'Days of Brazil' opens in Serbia with rhythms of samba

"Days of Brazil", a festival that promotes the Brazilian culture, opened for the fifth time on Friday in Novi Sad, Serbia, with performances of samba dancers, percussionists and capoeira masters.
Running through Sunday at the summer cinema of Novi Sad's cultural center as well as at the Petrovaradin fortress, the event has drawn the participation of Serbian dance clubs and percussionists as well as masters of samba and Latin percussion from Brazil and Europe.
Pedja Ivovic, a festival spokesman, told Xinhua Friday that the festival consists of movie screenings, concerts, workshops of samba, Latin percussions, capoeira and parties.
He said participants of workshops will have the chance to learn from such experts as Samara Reis, a professional Brazilian dancer from Sao Paolo, and Mestre Nilo, a percussionist that belongs to the oldest school of samba percussions in Rio de Janeiro.
"Our aim is to make the spirit of Brazil closer to the people of Novi Sad and the whole Serbia," said Ivovic.
Among the music performers that will entertain the audience for three days are bands Libertango, Bloco Coracao, Mistura Maneira, Banda Birimbao and Sambansa.
Samara Reis told Xinhua she came to Serbia for the first time to participate in this year's festival to teach people samba and spread the Brazilian culture.
"My first impression of Novi Sad is that it is a catwalk with very good looking people. I hope that I will come here many more times, as I can see the potential, and the curiosity of people when they look at me and the girls," she said.
"Every dance is a social dance, and it is about making people happy, and to make them interact. Brazilian dance is very new here, so people need to get used to it," Reis added.
The festival ends on Sunday with around 1,500 people from Novi Sad and the rest of Serbia along with international guests to take part in a traditional carnival procession dressed in Brazilian costumes.