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Vol XXI - Nov 2015Produced by the British & Commonwealth Society ofRio de Janeiro for the English-speaking Community

the.umbrella@terra.com.br .

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By the time you read this, one year will have gone by since Dilma Rousseff won slightly more votes than Aécio Neves in the second round run-off election for the Presidency of Brazil. Within a couple of weeks, Brazil’s neighbor Argentina will be having a run-off election for President. There are some striking similarities.

In 2014’s first round Dilma (seeking re-election) won 40%, Aécio (the opposition) won 34% and a third party candidate formerly of Dilma’s party (Marina Silva) won 21% of the popular vote. Brazil requires a 50% majority to avoid a run-off. Last week, Scioli (Cristina Kirchner’s designated successor) won 36%, Macri (the opposition) won 35% and a third party candidate formerly of Kirchner’s party (Massa) won 21%. Argentina requires 45% to avoid a run-off.

The common thread to both elections was the populist political and economic policies of the standing party. Both Dilma and Scioli claimed that prior administration policies had been shown correct, that the economy was doing well, that inflation, devaluation and lack of capital were the result of foreign forces. The opposition pointed out that none of these arguments was true and promised to change.

In Brazil, Dilma won the electoral battle, but lost the war. She belatedly admitted some changes needed to be made, appointed a finance minister dear to opposition hearts, and promptly left him out in the cold. Indications are that Macri will win the run-off; however, Aécio was never able to gather a significant portion of Marina supporters, and Scioli is counting on getting most of Massa’s votes. Time will tell.

Brazil today is undergoing a variation of what is called (in presidential systems) a “recall” movement and (in parliamentary systems) a vote of no confidence. Congress is in open revolt against austerity measures, Dilma’s financial “pedaladas” have been condemned as illegal and deemed by some to be grounds for impeachment; others consider the movement a coup d’état. Calls for Dilma to resign, given her unabated unpopularity, run up against the fact that if she does, none of her potential successors is more popular than she is.

Brazil’s economy is sinking fast, and it’s not just the rising dollar. It’s the absolute political uncertainty that reigns supreme. Put another way, “politics trumps economics”.

So, you ask, what has the above to do with The Umbrella and (you) its readers? Sadly, a lot. Unemployment and inflation are both increasing rapidly, and Umbrella readers are not exempt from their effects. Many readers are expatriates, here on contracts that may become very short-term very soon. More are long-term residents, earning in Brazilian currency but with family or other obligations payable in “hard” currency.

So, what are we to do? Well, for one thing, we ought to enjoy the multi-faceted opportunities Rio de Janeiro grants us, which (of course) include “The Novembrella” out this month, with lots of news about what we’ve been doing and what we’ll do, this month and next. The end of the year is upon us, with any number of celebratory events: Poppy Ball, Marine Corps Ball and Thanksgiving Dinner for instance, and more. Two palindromic holidays (02 - 20) and the celebration of the founding of the Republic in which we reside.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out the Argentine run-off election on Sunday, November 22. The results may surprise you.

• The British & Commonwealth Society of Rio de Janeiro - Rua Real Grandeza 99, Botafogo, 22281-030. Secretary: Gaynor Smith. Office hours: Mon to Fri from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm - Tel: 2537-6695 - Fax: 2538-0564 - bcsrio@bcsrio.org.br - www.bcsrio.org.br • The American Society of Rio de Janeiro - Contact: www.americansocietyrio.org ; Tel: 21 2125-9132; email contact@americansocietyrio.org • International Club of Rio de Janeiro - General Inquiries: inquiries@incrio.org.br - President: president@incrio.org.br; www.incrio.org.br • The British School - Botafogo: Rua Real Grandeza 87, 22281-030. Tel: 2539-2717, Fax: 2266-5040 URCA: Av. Pasteur 429, 22290-240, Tel: 2543-5519, Fax: 2543-4719. BARRA: Rua Mario Autuori 100, 22793-270 - http://www.britishschool.g12.br - Tel: 3329-2854 - Emails: edu@britishschool.g12.br and admissions@britishschool.g12.br • The American School - Estrada da Gavea 132, Gavea; Tel: 2512-9830 - www.earj.com.br - admission@earj.com.br • Our Lady of Mercy School - Catholic American School in Botafogo - Rua Visconde de Caravelas 48, Botafogo - Tels: 2266-8282 / 2266-8250 / 2266-8258 - www.olmrio.org • The St Andrew Society - Rua Real Grandeza 99, Botafogo, 22281-030 - President: Jimmy Frew - Tel: 2205-0430 / 9206-1977; jhf@scotbras.com.br - www.standrewrio.com.br • The Royal British Legion - www.britishlegion.org.uk; www.bcsrio.org.br/activities/rbl.asp • Christ Church - Rua Real Grandeza 99, Botafogo, 22281-030 - Tel: 2226-7332 chchurch@terra.com.br - www.christchurchrio.org.br • British Burial Fund - English Cemetery - Rua da Gamboa 181 - office in Christ Church, Botafogo. Admin - Adolfo Cappelli - 2286.7899 - britishburialfund@yahoo.com.br or hieatt@terra.com.br.

Disclaimer: The editors of The Umbrella accept no responsibility for claims made either in the ads or the classifieds, and the opinions expressed in the ar-ticles published are those of the writers, and not of The Umbrella.

