50 photo panels and an audiovisual installation bring Mandela’s legacy to Curitiba’s Portão Cultural, free admission, March 3 to April 30, 2026.
A multimedia tribute to an icon of reconciliation
The exhibition Mandela, Global Icon of Reconciliation opens in Curitiba on March 3, 2026, at the Sala Célia Lazzarotto inside the Portão Cultural, running through April 30. Free and open to all audiences, the show is organized by the Instituto Brasil África (Ibraf) in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg.
Visitors will encounter 50 photographic panels and an immersive audiovisual installation covering key chapters of Nelson Mandela’s life: his formative years, political activism, imprisonment under the apartheid regime, and his decisive role in South Africa’s democratic transition. The exhibition also spotlights lesser-known aspects of the leader, including his studies in Arts and Law, his passion for long-distance running, and his practice of boxing.
The fourth stop on a Brazilian national tour
After drawing thousands of visitors in Brasília, São Paulo, and Belém, the touring exhibition reaches Paraná’s capital with sponsorship from Itaipu Binacional and support from the City of Curitiba. It stands as one of the most significant traveling shows on human rights and democracy currently on display in Brazil.
“Bringing Nelson Mandela’s legacy to the Brazilian public also means encouraging deep reflection on collective responsibility, tolerance, and democratic building. His story reminds us that reconciliation is not an isolated act, but a continuous process requiring courage, listening, and social commitment.” — João Bosco Monte, founder and president of Instituto Brasil África
Mandela’s legacy and its resonance in Brazil
South African curator Christopher Till highlights how deeply Mandela’s story connects to Brazilian realities. In his view, Mandela’s journey speaks directly to the history of Black Brazilians, to their processes of resistance, social formation, and the assertion of rights.
“Mandela is a reference that transcends national borders. Revisiting this legacy means recognizing historical connections and strengthening a collective consciousness around justice, dignity, and belonging.” — Christopher Till, exhibition curator
Enio Verri, Brazilian Director-General of Itaipu Binacional, underscores his institution’s alignment with the exhibition’s values. “Supporting an exhibition on Nelson Mandela means reaffirming our commitment to values we consider non-negotiable: justice, dialogue, and equality. Initiatives like this keep alive the memory of leaders who transformed the world through courage and reconciliation, while inspiring new generations to build a more humane and inclusive society,” he stated.
Visitor Information
Exhibition: Mandela, Global Icon of Reconciliation
Official opening (invited guests): March 2, 2026
Dates: March 3 to April 30, 2026
Venue: Portão Cultural – Sala Célia Lazzarotto (Av. Rep. Argentina, 3.432 – Portão, Curitiba, Brazil)
Free admission, all ages welcome
Photo: Nailana Thiely
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