This plaque is part of the 'Praça XV' circuit. Click here to see more about this and other circuits.
Produced in bronze at life size, the statue of João Cândido Felisberto was erected to honor the man who became known as the "Black Admiral" for his deeds during the Revolta da Chibata (1910).
Image description: The image is a photograph of a statue located in an outdoor setting. The statue depicts a human figure, dressed in a dark blue uniform, holding a large, circular ship's wheel with both hands. The figure is smiling and looking to the right. In the background, there are green trees and a clear sky. In the distance, a blue and white structure can be seen, possibly a ship or a building.Estátua de João Cândido revitalizada e realocada na Praça Marechal Âncora.
Initially installed at the Museu do Catete, the monument created by the visual artist Walter Brito was relocated to Praça XV in 2008, after the approval of the amnesty decree for João Cândido and other sailors who took part in the 1910 movement, proposed by then-senator Marina Silva, under Ordinary Law 11.756/2008. The location was chosen for being in front of the sea and close to the military complex on Ilha das Cobras, where João Cândido was held prisoner after the outbreak of the revolt.
Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of two men wearing sailor uniforms. The figure on the left holds an object in his hands, while the figure on the right holds a piece of paper. Both are standing in front of a window with a symbol at the top.João Cândido (à direita) lê o manifesto dos revoltosos. Wikimedia Commons
The construction work on the VLT and the installation of the Praça XV station in 2017 took away the monument's visibility, and in November 2022, after careful restoration, it was relocated once again to Praça Marechal Âncora, which is close to Praça XV.
Image description: The image is a photograph of a statue located in a public space. The statue depicts a human figure in a dynamic pose, with one arm raised upward and the other resting on a roller. The statue's base is square and metallic, with a front panel. In the background, there is a green building with a green-roofed tower and dome. There are trees and cars in the background, along with a clear blue sky.A estátua que representa João Cândido agora fica de frente para o mar. À sua frente, na foto, o restaurante Ancoramar.
Decades after the Revolta da Chibata (Lash Revolt), João Cândido is still barely recognized for his achievement in fighting the terrible working conditions and physical punishments imposed on low-ranking sailors – most of them Black men – typical of the recently abolished institution of slavery. Because he was Black, poor, and had turned against the authority of the State, his figure was erased from Brazil's official history for a long time. In recent decades, however, there has been an effort to rehabilitate his image and highlight the importance of the Revolta da Chibata in our history.
Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of two men standing in front of an airplane. On the left is an older man, wearing a black suit with a tie and hat, holding a folded newspaper. To his right is another, younger man, also in a black suit, holding an open newspaper. Both are standing in front of the airplane, which has the word "KARIG" written on its upper section. In the background, there is a large, modern building.Homenagem em vida: João Cândido e seu filho durante embarque para Porto Alegre, a fim de receber homenagens do governador Leonel Brizola, anos 1960. Arquivo Nacional - Fundo Correio da Manhã
The tribute to João Cândido represents recognition of his leadership in the fight for better working conditions and dignity for sailors and, furthermore, his importance to the anti-racist movement in Brazil.
Image description: The image is a photograph of a statue and people in an outdoor setting. In the central part, there is a bronze statue of a man raising his arms. Behind the statue, there are green trees and a blue sky with some clouds. In front of the statue, a man is raising his hand in a salute gesture. In the background, other people are present, some appearing to be playing musical instruments.Seu Candinho, filho de João Cândido, na reinauguração da estátua do pai, em novembro de 2022. Foto: Beth Santos/Prefeitura do Rio
