Last night the ICBIE held its big annual Roman bash, gathering its friends together to salute Pietro and Marlene with a sumptuous Brazilian churrasco. It was a beautiful evening and a big crowd turned out, completely filling “La Villetta” in Garbatella, which proved to be an ideal venue, with its big garden, a bar, a large barbecue and an exposition hall. At the entrance, Marlene had a table full of beautiful handicrafts made by Mestre Pedro’s kids, and it’s great to know that while our Roman friends enjoy their acquisitions, some badly needed hard cash will help the people of the Alagados and Uruguai. Under a magnificent Roman pine tree, Julio did a live painting, and ended up painting a couple of motorcycle helmets for our friends. Inside the hall, Monica Bernardi’s beautiful photo exhibit competed with showings of the latest ICBIE documentaries, offering parallel views of life in the peripheries of Rome and Salvador. But the main attraction was the food and drink: Loona’s caipirinhas and the churrasco sold out completely, and by the end of the evening, the beer and wine was down to the last drops. It was wonderful to see all the old friends, who, year after year, make the ICBIE gatherings so special.
