Brazilian Festa Junina Celebrated in Beijing with Northern Hemisphere Characteristics and Customs
On June 21, 2025, the second Brazilian June Festival (Festa Junina) celebration was held at Beijing Langyuan Station. Open to Brazilian, Chinese and international audiences, the event attracted over 500 participants from various sectors to experience this most iconic Brazilian cultural festival. The event was organized by the Council of Brazilian Citizens in Beijing.
Festa Junina is a traditional Brazilian holiday rooted in ancient European summer solstice celebrations, later evolving through Christian traditions and incorporating characteristics of Brazilian rural culture. Today it has become a core symbol of Brazilian cultural identity, particularly marked by June bonfires, colorful flags, specialty foods, folk dances and games. This tradition was introduced to Brazil by Portuguese colonizers and gradually developed dishes and drinks incorporating local elements, as well as longstanding traditions like the Quadrilha dance.
This Beijing edition of the Festa Junina was adapted to the Northern Hemisphere climate and Beijing's local environment and seasons: traditional winter hot drinks were replaced by Brazil's classic summer cocktail Caipirinha. The event featured many elements of Brazilian rural culture, such as men wearing farmer's straw hats, women in ruffled floral dresses, forró music and traditional parent-child games.
Rafael, a member of the Council of Brazilian Citizens in Beijing, explained that the Festa Junina originated thousands of years ago in ancient European agricultural societies. People then noticed the influence of the seasons of the year in agriculture and started to pay attention to patters such as solstices and equinox to plan agricultural work along the year. During the solstices, people would make bonfire and dance around the fire to celebrate. Later, when Europe was converted to Christianism, the Church christianize this tradition, transforming the celebration of Summer Solstice in northern hemisphere in the celebration of Saint John's Day. In Portugal, people are especially devoted to three saints celebrated in June: St. Anthony (13th), St John (24) and St Peter (29), so this festival became a celebration along the whole month. After the Portuguese introduced this tradition in Brazil, this festival started to incorporate typical elements of the culture of Brazilian farmers, making this festival a celebration of the rural culture.
As a volunteer organization representing Brazilian Nationals under the jurisdiction of the Brazilian Embassy in China, the Council of Brazilian Citizens in Beijing organized this event to preserve Brazilian cultural identity overseas, build community ties for Brazilians in China, and showcase Brazilian rural traditions to Chinese and foreign guests through immersive experiences. Brazilian entrepreneurs participated to gain more market support. This year's event specially featured a Brazilian Business Display Wall promoting Beijing-based Brazilian professionals and businesses to strengthen commercial ecosystems and build community bridges.
The event also reflected the deepening cultural resonance between China and Brazil - elements like the Festa Junina colorful flags, straw hats and folk games find some echoes in Chinese temple fairs. This cultural harmony not only highlights the special affinity of the Festa Junina in China, but more importantly demonstrates the significance of China-Brazil people-to-people exchanges in bilateral relations.