Brazil Week

Here is my next project. The vision: establish a Brazil Week here at Vanderbilt. There was one 3 years ago, but it hasn't been repeated. For a school that calls itself the center of the Luso-Brazilian Studies universe, there could definitely be more activities going on to celebrate this.

Well, i'm excited....REALLY excited - perhaps enough for the whole school, hehe. And i'm also determined to see this happen. With the help of student organizations on campus and all the big shots that work over in Kirkland Hall (and some of their money to make all this possible), Semana do Brasil has the potential to be a smashing hit.

The idea is to have a designated week (hopefully in coordination with International Education Week in November) celebrating not only the richness of Brazilian culture, but also the ties that Vanderbilt has developed over the years with the country. Events include, but are not limited to: an opening reception in the Sarrat art gallery (which will be displaying Brazilian art or photography) catered by Rand - with Brazilian cuizine (the executive chef has already agreed to cater!), a display in the library, a couple of Brazilian films throughout the week, lectures, panel discussion, etc.

This is all still in the planning stages. Next week I have a meeting with Judith Pennywell, the director of International Student and Scholar Services, to discuss possible dates.

There are several faculty members with research interests in Brazil, the portuguese department is hitting off the ground, we bring 3-4 students from Brazil to study here each semester through the FIPSE-CAPES exchange program, not to mention the many Brazilian students pursuing graduate studies here at Vanderbilt in various departments, and opportunites for study abroad, especially for grad students interested in research and language immersion. It's time to emphasize the awesome resources our school has to offer by having a week where we recognize one of it's impressive feats: the creation of the first Center for Brazilian Studies (now known as the Center for Latin American and Iberian Studies) in the United States.

Check out the following articles that explore Vanderbilt's historical and current ties to Brazil.

minha inspiração:



(ainda to com saudades de voces!)

Stay tuned for more "Brazil Week" updates! I will be needing help with organization, planning, manpower for the actual events, funding, advertising, etc. So there are many ways you can get involved. I would like to see about starting a student organization focusing on Brazil - the primary goal of which will be to organize Brazil week each year. I want this to be an annual event that everyone looks forward to in the fall.

If you can't be directly involved, your verbal encouragement means just as much. please offer comments, questions, concerns, suggestions, etc. If you CAN be involved, let's talk! email me: leah.c.lewis@vanderbilt.edu and put "Brazil Week" in the subject.

até a próxima, meu povo!