Othello news

Othello Blossoms in Brazil at the Cherry Blossom Festival in São Roque

17 July 2025
Written by Lucas Cherem de Camargo Rodrigues

On the weekend of July 12–13, the charming town of São Roque, Brazil, became the stage for a beautiful celebration of nature and culture during the Festival das Cerejeiras (Cherry Blossom Festival). Among the vibrant performances and blooming cherry trees, one activity stood out for its strategic depth and international spirit: an Othello workshop organized by the Federação Brasileira de Othello (FBO).

 

More than 200 people — including children, teenagers, adults, and seniors — participated in the event. Some came to learn the game for the first time, while others took the opportunity to sharpen their skills or reconnect with a game they already knew. The workshop featured demonstrations, guided games, and friendly challenges, offering an accessible and enjoyable introduction to Othello.

 

The presence of Othello at the Cherry Blossom Festival is no coincidence. The sakura (cherry blossom) is a strong symbol of Japanese culture, and Brazil is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan. Japanese immigration to Brazil began as early as 1908, and with it came traditional games like go and shogi, which are still played today by many Japanese-Brazilians and their descendants.

 

Othello, however, only emerged in the 1970s — long after that wave of immigration (started in 1908). As a result, it was not brought over with the first Japanese settlers. Instead, it is now being introduced in Brazil through many initiatives, including this festival.

The event marked an important step in the promotion of Othello in Brazil. Bringing the game to a cultural and family-friendly setting allowed people of all ages to discover its appeal, and helped strengthen the connection between Othello, Japanese heritage, and Brazilian curiosity for strategy games.

 

As cherry blossoms fell gently across the park, a new seed was planted for the future of Othello in Brazil — one filled with promise, strategy, and community.