Where is the Olympic Torch going this week?
Find out what the highlights will be as the Rio 2016 Torch Relay passes through one of Brazil's most-loved states
Singer Paula Fernandes is one of the celebrities who will carry the torch in Minas Gerais
Historical cities, local celebrities, traditional festivals and lashings of beautiful nature will be among the highlights as the second week of the Rio 2016 Torch Relay gets under way. The Olympic flame will pass through Minas Gerais, one of the most loved states in Brazil – famous for its colonical architecture, gastronomy and warm welcomes – until Sunday (15 May).
Follow the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay every day
Check out the main highlights:
The Cristais waterfalls in Diamantina, the Matriz Church in Serro, the Pico do Ibituruna mountain in Governador Valadares and the historical hill town of Ouro Preto (below), not to mention the internationally renowned outdoor art gallery and botanical gardens in Inhotim, will form a brilliant backdrop for the torch relay this week.
Music, cachaça and lots of cheese... Torch Relay arrives in Minas Gerais
Paula Fernandes and Rogério Flausino (below) of the local rock pop band Jota Quest are among the torchbearers who will draw crowds, while a host of figures who play an important part in their communicties will also have the honour of carrying the torch. In Curvelo, for exemple, transsexual teacher Bianca Lins will represent the LGBTS community.
The torch will be guest of honour at the famous Vesperata de Diamantina event (below), during which local musicians play from the balconies of the old houses in the town centre, as well as at the Festa de Agosto in Montes Claros, a traditional religious and cultural festival in northern Minas, whose songs and dances celebrate the indigenous, Portuguese and African influences on Brazilian culture.
Other highlights will include the Maria Fumaça train that will take the torch from São João del Rey to the beautiful colonial town of Tiradentes, and the torch being showered in rose petals released from a helicopter in Barbacena, which is known as the City of Roses. In the state capital, Belo Horizonte, a cauldron will be ignited in the Mineirão, the famous football stadium that hosted Germany's memorable 7-1 World Cup semi-final win over Brazil in 2014, and will co-host the Rio 2016 Olympic football tournament.
See the full route of the Torch Relay in Minas Gerais:
Varjão de Minas > Pirapora > Montes Claros > Bocaiúva Couto de Magalhães de Minas > Diamantina > Curvelo > Datas > Serro > Guanhãs > Governador Valadares > Naque > Coronel Fabriciano > Itabira > Ouro Preto > Itabirito > Contagem > Belo Horizonte > São João Del Rei > Tiradentes > Barbacena > Juiz de Fora.
