rio de janeiro is known for its incredible beaches, friendly atmosphere, and brilliant scenery but there is another side to the city beyond the glitz and glamour. stacked on the hillsides surrounding the more affluent neighborhoods are the favelas of rio, where thousands of people live in a reality that is far removed from the post card images of the city.

catching international attention after being represented in a number of media productions, favela communities were stuck with a one-sided, negative reputation for many years.

to challenege these misconceptions it is essential to understand and recognize, that favelas are an extremely important part of carioca life and identity, and that they are of great significance to the rich cultural heritage that characterizes the city 'maravilhosa'.