After a tumultuous presidential election, residents of Minas Gerais, one of Brazil’s most politically divided states, share thoughts on whether the nation can unite going forward.
On Oct. 30, in a contentious presidential runoff, Brazilians elected prominent leftist and former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva over its right-wing current President Jair Bolsonaro. While there were initially nationwide protests by Bolsonaro supporters, who blocked highways and called for military intervention, there is now more calm across South America’s most populous nation.
Following the election, many Brazilians are banding together – at least momentarily – for the 2022 World Cup.
Soccer is part of Brazil’s identity. The country has won five FIFA World Cup titles, more than any other nation. Photojournalist and anthropologist Ana Caroline de Lima interviewed residents as they gathered together to watch the tournament, asking them about their country’s future, and whether they thought its deep political wounds would heal.
