In Parque da Cidade, May 1st is the universal day of rest and leisure.
Whenever I’m in Brasília on that date, I make a point of walking in the Park, observing and recording scenes of friends and family gatherings along the entire route.
In Recife-PE, where I came here more than 30 years ago, September 7th was always the day that marked the end of the winter rains and declared the season of sun and heat open, with crowded beaches. Despite climate change, I believe the milestone will continue. Here in Brasília, that date is May 1st. Repeatedly, every year, the famous and long-awaited Labor Day marks the end of the rains in the Federal District and presents Brasilia residents with a beautiful day of sun, blue skies, and cool shade.
It is the beginning of a season that only exists on the local calendar: drought, the other season that divides the year in the central plateau.
On this first day of the month, which is still autumn in other ways, thousands of people go to Parque da Cidade, taking advantage of all the benefits of the beginning of the season, including the green grass and trees with leaves, to rest and have fun.
Paraphrasing the poet*
May 1st in the Park
in every tree
a shadow
And people, people, people.
* Nicolas Behr
Brasilia
In every block
a spring breaker
and a magazine stand
block, block, block
