Carlinhos Brown, the messenger from Bahia

Formally appointed as Ambassador of Tourism in Brazil through Embratur (Brazilian Agency for the International Promotion of Tourism), singer, composer and instrumentalist Carlinhos Brown, who turned 61 last Thursday (23), was chosen for his international career. He will represent the country in publicity activities abroad. The Brazilian Tourism Ambassadors program was created in 1987. The initiative establishes that the personalities chosen to represent Brazil must have “the country’s cultural and natural diversity, environmental sustainability, respect for fauna, flora, forests, life and democracy, confronting discrimination”, and must “collaborate in the construction of Brazil’s positive image”. The choice was quite right. After all, Cacique, with his music and his social work with the Candeal community, meets all the requirements to show how culturally rich this country is, the result of the mixture of indigenous, African and European peoples who meet here, each with their traditions. But, even before being appointed Ambassador, Carlinhos Brown has already been doing this work for a long time. I can witness the various international events in which he enchanted people from different countries, leaving a trail of joy and admiration for the greatness of our music. Perhaps one of Brazil’s most important export products. At Lavage de La Madeleine in Paris, of which he is now a collaborator, Brown has participated several times. In the 10th edition, he sang with the band Maniçoba Hype, by Robertinho Chaves (creator of Lavagem). More than 10 thousand people attended the event, inspired by two major events in Bahia: the washing of the stairs of the Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, in Salvador, and the washing of the stairs of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Purificação, in Santo Amaro, city by Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia. He now returned in 2023 and once again drew an even bigger crowd, including a special electric trio that he took to a celebration in London and later in the French capital. “Being part of Lavagem de la Madeleine brings me a lot of joy and emotion. Thousands of people gathered, French, Brazilians, citizens of all nationalities, together in the same tune, in this celebration that is the largest and most important Afro-Brazilian tradition in Europe I just have to thank Robertinho Chaves for allowing me to join the event in Paris, parading with my electric trio. I feel energized!”, commented the chief. I also had the opportunity to attend the Lavagem da Rua 46, in New York, organized by Silvana Magda from Bahia in 2009. The following year, in 2010, Carlinhos Brown was invited to participate in Brazilian Day and that same year he met with Margareth Menezes who was doing Lavagem and participated in singing the National Anthem. Going back in time, in 2008, Rock in Rio Madrid brought together Ivete Sangalo and Carlinhos Brown who set the Spanish capital on fire. On this occasion, Cacique do Candeal arrived with mega star status. After all, in 2003, he attracted more than 300 thousand people and became an idol. Always returning to tours in Europe, mainly in Spain, in cities like Seville, Valencia, among others. More recently, in October, he participated at Carnegie Hall, in New York, alongside Seu Jorge, Alaíde Costa, Roberto Menescal and Tom Jobim’s grandson, Daniel Jobim, in a show commemorating the 60th anniversary of the launch of Bossa Nova in the USA. This content is part of the Afro Fashion Day project, which highlights black entrepreneurship. Afro Fashion Day is a project by the newspaper Correio with sponsorship from Vult, Bracell and will Bank, support from Shopping Barra, Salvador Bahia Airport, Wilson Sons and Atacadão, institutional support from Sebrae and Salvador City Hall and a partnership with Clube Melissa.