{"id":16,"date":"2026-04-01T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.cultursmag.com\/?p=16"},"modified":"2026-05-21T02:19:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T02:19:47","slug":"sao-paulo-the-city-where-everyones-culture-fits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.cultursmag.com\/?p=16","title":{"rendered":"S\u00c3O PAULO: THE CITY WHERE EVERYONE\u2019S CULTURE FITS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Phillip Lucas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a city where there\u2019s room for a little of everything, it\u2019s almost impossible not to think about the various forms of culture that S\u00e3o Paulo offers. Host of the Modern Art Week, in 1922, the largest Brazilian city is considered a reference in the most diverse forms of cultural expression.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Museums, theaters, concert halls, leisure and sports centers, bars, restaurants, nightclubs. The metropolis \u2014 with all its problems \u2014 breathes culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it is impossible to start this article without mentioning the S\u00e3o Paulo Museum of Art<\/a>, idealized by Assis Chateaubriand<\/a>, one of the main entrepreneurs in the communication business in Brazil in the 20th century. The first address was in a building on 7 de Abril Street, in 1947. In 1968, the museum moved to the heart of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designed by Italian architect Lina Bo Bardi, the building on Paulista Avenue was inaugurated on November 8th of that year. The late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attended the inauguration. The construction was a landmark for S\u00e3o Paulo, which was in the moment of expansion.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Painting
Painting of Suzanne Bloch by Pablo Picasso. (Photo courtesy of\u00a0<\/em>Sartle.com<\/a>\u00a0via Wikipedia)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are more than 10,000 pieces in the collection. One of the most famous is the portrait of Suzanne Bloch,<\/a> by Pablo Picasso.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI saw many exhibitions of Botero, Monet. And I believe that was where I had my first contact with world masterpieces. And with that, I learned to be more curious about painting itself,\u201d says import analyst Eduardo Rivas.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRAISE FOR THE PINACOTECA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0Pinacoteca<\/a>, in the Luz district, is the oldest art gallery in the city. Inaugurated at Christmas in 1905, the state government administers the complex. A fan of the place is journalist Marina Cid.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Street
Street corner in S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt the Pinacoteca there are always traveling exhibitions, like the Os Gemeos (\u201cThe Twins\u201d in English), which I really liked, and exhibitions of works from the collection,\u201d says Cid. And she wasn\u2019t the only one to praise the show of artists Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo<\/a>.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nearly 240,000 people (about half the population of Wyoming, U.S.A.) visited the show, which was open to the public between October 2020 and September 2021. It was the third most viewed exhibition in the history of the Pinacoteca.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cid introduces us to another cultural tour option in S\u00e3o Paulo: \u201cThe MIS is a great place for those who like interactive and thematic exhibitions. I\u2019ve been to many there: Castelo R\u00e1-Tim-Bum [a children\u2019s tv show from the 90\u2019s], John Lennon, Rita Lee [a Brazilian singer], Silvio Santos [famous TV host], Hitchcock\u201d and more.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And at Ibirapuera, the main park in S\u00e3o Paulo, those who exercise can also check out two other important museums: the Afro Brazil<\/a> and the Museum of Modern Art.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those looking for orchestra presentations, the best places to go are the Sala S\u00e3o Paulo<\/a> and the Theatro Municipal<\/a>, both located downtown. Theater shows of the most varied genres are also staged throughout the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historic buildings are also excellent options in the city. \u201cOne of the places I like most is the Martinelli, known as the first skyscraper in S\u00e3o Paulo,\u201d recommends financial consultant Michel Oliveira. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen it inaugurated [in 1924] people were afraid to go up, because it looked like [the building] was going to fall. And because it was built on a slope, it gave the impression of being crooked,\u201d adds Oliveira, who has worked in the building for a couple of years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MAKING THE ARTS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite the large number of options for museums, art institutes and historical buildings, those places are not spread throughout the city. Almost all of them are in downtown S\u00e3o Paulo, which makes access difficult for those who live in the suburbs. For journalist Onil Junior, it\u2019s necessary to raise awareness of the importance of culture in society.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople need to be interested in the artist, in the play. But many times, these events do not reach the peripheral regions. So, one of the possibilities to increase access to culture is to make cultural events happen in the peripheral regions, so that the population can get to know and research more about it,\u201d Junior says.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the compliance analyst Douglas Aguillar, another factor that keeps the poorest people away from these spaces is the lack of public transportation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis ends up making access impossible because of the time it takes to get to these places,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd during the weekend, the train and subway lines don\u2019t operate 100%. And it is at the weekend that most of the population has time to have fun. So, the lack of urban mobility affects direct access to culture.\u201d   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

