Rio de Janeiro, Winter 2011 - The cidade maravilhosa’s expectations and contradictions

Abstract

A Rio de Janeiro crossing during the Winter of 2011. Urban, social and economic contrasts and contradictions of a city that is preparing to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in 2016. The ‘street cleaning’ of cidade maravilhosa: the next sporting competitions and respective ‘showcasing’ will show neither people living on the streets nor rampant drug trafficking. The city seems to look forward to the events while at the same time the common people have different opinions: from hopes of ​​a new opportunity for Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, to fears of new contradictions, speculations and iniquities.