Post Office Santa Claus - Papai Noel dos Correios

Held since 20 years, the  Post Office Santa Claus is one of the biggest social campaigns of Christmas in Brazil. The main concern is to respond to the senders of the cards addressed to Santa Claus and promote the mobilization of the society for the dream of Brazilian children. The spread  of christmas values such as love of neighbor, solidarity and happiness is the main benefit gained through the work of more than 108 000 employees and the solidarity of the Brazilian society. The campaign is aligned with one of the Millennium Goals set by the United Nations (UN), called "Quality basic education for all." The campaign will aim to respond to letters of socially vulnerable children  who write to Santa Claus and also to stimulate the writing of handwritten letters.
Be part of this action. Enter the site of Brazilian Post Offices and see which is the nearest office that takes part to the initiative, choose one or more letters and buy the presents to make children happy. If you want you can also be a volunteer and read the letters that the children are sending to Santa Claus.

Mercato Fashion finally in Sao Paulo

From 9 to 24 December the city of Sao Paulo gets the Mercato Fashion, an itinerant bazaar that already passed through Campinas and Rio de Janeiro bringing some of the best national brands with discounts ranging from 50% to 70%. It will be in Sao Paulo from today until December 24.
Here the main brands and designers: Ale Chueire, Alessa, Beach Couture, Carlos Tufvesson, Carlota Joakina, Filhas de Gaia, GIG, Glória Coelho, Hava, Jefferson Kulig, JJ of Juliana Jabour, Maale, Missinclof, Nem, Neon and Thelure.

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Where: Alameda Lorena, 1579 –  São Paulo 
When: From Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm. Day 24/12 open till 2 pm 

Odissi: Indian traditional dance

Odissi is a templar dance that was created in the Sun Temple, Konark region, easter India, in the mid-second century BC. There, in the Sun temple, all the basic movements of dance are carved. The style is characterized by the harmony of opposites and the fluidity of movement. The program consists of a traditional repertoire of Odissi.

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Where: CCSP, rua Vergueiro 1000 - Sao Paulo
When: December 9, at 9 pm
How much: For free (324 seats)

Circus Festival for free!

Between December 8 and 12, the Vale do Anhangabaú and surrounding will host circus activities  in honor of the National Day of the Clown (December 10). The party will show both Brazilians and Latin Americans artists to exhibit in a canvas built in front of the Post Office building, besides that many street activities will happen in the streets.

The Argentine Chacovachi makes his second appearance in Sao Paulo, this time bringing the show "Cuidado!! Un payaso malo, puede arruinar tu vida "(Beware, a bad clown can ruin your life). The performance will be presented on the10th, at 4.30 pm and on the11th at 1 pm. With a 24-year career is one of the most traditional street clowns from Argentina and worked for 16 years from plaza França in Buenos Aires.

Here is the Full Program!

At the opening on December 8, at 8 pm, a performance of the group Acrobat Fratelli happens on the buildings in the Vale. The next day, at 1 pm, is programmed the interactive spectacle "La mutante variété " of the Uruguayan Pambazos Bros. From Chile, El Kote group brings the show "Aquí el único animal soy Yo" (Here I am the only animal). The soil, which will be presented Dec. 10, at 15h, gathers technical juggling and improvisation.

Today is Avenida Paulista 119th birthday

 Picture: Werther Santana

Inaugurated on December 8, 1891, the Avenida Paulista was an initiative of the engineer Joaquim Eugenio de Lima, to respond to the demand of the residential center of Sao Paulo. In 119 years, the street followed the changes that transformed the city into one of the largest and most important of the world, always being at the forefront of these changes.

Today the Avenida Paulista is the main postcard from Sao Paulo, housing hundreds of shopping centers, theaters, bars, restaurants and universities. Daily, including weekends, officers, young and old people walk on its sidewalk.

 Picture: L.C. Leite

Viaduto do Chá is an interesting place in the city centre

The Viaduto do Chá is a famous bridge located in Vale do Anhangabaú, downtown in São Paulo. It was inaugurated in 1892 and was also the first bridge built in the city.

The name's origin is controversial. Some say it refers to the traveling salesmen who sold tea in the region before the bridge was completed but others argue that the name refers to the tea plantations of the farms of Baron Tatuí. Whatever the case may be, there is no tea to be found on the modern bridge.

Stay alert with your wallet and/or purse. The area is very crowded and known for pickpockets.

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Where: Viaduto do Chá

There is a square in Sao Paulo where is possible to find a replica of 14 bis airplane

Inaugurated in 1974, this bronze statue is an exact replica of the 14-Bis airplane created by Santos Dumont. Sculptor Luiz Morrone created this three ton piece in honor of the centenary of the birth of the man known as the "Father of Aviation" in Brazil.

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Where: Praça Campo de Bagatelle

Introducing: Oca at Parque do Ibirapuera

Designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1951, the Pavilhão Lucas Nogueira Garcez, popularly known as "Oca" (it means house in the indian language), is an exhibition site located inside Ibirapuera Park.

Designed to be part of the original architectural Ibirapuera Park, it was built to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the City in 1954.

Recently this building has been used to host high profile exhibitions such as the paintings of Picasso and the Warriors of Xi'an (Chinese terracotta sculptures).

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Where: Parque do Ibirapuera
How much: It's up to the event