The fall of the monarchy, in 1889,
made Rio the Federal capital of Brazil, but the transition to a republican
system was only consolidated in 1930. During these 41 years Rio readied itself
for the 20th century and its demands, which arose from political, cultural
and economic changes. In 1902, the mayor of Rio, Pereira Passos, launched
an ambitious plan to remodel the city. It consisted essentially in building
several avenues similar to the Parisian boulevards. The most important of
the urban changes was the building of Central Avenue (Avenida Central) connecting
the Public Park (Passeio Publico), at the southern tip of downtown Rio, to
the new port at Maua Square (Praça Mauá), on the northern perimeter of the
central area. The avenue, later to be renamed Rio Branco Avenue (Avenida Rio
Branco), crossed the downtown area of Rio and became the commercial, cultural
and political focus of the city. The National School of Fine Arts and the
National Library were built there later. In 1909, the Municipal Theatre -
an almost exact replica of the Paris Opera House - was built close to it.
Other avenues were built along the shores of the bay. Passos also approved
the plans for the Atlantic Avenue (Avenida Atlântica) along Copacabana beach.
Carnival is Born The Copacabana Palace
Hotel The artistic scenario of this period of cultural efervescence marks
the beginnings of the popular expressions which are at the origin of Carnival
as we know it today. The first recording of a samba dates from 1917. Portela,
still a group of people dancing and singing in the streets, is first seen
in 1923, Mangueira in 1928, and the first group to call itself a samba- school
in 1929. In 1926 intellectuals and popular artists get together - Brazil begins
to discover Brazil. In the fine arts the Modern Art Week, in 1922, triggers
a national debate
on
the theme. The period from 1920 to 1945 has Portinari as the dominant figure.
The pioneers of the modernist group include the painter Di Cavalcanti, sculptor
Vitor Brecheret, Tarsila do Amaral, Oswald Goeldi and Vicente do Rego Monteiro.
Christ
Blesses The City
In 1930 Getulio Vargas comes to power at the head of a revolution against the
rule of the rural oligarchy. The Vargas government encouraged industrial activities.
The growth of the sector and the new labour laws that protected the workers
attracted many people from the interior to the big cities, particularly the
capital. The individual homes in the South Zone were substituted by apartment
buildings.
In the 30s a new social structure is established - the city and industrial activity
form the new social landscape, and the monument which would make Rio famous
worldwide is erected - the statue of Christ, The Redeemer.
Yesterday, Today, Always Incomparable
When the capital was moved to Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro did not lose its glitter.
It continues to be the centre on which arts and culture converge. It continues
to be incomparable. The Museum of Modern Art
"Cidade de sol e bruma
Se não és mais
Capital Desta Nação,
Não faz mal: Jamais capital nenhuma,
Rio, empanará teu brilho,
Igualará teu encanto.
Louvo o Pai, louvo o Filho e louvo o Espírito Santo."
Brazilian Poet Manuel Bandeira
