Inside the Fourth Centenary of the City of São Paulo

São Paulo, the locomotive of Brazil. São Paulo, land of the bandeirantes. São Paulo, the place once far from the colony’s capital and the economic cycles – sugar, gold, rubber – that had to find its own way to survive.

A symbol of the country’s progress, the city reaffirmed its identity, along with the country, in the 1950s – the first decade after the Second World War. The Fourth Centenary of the foundation of the city of São Paulo was celebrated on July 9, 10, and 11, 1954.

Even though the correct date was January 25, the organizers used the dates of the Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932 as a reference for the celebrations.

In 1932, the Paulistas rose up against the government of Getúlio Vargas, who two years earlier had interrupted the process of alternation between politicians from Minas Gerais and São Paulo, known as the Coffee (from São Paulo) with Milk (from Minas) Policy, and had taken power.

The twists and turns of time and Brazilian logic brought Getúlio and the Paulistas face to face in a tumultuous 1954, marked by disputes and issues that caused total instability in the federal government. It was no coincidence that Getúlio committed suicide about a month later.

The Fourth Centenary celebrations aimed to reinforce São Paulo’s economic and social characteristics, expressed through immigration, diversity, and industrial efficiency...

In 1948, the Museum of Modern Art (MAM) was founded; in 1951, the first São Paulo International Biennial took place; and in 1953, the Arena Theater was inaugurated.

With the involvement of the architect Oscar Niemeyer and the engineer Joaquim Cardozo, a commission was formed to handle the celebrations and a series of works that became symbols of the city over time.

These include Ibirapuera Park, Sé Cathedral (completed for the celebrations), and the Monument to the Bandeiras, among others.

The city came together around the events and festivities, pausing for three days, with various attractions for children, shows, visits by intellectuals, foreign delegations, and a series of military parades and ceremonies...

...such as in the Pateo do Collegio, where the first building of the city of São Paulo was erected and where Father José de Anchieta established the Jesuit Order in the country.

Even the São Paulo Soccer Championship that year was on a bigger scale. It was won by Corinthians, who defeated their main rival Palmeiras in the final and earned the title of Centenary Champion: a moniker that fans of the Parque São Jorge club still prize to this day.