The National Museum of Denmark has returned a sacred Tupinambá cloak to Brazil, sparking discussions on its permanent display location. The event, attended by President Lula and Indigenous leaders, marks a significant step in reclaiming cultural heritage. While the National Museum of Brazil currently holds the cloak, there is a push for its transfer to Indigenous territory in Bahia. The return sets a precedent for repatriating other sacred artifacts held abroad, highlighting the ongoing dialogue between Brazil and international institutions.

A series of pop-up exhibitions in São Paulo, Brazil, showcases contemporary art within two Brutalist houses designed by architects Ruy Ohtake and Chu Ming Silveira. The exhibitions, part of the annual Aberto series launched by London-based art adviser Filipe Assis, aim to connect art, architecture, and design. The curators, including Kiki Mazzucchelli and Claudia Moreira Salles, emphasize the unique experience of viewing art in residential spaces. The Silveira house features works by artists who gained recognition later in life, while the Ohtake home focuses on contemporary artists with newly commissioned pieces. The exhibitions face challenges due to heritage restrictions but offer a distinct perspective on art placement.

Rotas Brasileiras, a sister fair to SP-Arte, is dedicated to showcasing the depth and diversity of Brazilian art, featuring 66 exhibitors and around 250 artists from across Brazil's 15 states. The fair introduces a new sector, Mirante, highlighting large-scale works by 16 artists. Artistic director Rodrigo Moura and founder Fernanda Feitosa emphasize the fair's focus on diverse Brazilian identities and cultural production. The event fosters deep engagement between exhibitors and visitors, offering smaller galleries a platform to promote lesser-known Brazilian artists. The fair is praised for its unique approach and intimate setting, allowing for closer interactions between collectors, artists, and gallery owners.

Brazil's Catholic bishops have called for an impartial investigation into the federal government's handling of COVID-19 vaccine purchases amid the pandemic. They highlighted the loss of over half a million lives and allegations of corruption. The Brazilian Senate is conducting a hearing to assess potential crimes by President Jair Bolsonaro and health officials. A Ministry of Health employee alleged pressure to authorize an overpriced vaccine purchase. The bishops have previously criticized Bolsonaro's pandemic response, which has downplayed the severity of COVID-19 and dismissed safety measures.

The Brazilian bishops' conference congratulated Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his presidential election victory, emphasizing the need for continued work and unity in Brazil. The election, which saw da Silva defeat incumbent Jair Bolsonaro by a narrow margin, was the closest since the end of military rule. The bishops echoed Pope Francis's call for politics to serve the common good. Advocates for the poor and Indigenous communities expressed hope for positive changes under da Silva's leadership, particularly in the Amazon region. Da Silva plans to address Brazil's re-addition to the UN Hunger Map, a situation that has worsened since his previous presidency.

The 20th edition of SP-Arte, held at the Bienal Pavilion in São Paulo, showcases a significant focus on Latin American art, with over 130 galleries participating, marking a substantial increase from its inaugural edition. The fair, founded by Fernanda Feitosa, aims to promote Brazilian artists and has evolved into a hub for the Latin American art market. Notable participants include Salar Galería de Arte from Bolivia and Galería RGR from Mexico City, both making their debut at the fair. The event reflects a shift towards regional representation, influenced by changes in collector behavior post-pandemic. The fair also highlights diverse Brazilian art, with galleries like Carmo Johnson Projects focusing on Indigenous artists. Despite its regional focus, there is a desire for more international participation, as expressed by some exhibitors.

The 19th Loyalty & Awards Conference by Global Flight was successfully held in Rio de Janeiro, marking its first occurrence in South America. The event highlighted Brazil's position as one of the top three loyalty markets globally and featured discussions on loyalty program trends, including subscription programs, with insights from industry leaders. Technology's role in loyalty programs was also debated, with a consensus that emerging trends like AI and NFTs are still in early stages. The conference facilitated valuable idea exchanges among competitors and culminated in the Golden Loyalty Awards, recognizing achievements in marketing, technology, management, and partnerships.

Bishop José Ionilton Lisboa de Oliveira of Itacoatiara in Brazil's Amazon has issued a decree prohibiting the prelature from accepting donations from entities that harm the environment or displace minorities. This includes politicians, loggers, mining, oil, and gas companies. The decree aims to raise awareness and commitment to protecting the Amazon, inspired by Pope Francis' 2020 apostolic exhortation 'Querida Amazonia.' The bishop hopes to provoke debate and create a new consciousness within the local church regarding environmental stewardship.

Peru's GDP grew by 2.7% in 2022, driven by a 2.3% increase in domestic demand, with household consumption contributing 3.6% and gross fixed capital formation 0.8%. Exports rose by 5.9%, while imports expanded by 4.2%. Government consumption decreased by 1.1%. In the fourth quarter, GDP increased by 1.7%, with domestic demand growing by 2.1%. Employment and average monthly labor income saw significant increases. Public investment rose by 23.4%, despite a 1.8% contraction in private investment. Mining investment decreased by 7.9%. Key sectors contributing to GDP included lodging, restaurants, transportation, and construction, while fishing, telecommunications, financial services, and manufacturing saw declines.