The Umbrella is published monthly by the British and Commonwealth Society of Rio de Janeiro. Print run: 600 copies. Editor: Michael Royster - mr.royster@uol.com.brGraphic Design & Desktop Publishing: Marcia Fialho - marcia@marciafialho.com.br Films & Printing: Grafica Falcao. Cover: Marcia Fialho - photo by Dollar PhotoSociety articles are the responsibility of each society. The Umbrella is distributed free to all members of the Rio de Janeiro BCS, American Society, St. Andrew Society, Royal British Legion & British School staff. Classified ads: Gaynor Smith at the BCS office: Tel: (21) 2537-6695, Fax: (21) 2538-0564. E-mail: bcsrio@bcsrio.org.br Commercial non-classified ads: please inquire about technical procedures with Marcia Fialho: marcia@marciafialho.com.br

Deadline for December issue: Monday, November 23rd

THE QUONDAM EDITOR

The Quondam on Elections

Societies INFO

READ THE UMBRELLA ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!www.issuu.com/theumbrella

MICHAEL ROYSTER

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FROM THE CHAPLAIN

Remembrance Day

In Britain, Remembrance Day, and all that goes with it, has taken on a new significance in the last two decades with the involvement, and death, of British soldiers in Middle-Eastern conflicts. Since the 1930s, the date has always been the second Sunday in November. However, its origins go back to the end of the First World War in 1918, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, when the armistice was celebrated.

At first, Remembrance Day was always commemorated on November 11th, regardless of the day of the week, and there are still ceremonies on that day in several places. In the United States, the federal holiday on November 11th was originally called Armistice Day, but was renamed Veterans Day around 60 years ago.

The principal British act of commemoration takes place at the Cenotaph in London. Although there had been a temporary memorial there, the present construction was unveiled on November 11th, 1920. The King was present and then went on to Westminster Abbey for the burial of the Unknown Warrior.

The idea of such a burial had first been suggested to the Dean of the Abbey while the war was still in progress. At first he was against the idea, fearing a ‘morbid sideshow in the national shrine’. However he later changed his mind and strongly supported the plan. A corpse was exhumed from a site in France where bodies with no known identity had been buried hastily. It was conveyed to Westminster

with all the pomp and circumstance that would accompany a visiting head of state, and it was buried with great ceremony. The Dean personally chose the wording on the tomb including the Biblical text (2 Chronicles 24.16) ‘They buried him among the kings because he had done good toward God and toward his house’.

The origin of the memorial poppy is quite different. It had been noticed during the First World War that the ravages of fighting had disturbed the earth, and within the soil, this had somehow germinated the poppy seeds, which came into flower. A Canadian soldier, John McCrae, noticed these poppies and wrote the poem.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place, and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

McCrae was later killed, but an American lady, Moina Michael, discovered the poem and was moved to buy some poppies which she and her friends wore as an act of remembrance. And so the custom began.

Not everyone celebrates Remembrance Day in November. The Australians and New Zealanders remember Anzac Day on April 25. But whichever day we choose for our remembrance we recall those who died in war that we might live in peace.

REV. DAVID GREENWOOD

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BRITISH & COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY (BCS)Work on RG99 property continues

As mentioned in last month’s Umbrella, some tree surgery took place in the Christ Church gardens during the British School half-term break. Three condemned trees were removed and trimming of the others resulted in three large lorry-loads of logs and trimmings removed from the site. This provides more light and air to the gardens, including the vicarage, and gives the church better visibility from the road. Regular inspection and treatment of the trees will avoid damage from pests such as cupim (termites).

Events in the Jubilee Hall, such as Beatles Night and the Caledonian Ceilidh benefited from the new LED stage lighting, and external illumination of the stained glass Christ Church East Windows will add colour and light to evening events in the church, such as the SCM Christmas concert and Messiah Singalong in December.

Wheel-chair ramps are being built at the main entrances to the church and cloisters. These are designed to official specifications, with the inclination as decreed by the authorities, and finished in granite to match the church architecture, due to

the property being listed under Rio’s Historical Heritage.

There have also been improvements underground, as drainage needs regular maintenance, and over the years tree roots and other waste matter tend to block the pipes. Users will have noticed holes appearing in various parts of the properties, and one of the by-products of these works has been a considerable improvement to parking space at the RG99 entrance.

Chris Hieatt For BCS Properties

Save the Date!

The BCS’s Very Traditional, Very British, Christmas Lunch is back at Jubilee Hall Saturday December 12 at 1pm. Come for a gourmet traditional British Christmas lunch prepared by the incomparable Chef Joel Guerin featuring all your family favorites: roast turkey, delicious stuffing, rich gravy, roast potatoes, mixed vegetables, bread sauce, “pigs-in-blankets” and for dessert Christmas pudding with brandy butter sauce, vanilla ice-cream and Christmas cake!

Don’t miss the BCS’s Very Traditional Very British Christmas Lunch with secret special guest performances and Christmas raffle with great prizes to be won!

Saturday December 12 at 1pm. Reservations for tables of 8 available with advance bookings.  Limited seats available, so don’t delay. Reserve your tickets today with Monica at: <assistente@bcsrio.org.br>.

Anna WhyteFor BCS Social Events

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF RIO DE JANEIRO (AMSOC)NOVEMBER starts right after Halloween, and we have a number of our best events planned for you, as you can see below:

Happy Hour!

Thursday, November 12, 7 to 9pm COBAL HUMAITÁ -- Botafogo

Location to be announced, go to <www.americansocietyrio.org>. No reservations needed, just show up and be happy—and take advantage of the opportunity to reserve your place at our upcoming very special Thanksgiving Dinner (see below)

Thanksgiving Day Dinner

Thursday, November 26th, starting 7 pm JW MARRIOTT HOTEL Av. Atlantica 2600 – Copacabana

Back by popular demand after a hugely successful (well, unless you were a turkey) dinner at the JW Marriott, the American Society will once again celebrate America’s biggest Holiday Weekend. We’ll have more information as time goes on, but you can be sure there will be a raffle with

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great prizes, funds to be donated to charity, food and drink at affordable prices and… a fantastic opportunity to meet other members and visitors! Details forthcoming soon, go to <www.americansocietyrio.org> to see what’s what, or RSVP to: <events.amsoc@gmail.com>

The 240th Marine Corps Ball

Saturday, November 21st, the Marine Security Guard Detachment at the US Consulate will host the Carioca version of the 240th Annual Marine Corps Ball at the Hotel Royal Tulip Rio de Janeiro in São Conrado. (Old timers will remember it as the Hotel InterContinental.) It celebrates (and how!) the founding of the United States Marine Corps in 1775, part of our shared history as Americans. The festivities kick off at 6 pm and run until 2 am; there will be food and soft drink aplenty for the all-in price of R$330 so you really don’t want to miss this if you’re in town. Details and reservations from <duqueacevesDF@state.gov> or <siphanRC@state.gov> .

