Brazil in its Brazils:

a theoretical essay on the psychosocial aspects of Brazilian culture

Abstract

This article addresses the complexity and richness of Brazilian culture based on its historical formation, marked by processes of colonization, resistance, syncretism, and social tensions. It explores how national culture is shaped by the coexistence of multiple “Brazils,” which refer to regional, popular, and ethnic cultural expressions that include indigenous peoples, processes of colonization, and migratory movements that have coexisted, shaped, and continue to shape diverse identities in the same territory. Education, health, and public policies are analyzed as fundamental fields for recognizing and valuing this diversity. The text also discusses the impact of recent migrations, with an emphasis on Haitians and Venezuelans, which have contributed to new cultural dynamics and required more effective institutional responses. In addition, art is treated as an instrument of resistance, belonging, and social transformation, reflecting the challenges of democratizing cultural access and promoting genuine multiculturalism. It is recognized that Brazilian culture is not homogeneous, but multidimensional, requiring inclusive policies, critical education and institutional commitment so that diversity is not only tolerated, but valued as a right. Finally, the possibility of transforming multiculturalism as part of everyday reality in an official and validated way is highlighted, as it is the experience lived by many, but which can be understood and valued in an equitable and plural way.