Lost Sambista

A Brazil never seen.

About Lost Sambista

This blog is the central hub of the Lost Samba on-line experience. Although the work began as a support for the book it has developed into a popular Facebook page, an inviting Tumblr blog, a comprehensive Spotify playlist, a website, an interesting Youtube playlist, a colourful Pinterest page and an active twitter account. What binds everything together is a focus on a seminal era of Brazil’s history, the seventies and the eighties, that has gone un-noticed and that is probably a backbone element of the country’s current left wing government. The narrative centers around the son of British expats who becomes part of the dreamy and tragic generation that grew up in the privileged classes secured by a military dictatorship. This is an account of a dark, but exciting, period for the country. Richard shows, first hand, the enjoyment by the urban élite of the privileges secured for them by the military rule, then the crawling from under the claws of that regime and, ultimately, the unfolding of one of the worst economic disasters in Brazilian history.

Despite the historical and the nostalgic aspect,  in this blog you will find articles, photos and videos related to what is going on in “Terra Brasilis” in the present day.  Although we do not aim to be a guide to Brazil we also publish relevant “inside” information as well as short stories about Brazil, in particular Rio de  Janeiro, that will give you an insight of what the country is about, the kind of material that is not written in brochures for tourists.

Above all Lost Samba is a declaration of love to the country, not in a nationalistic way but in a way that sees Brazil as a country of hope, where the new has a fertile ground to happen.

We hope you enjoy it.

Boy

17 thoughts on “About Lost Sambista”

  1. Rob Viens on said:

    Hi – As you know, I’ve been writing about Brazil (in regards to Darwin’s four month visit in 1832) over on the Beagle Project (thanks for the reposts and links over the last couple of months). I thought I’d ask some of my fellow bloggers who are in Brazil if they were interested in writing a guest blog (or cross posting) before he leaves Rio for points south on July 5th. If you are interested please let me know – I enjoy your blog and would love to have your perspective. (Drop me a comment or you can also find my email on my “About” page.)

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    • lostsambista on said:

      I would be interested, just not too sure about what I should write

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      • Rob Viens on said:

        Thanks for being interested – internet collaboration is fun 🙂

        I did not have anything specific in mind. I mainly blog about the natural history (and history) related to Darwin’s visit. I’ve never been to Brazil so I don’t have any personal experience with modern Brazil or with the people (and Darwin’s few of the people was tarnished because of his focus on slavery). And I know you have written a lot about your personal history. So I thought it would be great to have some personal perspectives.

        I don’t have a specific idea in mind – I just thought it would be fun. Is there anything specific you’d like to write about? Have you ever come across things that relate to Darwin’s visit that can be found in Rio today? Or have any personal connections to the places that he visited and wrote about?

        Rob

        PS – It would not have to be based on the diary, but if you wanted to, you could relate your post to something Darwin writes about in his diary (http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?itemID=F1925&viewtype=text&pageseq=1). He was in Brazil rom Feb 28-Jul 5, 1832 (and in Rio starting on April 4).

  2. Marques Moreira on said:

    We are happy to have stumbled across your website! We have a deep interest in Brazilian History and have a HUGE collection of Brazilian Music as well! Keep up the good work and also visit us sometime!

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  3. lostsambista on said:

    Many thanks Marques. I have visited your site (It is the one on Afro-Brazilian women right?) and was very impressed. I will do the best to spread the word.

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  4. Richard on said:

    I stumbled upon the site completely by accident, but really glad I did. Looking forward to delving deeper.

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  5. My Little Rio Journal on said:

    Thanks for following my blog!!! You have interesting content here!! Congratulations!

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  6. Lutz Braum on said:

    Thanks for following my blog – I love Brazil!

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  7. Gina Hernandez on said:

    I love your blog. Love Brazil. Lived there in the 70’s. Went to EA. Was a volital time but gorgeous. Beautiful people.

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  8. Manager on said:

    Hello, I was also at TBS at this exact moment, standing on stage, but can’t seem to find myself…but I do see pal Prefects, the dear late Paul Delaney and others in forefront. BFFs Jenny Marvin, Liz Wynn, Claudia Camara were not far behind…What class were you in?

    It was a glorious time to be in Rio, and glad I was born there of Brazilian Mother and British Dad. Although under “disctatorship” you know we were in our own bubble as part of the expat community. Life was good if you were of a certain demographics.

    I go back to visit family and friends after 40 years in the U.S. and now uma Americana, pelo menos de filosofia, I see so many problems with our beautiful country. A great place to visit, but go back?? When will things change?

    Wonder what other “expat” kids say?

    Thanks for insightful and loving blog!
    Veronica (nee Tarbutt)

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    • lostsambista on said:

      Hi Veronica,

      I am from 1962, and am afraid to say that the names you mention don’t ring a bell.

      The whole world is full of problems at the moment, For me Brazil has overall changed for the better but still nowadays it is “guardado num velho bau de prata dentro de mim”.

      I live in London am happy here and those days are gone. Rio has changed beyond recognition, much more boring and stupid in my opinion.

      Some expats pop in from time to time, and once the book really takes off I’m sure there will be many more.

      There’s a lot of stuff in this blog, published at different moments so please explore and please spread the word!!!

      Thanks, all the best, abraco,

      Richard

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  9. Tanveer Rauf on said:

    love your post 🙂

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