Humble semi that became a little bit of Brazil
‘Not just football and carnival’
IT’ S along way from the sun- kissed sands of Copacabana Beach to a Lanarkshire council estate.
But one man is bringing a touch of Latin American style to the town of Strathaven after he was named Brazil’s honorary consul in Scotland.
Paulo Quadros was appointed to the post by his government after 40 years here and plans to conduct his diplomatic duties from his modest semi-detached home.
He will assist visiting Brazilians i n Glasgow and the west of Scotland from his consulate next door to a plumber’s yard.
In 1976 he moved from Belo Horizonte in south-east Brazil to Scotland and in 1991 settled in Strathaven with his wife Julia.
Mr Quadros, 62, has helped previous consular officials handle issues for Brazilian citizens but spoke of his pride in being nominated for the four-year role.
He said: ‘I had worked for the previous consul as his aide and they asked me if I would like to do it last year, so I thought I would try it for the four-year term.
‘I’ve still to get premises for the consulate but that may well end up just being in the house.
‘People only need an appointment to see me so I could take them to a local cafe and talk to them there – whatever makes them feel comfortable.’
Mr Quadros said the Brazilian government is sending him a Brazilian flag and a plaque or similar official sign which he plans to affix to the wall of his home. He added: ‘It is a great honour for me and my family. I never thought when I was growing up in Brazil that one day I would be consul for the country anywhere, never mind in a place I had never even heard of.
‘But it will be great for the town to have that recognition and I look forward to helping people out.
‘My family are all behind me as well which is also important, especially with all the different roles I have taken on in my time here. ‘I can’t wait to get started.’ The father of one – he has a 16year-old daughter Emily – is planning how to carry out his duties while waiting for his appointment to be published on the Brazilian government’s gazette.
Mr Quadros said part of his duties will involve fostering cultural, commercial and scientific exchange between Brazil and Scotland. He added: ‘I do a lot of voluntary work for Scottish people so I thought it would be nice to do something for the Brazilians who live here. We don’t know how many Brazilians are living here so that is one job I’ve been asked to do.
‘I want to create an Honorary Consulate Facebook page so anybody who has an interest can go there and take things from it.’
Mr Quadros said he would also l i ke to accompany Scottish Government officials to Brazil to show them i deas adopted by the South American country that could be used in Scotland and vice versa.
He added: ‘It is a matter of not playing to the stereotypes. Brazil isn’t just football and carnival, just as Scotland isn’t all drunk men and whisky, there is so much more there.
‘One of the things that joins the countries is creativity and invention. Brazil has invented cars that run on alcohol and Scotland has invented so many things and I’d like to build on that.’