduce their potential toxicity. Fresh, cooked and/or powdered garlic and/or onions are commonly found in baby food, which is sometimes given to animals when they are sick, so be sure to read food labels carefully.

Macadamia Nuts - These are common in candies and chocolates. The mechanism of macadamia nut toxicity is not well understood, but clinical signs in dogs include depression, weakness, vomiting, tremors, joint pain and pale gums. In some cases, signs can resolve without treatment in 24 to 48 hours, but patient monitoring is strongly recommended.

Many cases of human food toxicity in pets are accidental. A pet may find and chew on a package of gum or candy, or steal food from a countertop or table. This may be particularly difficult during the holiday season, when more candy, chocolate, fruit baskets and other food items are around. During these times, increased vigilance can prevent pets from finding and eating foods that are dangerous for them.

In general, human food items should not be given to pets unless recommended by your veterinarian. Children should also be taught to NEVER give candy, gum, or other food items to pets. If you suspect that your pet has eaten a potentially hazardous item, contact your veterinarian immediately. (from http://www.vetstreet.com/care/human foods) And, on a happier note: The Associação thanks everyone most warmly for their continued help over this year,and hopes to see you all at the Pet Show, from 12 o`clock at St. Paul´s Cathedral on August 17.

Lula May Reed

SASPD – ST. ANDREW SOCIETY PIPES AND DRUMS

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When you read this, we will have performed at three events in June in São Paulo: 1) The International Day at St. Paul’s School – 1/6/19.

2) The 24th Festa do Imigrante – Museu do Imigrante – S. Paulo 9/6/19 3) Piper at the St. Andrew Society Quaich at S. Fernando Golf Club – 8/6/19.

This keeps us on our toes and in good shape.

Caledonian Ball – November 2nd Next events: This will be a mega event, celebrating the 95 years of The 8th Gathering of South American Pipe Bands – the St. Andrew Society and ten years of the Pipe Band October 16th – 20th in Bariloche.

– Hípica Paulista, Brooklin.

SASPD will be one of the 8 Pipe Bands performing and competing at the 8th.Gathering of South American Pipe Bands, with Highland Dancers in Bariloche. Some of us in the Band have been to all the previous gatherings and are looking forward to visit such a beautiful place in the Andes. The Gathering will be hosted by the Bariloche Highlanders, a new Pipe Band in Argentina.

We always look forward to meeting our friends again in the other Bands and having fun playing, competing and socializing (with some beers of course) and so celebrating the event in good Scottish fashion.

Keeping Societies going is hard work, but our Scottish traditions have been fully and well supported here by the many Communities and friends that have been made over the years. We hope to keep going for another 95 years.

The Venue at the Clube Hípica is also a fantastic and great setting – I am sure this traditional party will be a success.

Colin Pritchard - D/M -SASPD. www.facebook.com/saspd

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ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

Munro Cup 2019 The St Andrew Society and the American Society golf teams met on 28 April 2019 to dispute the Munro Cup. This annual event now in its 29th year was played by a total of 52 golfers in 13 groups of 4 players composed of two players from each side.

Although many of the contenders commenced early on in the day the match ended in a 9x9 tie at 16:40 under a torrential late afternoon shower. A perfect Scottish touch! The golf tournament is sponsored by Doug Munro, son of the founder, Norman Munro and was hosted this year by the St Andrew Society at SFGC - SĂŁo Fernando Golf Club in Cotia, SP. The American Society will host the 2020 Munro Cup and the Scots have vowed to defeat their foe on the battlefield rain or nay. The match was followed by a cocktail, speeches, prizes and a buffet supper.

Our thanks to the St Andrew Society Pipe & Drums Band for loaning Piper Joby and to President Rhonda Watters for her warm support and presence. The next event will be the 2019 Quaich, Sassenach Medal and Mackenzie Trophy to be held at SFGC on 8 June.

Gil Zanchi and Doug Munro

Derek Barnes, Eileen Wallis, Carlos Candido, Judy Zanchi, Pascal Sauberli and Joby Alcar

ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

Carlos Candido, Joby Alcar, Eileen Wallis and Derek Barnes

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Judy Zanchi, Pascal Sauberli and Joby Alcar

Foreground: Tom Simmmonds, Ham Calrk, Debbie Mackenzie, Suzie Pallin, Thereza Bissell, Carlos Gil-Mast and Sarah GilMast Background: Fabio Medeiros, Marcos Guedes Pereira, Lucia Mendonรงa, Gilda Junqueira, Tereza Conolly, Jean Marc Pessey, Maria Pia Braganรงa, Catherine Duvignau, Phillip Trapp, Rosangela Teixeira, Richard Wegman, Judy Zanchi, Ricardo Rosado, Regina Suzuki, Wilson Correa, Shawn Moss, Pieter Kekerkerk

John F. McNaughton - Captain 2017/19

St. Andrew Golf Team

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ENGLISH SPEAKING UNION

One Million Participants, 54 Countries, One Winner!