WOMEN’S DIOCESAN ASSOCIATION (WDA)WDA CHRISTMAS BAZAAR!Saturday 5th December, commencing 2 pm.Jubilee Hall, Christ Church, Rua Real Grandeza 99, Botafogo

White Elephant Stall: This will be our last opportunity to appeal for donations for the White Elephant Stall. By the time you receive this edition in November, there will only be a few weeks left before the event takes place. We would be very grateful therefore if you could please take another quick look around the house for any items you no longer need. On the White Elephant Stall we like to offer items that are almost new and in good condition that can be sold as Christmas gifts or for personal use. Household items including ornaments, children’s toys, games, jigsaw puzzles and more will all be welcome. But please do check that any electrical appliances you send are in good working order.

Deliveries can be made any day during the week to Karen, secretary, Christ

Church, telephone 2226-7332, from 11 am to 2 pm. or to the BCS secretary, Gaynor, telephone 2537-6695 between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm. Please remember that between 2 pm and 3.30 pm when school lets out, cars are not allowed into the grounds.

There will be other attractions at the Bazaar, such as:

Handicraft Stall: The talented ladies of the WDA produce the majority of the items displayed on this stall. They are currently very busy embroidering a varied selection of articles such as hand towels, tea towels, etc. that make very nice Christmas gifts.

Swiss Lottery: This is a lot of fun for the family. Every number wins a prize and depending on your luck, it could be a very good one!

Christmas Crackers: Colourful boxes of Christmas Crackers will be decorating our shelves again this year. Anyone wishing to buy them should arrive early as they soon disappear from the shelves.

Christmas Cakes and Puddings: The WDA ladies make these very popular products from traditional recipes. Homemade mince pies will also be on sale; moreover, jars of mincemeat will be available for those of you who like to make your own pies.

Marmalades, Jams, Pickles and Chutneys: The following products will be available: Sweet and Bitter Marmalade, Galego Lemon Marmalade, Grapefruit Marmalade, Apricot Jam and Lemon Curd, Mango Chutney, Indian Chutney and Pineapple Relish, Mustard Pickle, Branston Pickle and Bread & Butter Pickle. All the ingredients are natural, made from English recipes.

Snack Bar: Homemade refreshments, beer and soft drinks will be available at the snack bar.

The WDA ladies work voluntarily all the year round to make this annual event as successful as possible. At the end of the year, all the profit goes to charity; in 2014 donations were made to a medical clinic for those in need (Ambulatório Praia do Pinto), to an orphanage (Santa Rita de Cássia in Jacarepaguá) and to the Instituto Pró Criança Cardíaca, as well as to Christ Church.

We do hope that we can count on your support and look forward to seeing you all on the 5th of December.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION (RBL)RBL Poppy Ball 2015, 6th November

With less than three weeks before the RBL Poppy Ball at the Copacabana Palace, the event almost achieved a sellout of 210 tickets – already 60 more seats than was originally planned. The night’s entertainment will include a speech from former frontline Army Officer turned inspirational speaker, comic and host Adam Conlon <www.adamconlon.co.uk> as well as music from Andreia Santiago and the

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Santiago Jazz band. To place yourself on the reserve list please get in touch with Jenny Byers at <Jennifer.byers@gmail.com> .

ST ANDREW SOCIETY (SAS) 10th SAS x MOGA Annual Golf Match & Ceilidh, Teresópolis

There was no evidence of the current crisis in the Brazilian offshore oil sector as a record sixty golfers teed off at the Teresópolis Golf Course on October 3rd all wearing their polo shirts to commemorate the 10th annual SAS x MOGA golf match. The weather was perfect and the golfers were well nourished as they wended their way around the spectacular scenery, thanks to IRM Services and All Rig.

At the end of the day, it was the St. Andrew Society golf team, under the direction of captain Philip Healey, that scored the most points to receive the Pete Campsie Centenary Cup from Rob McInnes, captain of the Macaé Oilmen´s Golf Association. Winners of individual prizes were: Highest Score: Paul Dohertt (MOGA); Longest drive, women: Lynda Smith (SAS); Longest drive, men: James Miller (MOGA) and Nearest the pin: Pedro Froner (SAS).

The traditional Saturday night ceilidh in the clubhouse bar and verandas was packed out. Music for dancing was provided by the Iain MacPhail Ceilidh Band and Serginho´s disco, with piping displays by Thiago Roberto of the Wolney Pipe Band, Petropolis. Luis Bade did a great job of leading the Scottish dances. It was generally agreed that this had been the most successful SAS x MOGA yet, so much so that we´re looking to hold a home and away match next year, at Búzios in May and Teresópolis in October. Many thanks to the organisers, Philip Healey and Rob McInnes, sponsors IRM Services, All Rig, and the Teresopolis Golf Club, under captain Jose Barros.

Last Scottish Dance Session of 2015, Paissandu Club

The Iain MacPhail Ceilidh Band and Serginho´s disco provided the music for the last weekly dance session of the 2015 season on October 6th. Marco Kreissl, the famous “Whisky Piper,” on a visit from Germany, kindly provided us with piping displays. Many thanks to Audrey Hieatt for keeping Scottish Country Dancing alive in Rio de Janeiro.

4th SAS/BCS Caledonian Ceilidh, 10th Oct, Jubilee Hall, Botafogo

Echoes of bagpipes and accordion reminiscent of bygone days bounced

off the rafters, as a new generation of dancers joined in the Grand March at the start of the 4th Caledonian Ceilidh in the old British School Hall. We could lament the fact that the Rio Caledonian Ball in the Copacabana Palace Hotel has passed into history together with Burns Suppers and St. Andrew´s Day dinners, but nothing remains the same forever and we can only work with the tools we have at our disposal.

