CIRCO SÃO JORGE
In Memory of Paulo da Portela
This corner, occupying an entire block, was once home to a significant landmark of suburban culture: the Circo Teatro São Jorge. This venue hosted cultural performances spanning various art forms. It was common at the time for sambistas to perform in popular circuses, as major theaters didn’t give them opportunities. It was here that one of the greatest figures in the history of Portela gave his final performance.
Paulo da Portela, the stage name of Paulo Benjamin de Oliveira, was born in 1901 in central Rio de Janeiro. However, it was in Oswaldo Cruz, where he moved as a young man, that he became one of the most important figures in Brazilian popular culture.
His story is deeply tied to the samba school Portela, which he co-founded and where he became its most iconic figure. Paulo played a crucial role in shaping what we now know today as samba-enredo (carnaval’s samba theme song). A landmark moment of this contribution was the song Teste ao Samba, presented at Carnival in 1939. During that parade, Paulo led the school dressed as a teacher, with the other members portraying students, creatively bringing the samba’s theme to life.
More than just a sambista, Paulo da Portela was a remarkable community leader. He fought against the stigma and marginalization of sambistas. Always elegant and mindful of appearances, he encouraged his peers to dress sharply as a way to earn respect. He became a symbol of suburban pride and the working class, whom he defended with unwavering determination and a strong sense of social justice.
In the later years of his life, Paulo distanced himself from his beloved school after a disagreement during Carnival in 1941. In January 1949, he passed away after falling ill while performing at Circo São Jorge. His funeral was a significant event in Rio, drawing tens of thousands of people in an emotional display of respect and admiration.
His work and legacy remain alive, defying the words of his own samba: “O meu nome já caiu no esquecimento” (My name has already been forgotten).
