Feel the energy pulsing around us. It is almost showtime here at Lona Cultural in Rio de Janeiro.
Lona Cultural is more than just a venue. It is a vibrant hub for arts and culture in Rio de Janeiro. These covered arena theaters are run by the city.
Imagine the scene decades ago. A group of young dreamers led by Herculano Leal Carneiro formed the Teatro Rural do Estudante. Their talent caught the eye of Dr Elza Pinho Osborne. She gifted them a theater. It was named Teatro de Arena Elza Osborne in her honor.
This original space had ties to a famous architect. Afonso Eduardo Reidy designed the Teatro Escola Laboratório das Artes next door. Reidy also designed Rio’s Museum of Modern Art. In 1956 Juscelino Kubitschek laid the cornerstone. He was president of Brazil. The Teatro de Arena Elza Osborne opened in 1958.
The military dictatorship nearly closed the theater. Democracy returned. Regina Pierini and Ives Macena took over. They launched a campaign: “Cover the Arena and Discover our Art.” Their project reused the tarps from ECO 92.
In 1993 Mayor Cesar Maia donated a tarp. It became Lona Cultural. The project to create covered cultural spaces began. Lona Cultural Elza Osborne became the pilot project.
Lona Cultural promotes human development through culture. It has been recognized by UNESCO. In 2018 Lona Cultural Elza Osborne celebrated 25 years. Director Ives Macena planned cultural activities. They featured local artists. The celebration included cinema dance theater and music.
Today Lona Cultural hosts concerts plays and workshops. Art and craft fairs are also held here. You can even take courses. It is a place where creativity thrives.
Think of Lona Cultural as a community living room. It is a place where everyone can experience the richness of Brazilian culture. It is a testament to the power of art. It is a place for community engagement. The Lona Cultural is an arena for everyone.