The seventh edition of Valentine’s Forró brought together more than 200 people in Toronto for a night marked by joy, Brazilian culture, and a strong sense of community. The event, which has already become a staple in the local community calendar, aimed to promote fellowship, culture, and also support the activities of the city’s Catholic mission.
Among the evening’s attractions was a trio of accordion players—Luciano Porto, Malê Carvalho, and Alfredo Alves—who energized the audience with classics of northeastern Brazilian forró. The program also featured a quadrilha (a traditional dance from Brazil’s Northeast), as well as a dedicated space for children, the Kids Zone, which offered various games and face painting.
Participants also had the chance to enjoy a Photo Booth to capture the moment and took part in a raffle with several prizes, which added even more excitement to the event. The Valentine’s Forró was made possible with the support of several partner companies and volunteers, who helped bring another edition of the gathering to life.
According to Andrea Reis, a missionary from the Shalom Alliance Community and the event’s organizer, the initiative has grown significantly in recent years. “This is a fundraising event that has grown a lot over the past three years and brings a bit of Brazilian culture and food to Toronto. In addition, it is also a major channel for evangelization for the mission,” she said.
Beyond the music and dancing, the event also gave participants the opportunity to experience typical flavors of Brazilian cuisine, strengthening the bonds of the Brazilian community in the city and introducing elements of Brazilian culture to people of various nationalities. With each edition, Valentine’s Forró continues to establish itself as an important moment of integration, culture, and evangelization, bringing together families, young people, and friends in a celebration marked by joy and fraternity.
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