STREET CULTURE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To stimulate the consumption of art, one strand that has gained prominence in recent years is street culture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The S\u00e3o Paulo of the gray walls has accumulated more colors. Visual artists and urban collectives spread throughout the city, which has gained new \u2014 and beautiful \u2014 landscapes. True open-air museums.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of them is the Beco do Batman, a narrow street in the west zone of S\u00e3o Paulo, full of murals and graffiti.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Batman
Batman mural in S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A group of artists of indigenous origin graffitied the viaduct in Jaragu\u00e1, the north zone of S\u00e3o Paulo. This one, in the Avenida Paulista region, the most emblematic of the city, portrays the writer from Minas Gerais, Carolina Maria de Jesus<\/a>. The work, signed by Criola, was baptized \u201cThe Ancestress of the Future.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cS\u00e3o Paulo is a box of surprises when we talk about culture. Every day, we learn new things because new information arrives here,\u201d Aguillar says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BUSINESS CULTURE IN S\u00c3O PAULO<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

 With almost 13 million inhabitants, S\u00e3o Paulo is the main Brazilian city. To have an idea, the city hall budget is the third largest in Brazil, behind only to the budget of the federal government and the budget of the government of the state of S\u00e3o Paulo.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And its vocation as a business hub comes from the beginning of the 20th century, when coffee \u2014 produced in the state\u2019s interior \u2014 was the main product exported by Brazil. Paulista Avenue, in the early 1900s, was a street full of mansions, where the coffee barons used to live.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Buildings
Buildings at Morumbi neighborhood in Sao Paulo financial district \u2013 Sao Paulo, Brazil<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Even with its wealth, S\u00e3o Paulo never was the Brazilian capital. While the main city of the state of S\u00e3o Paulo was growing, Rio de Janeiro \u2014 430 kilometers away \u2014 was the seat of executive power. The choice of Rio as the federal capital in 1763 was strictly intended to supervise the mining regions during the gold cycle. In 1960, the federal administration moved to its current home: Bras\u00edlia, built during Juscelino Kubitschek\u2019s government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While S\u00e3o Paulo grew for business, Rio de Janeiro has always had a greater vocation for art. The natural beauties, such as the beaches and the Pao de A\u00e7\u00facar, complete the plot of the \u201cWonderful City.\u201d In S\u00e3o Paulo, everything is \u201cfor yesterday.\u201d In Rio de Janeiro, everything is \u201ccontemplated.\u201d But the charm of one does not erase the effervescence of the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

S\u00e3o Paulo is the main business center in Brazil, and one of the most important in Latin America. Throughout the year, sectors such as civil construction, telecommunications and information technology hold their fairs and conventions, attracting thousands of visitors. The metropolis realized the importance of business tourism and today draws almost 10% of the hotel reservations in the entire country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

S\u00c3O PAULO @ NIGHT  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, don\u2019t forget S\u00e3o Paulo\u2019s nightlife. There are options for all tastes: nightclubs with varied musical rhythms, ranging from rock to hip hop, including country and samba; places with a more intimate theme, others more stripped down; clubs for those who want to go out with friends or to date \u2014 for the heterosexual or LGBTQIA+ public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention S\u00e3o Paulo\u2019s most distinctive cuisine, with its array of bars and restaurants. Italian cantinas in Bixiga, Japanese restaurants in Liberdade, and steakhouses in Vila Ol\u00edmpia are great options. There are also Arabian, Thai, African, Portuguese and vegetarian food options. There are over 20,000 establishments in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For product specialist Gibran Sattaur, Veloso Bar is a mandatory stop for those who want to know S\u00e3o Paulo\u2019s famous bar food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe atmosphere is very pleasant; they have a very nice outdoor area, with a summer afternoon vibe. It is a place where there is no live music. And the beer there is very good. And the coxinha [bread and fried chicken dumpling] is their main dish,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elleyne
Elleyne in S\u00e3o Paulo at night<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Douglas Aguilar values the possibility for people to get to know new flavors, with the large range of restaurants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good because you learn another way to prepare the same food, to present a meal,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shows with world-renowned artists, and those seeking to rise in their careers, are also in plentiful supply throughout the city. Currently, S\u00e3o Paulo hosts Loolapalooza<\/a>, in March, and starting this year \u2014 it will have a second big music festival, The Town<\/a>, later in 2023.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The metropolis is also the stage for great international tours. In March, for example, the band Coldplay \u2014 led by Chris Martin \u2014 had no less than six concerts here. And it\u2019s not unusual to see Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters or Metallica performing here, as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who want to come to S\u00e3o Paulo and don\u2019t know where to start getting to know the city, the tip is: look for the new, for what you can\u2019t find in your hometown. And for a simple reason: S\u00e3o Paulo is so big that it has no end. Even those who have lived here for decades can learn about a new metropolis around the next corner. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a city where there\u2019s room for a little of everything, it\u2019s almost impossible not to think about the various forms of culture that S\u00e3o Paulo offers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":21,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,8],"tags":[25,24,23],"class_list":["post-16","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-travel","tag-brazil","tag-sao-paulo","tag-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.cultursmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.cultursmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.cultursmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.cultursmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.cultursmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/staging.cultursmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":83,"href":"https:\/\/staging.cultursmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16\/revisions\/83"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.cultursmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/21"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.cultursmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.cultursmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.cultursmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}