The Guaíra Cultural Theater (Brazil, Curitiba PR)

 

With this article, I open the "Cycle of articles on the attractions of the city of Curitiba". These are the places that not only locals like to visit, but also tourists.

The Guaíra Cultural Theater is one of the largest cultural complexes in Latin America, with an area of around 17,000 square meters and a capacity for around 3,000 people. Maintained by the Government of Paraná, it is located in Santos Andrade Square.

The Guaíra building was built to the architectural design of Rubens Meister. The Guaíra Theater houses three auditoriums: Bento Munhoz da Rocha Netto, Salvador de Ferrante and Glauco Flores de Sá Brito. The Teatro Zé Maria, located in the São Francisco district, is also part of the CCTG.

The Guaíra Theater has four artistic bodies: the Paraná Symphony Orchestra, the Guaíra Theater Ballet, the G2 Dance Company and the Dance School. The Teatro Guaíra is the best-known cultural venue in the state.

A little history of the Guaíra Theater

The Guaíra is the largest and best known of Curitiba's many theaters. The theater has existed where it is today since the 1950s, but the tradition of theater in Curitiba - of which the Guaíra is heir - has existed for over 160 years.

Theatro Guayra [at the old address, Alameda Doutor Muricy- 1906]. Casa da Memória collection.

The construction of the first theater building took many years, but the foundation stone was laid on March 25, 1874, on Murisi Street, where the Paraná State Public Library is located today.

Former Guayra Theater. Date and author unknown

In 1894, because of the Federalist Revolution, it was used as a prison and, after the Revolution, it was closed. In 1900, it was renovated and reopened under the name Theatro Guayra.

Demolition of the Theatro Guayra on Alameda Doutor Murici. Date and author unknown

The theater was demolished in the 1930s due to the building's poor state of repair.

The construction of the new theater was part of the "Centenary Works" - alluding to the centenary of the Political Emancipation of the State of Paraná, celebrated in 1953. The site chosen was in front of Praça Santos Andrade, in the city center.

Guaíra Theater under construction in its current location, in front of Santos Andrade Square.
Date and author unknown. Guaíra Theater Collection.

The first auditorium officially opened in 1954 was the Salvador de Ferrante auditorium - the Guairinha. Salvador de Ferrante was an actor and director.

Twenty years later, the largest and best-known of the complex's auditoriums was inaugurated - the Guairão. The auditorium was named after former governor Bento Munhoz da Rocha Neto, who started the project back in the 1950s. When it opened, the theater was one of the 10 largest in the world.

In August 1975, the last auditorium, Glauco Flores de Sá Brito, was inaugurated. Glauco Flores de Sá Brito was a journalist, theater critic, poet, playwright, television professional, director and cultural agitator, born in Rio Grande do Sul, who lived in Curitiba for most of his life.

Guaíra Theater under construction in its current location, in front of Santos Andrade Square.
Date and author unknown

And so the Guaíra Theater Complex was finally completed and inaugurated. Many national and international names have played at the theater, including Roberto Carlos, Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Elis Regina, Hermeto Pascoal, Mercedes Sosa, B.B. King, Robert Plant and Julio Iglesias.

On the theater's façade is a panel by one of Paraná's greatest artists: Poty Lazzarotto.

Poty Lazzarotto's mural at the Guaíra Theater

The Guaíra Theater is a great place to have fun with your friends and family. There are wonderful shows, productions and plays waiting for you here.

There is also the Café Guairao, where you can have a delicious meal, drink coffee, read books, play the guitar, etc.

More photos of the Teatro Guaíra can be seen here