‘Delivering a speech in public teaches young people so many valuable skills,’ says Duncan Partridge, Director of Education at the English-Speaking Union. ‘In an age when society is becoming ever more fractious, and incendiary speech is used more and more often, educating young people to consider what they say and to present their arguments with logic and conviction has never been more important.’

‘The whole competition has been fantastic,’ says winner Ennio. ‘I’ve met so many people from all over the world and the community we’ve created in just one week is amazing.’

ESU 2019 winner, Ennio Campoli Patak from Spain and John Briggs, chair of judges

Established in 1980, the International Public Speaking Competition is the largest public speaking competition in the world, reaching over 1,000,000 young people in more than 50 countries across the globe in total. ‘Too many people regard public speaking as an ordeal but the standard was impressive,’ says guest judge, Jon Briggs, best known as the voice of Siri. ‘I spend my time coaching people how to speak in public and the reason I do that is because they have not learned what these young people have,’ he says. ‘Our voices are the most powerful instrument we will ever play. With it people start wars, declare love, propose marriage… and because of that we need to learn to play it well.’

After a week of intense competition and cultural exchange, the winner of the ESU International Public Speaking Competition 2019 is Ennio from Spain. The six finalists beat dozens of other contestants from all over the world, each the winner of their own national public speaking competition, to take part in the final at the Royal Institution today. They were asked to speak on the theme: ‘Nature is a common language.’

The winners from São Paulo participated in the ESU Brazilian final in Belo Horizonte on April 29th. João Pedro Neves, fromTHE CulturaInglesa Nova Iguaçu-RJ was the winner and represented Brazil in London.

It is amazing to see how involved they get over the week and they learn so much not only about public speaking but also about friendship, respect and collaboration.

According to João Pedro, ‘Participating in IPSC, for me, was one of the most important moments in my life so far. In addition to having met amazing people from diverse cultures and countries, I can add a great deal of weight to my resume, increasing the opportunities that will appear to me in a few years. Representing my country was definitely rewarding. Even though we are experiencing complicated times here, I was able to realize that I am immensely proud of being Brazilian and, especially, of being its representative in an event of this proportion. I learned from this competition that what always leads you to reach your highest dreams is education and effort, qualities that many Brazilians, have.

Anamaria Pelegrini

ENGLISH SPEAKING UNION

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Anamaria Pelegrini (president ESU São Paulo, João Pedro Neves, Brazilian candidate and Regina Célia, his teacher, in

ESU 2019 Opening Ceremony

Dartmouth House, London during the ESU finals.

2019 Finalists from left to right: John Rafael Faustino (Philippines), Fan Yuehang (China), Greta Pangonyte(Lithuania), Yixian Chen (China), Justin Lai (Australia) and Ennio Patak (Spain)

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ADVERTS

SPOTLIGHT HUMOUR I know a man who is addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop anytime I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me.

What does a clock do when it is hungry. It goes back four seconds.

When chemists die, they barium.

Broken pencils are pointless.

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HEALTH AND FITNESS

People sometimes talk about the difference between physicians of the old days compared to now, implying that they had a different bedside manner. A kind word and expression of concern from a physician can have a far more powerful effect on patients than was previously thought. A growing body of evidence suggests that offering kindness, empathy, or words of encouragement leads to better patient engagement, a more trusting relationship, better health outcomes, and a less stressful practice for clinicians. Empathy and compassion are not the same, though they are both important. Empathy is the ability to mirror someone’s emotions, feeling their pain. Compassion indicates a desire to take action. According to Dr. Stephen Trzeciak who published Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence that Caring Makes a Difference together with his colleague Anthony Mazzarelli, MD, there is a strong correlation between kindness and better health. They identified 50 potential mechanisms of action for compassion, ranging from effects on physiology, pain, psychology, and neurobiology, to heath quality , experience , and patient and

physician satisfaction. They found evidence that compassion can reduce systemic inflammatory pathophysiology, leading to enhanced wound healing and better immune function. Compassion can also stimulate better patient adherence, leading to better control of disease progression and a shorter recovery time. Lack of compassion is particularly troubling for patients with advanced cancer, when medicine has relatively little to offer in terms of reversal of disease, but a lot to offer in terms of relief of suffering. Making eye contact, smiling, and listening actively does not take any more time.

