Among the guests were MP Chris Elmore; Chris Bryant, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade; Ambassador Marco Antonio Nakata, Director of the Instituto Guimarães Rosa; Paul Thompson, Chair of the British Council; and senior representatives of Frieze, including Eva Langret and Leonie Mir. Their presence highlighted the significance of this year-long programme devoted to artistic exchange.

In his opening remarks, Brazil’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Antonio Patriota, presented the Season of Culture as a major moment in the history of UK–Brazil relations, offering an opportunity for audiences in both countries to engage with each other’s creative output. Ambassador Marco Antonio Nakata described the cultural year as an initiative designed to reflect the closeness of the two societies while showcasing the distinctiveness of their artistic traditions.

The reception featured a menu created by London-based chef Ixta Belfrage, inspired by her travels across northern and northeastern Brazil and Minas Gerais. She presented a contemporary interpretation of Brazilian cuisine for the occasion. Music was provided by SPF2000, the DJ duo formed by Rafa Perazza and Sergio Takahata, adding a modern Brazilian soundtrack to the evening.

A highlight of the launch was the presentation of Breeze, the annual programme promoting Brazilian contemporary art abroad. This year’s edition includes exhibitions, creative residences, public events and new publications. The Embassy also announced the Curator Travel Grant, a partnership between the Instituto Guimarães Rosa, the British Council and Frieze, which brought five Brazilian curators to London for an immersive programme during Frieze London & Frieze Masters. The selected curators — Amanda Bonan Gusmão Porto, Daniele Queiroz Santos, Fernanda Albuquerque, Guilherme Giufrida and Lorraine Mendes — followed a schedule of institutional visits, discussions and professional meetings across the city.

With more than 100 events planned in Brazil and the United Kingdom until June 2026, the UK/Brazil Season of Culture 2025–26 begins a wide-ranging programme that will showcase Brazilian and British creativity across multiple sectors. The launch reception in London set the tone for a year marked by artistic collaboration and public engagement.

• https://www.britishcouncil.org.br/en/events/season-launch-london
• https://www.frieze.com/article/breeze-curator-travel-grant-frieze-london-2025
• https://www.britishcouncil.org.br/en/programmes/arts/ukbrseason