UHV to host Brazilian cultural celebration
The University of Houston-Victoria will offer a free public event in early September to celebrate Brazilian Independence Day with food, performances and fun.
Celebrate Brazil will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 7 in the UHV University Commons Multi-Purpose Room, 3006 N. Ben Wilson St. The festivities will be a collaboration between UHV’s Student Life and International Programs offices, and the event is free and open to the public.
“UHV enjoys helping our students experience a variety of cultures,” said Freddie Cantu, interim director of Student Life. “This event will allow our students to experience elements of Brazilian culture in a fun and interactive way, and we hope the community will join us.”
The event was originally planned a few years ago, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the university to delay its plans. The event will also feature student and alumni involvement. The UHV Multicultural Advisory Council, a student organization that focuses on sharing and exploring different cultures, is collaborating on the event. Also, a UHV alumnus and Brazilian international student named Renato Lage will be bringing performers from his nonprofit group Samba USA to offer a demonstration during the event.
During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to sample Brazilian foods that will be prepared by Chartwells. There also will be drummers and dancers who will explain and demonstrate the samba and traditional instruments. Attendees also will receive free Brazilian flags.
“We are so excited that UHV is finally able to host the Celebrate Brazil event,” said Yvonne Garcia, UHV International Programs director. “We’re always glad to collaborate with other departments to share resources that enhance the quality of our events. Anything that helps our students and community members have the best cultural experience at UHV.”
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.