Ethnic São Paulo – Convention
São Paulo, Brazil, is a bustling multicultural metropolis of 20 million people. It’s home to the largest Lebanese population outside Lebanon and the largest Japanese population outside Japan. The city’s biggest ethnic group is Italian, numbering more than six million people. While you’re in São Paulo for the 2015 Rotary convention, 6–9 June, get to know some of the city’s diverse neighbourhoods:
Liberdade Stop by the Museum of Japanese Immigration to find out why São Paul has such a large Japanese population — then eat at one of the many inviting sushi restaurants in the district.
Bela Vista A former Italian settlement, this area is home to some of the best theatres, bakeries and restaurants in the city.
Vila Madalena and Pinheiros Samba, shop and snack in São Paulo’s two bohemian neighbourhoods, home to myriad clubs and performance spaces.
Bom Retiro In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this area flourished as a garment district populated by Jewish immigrants. Today it’s home to a growing Korean population.
Brás Italians, Greeks and Armenians initially made up most of this neighbourhood. Now many Bolivian and Korean immigrants call it home.
Register for the 2015 RI Convention in São Paulo by March 31, for a reduced rate. Go to www.riconvention.org.
