“A Canto Da Cidade” (on the street corner) is an insight into the absurd and picturesque beach culture in Rio de Janeiro. A tribute to the vibrant self-confidence of the Cariocas (people from Rio).
Summer in Rio de Janeiro isn’t just about Carnaval – it’s when the city’s beach culture truly comes alive. For the people of Rio, the Carnaval in February is more than just a holiday. It s a celebration of so many things that defines this vibrant city: the rhythm of the music, the energy of the streets, and the culture that pulses along its shores. Months of preparation go into the costumes, with families and beach vendors gearing up for the high season. At this time of year, Rio s streets and beaches are buzzing with life, and the summer heat creates a vibrant energy that reaches its peak.
As the city’s long summer vacation kicks into full gear, Rio’s beaches become the epicenter of it all. From Copacabana to Ipanema, these iconic stretches of sand transform into vibrant gatherings, where locals and tourists alike soak up the sun, the music, and the lifestyle of Rio.
The sea breeze carries the beat of the latest baile funk tracks, the scent of grilled cheese and cachaça, and the unmistakable rhythm of beach football games. It’s where life feels its most alive, a place where community, freedom, and self-expression converge.
No wonder that Rio is currently becoming the most hyped winter escape plan for privileged europeans. Everyone wants to hang out on the copacabana once and feel the breeze of a Brasilian summer.
The people of Rio, Carioca s you would say in Brasil, own a unique blend of strength, confidence, and sensuality that is infectious. The toughness and pride they carry, whether walking along the beach or dancing in the streets, speaks to the dual nature of the city: one of raw beauty and resilience. In this environment, the beach culture is not just a backdrop but an integral part of the city s spirit. The endless summer, the music, the community gatherings at the beach or in the streets and the carefree atmosphere all add to the unmatched charisma of the Metropol.
Rio de Janeiro is a city full of contrasts, where beauty and violence can coexist very close.
The allure of the beaches and the glamour of Carnaval stand in strong contrast to the city’s underlying social challenges. Yet, the beach culture becomes an everyday celebration of liberation, unity, and cultural pride. It’s a place for everyone, not just for tourists or rich people. A place to escape the urban chaos.
The weeks around Carnaval transform the everyday hardships of life into a time for Carioca s to embrace joy, tradition, and identity. A celebration of both the individual and the collective, a moment when the city’s contrasts fade into the background and the unity of nature, culture, and spirit takes center stage.
With my portraits, I would like to catch a glimpse of this unique city. In order to give a sense of the beauty, the self-confidence and the cultural identity of today s young Brazilians."
Text and photographs by Lucia Jost
