Summary of article in Billed Bladet #37, 2010.
Parløb i Brasilien - Working as a couple in Brazil.
Written by Henrik Salling.
First a little back ground info, which you can skip:
As Brazil is emerging more and more as a stable and ever growing economy and political factor in the world, not least in dominating South America, Danish commerce is naturally very interested in getting an even more solid foothold in Brazil.
The trade balance between DK and Brazil is about level and roughly a little less that 1% of the Danish GNP, so Danish commerce is interested in increasing that figure, just as Brazil is interested in implementing high tech solutions for a huge number of problems.
Brazil mainly export agricultural goods to DK, while DK export know how in regards to recycling, alternative energy and as Brazil is about to expand their off shore oil drilling, also an area where Denmark, which is so far self sufficient with energy has some something to offer.
As Denmark directly or indiractly control about 10 % of the world's merchant shipping this is a thing where both parts hope for an increased coorporation as well. In short, there are plenty of opportunities and this is where a genuine Prince, and his charming wife can help open doors.
It certainly does not harm that Joachim is articulate and is a competent businessman himself!
And now for the article:
It all started with an evening event at the Scandinavian Church in Sao Paulo. Here around 300 Danes had shown up for the welcoming reception to see Joachim and perhaps more so our Marie. 60 local scouts constituted the charming honor guard.
It's the first time the fair Marie is in Brazil: "I'm very proud of representing my country and we have both looked forward to go to Brazil.
I haven't been here before but Sao Paulo reminds me a bit of New York. Here is a good energy and the Brazilians seem incredibly sweet.
Prince Joachim was however here in 1991 but I don't think he recalls much of that", laughed the Marie while holding her Joachim's hand.
People were flocking around Marie and when a heavily pregnant woman showed up Marie burst out: "What a big belly. How far are you"? Only a month remaining.
At some point a choir suddenly started singing (*) and la Marie leaned her head against Joachim's shoulder while they listened. Ahh.
J&M are staying at a hotel during their visit in Sao Paulo.
Now, few are in doubt that Princess Marie is a woman, and a pretty feminine one of the sort. Her shopping genes are also alive and well. She was observed leaving the Danish consulat going for a little spontanous shopping trip to the local shops. Escorted by what looks to me to be a PET officer, rather than a Brazilian agent. I believe I've recognized at least two PET officers on this trip.
Monday, time to go to work. While Joachim was occupied with business-something, the press flocked in the heels of Marie.
Marie visited the Dorina Nowilles Foundation for blind. Alas, the founder, the charismatic 90 years old Dorina Nowilles died ten days prior to the visit. Marie is patron for UNICEF and interested in schooling and education, this foundation or institute produce more than 1.000 books and sound books for blind. On occassion of her visit they had also made chocolate balls, which Marie naturally had to sample.
Lego bricks are also used at this instutute (DUPLO) as they are used to stimulate blind children. Blind children are just as eager to build shapes they have felt as seeing children are at building things they have seen.
But it was a blind seven year old boy, who on top of that has a weak spine, who stole Marie's heart. Yago da Silva displayed his abillities with a football as well as jumping on a trampoline.
"We have a trampolie like that at home as well", she said before kissing Yago on his cheek.
Q: Have you yourself become good at playing with the coloured bricks?
Marie: "Together with my son I play a lot with Lego (DUPLO) and I think I've become pretty good at it. But that's how it is when you have a little boy".
Then it was off to Liga Solidaria. A place in a poor neighborhood where children can stay and learn things. It was founded by a leading Brazilian soccer player, Rai Souza Viera de Oliveira. They were handed Lego bricks as well and there is a very charming picture in the article, where Marie is handing a boy a large boc of Lego and it's pretty clear that the boy has forgotten all about Marie. Princess? What Princess?
Joachim stated: "I've been looking forward to show Brazil to my wife". (**)
(*) Now, I know that male choirs roam the countryside in Russia and Wales, stalking unsuspecting travellers, but I didn't know that is the case in Brazil as well.
(**) Joachim is naturally and in this context very appropriatly using the formal word for wife.
Informal word for wife = kone.
Formal word for wife = hustru.
