Annus Horribilis: A Portrait of the Year 2023

The expression "annus horribilis", of Latin origin, loosely translates as "horrible year". According to the Cambridge Dictionary, it is defined as "a year of extremely bad events". However, the phrase gained notoriety in 1992, when it was used by Queen Elizabeth II to describe the worst year of her reign, marked by problems and scandals that shook the British monarchy.

The most notorious of these was the deterioration of Charles and Diana's marriage, a crisis that captured the world's attention and symbolized the disunity within the royal family. Additionally, the Queen dealt with the marital separations of three of her four children, amplifying the sense of royal instability. Windsor Castle, a historic residence and a symbol of royalty, suffered a major fire, causing significant damage and cultural loss. The royal family's privacy was further shaken by the leak of an intimate phone call involving Lady Di, an incident that fueled the media frenzy. The release of a revealing biography of Princess Diana added further controversy and public scrutiny. Finally, a scandal involving the Duchess of York contributed to a series of events that deeply shook the structures of the world's most famous monarchy.

Moving forward in time, 2023 can be described in a similar way, highlighting a series of negative events that together characterize it as a possible "annus horribilis".

The Events in Brasilia: A Warning Sign

The year began with tumultuous events in Brasilia on January 8th. These events, marked by intense political and social unrest, reflected a period of instability and discontent on the Brazilian scene. This episode not only shook the nation, but also resonated internationally as a symbol of democratic tension. And it left evident the marks of the extreme polarization experienced by Brazil, which borders on the irrational.

Global Conflicts: War and Tensions

Internationally, the wars between Russia and Ukraine, as well as between Israel and Hamas, have continued to be sources of desolation and disbelief. These wars have not only caused direct devastation, but have also contributed to global political and humanitarian tension, indirectly affecting many other nations. Each with its own reasons, but all too shallow to justify so many human losses and so much powerlessness on the part of nations.

Natural Disasters: Earthquakes and Climate Change

The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria brought destruction and mourning, highlighting human vulnerability to the forces of nature. In addition, climate change, manifested by extreme heatwaves, has proved even more powerful and frightening. An environmental and health threat that has affected ecosystems and communities around the world. And it has created queues at the stores in search of air conditioners. It's worth noting: only among those who are part of the minorities able to afford the sky-high prices that these devices have reached.

Territorial tensions: Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh

Azerbaijan's attack on the Nagorno-Karabakh region, a separatist territory disputed for more than three decades, added another layer of geopolitical instability to the year. This conflict, rooted in territorial disputes and ethnic issues, reinforces the complexity and continuity of regional conflicts.

Football Fiascos: Disappointment in Sport

Even Flamengo didn't make it through the year. The underwhelming performance of Brazil's most expensive team was melancholy. Considered a powerhouse in Brazilian soccer, the 2023 season was marked by defeats and disappointments, impacting not only the club's fans, but also the country's sporting culture, which has become accustomed to seeing financially healthy teams become winners on the pitch. On top of the red-black fiasco, there was also the dizzying collapse of Botafogo, recently transformed into SAF, which saw the team miss out on the biggest championship win in history. And, why not, the resounding defeat suffered by Fluminense in the final of the Club World Cup against Manchester City, making clear the gulf that exists between South American and European soccer. In fact, Brazilian soccer doesn't even stand out here, given the disgraceful campaign of our national team in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

Keeping Perspective: Between Challenges and Hopes

Despite the series of negative events that marked 2023, it is crucial to maintain a balanced perspective. History teaches that difficult years, such as Queen Elizabeth's 1992 "annus horribilis", are followed by periods of recovery and renewal. So, even in the face of adversity, there is always room for hope and collective action in the search for a better future

There are points that give grounds for optimism, even in a troubled 2023. On the economic front, the year brought positive prospects for 2024. The stock market achieved good numbers. The dollar and the interest rate fell, albeit discreetly, but the movement happened. Finally, in the year's additions, the much-promised approval by Congress of the "resilient" Tax Reform took place.

So, although 2023 could be characterized as an "annus horribilis", it is essential to remember that humanity's trajectory is marked by ups and downs. The ability to overcome difficulties and hope for better days are intrinsic qualities of the human spirit, which must be nurtured even in the darkest moments. In other words, even given the pessimistic outlook of the article, I would like to reiterate my wishes to all readers: Happy 2024, with the certainty that, depending on us, everything can be different.