The Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees project is an effort to preserve the Atlantic rainforest of Southern Bahia, including the forests around Trancoso

The Atlantic rainforest (Mata Atlantica in Portuguese) contains one of the highest concentrations of biodiversity on earth, with over 23 species of primates, 1,000 species of birds, 500 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 20,000 species of plants, many found nowhere else in the world

While the Atlantic rainforest has shrunk over 90% since Brazil’s discovery 500 years ago, there is hope for significant recovery with reforestation efforts such as these. At these low-altitudes reforestation is thought to be the single most cost-effective method of reducing global greenhouse gasses

UXUA is happy to contribute to the project and invites you to visit www.plantabillion.org and make a donation so you can be personally responsible for planting trees such as Guapuruvu, Capororoca, Ice Cream Bean, and Golden Trumpet, with every dollar contributed equaling the planting of one tree. The project’s goal is reforesting 4000 square kilometers of land with 1-billion new trees by 2015, a new growth with potential to remove 4 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year

Germany’s Gestalten is one of the world’s most respected publishers on architecture and design, and UXUA is proud to be featured in their beautiful new book Once In a Lifetime – Travel and Leisure Redifined

As described by Gestalten:

Once in a Lifetime presents tantalizing new possibilities for exploring and relaxing that redefine the idea of luxury travel.

Once In a Lifetime has 256 pages of stunning color photography and engaging texts (in English) by renowned international travel, design, and architecture journalist Marie Le Fort.

The book is available in hardcover 24 by 30 cm format, and is distributed in over 100-countries worldwide, or can be purchased directly from Gestalten at:

https://shop.gestalten.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/4625

UXUA sends warm thanks to the Gestalten team for including us

The short film was screened in Trancoso February 3rd during this year’s Sáo Brás celebrations. The film presents the vibrant music and traditions of the annual event and features contributions from some of the most esteemed members of Trancoso’s native community. Acclaimed Brazilian director Cisma shot the movie during the 2011 edition of the party during which UXUA creator Wilbert Das was honored as festeiro (honorary host) of the event

Wilbert and his co-festeiros Cabocla Barreto and Cássia Bandera had the traditional responsibilities of organizing food, entertainment, decoration and children’s games typical of the historic celebrations, and the film presents both a backstage view of the preparations and a colorful peak at the 24-hours of reveling which end with a dramatic procession through the Quadrado and the mounting of the newly-painted wooden pole dedicated to Sáo Brás in front of Trancoso’s simple, 16th century Catholic church overlooking the sea

Under the golden glow of the late afternoon sun, Trancoso natives dressed in traditional white costumes gather on the Quadrado and begin chanting along to the accompaniment of rhythmic drumming, soon forming a long procession which makes its way downhill to the beach

Upon reaching the sand the music continues, and gifts to Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea, are placed in small wooden boats and pushed out to the sea. It’s a unique and captivating atmosphere, and one which recalls strongly Bahia’s African roots and heritage

January 19 and 20 saw the Festa São Sebastião in Trancoso, and the annual ceremony and party included touching tributes to Dona da Glória, a cherished member of the local community (and much-loved neighbor of UXUA), who passed suddenly last August

The painted pole raised in front of the church (created by local artist Valquito Lima) includes the written tribute “all honor and all GLORIA forever” – the expression using the Portuguese word GLORIA functions as both a simple prayer and homage to Dona da Glória

Local artist Damiao Vieira painted the banner which flies atop the wooden pole of overlooking Trancoso’s Quadrado for the next year. The banner contains a written tribute to Dona da Glória, as well as a portrayal of Saint Sebastion leaning on a tree on Trancoso’s Quadrado directly in front of Dona da Glória’s white casa with its distinct pink doors. Clearly visible on the painting is the wooden table and chairs where Glória and her family have welcomed so many friends and visitors over the decades for afternoon chats and cups of strong coffee (once made from beans grown by Glória herself in her famed Quadrado garden – after which one of UXUA’s casas has been named)

Trancoso is famous for preserving its colonial traditions, as well as for the unique rituals and songs which have evolved over the centuries as part of its local festivals

The Terno De Reis (Festival Of The Three Kings) is popular especially among Trancoso’s children, as it includes costumes and music, popcorn and sweets, plus colorful theatrical performances held after sundown in front of the 16th century São João Batista church. Despite the small size of the celebration, its an enchanting spectacle and a wonderful family atmosphere

Anyone unfamiliar with the tradition of the Festa Do Boi (Festival of the Bull) might be surprised to see what appears to be a giant bull running through Trancoso’s Quadrado chased by (and chasing) children throughout the night of January 6. But this is local tradition, a much-loved one

And the bull (actually a young man in a wonderfully colorful, enormous bull costume) isn’t the only creature charging around the grassy Quadrado tonight, the children are most afraid to be caught by the mischievous jaguara (jaguar), who spends the evening hiding behind trees and bushes and leaping out to scare the unsuspecting

UXUA is lucky enough to be nominated and even to win a number of awards and acknowledgements each year. But we were especially pleased this week to learn that Condé Nast Johansens selected UXUA as its South American choice for the award of 2012 Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway. After all, who doesn’t like to be called romantic?

Some years ago one of Trancoso’s oldest residents, the 80-year-old Dona Frozinha, was asked by a visiting journalist if she was the oldest person in the village. “Oh no”, replied Frozinha with a smile, “there are no old people in Trancoso” 


Whether Dona Frozinha really considered herself young or was just being playful no-one can know, but her little house on the Quadrado, with its brightly painted walls, colorful pictures, and happy décor, certainly hinted at someone with a zest for life

Frozinha’s casa eventually was converted to a small jewelry shop in the years since she last lived there, but in 2011 UXUA restored the simple structure back to its original form and opened it December 23 as a new Quadrado entrance to the hotel

New guests must look carefully for the small casa with its two blue doors, as no signs indicate it, a fitting gesture in a town whose homes for over 500-years lacked street numbers or any identifying marks other than the bright colors their owners gave them

The first Music in Trancoso festival will be held from March 17 – 24, 2012, featuring international classical music virtuosos and Brazilian musicians performing at a spectacular, 790-seat, amphitheater nestled within Trancoso’s famous red cliffs overlooking the ocean.

The temporary amphitheater has been designed with an eco-focus by architect François Valentiny, with acoustics conceived by engineer Nicholas Edwards

The goal of the event is to encourage sustainable development through music and culture, and along-side the musical program will be held free workshops and master-classes offered to students of Trancoso’s schools

Performers include the Bahian Youth Orchestra conducted by Ricardo Castro, with international soloists such as:

Andreas Grünkorn, cello
German Symphony Orchestra, Berlin

Benoit Fromanger,flute
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

César Camargo Mariano, piano

Jonathan Williams, french horn
Chamber Orchestra of Europe / BBC Symphony Orchestra

Katia & Marielle Labèque, piano duo

Mônica Salmaso, vocal

Richard Galler, bassoon

Rudiger Liebermann, violin
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Sizão Machado, bass

Teco Cardoso, woodwinds

Ulisses Rocha, violin

Walter Küssner, viola
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Walter Seyfarth, clarinet
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

With the generous support of various sponsors, the entire program of Music in Trancoso is free to the public

Ticket information and a detailed concert schedule are available at:

www.musicaemtrancoso.org.br