It was shortly after the appointed time (10:30 am) when the Brazilian president arrived at Praça do Império, in Belém. Accompanied by the first lady, Janja Lula da Silva, he had the president of the republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, wait for him. João Gomes Cravinho, foreign minister, also awaited the Brazilian president.
With the armed forces arrayed in front of the Jerónimos Monastery, hymns and cannon fire sounded during the Brazilian national anthem.
On the other side, a crowd of supporters of Lula da Silva waited, chanting in support of the Brazilian president. It is also striking that the Ukrainian flag is being waved, a gesture that becomes even more important after the controversial statements by the Brazilian president about the war in the Eastern European country.
At 12:15 p.m., both presidents are expected to address the press at a joint conference in Palácio de Belém. This after a wreath was laid on the grave of Luís de Camões, in the church of the Jerónimos Monastery.
Source: DN
