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12 October 2015Copyright

AIPPI 2015: Samba, drums and a ‘land of opportunity’

Golden beaches, flamboyant samba dancing and the bang of carnival drums are some of the most recognised symbols of Brazil, so it was fitting that the 2015 AIPPI World Congress in Rio de Janeiro opened its doors to the world with a celebration combining all three and more.

Around 1,600 delegates packed into the Windsor Barra Hotel’s Alhambra Hall to officially open this year’s meeting on Sunday, October 11. The International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) is  hosting the meeting until October 14.

In what are exciting times for Rio, with the football World Cup final being held in the iconic Maracanã Stadium last year and the Olympic Games following in 2016, delegates were first asked to stand to observe the Brazilian national anthem.

The anthem, played by Brazilian youth orchestra Camerata Laranjeiras, was perfectly observed and even sung by a select few, though the passionate acapella second verse, made famous by Brazilian football fans during the World Cup, was sadly lacking!

The orchestra, made up of youths from various backgrounds, some disadvantaged, went on to play more musical numbers, all of which were warmly received by attendees.

Commenting on the “fantastic” orchestra, Luiz Henrique Amaral, chair of the organising committee for the Rio meeting, told delegates that Brazil is a huge territory with many different races, religions and people, but that there is still “work to do” to end disparity.

Elisabeth Kasznar Fekete, president of AIPPI Brazil, was next to the stage to give a welcoming address and speak of the opportunities Brazil’s “new market” can offer to intellectual property owners.

“Brazil is a huge market with business opportunities in many areas, including health, energy, technology and construction,” she said.

“There is an ever-growing consumer market,” she went on, saying that Brazil, the ninth largest economy and fourth largest democracy in the world, is becoming a land of opportunity.

Explaining that 86 million Brazilians have access to the internet, she said: “Technological  products are continuous and able to transition to new business models. Thinking newly and creatively drives knowledge and success.”

“Rio welcomes you with open arms,” she added.

With the speaking over it was then a chance for local Brazilian dance troupes and musicians to show off their talents.

Samba dancers, a beach-themed performance, and drummers took it in turns to entertain the audience on stage ahead of a rowdy but impressive performance of capoeira, a Brazilian cultural expression that mixes martial arts with dance.

After the opening ceremony delegates headed upstairs for some much-needed refreshments and a chance to look ahead to the next three days.

The 2015 AIPPI World Congress runs from October 10 to 14 at the Windsor Barra Hotel and Congressos in Rio.

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