by Beatriz, age 8, asks if cactus plants are succulents, about Christ the Redeemer, and Carnival
Dear Santa,
Oi from Rio de Janeiro. My name is Beatriz and I am 8 years old. Our Christmas cactus actually grows wild in the hills near our city, tucked into trees rather than the ground, and my avo likes to remind me that the plant everyone else buys in a pot at Christmas actually comes from right here.
My first question is: are Christmas cactus plants actually succulents?
My second question is geography: what famous statue overlooks Rio de Janeiro?
My third question is from school: why is Carnival such a major celebration in Brazil?
I left you brigadeiro and a small glass of guarana soda.
Love, Beatriz, age 8, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Beatriz, brigadeiro and guarana is a perfectly Brazilian combination, and I am delighted to learn where this famous little plant truly comes from. Now, to your excellent questions.
Are Christmas cactus plants actually succulents?
Yes, the Christmas cactus is indeed a succulent, meaning it stores water in its thick, fleshy stems, just like other succulents and cacti do. What makes it unusual compared to the cactus most people picture, the spiky kind standing in a dry desert, is that the Christmas cactus grows naturally in the humid coastal mountain forests of Brazil, tucked into the branches and crooks of trees rather than in sandy soil. That is exactly why it likes more shade and moisture than a typical desert cactus, and your avo is quite right to feel proud that it calls your hills home.
What famous statue overlooks Rio de Janeiro?
The statue of Christ the Redeemer stands on top of Corcovado Mountain, overlooking the whole city with arms spread wide. It stands about 30 metres tall and has become one of the most recognised landmarks in the entire world, visible from many parts of Rio both day and night.
Why is Carnival such a major celebration in Brazil?
Carnival takes place in the days before the Christian season of Lent, and in Brazil it grew into an enormous celebration of music, dance, and elaborate costumes, especially the world famous samba parades in Rio. It blends European, African, and Indigenous influences that came together over centuries in Brazil, making it one of the largest and most joyful festivals anywhere on Earth, a true expression of the country’s rich and mixed culture.
Give your avo my thanks for the cactus history lesson, and I shall see you very soon.
Ho ho ho, Santa