People need to feel cared about in order to feel trust.

Once they trust, they are much more likely to follow recommendations and feel comfortable in the personal relationship. All physicians are taught “first, do no harm”, which is generally taken to apply to the physical.

But there is also a harm caused by not being present.

MICHAEL ROY SMITH, M.D. MOBILE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY Phone: 99183-2093

E-mail: mrsmith@terra.com.br

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

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cope in times of personal difficulties.

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”

The Dalai Lama

The association between compassion and better selfcare is clear; for decades doctors have known that showing compassion inspires quality communication with patients. Simple questions such as “What worries you the most?” can be more effective than endless expensive lab tests.

Part of caring deeply for people is listening to their worries. However, compassion need not, and should not, be limited to human relationships.

Having read the compassionate article submitted by Lula May Reed in Spotlight 126, I wish the same advice could be extended to humans as well as pets!

The conclusion of eight decades of scientific research (quoted in “The Longevity Project” by Howard Friedman and Leslie Martin) is that compassion and belonging are greater keys to longevity than obsessing over what we eat or how much we exercise.

Fostering qualities such as kindness, respect, compassion and gratitudecan reduce the risk of chronic disease, and belonging to a compassionate community (such as the “Fundação Britânica de Beneficência”) can help us

According to Darwin, the communities with the greatest compassion for others “flourish the best and rear the greatest number of offspring” In fact, it is evolutionary.

Therefore, I believe Darwin would agree that compassion (or the lack of it) is the most pressing problem in the world today. And that includes compassion for all forms of Life, especially Mother Earth on whom we all depend.

To provide feedback or for further information please contact: PenelopeFreeland@gmail.com

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CULTURAL SYNOPSIS

The Brasiliana Collection on the 4thand 5th floors of the Itaú Cultural, on Av. Paulista, 149, is an initiative of Olavo Setubal, who believed that it was important to tell the story of Brazil. In 1970, he began to collect what he sought to be relevant. Paintings and documents emerged from national and international collectors, from European families who barely knew the importance of the works they kept. Forty years later, in 2014, he decided to transform these works into a permanent exhibition which is now in São Paulo, open to the public, entrance free. Tue-Sun 9h to 20h. The collection has more than 12 thousand items and is considered the largest of a private company in Latin America. The exhibits comprise two specific collections - Brasiliana Itaú and Itaú Numismática, and reveal five centuries of Brazilian history. There are nine modules, each with a theme, bringing together 1,364 items.

Brazil Unknown - It was along the coast that the current Brazilian territory began to be discovered by European navigators and little was explored of the interior. “The Admiral’s Map”, dated 1522, outlines only part of the coast and calls it the land of Newfoundland or Land of the Parrots. No artist visited Brazil during this time. Existing images were created in Europe based on written accounts and descriptions. The dominant theme was the cannibalism, to be seen in the engravings that describe the country. Indigenous peoples are also depicted dressed in European fashion or as athletic models imagined by European artists who had never seen them.

Dutch Brazil - The eight years spent by Maurício de Nassau in the Northeast are a precious legacy of the works of young scientists and artists of the Dutch delegation, who published in great illustrated books all the images and information collected in the country.

The Secret Brazil - After defeating the Dutch invader, the government of Portugal closed the country to foreign visitors for more than 150 years. Concern about keeping Brazil secret increased after the discovery of

huge deposits of gold and diamonds, around 1700, in Minas Gerais. It also is the time of the sculptor ‘Aleijadinho’.

Brazil of the Naturalistas- With the arrival of the royal family and the opening of the port in 1808, the country was finally revealed to the world, and in the following decades received hundreds of artists and scientists determined to register the territory, its customs, its flora and its fauna, moved by the enormous curiosity repressed in the 150 years in which the country was closed.

Brazil of the Provinces - Less portrayed than the capital, the different regions of Brazil were sometimes documented by traveling artists. There are many paintings of Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil of the Empire - The royal family, was widely portrayed and played a fundamental role in the development of art in Brazil. Court painter Debret witnessed and recorded the marriage ceremony of D. Pedro I with his second wife, D. Amelia.

