Megaeventos e a construção da imagem da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro: diálogos entre 1922 e 2016

Abstract

The first decades of the twenty-first century have revealed a close relationship between the city of Rio de Janeiro and major international events. However, when looking at earlier historical periods, it becomes evident that this connection is not exclusive to contemporary times, having also manifested itself on previous occasions. This dissertation investigates the relationship between the hosting of international mega-events and the process of constructing the city’s image of Rio de Janeiro. To this end, it examines two distinct episodes: the International Exhibition of the Centennial of Brazil’s Independence in 1922 and the 2016 Olympic Games, analyzed individually and subsequently in an articulated manner. The development of the research begins with an approach to the notions developed around mega-events and the image of the city. It then investigates the conception, implementation, and spatial and symbolic repercussions of these episodes in Rio de Janeiro. The cross-reading of two events separated by their political, social, and urban contexts constituted a methodological choice aimed at understanding the recurrence of strategies that, through these urban spectacles, channeled narratives and interests characteristic of their respective periods, enhancing specific forms of visibility and promoting updates to the city. In doing so, the study seeks to explore the capacity of these phenomena to play an active role in the construction of Rio de Janeiro’s image.