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Issue:- 25 July 2013

Liverpool's Brazilica better than ever!
Photographs by Patrick Trollope.

THE Brazilica Festival  was held over the 12 July to 20 July 2013, in Liverpool's City Centre and as normal it had something for everyone, but with weather that was hotter than Brazil's capital, well this year’s atmosphere was electric... The festival has been hailed as the best ever and is now one of the biggest of its type in Europe. The festival included once again music, dance, art, sport, culture, food and film, making it ideal for the whole family, no matter if local or tourist. We headed on over to the event on the climax of the festival, on Saturday, to see the events taking place in Williamson Square and then the spectacular night time carnival parade which also ended in the Square! During the day the local radio station Juice FM, put on an amazing show in the blazing hot heat, with Jazz and Samba bands, along with dance groups, from all over the world as well as a few interesting acts like a trick footballer,. You could have been mistaken for thinking it being in the State of Rio de Janeiro, as the powerful beats reverberated around the packed out square and the Brazilian flags flew high! But if that was not enough it was the night time that brought the best show to the City Centre... Well they do say save the best for last... This ending event was of course the fantastic carnival parade; again it had people taking part from all over the world, from as far as Norway and even Brazil. Plus the odd Australian for good measure.... All of the girls and lads braving the soaring temperatures to dance and play the night away as they moved with floats down the main roads and back roads of Liverpool City centre to the Square... This Rio-style parade was again not as publicised as most would have thought, but it did not need to be, as it still drew thousands of people into the City. As it snaked through the City Centre streets, the pavements were packed and some even enjoyed the entertainment from the windows of their offices and homes so they could get a better view of the parade! Sadly, this was the 1st year that the Police have not closed the roads off for the parade and in some ways this, despite being a money saving measure, is a shame. It is in the views of many, a missed opportunity for the Police to get some good PR, but thankfully this year was well manage by a private road traffic firm and Paramount Security, along with many volunteers, who all did a terrific job of maintaining the flow of the parade and also in keeping all viewers safe. The event was extremely friendly and its climax had Simone Reeves, M.D. at Viva Brasil Samba Shows and Costume Designer at Viva Brasil Samba Costumes, leading the dancing on the main stage. What was surprising about this was she had just danced all along the parade route, and yet she was only days after giving birth! That is how fit and committed these girls and lads are. Our hats off to them and what a fantastic show they delivered. Also the organisers have asked us to say a:- "big Thank You" to St. John Ambulance, who again helped with this year’s event. The main organisers, Liverpool Carnival Company and Orb Orb Events ,‎ have done us proud... So eat your heart out London Carnival and Manchester... as Liverpool has delivered yet again! If you missed it, please take a look at our video footage on here and also a few snippets on our Facebook page as well... Plus, we have lots of photographs of this year’s Brazilica within this edition! Again please click on here now to see them!!!

Do not miss what is turning into one of Europe’s best party weeks next year... Roll on Brazilica Festival 2014; we can't wait to see everyone back lining the streets to enjoy the party once again! If you attended then please email your views on this event to:- news24@southportreporter.com.

Also take a look at these 3 links:- 1 - 2 - 3.