Those who came along to enjoy a Scottish party were not disappointed (even Mr Pizza went away satisfied). The floor was never empty all night as we were entertained by the Iain MacPhail Ceilidh Band, Marco Kreissl on the bagpipes and Serginho on the disco. It was gratifying to see so many under-twenties up on the floor enjoying Scottish dancing, proving again that it´s not something just for old fogies. As word gets around, we’ll fill up the hall again next year. Many thanks to Johnnie Walker for providing

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Suzan Carter, Lynda Longest Drive Smith

The SAS’s golf man, Philip Healey, and MOGA’s Rob McInnes

Tradition in the Kemp family

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us with such excellent accommodation during Iain MacPhails visit. Thanks to Bill Ballantyne, Gaynor and Monica of the BCS and thanks to bar staff Padraig Flavin and Keith Rowland, also Margaret Frew, Nicky McAra and Susan Reid “on the door.”

None of the above would be possible without the support of IRM Services and partners, the Macae Oilmen’s Golf Association, the Teresópolis Golf Club, the Paissandú Club, the BCS, the Iain MacPhail band and most of all, yourselves, who come along and make it all worthwhile.

Jimmy Frew

THE BRITISH SCHOOL (TBS)International Fair

Saturday 14th November 2015

The British School, Rio de Janeiro International Fair (PTA) is coming up! It will be held at the Botafogo site, on November 14, from 11 am to 4 pm. All money raised will be going to charity. Additionally, an auction for charity is being organized by “The British School’s Helping Hand” <https://www.facebook.com/tbshelpinghand>. This year we will be donating all the event´s profits to the Street Child Games <http://www.streetchildunited.org/street-child-games-2016>.

The International Fair will be an excellent opportunity to taste products from at least 17 countries. There will be Food trucks offering gourmet international foods, musical performances by students from The British School, demonstrations by

students in After School Activities (ASA) and many games for a day of lots of fun.

Tickets will be sold at the door. We look forward to seeing you all there!

mo re t ha n 2 5 na t iona l i t ie s repre s ented by pa rent s , teac hers a nd s t ud ent s

L E T ’ S C E L E B R A T E !

Saturday November, 1411:00-16:00

Botafogo Site

THE BRITISH SCHOOL

F E S T I V A LInternational

2015

r i o d e J a n e i r o

Especializada em logística de estudosTécnicas de redação e mapas mentais

Aulas de português e alemão

Adriana RangelProfessora com licenciatura em português e alemão

fraurangel@outlook.com21 99855-5153

Ensino de métodos eficientes de estudo e organização de conteúdo para provas, concursos, teses, monografias, fichamentos

Have you moved? Have you a new e-mail? Please keep the BCS posted: Email - bcsrio@bcsrio.org.br

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Rt. Rev. Edmund Knox Sherrill

1925 – 2015

Edmund Knox Sherrill was born in Boston Massachusetts, USA on May 23, l925, his mother’s birthday. His father, the Rev. Henry Knox Sherrill, then a parish priest, was later to become Bishop of Massachusetts and then Presiding Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States; he was known for his evangelical simplicity, his ecumenical convictions and his salty wit.

His second son, known as “Ned”, had finished his schooling and was hoping to go to Yale when he was called at age 18 to serve in WWII as a private in the artillery, eventually sent to northern France. After the war, he took some courses offered for the benefit of soldiers awaiting repatriation; he was especially interested in those about Latin America.

On his return home he was accepted by Yale University to take their accelerated program, and completed his Bachelor’s Degree in about 2 ½ years. Upon graduation he stayed at Yale for another year, working for the Student Christian Movement and took charge of a special summer program for foreign students. There he met his wife-to-be, Elisabeth Davenport Bowker, who was then studying for an MA degree in Christian Education. She was planning to be an Episcopal College Worker, one of the few careers then available for women in the church and was involved in the Student Volunteer Movement, which had a very international flavor.

After finishing seminary and his ordination, Ned was hired as a curate

at Christ Church, Cambridge. One Sunday the visiting preacher was from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Moved by his sermon and his background we invited him for luncheon in our little apartment. Our first-born child, Mary, only two, was also delighted when he opened his arms to us and said, “Betty, Ned, come to Brasil and help us!”

To make our story short, we were sent as missionaries to Brazil in 1953. We went to Sao Paulo where Ned was taken on as assistant to Rev. Gaudencio Vergara dos Santos, rector of Trinity Church. After some 5 years, having learned Portuguese, and having added 2 more children to our family (having arrived with 2 little Americans) we were summoned to a General Convention in Miami FL where Ned’s father, the Presiding Bishop, was being honored upon his retirement. The Brazilian bishops were also there and to our total surprise and consternation Ned was elected there as missionary bishop in Brazil.

He was consecrated Bishop of Central Brazil by his father, at the age of thirty-two. His diocese, notwithstanding its name, encompassed all the northern and southeastern parts of Brazil, from the State of Paraná north. The result was much travel, including to the new capital Brasília where he managed to obtain a plot of land in which to build a Church. The small Cathedral that stands there was designed by Niemeyer’s team, and is visited by many of his admirers.

His ministry reflected his concern with ecumenism, especially in and around Rio de Janeiro where he took part in conversations, services and social assistance projects with Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Lutherans

and a few Pentecostal churches. During the dictatorship he housed many Christian students of different backgrounds but united in their hopes and actions of protest, including our eldest daughter Mary. On many occasions he went to the Secret Police Headquarters to stand up for members of our and other churches, including several of the clergy.

In keeping with his missionary vocation and convictions he formed several new dioceses as the church grew. First came São Paulo and then Brasilia. He chose to start a new diocese in Recife and instead of staying on in Rio, he and Betty moved there in 1977, leaving behind their now adult children, all either married or studying or some both. In the ten years spent in Recife the church, based on a smallish typically English-style church building, was allowed to offer services in Portuguese as well as English as the existing congregation was bi-lingual. We were also blessed by a very sympathetic British church family whose daughter played the beautiful old pipe-organ and became the leader of a large and vibrant choir.

