On Tuesday, the Board of Directors of the União da Ilha do Governador and President Nai Velarde received at Cidade do Samba, Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport of the United Kingdom.
The Minister is in Brazil to promote Olympic sport and the cultural significance of the London 2012 Games, taking advantage of his time in the city to learn about the association’s plan: “From London to Rio: Once upon a time… an island”. The United Kingdom and the London Olympic Games.
Alex de Souza, a carnival worker from União da Ilha, spoke to the minister and handed over a notebook containing detailed information about the plot and synopsis as well as the official logo.
The meeting, held in the Cidade do Samba concert tent, included a performance by Mestre Requinho drummers, interpreter Eto’o Melodia, the main room, the flag-bearing couple and a parade for passersby. Jeremy Hunt was accompanied by a delegation made up of the Deputy Communications Coordinator at the British Embassy in Brasilia, Nery Accioli, the British Consul Paula Walsh and other British politicians. Also present were the Minister of Culture of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Adriana Ratis, the Board of Directors of the Embaixadores da Alegria Samba School (Paul Davies, Caio Leitão and Hélder Jardim) and the directors of Lesa.
Future meetings between Hunt and the association are scheduled.
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