Abstract

KNAUSS, Paulo. A cidade como sentimento: história e memória de um acontecimento na sociedade contemporânea - o incêndio do Gran Circus Norte-Americano em Niterói, 1961. Rev. Bras. Hist. [online]. 2007, vol.27, n.53, pp. 25-54. ISSN 1806-9347.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-01882007000100003.

The study connects urban history and event history to discuss the memory in contemporary societies. The research analyzes the fire of the Gran Circus Norte-Americano in December 17, 1961, in the city of Niterói, when it still was the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro. The fact is known as one of the biggest fires in history in terms of fatal victims’ number, and that has been established in the city memory. The work is based on press sources and oral sources. The analysis shows how the event is established between history and memory, and defines the city as feeling.

Keywords : Gran Circus Norte-Americano; fire; Niterói.