After ten years there, with a vibrant new diocese underway and having completed 25 years as as a missionary bishop, Ned decided it was time for him to retire and let a Brazilian bishop take over. Thus, in1986 he and Betty moved back to be with their children (Mary, Henry, Elisabeth and Florence) in Rio de Janeiro. Here they frequented the São Lucas parish, whose services are held in Christ Church, as was his funeral and remembrance service.

Elisabeth Bowker Sherrill

A weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist meets in the street, in front of Magazine Leader on Rua Uruguaiana, with the homeless community on Saturday evenings from 6 to 7 pm. The mass is followed by the distribution of a simple lanche to the women, children and men who live in the street. Please come worship with us. All are welcome. See you in the street!

Bishop Celso

IGREJA NA RUA Saturdays 6 to 7 pm

Rua Uruguaiana

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Please join us for a gourmet 4-course dinner and classical music show by renown musicians of the Brazil Symphony Orchestra:

David Chew (cello), Linda Bustani (piano), Michael Bessler (violin) and Bernardo Fantini (viola).

Tuesday November 17 at 7.30pmSalão Nobre at the Gavea Golf & Country Club

Estrada da Gávea 800, São Conrado

R$300 per person in advance – all-inclusive of dinner, all drinks and musical presentation. R$350 per person - if purchased at the door.

Tables for 6-8 persons can be reserved in advance.

R.S.V.P. and invitations with Katia: katia@fgerj.com.br

Vinho

MOLARES

Antonio Neves da Rocha

Eventos

www . j a p e r i g o l f e . c o m . b rSPONSOR SUPPORT

Associação Golfe Público de JaperiThe first public golf course in Brazil, and a com-

munity /educational center for underprivileged

youth of the Japeri community, supported by

the prestigious R & A in Scotland and prominent

individuals of Brazil.

CHARITY DINNER for Associação Golfe Público de Japeri

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Although there remain two mouth-watering events to conclude the 2015 season for the Carioca Cricket Club, notably the 2nd instalment of the National Championships to be held in Rio at the end of October and the club tour to Bogota, Colombia in November, Saturday 3rd October saw the last of our intra-club friendly games of the season.

The match was also special as it commemorated the final home friendly game for club stalwart Vim, who will, sadly, be leaving the club and Rio in 2016, when he will return to India. Having led our batting line-up for over 5 years, Vim will be heading home with many CCC runs under his belt, many dropped catches on the boundary, very few quick singles run, and also a much more rounded man than he was when he first arrived..…. obviously referring to new additions to the Akula family. Thank you for all your work over the years, Vimster. You will be sadly missed by all at the club as will your Tikka!

In honour of Vim Akula and at his request, an Asian XI (in reality a ‘VIII’) took on a Rest of the World (RoW) VIII. Having negotiated some typical traffic on Avenida Brasil, the players and supporters arrived at our wonderful home ground in Itaguaí (otherwise known as the ‘Corridor of Sunshine’ – although the sunshine has been notable for its absence over the last few games – surely saving itself to deliver a scorcher of a weekend for the Nationals!). Once Felipe had finished his pre-game big Mac(s), team captains Freddie and Vim took to the field for the toss, with Vim deciding to send the RoW into bat.

Harris and Kilbee opened the batting for RoW and immediately got on to the front foot with Harris hitting some lovely drives before popping a slower ball from De Souza straight to Anwar at cover. Sam Kelly continued where Harris had left off and kept the runs ticking over for the RoW, until he also fell to an Anwar beauty. As ever, there was some lovely cricket played by both sides, mixed with the odd comical moment, notably a couple of catches dropped by supporting fielders filling in for the opposing side, hence prompting conspiracy theories…. And a very special over bowled by Vim, which deserves its own separate report (but not here).

A total of 140 was achieved by the RoW thank to a great 35+ innings by Henry and some excellent late hitting by Wyre Davies.

Team Asia went out to bat knowing that a strong start was needed to have any chance of reaching the target. The RoW bowlers had other plans however, and some aggressive bowling by Sam and Wyre, followed by some unplayable deliveries by Felipe, left Team Asia in a tough position, losing their top 5 batsman for very few runs. The RoW wicketkeeper (aka “El Presidente”) did his best to allow the opposition back into the game with an unbelievable dolly the likes of which have not been seen on these shores, as well as a comic mix-up with Harris, but a good catch behind off Freddie’s bowling made up for these errors somewhat.

De Souza put in a strong performance with the bat to give some respectability to the Team Asia innings, but in truth the RoW were never in trouble and ran out comfortable winners.

The traditional post-match feast was enjoyed by all involved with a number of cold beers, followed by the less enjoyable embarrassment of the England rugby team by the Aussies. [We still have the Ashes.] Thoughts now turn to the Nationals - plans are all in place for an amazing festival of cricket and we look forward to seeing you all there!!

By Freddie Brunt

The Carioca Cricket Club (CCC)

SportsAre you a Facebooker?Would you like to help manage the BCS Facebook?Drop us a line at assistente@bcsrio.com.br. Or you can always post a message!

If you want to drink, that’s your business.

If you want to stop, that’s ours.

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DEADLINE for our December 2015 issue is Monday, 23rd November

11

Good Works

It has been another incredibly successful year for Mary Jean Job’s annual fund-raising campaign, with a whopping R$50.343 raised among her large circle of friends and including a generous donation of R$5.820 from Souza Cruz.

The main beneficiary was, as usual, the Hospital de Curupaiti, now officially known as the IEDS (Instituto Estadual de Dermatologia Sanitária). Curupaiti is actually an entire community of people who have received or are receiving treatment for Hansen’s disease, or leprosy as it used to be known. It was founded in 1929 and until the early 1980s Brazilian law enforced the isolation of these people. After the law changed, lifting the restrictions, residents were allowed to live more normal lives but many of them stayed for fear of the stigma attached to their condition, and built their houses in the same area. In 2014 nearly 25,000 new cases of Hansen’s disease were diagnosed in Brazil, which has the second highest incidence of the disease in the world (behind India).

