Brasília celebrates Congress bicentennial with street race and extended public tours

To mark the 200th anniversary of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies, a public street race was held on Sunday, 17 May, in Brasília. The event featured four categories – a 3 km walk, 5 km and 10 km runs, and a short children’s circuit – and attracted nearly 6,000 registered participants. The race began near the Esplanada dos Ministérios, passed the Congress precinct and included cultural activities such as live music and a tree‑planting program.

In conjunction with the race, guided tours of the Palácio do Congresso Nacional were made available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the same day, a departure from the usual schedule. Visitors could explore the chambers of the Chamber and Senate, historic halls and art collections, and also experience the “Visite Encena” project, which stages brief theatrical sketches that dramatise moments from Brazil’s history. Admission was free and tours lasted about 50 minutes.