Celebrating World Folklore Day at Nations

A week of stories, traditions, and learning.

On August 22, we celebrate World Folklore Day, an international date that highlights the importance of preserving the cultural heritage that shapes both Brazilian and global folklore, while encouraging further study in this field.

At School of the Nations, the celebration extends beyond a single day. Throughout the week, students in Early Childhood and Elementary engaged in creative and meaningful activities organized by the Portuguese Department. Each grade learned in playful but informative ways about Brazilian folklore, its legends, and its characters.

Early Childhood: learning through imagination

In Early Childhood, teachers designed activities inside and outside the classroom to introduce children to well-known folklore characters.

In Nursery 2, students explored the stories of the Werewolf and the Curupira. In Nursery 3, students learned about Saci Pererê and Cuca.

Elementary School: exploring and creating

Older students took part in projects that combined research, practice, and creativity.

In Grade 2, students learned traditional Brazilian songs and listened to stories of local legends. They also made handmade petecas, a traditional Brazilian toy that carries cultural significance. In Grade 3, the focus was on mapping folklore characters. Students identified their origins and the regions of Brazil where these stories are most prominent, connecting traditions to geography.

In Grade 4, the project took on a comparative approach. Students analyzed characters from Brazilian folklore alongside figures from Greek folklore, the country they will represent at the Festival of Nations in 2026. Through this study, they explored similarities and differences between the two traditions. Finally, in Grade 5, students wrote their own stories inspired by Brazilian folklore. They also crafted the bilboquê, another traditional Brazilian toy, while learning about its origin and purpose.

As an international school, School of the Nations promotes research and appreciation of cultures from around the world. On Brazilian Folklore Day, however, we chose to highlight Brazil and its roots, encouraging our students to have a deeper connection with their national culture.