Around 50 of the more elderly residents live in the hospital itself, with some 400 still in treatment, and these are the main beneficiaries of the vast array of items that Jean bought with the money she raised. Note: Not only does Jean spend the time to encourage her friends to donate, dealing with cheques and deposits, she actually goes out and spends every single penny she’s given (and probably quite a few more too!), to ensure that the gifts are exactly what the patients need for their daily comfort and care.

Examples of the donations include bed and bath linen (towels, sheets and pillowcases), bought with the money from Souza Cruz; wheelchairs and

bathing chairs, crutches, physiotherapy trampolines, electrical items like fans and blenders, electric showers and a long list of basic articles of clothing such as underwear, nightwear, T-shirts and flip-flops. In addition a huge quantity of personal hygiene items like soap, razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste were sent, plus shower curtains and stools.

Address: Rua Godofredo Viana 64, Jacarepaguá Tel: 021 8255-0211

This year’s other recipient was the Lar Maria de Lourdes, a non-profit entity that looks after children with hydrocephalus and other physical and mental disabilities. Many of them have been abandoned there and the home only receives token assistance from local government.

All manner of plastic items like baths, buckets and tableware was sent to LML, as were bed and bath linen,

fans, cleaning products and items for personal hygiene. Jean also took the trouble to buy about 30 rag dolls and stuffed toys, as well as 28 eiderdowns/coverlets to make the wards look more cheerful and provide the children with something colourful to focus on.

At the beginning of October Jean hosted the now traditional tea party at her lovely Barra home, to thank the 97 people who donated to her campaign. It was a chance for the donors to see the magnificent display of goods that are to be sent to the two institutions and to hear from Mr José Miranda, the administrator of Curupaiti, about the work that goes on there.

Lar Maria de Lourdes:

Address: R. Pajurá, 256, Taquara, Rio de Janeiro.

Phone: (21) 3392-9646 <http://olarmariadelourdes.blogspot.com.br/>

Hospital do Curupaiti and Lar Maria de Lourdes

Sandra Haegler and Isabel Sequerra

Mary Jean Job, Fatima Bernardes, Laura Burnier

Cheery hand-made dolls to make sick children smile

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Conrado Jacob Niemeyer, José Antônio Pimenta Bueno and Antônio Cavalcanti de Albuquerque are all Brazilian historical figures who have their names honoured in Rio as Avenues: Niemeyer - engineer, Marquês de São Vicente – judge, and Visconde de Albuquerque - senator. These streets are not only linked and located around Leblon, there is a further connection between them: they were part of the Gávea Circuit, a pioneer route designed for the first Brazilian motorcar city races.

The First Grand Prix of the City of Rio de Janeiro took place in 1933 and its 11 kilometers rounded the Morro Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers Hill). Cars adapted by their owners and others built by big automakers participated equally. The drivers faced numerous challenges, such as the tram rails that made them slide, more than 100 curves and the constant change between different terrain: sand, rock blocks, asphalt, and cement. The Devil’s Trampoline (Trampolim do Diabo) was another denotation of the race, due to the many accidents, several fatal, which happened on the course, although the average speed exceeded 90 km/h just once.

Avenida Niemeyer gave the circuit the allure of the proximity to the sea and a

stunning view of the beaches; the trees and the scattered low buildings offered a panoramic vision of the south side of the city. The route became a success and brought to Rio well-known names from abroad to participate in the race: Italians, Germans, French, and Argentinian drivers with their Ferrari, Bugatti, and Maserati “bugs”, among others. Racing fans will remember names such as Carlo Pintacuda, the Italian whose feats so impressed watchers that he earned a Carnival song by the end of the 1930s, and Hellé-Nice, the French lady who made her fame in Brazil not only as a race driver but also for smoking and using a two-piece swimsuit on the beach! It is said she inspired the name Helenice that baptizes many girls in our country. Manuel de Teffé, Irineu Corrêa and

Chico Landi are Brazilians who made their names in the Gávea Circuit.

There was a record number of 250 thousand spectators on one occasion. Although the growth of the city and the many accidents decreed the end of the Gávea Circuit, the Press Grotto (Gruta da Imprensa) still stands; it was the media vantage point, a privileged location where one could watch the race and feel the thrill of speed. This place can still be reached on foot, some 200 metres from the end of Leblon beach up Niemeyer Avenue.

Nowadays, there’s a foot and bicycle path, so it’s easy to reach and from there, you can, if you want, try to imagine what spectators saw and heard during the races, when there was no speed limit.

NAN CARIOCA

No speed limitNAN HIRSCH

the.umbrella@terra.com.br

13

EWA PROCTER

A NOIVA DO CONDUTOR

Last month, after having written my Umbrella article on a musical with a large cast and a number of musicians (“Andança”), I decided to bring you quite a change – although remaining with musicals. “A Noiva do Condutor” is completely different: it’s a “pocket” show, where only three actors take part, plus the piano player in the three-man orchestra who has a very small role almost at the end of the performance.

The producers celebrate Noel Rosa. He is the author of this operetta, with its original theme and musical scores composed in partnership with Hungarian conductor Arnold Glückmann. Noel Rosa was born over a century ago (1910) and died very young in 1937. However, he lives in the Brazilian national memory due to his work, inspired by meetings and discussions with his distinguished friends in bars and corners of Vila Isabel, his birthplace in Rio de Janeiro.

Noel Rosa is known to this day as “O Poeta da Vila”, as Vila Isabel is that part of the city where he composed about three hundred different songs! Analyzing his very short life, one can see a lot of his poetry and bohemian behavior, something that was an important part of his personality; and together with his talent, it brought him the fame he still enjoys today!

