By Ruane Santos and Laís Dornelas
The landscape of Brasília, in the Federal District, has already begun to change for the September 7th celebrations, which this year have the slogan “Democracy, Sovereignty and Union”. Before the Independence Day parade, Brasilians and tourists in the federal capital will be able to enjoy an extensive program starting next Friday (1). The celebrations are organized by the Secretariat for Social Communication of the Presidency of the Republic (Secom), with the support of the Ministry of Defence and the Office of Institutional Security of the Presidency of the Republic (GSI-PR).
From September 1 to 3, the “Independence Exhibition” will take place in the Ana Lídia parking lot, inside the City Park. The space will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an exhibition of military equipment such as boats, combat cars, weapons and aircraft, at the stands of the Armed Forces. Visitors will also be able to watch performances by military bands and interact in recreational and educational workshops.
On Sunday (3), at Praça dos Três Poderes, the traditional exchange of the National Pavilion will take place at 10am, with a parade of the Guard of Honor and a performance by the Marine Corps Martial Band.
The highlight of Homeland Week is the civic-military, land and air parade on September 7, starting at 9am, on the Esplanade of Ministries, with the participation of around 2,250 military personnel from the Navy, Army and Air Force. According to Secom, 30,000 people are expected to attend the event. The Smoke Squadron will close the event with an open-air demonstration.
After the September 7 parade, the public on the Esplanade of Ministries will be able to see an unprecedented attraction, the Multimedia Exhibition. There will be a display of military equipment and interactive screens to show the public the strategic activities and programs developed by the Armed Forces. The Multimedia Exhibition runs until September 10, from 9am to 5pm.
PHOTOS: Hamilton Garcia Archive