Nossa Senhora Aparecida Venceu o Dragão

Nossa Senhora Aparecida Venceu o Dragão

I

made this illustration of Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Our Lady Aparecida) between the First and Secod round of Elections here in Brazil.
I chose Our Lady Aparecida because it is associated with a Black Virgin, as it was found in a river, with the original clay very weathered and revered by the Black communities. Along her history it kept accumulating miracles until it was recognized as the Virgin Patron of Brazil. 

I love this icon, the Virgin, because it represents the union of religions and the syncretism that makes this country so particular. In this election many beloved principles were at stake and we faced many obstacles: the oligarchs, the dark cobweb of the powerful, the Political Apparatus, Trump, Meta and the big techs.

Finally, Lula won and my artistic spell worked. I have a profound admiration for this man, who came from a poor town in the Northeast of Brazil, worked in São Paulo in metallurgy from a tender age, lost a finger working and led the Workers movement during the Dictatorship and later became President four times. But the thing that I admire the most is his courage, facing prison under false accusations of corruption, He refuse the idea of escaping from Brazil and suffered 500 days of prison. But, as the Heroes do, he came back innocent and won the respect of the world again. He took out Brazil from the Hunger Map two times and now is leading the country to the 8th place between the biggest economies of the world. That is why the Spring he caused here is going to be hard to replicate in other countries, that must look out for new ways to get their precious Freedom. Lula represents for me Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, but with the Brazilian flag colours.  

 
So, this past Sunday the country won and we rested one day. The next day the losing opponent of Lula,  'He Who Must Not Be Named,' escaped the hands of Justice to live in the USA, were he will join all the money he sent there, fruit of the Money Laundering & the Corruption. 

But, don't worry. The people here is hopeful and happy, as every Brazilian usually is. 

And after a long time, I felt part of this beautiful country plenty of contradictions and beautiful people.

I went to the demonstrations and I felt the Carnaval energy transformed into something different.

Something spiritual and communal, and encouraging, 

I cried a lot watching the elderly going to vote and shaken watching the leaders crying after a long battle. And I felt the triumph as mine. And I felt myself big and hopeful too, because for one day everything was perfect and the Democracy went unstoppable and beautiful. Many countries felt hopeful watching Brazil winning the battle against Fascism. Now the future is uncertain, but the Left here is united again and the people is on the streets, smiling, feeling this Victory energy running their skin again.

Never desist. Never surrender. Kill the dragons.
As the Brazilian people do.