Carnival is coming to an end, but the people of Rio still have reasons to celebrate a little longer, as the Marquês de Sapucaí, stage of the greatest show on earth, located in the central region of Rio de Janeiro, turns 40 in March 2024.
The venue for the grand parades of samba schools during Rio’s carnival, the project was envisioned by architect and urban planner Oscar Niemeyer and underwent various modifications before reaching its final characteristics.
Famous worldwide, the 700-meter avenue is synonymous with party, joy, and emotion. But before its inauguration, four other locations hosted the Rio carnival: Praça XI, Avenida Presidente Vargas, Avenida Rio Branco, and Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, all located in downtown Rio.
In 1983, construction of the structure began. Announced in September 1983 and delivered in early 1984, it was built by 2,500 workers over 156 working days. On March 2, 1984, as promised, the sambadrome was ready.
Listed by the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (Iphan), the Marquês de Sapucaí has established itself as an emblematic landmark of the city and the country.
The first samba school from the special group to perform at the new venue was ‘Unidos da Tijuca’.
For the first time, the parade was divided into two nights with two champions chosen by the judges. ‘Portela’ won the first night, and ‘Estação Primeira de Mangueira’ emerged victorious on the second.
Who was the Marquês de Sapucaí?
Cândido José de Araújo Viana, the Marquês de Sapucaí, was born in Nova Lima (MG) on September 15, 1793. A Brazilian judge and politician, he served as president of the Senate from 1851 to 1853 and was the tutor of Prince D. Pedro II in literature and positive sciences in 1839. He was also responsible for the education of Princess Isabel.
So why name a place so ‘carioca’ after someone who wasn’t even born in Rio de Janeiro and had no connection to samba? According to historians, it was Darcy Ribeiro, one of the creators of the sambadrome project, who wanted to honor an intellectual who had relevance in the educational life of the prince and became known in the city at the time.
Source: TV Cultura