RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bradesco Seguros Christmas Tree, the world's largest floating Christmas tree according to the Guinness Book of Records, was inaugurated this Saturday evening, November 26, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a free event featuring the participation of world-famous singers such as Gal Costa and Frejat.

Having as its theme "A Gift for the Brazilian Family," the Christmas Tree is entering its 16th consecutive edition and is one of the three largest events in Rio de Janeiro, along with Carnaval and New Year's Eve. Starting this Sunday, November 27, the Tree will be lit up every day starting at 7:30 p.m., until January 6, Epiphany, when it will be lit for the last time.  

This year, the scenery around the Tree will evoke for the public gatherings and the exchange of presents on Christmas Eve, with children's Christmas decorations – such as candy canes and stockings.  In total, there are 12 phases of lights and colors produced by 3.3 million microbulbs, 105 kilometers of glowing tubes and 2,100 flashing lights, which give the effect of twinkling stars.  The Tree is 85 meters tall, the equivalent of a 29 story building.  

"It is gratifying to Bradesco Seguros to be a part of this family Christmas, providing this yuletide symbol for everyone," stated Alexandre Nogueira, Director of Marketing for Grupo Bradesco Seguros.

During the inaugural event of the 16th Bradesco Seguros Christmas Tree, the logo of the Rio 2016™ Paralympic Games was officially launched by the Organizing Committee of the Rio 2016™ Olympic and Paralympic Games.  

The website www.arvorenatalbradescoseguros.com.br – available in Portuguese, English and Spanish – presents other new features, such as "enhanced reality" and "face detection" tools, which are intended to bring the public close up to the world's largest floating Christmas tree. With "face detection," the user can customize his or her own image – captured by webcam – and playfully decorate it with Christmas motifs.  The image can be shared via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter. "Enhanced reality" allows users to "play around" with their webcams when interacting with the Tree. For the first time, the inaugural event was broadcast 360 degrees in real time, by the website www.arvorenatalbradescoseguros.com.br.

For more information:  
Grupo Bradesco Seguros

Vera Soares
Superintendent of Communication
Phone: (21) 2503-1808
Cell phone: (21) 9971-2379
vera.soares@bradescoseguros.com.br

Luciana Pacheco
Manager of Press Relations
Phone: (21) 2503-1495
Cell phone: (21) 8852-3509
luciana.pacheco@bradescoseguros.com.br

Shopping de Comunicacao

Malu Fernandes  
Phone: (21) 2579-8451
Cell phone: (21) 8104-9636
malufernandes123@gmail.com

Gilberto Severo
Phone: (21) 2247-1267
Cell phone: (21) 9871-1074
gilberto.severo@gmail.com

Wagner Vall
Phone: (21) 2247-1267
Cell phone: (21) 9684-9662
wagnervall2@gmail.com

SOURCE Bradesco Seguros