at a glance

in 1922 mayor carlos sampaio converted the street to an avenue and gave it its current name, avenida rainha elizabeth in order to honour queen elizabeth of belgium (1876-1965) who visited rio de janeiro just two years previously in 1920 with her husband king albert i.

popular with her countrymen, queen elizabeth was known for her charity work, philanthropic activities as well as for her contribution to the arts, founding in 1937 the eugène-ysaye musical contest, which in 1950 had its name changed to the queen elizabeth international music competition of belgium and still exists today.