RIO - MARVELOUS CITY PURGATORY OF BEAUTY AND CHAOS

The carioca singer Fernanda Abreu released a song in 1992 with this verse:

“Rio forty degrees, marvellous city,

Purgatory of beauty and chaos”

Carioca is how we call those who are born in Rio de Janeiro. She, as a carioca, knows very well the meaning of each one of those words in her song’s lyrics. 

But it is not necessary to be a Carioca to know that she is completely right, any tourist notices the same during the first hours of his visit.

It was the same for me, the first time I visited Rio de Janeiro, and every time I went there. Rio has a stunning natural beauty, a true marvel, even after the tenth visit, I don’t get used to its beauty.

At the same time all the city’s and the country’s problems, historic and cultural damages, are exhibited all the time in the same proportion and intensity as its beauty.


On one side the beach, on the other the hills. On one side the child, on the other the soldier. On one side the museum, on the other the slums. On one side the hope, on the other despair. On one side the beauty, on the other the chaos.


All in eye’s reach, in the same horizon. And that is what my essay is about, the perception of observing this purgatory, this duality, that in a certain way represents an entire country.