The Brazil of Slavery – A dark chapter in Brazilian history, slavery was portrayed by a series of traveling artists.

Englishman, Henry Chamberlain, visited Rio de Janeiro in 1817 and, five years later, launched in London the first collection of engravings focused on slave labor.

There are also works by Rugendas, Debret, Spix& Martius showing scenes of slavery in different contexts - the rural and the urban, the everyday forced labor and the rare festive moments.

The Brazil of the Brazilians - 20th century. With the advent of the Republic, the national culture questions and absorbs foreign elements, as did the modernist Oswald de Andrade, or in the visual chronicles focused on the types of the city and in the political environment.

There are documents signed by all the presidents till Tancredo Neves.

CULTURAL SYNOPSIS

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Margaret Mee is also part of the Encyclopedia Itaú Cultural.

After the war Mee studied art at Saint Martin’s School of Art in London. In 1950 she attended the Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts, where she learnt her style of illustration, and received a national diploma in painting and design in 1950.

She moved to Brazil with her husband, Greville Mee in 1952 to teach art in the British school of São Paulo. Her first expedition to Belém was in 1956. She then became a botanical artist for São Paulo’s Instituto de Botanica in 1958, exploring the rainforest and more specifically, the Amazon, painting the plants she saw, some new to science, as well as collecting some for later illustration.

She created 400 folios of gouache illustrations, 40 sketchbooks, and 15 diaries. She travelled to Washing-

ton D. C. in 1964 and briefly to England in 1968 for the exhibition and publication of her book, Flowers of the Brazilian Forests. She returned to Brazil and joined protests to draw international attention to the deforestation of the Amazon region.

Mee died in a car crash in Seagrave, Leicestershire on 30 November 1988. She was 79. She also received recognition in Brazil including an honorary citizenship of Rio in 1975, the Brazilian order of Cruzeiro do Sul in 1979.

After her death the Margaret Mee Amazon Trust was founded to further education and research in Amazonian plant life and conservation, by providing scholarships for Brazilian botanical students and plant illustrators who wish to study in the United Kingdom or conduct field research in Brazil.

Margaret Mee and the Moonflower (Margaret Mee e a Flor da Lua) is a 2012 Brazilian documentary film directed by abouther work and legacy.

Christina Thornton

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ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL

St. Paul’s achieves excellence once again as a British School Overseas Earlier this term the Independent Schools Inspectorate conducted an inspection at St. Paul’s, and we are delighted to share that our school was judged as excellent in all aspects!

To find out more you can read the full 2019 inspection report on our website www.stpauls.br.

The ISI is a body approved by the British government for the purpose of inspecting independent schools in England and overseas. The inspection of the school is from an educational perspective, evaluating the standards relating to the quality of education, the spiritual, moral, social and cultural of pupils among other aspects.

The key findings of this last inspection at St. Paul’s were

that both the quality of the pupils’ learning and achievement and the pupils’ personal development at St. Paul’s are excellent. According to ISI 2019 report, St. Paul’s: “promotes principles which enable pupils to develop self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence; distinguish right from wrong; accept responsibility for their

ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL L CALENDAR I DEATHS

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behaviour; contribute to the lives of others; and gain knowledge and respect for public institutions in England and for the responsibilities of Brazilian citizenship”.

“We know just how rigorous this process is, and how high the standards are that need to be achieved.

For this reason, we are very proud of the outcomes of this report, which certifies that St. Paul’s meets all the highest standards as an independent school”, says Ms Louise Simpson, the school’s head.

In 2012, St. Paul’s became the first South American

School to be formally recognised by the UK government as a British School Overseas. Three years later, in December 2015, the school was inspected again, and achieved excellence, thus renewing our BSO accreditation. We are delighted that we are able to maintain this excellent standard with this most recent report.

CALENDAR Event

Date

World Scout Jamboree

Jul 13/Aug 4

Annual Flower Show

Sept 28/29

Caledonian Ball

Time

Place

Sponsor

USA

Carajas Scouts

Brazilian British Centre

São Paulo Garden Club

Nov 02

SPYC

Carajas Scouts

Camp Fire

Dec 07

Sociedade Hípica Paulista

St Andrew Society

AGM

Dec 12

Brazilian British Centre

British Society

10.30

DEATHS We are sad to announce the passing of Norah Frances Zieminska and Meg Krinker in May. R.I.P.

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Note: Views expressed in articles submitted by contributors do not necessarily reflect those of Spotlight Editorial.

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