YEREVAN. – Brazil’s Ambassador to Armenia Edson Marinho Duarte Monteiro wishes Armenian people health, peace, prosperity and love.

In an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am, the diplomat told how he celebrated Christmas in his childhood together with his family and many presents.

“My mother was a protestant and she was preparing a special dinner and presents. My mom cooked nice dishes with chicken, pastas and potatoes. After dinner my mother went to the church for the mass, I also went with her when I was small. And, of course there were gifts. In our little town one of the families had a good tradition. They bought a lot of gifts and invited others who could not afford it. My mother always cooked a traditional dish called rabanada – sweet toasts with cinnamon. Christmas is a time for families to get together. We traveled to my grandmother where my cousins gathered,” he said.

The diplomat noted that there is Brazilian Santa Clause who is called Papai Noel. In the cities people dress like Papai Noel and congratulate people on the streets, some stay in the shopping centers waiting for the children.

As to the New Year, Brazilians mark Reveyon. Shortly before midnight all the people, dressed in white, gather in beaches, in Rio de Janeiro it is famous Copacabana Beach. At midnight, everybody gets into the sea and offer the flowers and the food to Yemanjah, which is the god of the seas. After midnight many people go to the clubs where they are dancing till morning.