Joinville

I absolutely LOVE this city :)

A little about Joinville history:

Most of today’s Joinville territory came from the lands that François Ferdinand Philipe, Prince of Joinville and son of King Louis Philipe of France received as a gift for his marriage in 1843 with Princess Francisca Carolina of Portugal, the sister of D. Pedro II, King of Brazil.

So, when the first immigrants arrived on March 9th, 1851, from Germany, Switzerland and Norway, on board the Colon flatboat, the new city was founded, named ‘Colônia Dona Francisca’ (Lady Francisca’s Colony)

In 1852, the colony was named Joinville in honor of Prince François, who gave the immigrants part of his lands. This is the historical reason why Joinville is also called the City of the Princes, something that gives it some kind of nobless.

With a past of cultural values and keeping the signs of this origins, the city growed to its 500,000 current population and has the biggest industry pool in Santa Catarina state and one of the most important industrial areas in Brazil. Besides, the city is still welcoming and keeps its typical German-styled houses, parks and flowers.

A cultural center of major importance in the national scenery, Joinville makes presence in arts, dancing and its museums have a set of many valious items.

The hard work and traditions that came from the immigrants keep building up the City of Flowers.

Artistic and Cultural Attractions

Joinville Museum of Arts (“Museu de Arte de Joinville”) – besides the collection pieces, it promotes temporary exhibitions of local, state and national artists.

Open 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Tuesday to Friday

(11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays and Hollidays).

Belvedere-Tower over the 250 meters of Boa Vista hill. Panoramic view of Joinville, Babitonga Bay and São Francisco do Sul city.

City Public Market – German-style building.

Open 7:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday to Friday / 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM Saturday.

Festivities

The European immigrants who founded Joinville brought along the tradition of festivities and the custom for the typical parties, dancing and food.

This practice passed through the generations and is still alive, thought magnificent festivals that are part of the official city callendar, like: Tirovillefest – the annual shooting traditions’ party join many competitors and likers of such a millenary tradition.

International Dancing Festival – in July, the city becomes a huge stage to receive dancers and ballet groups for one of the biggest dancing shows in the world. The Joinville Dance Festival is the biggest competition for dance students in Latin America , as well as for professional and amateur dancers. Held annually in the second half of July, the event attracts around 4 thousand participants and a public of around 50 thousand people, who come to watch the spectacle at the Centreventos Cau Hansen. During the 11 nights of the Festival, invited companies and competing groups enrolled in the seven classes:

Classical Repertoire Ballet

Classical Ballet

Contemporary Dance

Jazz

Street Dance

Popular Dances

Tap Dancing

subdivided into three categories: junior, senior and advanced – expectantly make their stage entrance at the Centreventos Cau Hansen.

Several events are conducted during the Festival, such as the Half Point Festival, for children aged from 10 to 12 years, the Contemporary Dance Exhibition, for professional companies, and Alternative Stage presentations, held on specially erected stages in squares, malls and companies, in addition to a comprehensive program of Courses, Lectures and Workshops. The event is promoted by the Joinville Dance Festival Institute and maintained through sponsorship, enrollments and proceeds from the box office