Recife

0:00:20 > 0:00:24The coastal metropolis that draws you to the north-east of Brazil.

0:00:28 > 0:00:32The Arena Pernambuco, as with many of the World Cup stadia,

0:00:32 > 0:00:36the wisdom of building such an expensive venue has been questioned.

0:00:39 > 0:00:41When Brazilians talk about Recife,

0:00:41 > 0:00:44they speak of its rivers and bridges.

0:00:45 > 0:00:48Everything here brims with colour.

0:00:49 > 0:00:51Beyond the conventional,

0:00:51 > 0:00:53this is a curious place.

0:00:55 > 0:00:59Some find it outrageous, others genius.

0:00:59 > 0:01:05These pieces of art have teased minds for over 60 years.

0:01:05 > 0:01:08The work of one of Recife's most creative sons.

0:01:12 > 0:01:16This warehouse and its grounds were once in ruins.

0:01:16 > 0:01:20It was moulded into a garden of the sensual and mythological

0:01:20 > 0:01:22by the sculptor Francisco Brennand.

0:01:29 > 0:01:31TRANSLATOR: This was the very spot

0:01:31 > 0:01:33where we fought the Dutch invaders.

0:01:33 > 0:01:36For Brazilians, it is like sacred land.

0:01:38 > 0:01:42In my work, I speak about the great enigma of reproduction.

0:01:42 > 0:01:45If we were able to comprehend it,

0:01:45 > 0:01:49we would be able to solve the very mystery of the universe.

0:01:54 > 0:01:56- TRANSLATOR:- You have to visit the beaches,

0:01:56 > 0:01:58but you shouldn't go over the coral reef.

0:01:58 > 0:02:00Otherwise, the sharks will get you.

0:02:02 > 0:02:06These aren't the safest waters, but people still have fun.

0:02:06 > 0:02:10On Boa Viagem, beach lovers combine Brazil's two most popular sports

0:02:10 > 0:02:12to give you "futevolei".

0:02:15 > 0:02:18In the land of football and volleyball champions,

0:02:18 > 0:02:20this evolution was inevitable.

0:02:25 > 0:02:29However, the TV shadow isn't shaped by sports but soap stars.

0:02:30 > 0:02:34"Telenovelas," as we call them, are a national obsession.

0:02:37 > 0:02:39TRANSLATOR: Why do people watch soap operas?

0:02:39 > 0:02:42Because they watch it and see themselves in the characters.

0:02:46 > 0:02:49Every Brazilian carnival has its own character.

0:02:52 > 0:02:54Seismic sounds of Recife

0:02:54 > 0:02:57have triggered hundreds of rhythms to dance to.

0:03:05 > 0:03:09Frevo dancers keep on their toes like ballerinas on hot coals.

0:03:14 > 0:03:17- TRANSLATOR:- There was prejudice against Frevo

0:03:17 > 0:03:19because it was invented by former black slaves

0:03:19 > 0:03:21celebrating their freedom.

0:03:21 > 0:03:24But now, it's a dance that brings all races together.

0:03:30 > 0:03:33Frevo is the soul of Recife's carnival.

0:03:33 > 0:03:36If there's no Frevo, there's no carnival.

0:03:46 > 0:03:50The innovative spirits of the people has allowed Recife to blossom.

0:03:56 > 0:03:59Despite life's setbacks, it has given Brazil

0:03:59 > 0:04:04some of its most influential artists, writers, and musicians.

0:04:06 > 0:04:09When you are here, you believe there is more to come.