The story of “A Noiva do Condutor” (The Bride of the Streetcar Conductor) has a very simple theme, ever so characteristic of the time it was written. It deals with the adventures and misadventures of a streetcar conductor who pretends to be

an important lawyer, in order to win the girl he is in love with, as well as to show himself to her family as somebody who has a good career – because they all are anxious to climb to a better social status in Rio de Janeiro. Joaquim, the conductor, goes through different phases, from joy to sadness, while trying to conquer his beloved Helena, against the wishes of her father. I quote William Cowper (1731-1800) when he says: “Absence from whom we love is worse than death, and frustrated hope severer than despair.”

But do not let this to put you off! This show is a very enjoyable one. It was staged for the first time in 1985, but this is an entirely new approach to the musical itself. Even if it was written eighty years ago, it maintains its basic criticism on morals and social values that were then, and are still today, stigmatized by money power, prejudice against work without status, differences between social classes, hypocrisy, etc. It is a work with historical value, because probably no other composer wrote so much about Rio de Janeiro as did Noel Rosa.

Because the original operetta was itself quite short, the producers included some other songs by Noel Rosa, chosen from among his most famous ones, songs that were never forgotten, and are still a very important part in the memory of Brazilian music. Those songs were included in a way that one would believe that they were part of the original play.

The cast of three (Marcelo Nogueira, Izabella Bicalho and Rodrigo Fagundes), together with musicians Roberto Bahal,

Andrey Cruz and Nilton Vilela, under the direction of Djalma Thürler and the musical direction of Glória Calvente, bring life to their parts, both in the acting and in the singing parts of the show.

The set by José Dias is a simple one, but includes a delightful curiosity: a small tram that, when the action requires, occasionally circulates on the stage. After all, the title character is a streetcar conductor! Costumes by Carol Lobato and lighting by Aurélio de Simoni, together with the movement direction by Duda Maia, add to the excellent atmosphere required by a pleasant and informal show.

“A NOIVA DO CONDUTOR” plays at the Centro Cultural Correios. Performances take place from Thursday to Sunday, at 7 pm. Tickets cost R$ 20 with a 50% (fifty percent) discount for students and senior citizens. The show is classified as for people over twelve years of age. It lasts for one hour and twenty minutes.

I am not sure whether you are familiar with this Cultural Centre. It is located at Rua Visconde de Itaboraí 20 in downtown Rio de Janeiro, near the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, and is quite an interesting place to visit. Their theatre presents mostly pocket musicals, dealing with Brazilian composers, although they have also presented some straight plays. It has a nice little bistro café with light refreshments and snacks, and a good art gallery. When I watched “A Noiva do Condutor” at a special “guests only” evening, I asked why the theatre program is published in both Portuguese and English; one of the producers of the musical told me that a large number of foreigners visit the gallery, and that the CCC is interested in enlarging this public for their other activities – theatre included, obviously! Unfortunately, there is very limited parking in the area, although there are plenty of taxis around when the performance finishes.

And now, to finish this column, I wish to tell you that “A Noiva do Condutor” is scheduled to run until the 13th of December, 2015. So, it seems that runs are now slowly getting longer than usual which is good news for those interested in seeing any of the plays!

(*) Ewa Procter is a writer and a theatre translator, and Vice-President of the

Instituto Cultural Chiquinha Gonzaga.

THEATRE

Phot

o: J

anee

rson

Pire

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14

By Alexander Corrie

The Ashaninka, who number 70,000 people, inhabit a vast area of the Amazon, from the state of Acre in Brazil to the eastern foothills of the Andes. The majority live in Peru, with the remainder in Bolivia and around 1,000 in Brazil. They’re related to the Incas, whose mountainous heartland was not far away, as the bird flies, in adjacent Cusco and Machu Picchu. Reports are that they fled downhill into the safety of the Amazon lowlands, when the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in the Cusco area in the mid-16th century. Although they adapted to the new environment and follow a way of life seen in other Amazon tribes, a few highland legacies remained with them, such as the weaving of clothing with geometric shapes.

What has this got to do with Rio?At the Museu do Índio in Botafogo, there’s an excellent exhibit on at the moment (and by all accounts it should stick around for a few more months) entitled “Ashaninka - O Poder da Beleza” (Ashaninka - The Power of Beauty). It’s located in the ground floor of the main building, and you enter a side door into a wonderfully air-conditioned and darkened room, with spotlights on diverse artefacts and photos. We visited on the hottest day in October since 1915 (according to the radio), when it hit 43ºc, so finding this fresh refuge was a welcome break from the oven-like streets of Botafogo. Make a note to yourself if looking for cool places to hang out in during the summer!

The Power of Beauty

In the first room, there are stunning black and white photos of the faces of tribesmen and women hanging from the ceiling. Each one has different markings, made with urucum, the natural red rye obtained from the seeds of the same-named tree. Kids seem to love it here- there were a couple running around in the dark on our visit. There are plenty of comfy stools dotted around the room. Colourful feathered crowns lining the walls will entrance the younger ones.

The central theme of the exhibit focuses on how the Ashaninka decorate themselves, through body paintings,

jewellery and clothing. But it goes deeper than simply beauty per se: it’s the “power of beauty” that matters. And for the Ashaninka, this power is related to the natural world around them.

For example, the smoking of home-grown tobacco strengthens the body, as, for them, the “owner” of tobacco is the onça (jaguar). The cachimbo (pipe) is carved with a pointed end. This represents the tail of a freshwater stingray- which has the power to penetrate the body to the point where the illness resides.

In another example, white cotton kitarenses (ponchos) are dyed red with the bark of the jopotaki tree and then striped with black mud which is protection against snakes (which “own” the black mud found in small igarapé streams).

The txoxiki sarioki are long necklaces made of black seeds, put together in several strands to resemble a snake. As the seeds rub against the skin, they start to shed their outer shell and lose their shine, just like a snake’s skin does. Then they start to regain their shine with further contact. For the wearer, it’s this long process and the attachment to the necklace that’s important. After all, the necklace is there to protect the user.

