Last Friday, several students were seen walking around the Community Commons with glitter on their faces. The source? DU’s newest Brazilian Student Association (BRASA) was hosting its first event, a rendition of the nationwide celebration Carnaval.

BRASA’s celebration welcomed students from all ethnicities and included eye mask decorating, face painting with glitter, Samba music, traditional food, dancing and lots of confetti everywhere.

In Brazil, Carnaval is celebrated for five days from the middle to the end of February. The parties take over whole streets and neighborhoods, where confetti and glitter can be seen everywhere and on everyone.

“Carnaval has evolved over time, and it has become an event that encapsulates the great diversity of Brazilian culture,” said Isabela Padilha, a third-year student at DU and president of BRASA. “It is the time of the year that everyone gets together to celebrate freedom and unity and it restores our hope in a country that has gone through so much political turmoil,” she added.

“[BRASA] gives me the chance to connect with other Brazilians and experience my culture even when I’m thousands of miles away from home,” explained Alberta Johannnpeter, a second-year student at DU and BRASA’s marketing director. “It makes being away from familiar food, music and language a little bit easier.”

The event was just one of the many BRASA has in plan for the rest of the academic year. BRASA’s main goal is to foster an inclusive community for Brazilian students and boost the significance of Brazilian culture around the world. 

“BRASA’s purpose is to bring to the University a connection to Brazil for the first time in forever. We want to expand the concept of Latinx here at DU and democratize access from Brazilians to the DU campus,” explained Padilha. “We wish to foster connections and experiences while combining that with an academic purpose as well.”

BRASA is planning more events for Spring Quarter. Check them out on Instagram and Crimson Connect for updated announcements and events.