New National Holiday Declared for a Friday in Brazil
Listen to the story
The Brazilian government has officially decreed a new national holiday that will fall on a Friday. This will give millions of workers a three-day long weekend.
Because the holiday lands on a Friday, the days off will be extended over Saturday and Sunday as well. This kind of extended break is popularly known in Brazil as a 'feriadão'.
The new holiday is expected to affect daily routines across the country. Work schedules, school classes, shops, and public services may all be adjusted because of the extra day off.
Many businesses will need to plan around the change. Some companies may close early or stay shut for the whole day, depending on their sector.
The announcement has been welcomed by many workers, who see it as a chance to rest or travel. Long weekends are often popular times for short trips within Brazil.
Although the exact date has not been given in full detail here, the holiday's arrival on a Friday means it will create one of the longer breaks of the year for Brazilian workers.
People are already discussing how they will use the extra time. Some plan to visit relatives, while others hope to simply relax at home during the three-day break.
Vocabulary6 words
- decreed
- officially ordered by the government
- national holiday
- a day off for the whole country
- long weekend
- a weekend that includes an extra free day
- feriadão
- a Brazilian word for a long holiday weekend
- routines
- the usual things people do each day
- services
- public work like transport, banks, or offices
Quiz
Answer key
1. Friday 2. A long holiday weekend 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The Brazilian government has officially _____ a new national holiday that will fall on a Friday. This will give millions of workers a three-day long weekend.
Because the holiday lands on a Friday, the days off will be extended over Saturday and Sunday as well. This kind of extended break is popularly known in Brazil as a '_____'.
The new holiday is expected to affect daily _____ across the country. Work schedules, school classes, shops, and public _____ may all be adjusted because of the extra day off.
Many businesses will need to plan around the change. Some companies may close early or stay shut for the whole day, depending on their sector.
The announcement has been welcomed by many workers, who see it as a chance to rest or travel. Long weekends are often popular times for short _____ within Brazil.
People are already discussing how they will use the extra time. Some plan to visit relatives, while others hope to simply relax at home during the three-day break.
Discussion questions
- Do you think long weekends are good for workers? Why or why not?
- How do people in your country usually spend a three-day holiday?
- Should governments create more national holidays? What are the benefits and downsides?
- How might businesses and schools prepare for a sudden extra day off?