COVER N. 337- BRASIL

Postmark: AC Central SE / SPM 09.10.2023

Posted on the  9th October; received on the 25th October 2023

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I am always especially happy when I receive covers that speak my own language. The more so if posted with interesting stamps. O meu muito Obrigado, caro Luis!

- Forró is a lively popular music genre characteristic of the Northeast of Brazil. It became popular in the 50s of last century in the voice of its main ambassador, singer and composer Luiz Gonzaga (1912-1989). A quaternary rhythm based genre, it was originally centred in the use of the accordion for the melody while triangle and zambumba (a type of drum) provided rhythmic support.

Highly danceable, the genre has evolved through the times so as to accommodate different types of instruments but always maintaining its rhythmic characteristics.

Forró has been declared immaterial cultural heritage of Brazil. Acknowledging its importance within the vast framework of Brazil's popular music, Brazil Post issued on 13DEC2022 (December 13 being the date of birth of Luiz Gonzaga) the 6.5 Reais stamp on the right top corner of the cover. On it, three musicians with the three above mentioned instruments play a forró for the pleasure of couples dancing, in a forró party.

The 3.10 reais stamp in the middle is part of the Brazilian mercosul emission of 2018, which comprised two stamps: the one on the cover, issued on 23NOV2018 and another one also dedicated to Brazilian Museums, issued on 04DEC2018.

Being dedicated to the Bahia Arte Museum, the stamp is illustrated with a reproduction of the painting "A República" (The Republic) by Manoel Lopes Rodrigues (1859-1917) who was born in the city of Salvador, also in the Bahia State.

The small 0.2 Real stamp on the upper left corner is part of the definitive series issued between 2005 and 2011, dedicated to Professions. This particular stamp, dedicated to  shoemaker, integrated the first set of three stamps, issued on 30DEC2005.

The postmark is very neat and clear but I know not what the initials therei stand for.