An Amazonian Tribe in Rio

Great Outdoors

Ashaninka clothing and adornments

Detail of a feathered crown

Ashaninka face paintings

15

Going deeper, the rituals involved in decoration and beauty form part of a couple of important Ashaninka beliefs: the search for immortality and the fragility of love.

In another little room, a video runs constantly, showing scenes from their way of life: the planting of crops, the gathering of honey, hunting and so on. Kids would also enjoy this.

The exhibit was based on work being carried out by researchers Peter Beysen and Sonja Ferson, with the support of UNESCO. It’s a small exhibit, put together in a very artistic and interesting way. There are a couple of other interesting exhibits to see at the Museu do Índio- the main one upstairs, which covers artwork by various tribes, and a small one across the courtyard about the Guaraní of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo states.

Environmentally-friendly Christmas Presents

Christmas is fast approaching, so after your visit you may want to pop into the little shop in the grounds, set inside a traditional mud and thatch hut. There’s all sorts of craftwork in there, hailing from different Brazilian tribes. Each purchase supports the particular artist and the items are made in a sustainable way from natural materials.

Info for visits:

<www.museudoindio.gov.br> Museu do Índio, Rua das Palmeiras 55, Botafogo Tues-Fri 9am-5:30pm; Sat-Sun 1pm-5pm; free entry

Rugby in Copacabana

Dear Michael,

I’d like to thank The Umbrella for helping us to advertise the Rugby Festival we ran on Copacabana beach. I think all readers of The Umbrella who came along will have enjoyed the live rugby provided by the young people on the beach, the atmosphere that only a kiosk can bring, and they may even have learned a few rugby skills from the excellent TryRugby coaches. I’m

only sorry to those fans of Scotland and England that the results in the Rugby World Cup didn’t go to plan. If only the Home Nations’ performances had matched the tournament organisation.

The festival provided us with the chance to showcase the fastest growing sport in Brazil to Rio residents. A sport that epitomises teamwork, as well as discipline, hard work and physicality.  I personally think it is a sport very well suited to Brazil and we’ll all see it in Deodoro

during the Olympic Games next year. As I said when I launched TryRugby in Rio earlier this year, I hope that Brazilians come to love rugby and they become a major global player.  But I hope too that Brazil doesn’t take rugby from us Brits in the way they took football – and become much better than we are!

With best wishes,

Jonathan Dunn HM Consul General

.Letter to the Editor

16

This drawing from 63 years ago captured some of the grandeur of the majestic, already mature trees on Praça da República. According to some reports, at this site 63 years earlier – on November 15, 1889 – Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca proclaimed Brazil a Republic.  At the time, this square was known as  Campo de Santana, since re-named Praça da República. 

Pencil drawing signed “Praça da República, Rio.  Kürz 528”

Peter Janos Kurz

The Monument to Winter is one of four statues centrally placed in Praça da República (1906) during the government of Rio’s Mayor Passos.  Known as “Four Seasons” the four marble monuments were a gift from France, with “Winter” and “Summer” the work of a well-known and much honored French sculptor, Paul Jean Baptiste Gasq (1860-1944). Gasq won a Grand Prix at the Paris Exposition Universelle (1900) and is also the creator of the architectural bronzes “Summer and Winter” sculpted for Whiteleys Department store in Bayswater (1911).  

Pencil drawing signed “Estátua do Inverno, Praça da República, Rio. Kürz János 5410”

In addition to the trees, a great variety of flora and fauna – from thousands of ants marching rapidly in long, disciplined formations, to cutias, bem-te-vis and beautiful borboletas – among the attractions of Praça da República are its many benches.  In this pencil drawing we may have an anonymous self-portrait of the artist sketching while sitting on one of the benches.

Pencil drawing signed “Praça da República, Rio. Kürz János Antal 549”

OLD RIO

17

Calendar

PSYCHOTHERAPYVIVIANE RICHARDSON

CliniCal PsyChologist. ExPEriEnCE with ExPatriatEd and cross-cultural issues.

lived many years overseas: canada, singapore, uK and usa. practice at Botafogo - rua voluntários da pária 190.

appointment By phone +55 (21) 99966.9494 or email vivianerichardson@gmail.com

NOVEMBER

01 Sunday: CCC Nationals - Itaguaí

01 US Daylight Saving Time ends

02 Mon: All Souls’ Day Holiday

06 Fri: RBL Poppy Ball, Copacabana Palace

7-8 Sat/Sun: CCC National Championships, Itaguaí

08 Sun: Remembrance Day Service, Christ Church

11 Wed: Veterans Day Churrasco with Consulate

12 Thu: AmSoc Happy Hour, Cobal Humaitá

14 Sat: TBS Botafogo site: International Fair

15 Sun: Republic Day Holiday

17 Tue: Japeri Fundraiser, Gávea Golf Club

20 Fri: Dia da Consciência Negra Holiday (Rio only)

21 Sat: 240th Marine Ball, Royal Tulip São Conrado

26 Thu: AmSoc Thanksgiving, JW Marriottt Hotel

27 Fri: CCC End of Year Party & Awards

DECEMBER

05 Sat: WDA Xmas Bazaar, Jubilee Hall

06 Sun: SCM Christmas Concert, Christ Church;

06 Chanukah begins sundown

12 Sat: BCS Christmas Lunch (Hall)

13 Sun: SCM Sing-along Messiah, Christ Church

18 Fri: TBS Last day of Term 2

24 Thu: Christmas Eve Holiday

25 Fri: Christmas Day Holiday

31 Thu: New Year’s Eve Holiday

Spread a little happiness!

Tell your friends about

The Umbrella! All they need to do

is go to bcsrio.org.br

and click their way into a good read.

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18

Thursday, November 26th7:30pm at JW Marriott HotelAv. Atlantica 2600, Copacabana

Traditional Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, ham, gravy, cranberry sauce, pumpkin and pecan pie and more...

For reservations and information, contact:events.amsoc@gmail.com

DINNER

The American Society