Giovanni Guimarães

Giovanni Guimarães
Grand-Rector of Brazil
Incumbent
Assumed office 8 November 2011
President	Verônica Landim Giraud
Preceded by	Joaquim Rocha Rufino
Secretary-General of the National Reorganization League
Incumbent
Assumed office 19 September 2014
Preceded by	Flávio Vaz e Furtado
Personal details
Born	Giovanni Veiga Guimarães 18 April 1979 Porto Novo, São Pedro do Rio Grande, Empire of Brazil
Political party	National Reorganization League (2003; 2008-present)
Height	180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Spouse	Sophie Hildebrandt-Guimarães (m. 2013)
Children	2: Guilherme (age: 8) Astrid (age: 2)
Education	Bachelor's degree in History
Alma mater	University of Hamburg
Occupation	Politician, writer, historian
Military service
Allegiance	Empire of Brazil (1996-1997) Federative Republic of Brazil (1997-2001)
Branch/service	Brazilian Army
Years of service	1996-2001
Rank	Second Sergeant
Unit	8th Infantry Division - 'Devil Chico'
Battles/wars	Third Great War (North American Front) Brazilian Revolution of 1997-1998 2001 Florianópolis Riots
Awards	Second Class Combat Cross First Class Combat Cross

Giovanni Chernik Smith Grossi Veiga Guimarães (born Giovanni Veiga Guimarães and commonly referred to simply as Giovanni Guimarães) is a Brazilian politician, historian, writer, and war veteran who has served as the Grand Rector of the Federal Republic of Brazil since 2011.

Giovanni Guimarães was born on April 18, 1979, in the Empire of Brazil. His parents, João Smith Guimarães and Tânia Chernik Veiga represented different facets of society, as his father was a dedicated employee of Banco Mauá and his mother was a passionate elementary school teacher. In their presence, Giovanni grew up surrounded by values of hard work, education, and respect for the country. His family was completed by his older brother, Ricardo, whose military journey as a captain in the Brazilian army served as an inspiration for young Giovanni. From an early age, he admired his older brother's courage and dedication, seeing in him an example to follow. Giovanni's childhood was marked by the duality between the stability of a Catholic school during elementary education and the economic difficulties that led to a switch to public education during high school. The Third Great War had thrown the country into a crisis that spared not even the educational system. This experience shaped Giovanni's understanding of Brazil's social and economic realities.

Determined to do his part for the country, Giovanni made an unprecedented decision at the young age of 16: to join the ranks of the Brazilian army. In an act of courage, he joined the military forces and was sent to the North American theater, where the conflict was raging. In the Battle of Mexico City, Giovanni "not only proved his worth but also demonstrated an unwavering warrior spirit", according to his commandants. His performance set him apart from other conscripts and, consequently, led to his promotion to second sergeant. However, the price of war soon made itself felt. As the battle raged on, Giovanni received the devastating news of his brother Ricardo's death on the Iberian front. The loss of his hero and mentor left a deep wound in his heart, which shaped Giovanni's ideas for the years to come.

The end of the Third Great War brought with it an armistice and Brazilian defeat. In November 1997, Brazil signed an agreement with the Allies, marking the end of the conflict. Giovanni, however, refused to accept defeat and decided to channel his energy into a new cause. Alongside the republicans, he became involved in the Brazilian Revolution, fighting against the monarchists who had brought sorrow and pain to Brazilians in a pointless war.

While his efforts against the monarchy achieved success, Giovanni began to question the path he had chosen. According to his own words, "the emerging Republic was not the utopia he had envisioned", and the contradictions and internal struggles of the nation left him disillusioned. This frustration culminated in the 2001 Florianópolis Riots, a revolt led by him and other dissatisfied monarchists against the current system. After Brazilian authorities successfully repressed the rebels, Giovanni found himself compelled to flee to foreign lands in search of safety. Uruguay became his first refuge, providing him a moment to reflect and plan his next move. However, the call for more distant horizons soon resonated in his mind, as rumors of his whereabouts reached the echelons of the Brazilian Federal Police.

His journey of exile takes him to Portugal, where a community of exiled Brazilians welcomed him with open arms. In this environment of solidarity and determination, Giovanni discovered his renewed purpose. Joining forces with the exiles, he played a pivotal role in founding the National Reorganization League, a nationalist party aimed at shaping Brazil's future. However, Giovanni left the party soon after its founding due to a "heated discussion" with its leader.

Gradually, a desire to explore new horizons in Europe begins to take shape in his mind. The decision to embark on new adventures led him to Germany, where he settles in the vibrant city of Hamburg. This historic port city became a new home for Giovanni, where he discovered opportunities and connections that transcended borders. It was there that destiny introduced him to Sophie Hildebrandt, an art student whose creative energy and inquisitive spirit resonated with Giovanni's personality. The friendship between the two developed rapidly, fueled by their shared passion for knowledge and the exploration of life's nuances. In this environment, Giovanni found an opportunity he had long dreamed of: enrolling at a university. Over the years, Giovanni delves deeply into his studies, drawing parallels between world history and the circumstances he found himself in. This quest for understanding broadened his horizons and equipped him with a set of tools that he believed to be crucial for shaping Brazil's future.

In 2008, sensing that it was time to return to his homeland, Giovanni made the decision to go back to Brazil. According to him, his journey through Europe had transformed him in various ways, returning not only as an individual but as a catalyst for change. After making peace with the leader of the National Reorganization League, a party which had flourished in his absence, Giovanni brought with him a wealth of experiences and knowledge, which were extremely helpful in the stellar rise of such a party.