Contemporary Art Biennale Establishes Curitiba as A Cultural Destination

08/16/2018 - 15h05

Curitiba, known for its smart urban planning, has been drawing attention from tourists because its new cultural scene. Art galleries, museums, art fairs and trendy new restaurants are reinforcing Paraná's capital's affinity with arts and gastronomy.

One such example will the opening, on October 18th, of Curitiba's International Contemporary Art Biennale, the second largest biennale in Brazil. The event, in its 25th year, will be headquartered in Museu Oscar Niemeyer, popularly known as the "eye museum", due to the building's unusual shape. But the biennale will be spread out to several art galleries and it will reach even bus stops.

Curitiba also shows its artistic talents outside the museums and galleries. Street art brings life and color to walls in the city financial district.

Rua São Francisco and in Largo do Paço feature works by local artists such as Rimon Guimarães, Maciel and Felas. A huge tulip painted by Swiss artists Mona Caron brings color to a gable wall in Praça do Bolso do Ciclista.

Downtown Curitiba and the Batel neighborhood gather art and gastronomy attractions, and are perfect for a stroll.

	Karime Xavier/Folhapress
	Curitiba

In April, celebrity chef Henrique Fogaça opened a branch of his gastropub Cão Véio, in Água Verde neighborhood. Other famous restaurants are about to open branches in Curitiba, such as an endeavor by British chef Jamie Oliver and Paris 6, a known bistro in São Paulo.

But local eateries also offer good options, in all price ranges.

Considered by many critics one of the best restaurants in Brazil, chef Manu Buffara's Manu (restaurantemanu.com.br, offers artisanal cooking with ten-course, wine-paired dinners (R$ 220 - US$ 56.50).

Translated by NATASHA MADOV

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