The arrival of the new season, Spring, was celebrated in Holambra with a traditional and celebrative party. Holambra, is a small town near Sao Paulo, with Dutch colonization and the largest center of cultivation and commercialization of flowers and ornamental plants in the country. To celebrate, they had the 34th edition of an event known as ExpoFlora. With Dutch costumes and typical culinary, the attraction was also decorated with flowers and plants.
Hundreds of visitors went to the event during one month, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Through a view of admiration, happiness and fascination every detail was observed. Happiness was part of the visit all day long – the tiredness and the hot weather were forgotten and people enjoy the unique experience.
Decoration
In a big area dedicated to the event, the visitors felt as traveling to another country, being in contact with the culture and nature. The decoration of the space was formed by Dutch and spring characteristic symbols. Restaurants constructions followed the Dutch styl, built with colorful bricks.
The call box had the shape of roses and famous Dutch clogs. There was a bigger clog that was a stop from a photo. People sat inside de clog e took a souvenir photo. Those shoes are a tradition for many years. Instead of what people imagine, they are weightless, that is because woods like poplar (Populus) or willow are used on their manufacture. They could be seen all over the area. One tree caught the attention because the ancestors clogs hung from the branches, similar to ornaments in a Christmas tree.
An enormous panel had Dutch windmills, known for drain water from lowlands back to the rivers beyond the dikes, so that the land could be cultivated, that was another stop for one more photo! In the middle of a beautiful garden, a miniature windmill and the panel as background makes it look like the real Netherland.
Attractions
Many attractions won the attention of the public. Teenagers, part from a band and a dance group, dressed in clothes from the Dutch region of Volendam, shine on a stage reserved for them.
The teenagers from the dance group have been practicing the folkloric dances since they were 10 years old. The classes start on February and go until August, one month before the party. Every new group gets its name from a flower. They are really involved with the dance, and it is not only their body that dance, but their soul too. The sound that comes from the beat of the clogs and the Dutch expressions they scream while dancing impresses spectators.
On this year, the band Fanfarra Amigos de Holambra stayed in Holland for 12 days. The presentation was called for the natives Samba sob Tamancos, because of the group differential, teenagers dressed in Dutch clothes play Brazilian music, like Acorda Maria Bonita and samba. Visitors of ExpoFlora were thrilled by the presentation.
Attractions using flowers could not be absent. A beautiful and creative exposition shows how it is possible to decorate the home spaces with flowers. The backyard, the kitchen, the living room were rebuilt in a real way including flowers arrangements. People were inspired to make it at home and change habits, being in contact with nature at home, something very DIY.
HOLANDA 4
The most expected moment was the flower parade, inspired on a Disney parade, and the rain of petals. 18 thousand flowers were used for the petals rain; the ones who catched a petal on the air have could make a wish and possibly have it come true. The parade was formed by cars caring flower ornaments follower by the children and teenagers from the band and the dance group.
Food
One of the aspects that can describe a country is their culinary. Definitely, it could not be missed in this gorgeous party. Dishes like Eisbein, roast pork knee that is immersed in hot oil, Dutch sausage, Sauerkraut, with a sour taste, Stampott typical mashed potatoes, with an orange coloration, were part of the menu.
The most known dessert is the Dutch pie. This sweet attracts attention not just for the fame, but for the beauty and the taste.
Souvenirs
As well as in travels, everyone brings souvenirs from A visited country as an endless memory. So the souvenirs could not be forgotten! They vary from magnet with clog shaped and clogs in the real size.
The miniatures made of porcelain were more sophisticated: Dutch houses, clogs, windmills, a lovely Dutch couple kissing are some of the gifts that enchant. Portraits, mugs, pens, T-shirts, boots stamped with tulip and the wood clogs in real size are other options that made the visitors spend a long time deciding what to take.
It is impossible to celebrate the spring arrival without taking a flower home! The flower mall is an enormous space dedicated to the exposition of a huge variety of species. Over the long corridors, they are available to be bought and taken home, bringing color and a light atmosphere.