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Second game in Porto Alegre offers end to end spectacle which brings people together and all leave happy and ready to « festejar ». 

That morning an orange wave invaded the city of Porto Alegre, more than twelve thousand Holland supporters were there, not only to cheer on their soccer team but also to defend the pride of their country. It was called « Orange Square ». After the roundup, a group of Brazilian dancers dressed in orange colours preceded the walk to Rio Grande Do Sul’s official World Cup stadium, Estadio Beira-Rio. More than 4 km. A distance that did not frighten any of the nationalities walking together that sunny morning. 

Nina Raynaud

19th June of 2014. That morning Porto Alegre woke up early. After a triumphal start to the World Cup, the Netherlands were about to play in the capital of Rio Grande Do Sul. In the build up to the match, Brazilians were dumbstrucks by the organization and fantastic behaviour of Oranje supporters. The Dutch met at 8am in front of the famous Public Market which gave sight to an a astonishing mingling between fishmongers, butchers,  … and soccer fans. While most of Brazilians  roused with a coffee or a chimãrro, the Dutch resolutely held glasses of beer in their hands. 

As the orange wave crossed the city some Brazilian associations decided to take advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate their causes to the media and the maximum of people. A few people were standing on the sidewalk holding placards denouncing sexual tourism and paedophilia. Only a couple of journalists stopped to document the protests. Further on, walkers discovered people from Rio Grande Do Sul wearing typical outfits and offering flyers inviting tourists to discover the gaúcho culture at the Acampemento Farroupilha. All this created an astonishing blend of cultures.

Orange Dawn

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