HISTORY
Founded in 1924, the St. Andrew Society of São Paulo is a dedicated guardian of Scottish heritage and traditions in Brazil.
While preserving the rich legacy of Scotland, the society also embodies philanthropy, reaching out to support both local causes.
With its vibrant cultural events and philanthropic spirit, it weaves a thread of Scottish heritage into the diverse tapestry of São Paulo's community.
Traditions
William J Smith, known as “Juta” Smith, also a Founding Member, instigated the St Paul`s School competition, a literary project then based on the works of Sir Walter Scott, later in 1939 to include any subject to do with Scotland. “Juta” also introduced an At Home which was the precursor to the Haggis Alley Glee Club and the Ladies Night, later called the Caledonian Ball.
The Start
On 11 February 1924, 19 Scots met in a house on Avenida Paulista to form the St Andrew Society of the State of São Paulo, and records for that year show that 59 Scots showed interest in Scottish activities. These men are our honoured Founding Members, many of them accountants, engineers or managers in the jute, textile, engineering, production, banking industries and the railways. Although there had been three previous Banquets to celebrate St Andrew's Day, the first official annual Banquet was held in 1924, at the Terminus Hotel, Rua Brigadeiro Tobias, with the first President Thomas Ballantine Muir in the chair.
Members
In the beginning only male Scots could join the Society as full members, but as time went on and the British community changed, it was decided to allow lady members, and then in 1995, associate members, who could be of any nationality, to join. The President must be Scottish born, or descended from Scottish forebears.
In 2010 Society was proud to to be lead by their first female President, Christiana Tess.
Sports
In 1934 the FIRST Quaich golf competition was held and, with one exception, has been played each year ever since, now the longest running sports competition in the British community. Each year the winner fills the silver Quaich with a bottle of whisky and the cup is then traditionally passed around for players and guests to sample. The Mackenzie Trophy for Lady Scots golfers was first played in 1991.
The Simpson Nisbet Cup, the Munro Cup and from 2023 the Tri-nations Cup bring together other International communities for regular friendly Golf competitions.
Social Events
Evening entertainment has traditionally included Scottish country dancing, ceilidhs, and other gatherings celebrating Scottish culture and friendship. In recent years, the Society has also introduced new events to complement these traditions and engage a wider audience. Among them is the Wee Big Night, a lively and informal evening that combines music, camaraderie, and Scottish spirit in a relaxed setting.
In October 2024, the Society celebrated a remarkable milestone with the Centenary Ball, commemorating one hundred years since the founding of the St Andrew Society of São Paulo. This special event brought together members, guests, sponsors, and friends of the Society for an evening of celebration, honouring a century of Scottish heritage, community, and cultural exchange in Brazil.
Together, these events reflect the Society’s enduring mission: to preserve Scottish traditions while continuing to create new opportunities for fellowship, culture, and celebration within the international community of São Paulo.