Janja, Fernanda Torres, Marcelo Rubens Paiva: the list of those awarded the Grand Cross honor in culture

The federal government honors, this Tuesday 20th, personalities and institutions that contribute to the development of culture in the country.

The ceremony to present the Order of Cultural Merit (OMC), the highest public honor in the Brazilian cultural sector, began at 5:00 p.m. President Lula (PT) is participating in the event, which also marks the reopening of the Gustavo Capanema Palace in Rio de Janeiro, after a decade of being closed for renovations.

According to a publication in the Official Gazette of the Union, 112 people and 14 institutions will be honored this year. The nominations covered the most varied cultural segments, such as collections, architecture, performing arts (theater, dance and circus), visual arts, audiovisual, digital culture, indigenous culture, traditional and popular culture, urban cultures, photography, literature, music and cultural heritage.

The honorees will be recognized in three different degrees: Grand Cross, for the greatest distinctions; Commander, for outstanding contributions; and Knight, for relevant contributions in their areas of activity.

In the Grand Cross category, names such as: First Lady Janja da Silva ; actress and writer Fernanda Torres ; state deputy Leci Brandão; writer Marcelo Rubens Paiva; presenter Xuxa Meneghel; singer and composer Milton Nascimento; and actor and comedian Paulo Gustavo ( in memoriam ) will be honored.

See the full list of winners:

● Alaíde Costa Silveira Mondin Gomide – singer and composer Brazilian singer and composer, of the MPB, Samba and Pagode genres. She is 89 years old, born in Rio de Janeiro. ● Alceu Paiva Valença – singer and composer

● Aldir Blanc Mendes – ( in memoriam )

IN MEMORIAN – Aldir Blanc was born in Rio de Janeiro on September 2, 1946. He passed away on May 4, 2020, at the age of 73. Renowned Brazilian lyricist, composer, columnist and doctor. One of the great names of MPB was honored with the naming of the Aldir Blanc Policy for the Promotion of Culture. ● Alcione Dias Nazareth – singer and composer ● Antonio Viana Gomes – Tony Tornado (actor) ● Arlindo Domingos da Cruz Filho – Arlindo Cruz – musician and composer ● Ary Beira Fontoura – Ary Fontoura – actor ● Asfilófio de Oliveira Filho – Dom Filó – producer and cultural activist

● Danilo Santos de Miranda – Danilo Miranda ( in memoriam ) – sociologist

A sociologist from São Paulo, Danilo Miranda is the director of Sesc-SP and a leading figure in public cultural policies. His work has strengthened access to culture throughout the state. ● Durval de Lima – Xororó – singer

● Elizabeth Santos Leal de Carvalho – Beth Carvalho ( in memoriam ) – singer

● Euclides Fagundes Filho – Catfish Fagundes – folklorist ● Fernanda Pinheiro Torres – actress ● Francisco César Gonçalves – Chico César – singer and composer

● Isaura Garcia – Isaurinha ( in memoriam )

● João Carlos Gandra da Silva Martins – pianist and conductor ● José Lima Sobrinho – Chitãozinho – singer ● Laura Cardoso – actress ● Leci Brandão da Silva – Leci Brandão – deputy and singer

● Léa Lucas Garcia de Aguiar – Léa Garcia ( in memoriam ) – actress

● Lucinete Ferreira – Anastasia – singer ● Marcelo Rubens Paiva – writer ● Maria Carlota Fernandes Bruno – film producer ● Maria da Graça Xuxa Meneghel – presenter ● Maria Jose Motta de Oliveira – Zezé Motta – actress ● Maria Madalena Correia do Nascimento – Lia from Itamaracá – singer and composer

● Marilia Dias Mendonça – Marilia Mendonça ( in memoriam ) – singer

● Martinho José Ferreira – Martinho da Vila – singer and composer ● Mateus Aleluia Lima – Mateus Aleluia – singer and composer ● Milton Silva Campos do Nascimento – Milton Nascimento – singer and composer ● Moacyr da Luz Silva – Moacyr Luz – musician and composer ● Ney Matogrosso – singer ● Nilcedes Soares de Magalhães – Gloria Menezes – actress ● Othon Bastos – actor

● Paulo Gustavo Amaral Monteiro de Barros – Paulo Gustavo ( in memoriam ) – comedian

● Paulo Leminski Filho – Paulo Leminski ( in memoriam ) – poet ● Romualdo Rosario da Costa – Master Moa of Katendê ( in memoriam ) – capoeira player ● Rosângela Lula da Silva – Janja – First Lady

● Rosa Lucia Benedetti Magalhães – Rosa Magalhães ( in memoriam ) – carnival artist

● Vladimir Carvalho da Silva – Vladimir Carvalho ( in memoriam ) – filmmaker ● Walter Moreira Salles Júnior – Walter Salles Jr. – director and producer