RioLuz celebrates 35 years with a tribute to employees and an exhibition

The exhibition “RioLuz – 35 Years: A Leap in Time” portrays the evolution of public lighting in the city. Photo: José Dias - RioLuz

In celebration of its 35th anniversary, RioLuz held a special ceremony at the Military Club on Thursday (August 07th) to honor the employees who have made their mark on the history of the public company responsible for lighting the city of Rio de Janeiro. In total, 08 employees received honorary motions, presented by the company's president, Rafael Thompson, in recognition of their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to the mission of transforming the city through light.

"The history of RioLuz is written daily by men and women who dedicate themselves to their work with courage and passion. This recognition is more than deserved; it's a way of saying thank you for every streetlight lit, every safer street, and every citizen whose life has been impacted by quality public lighting," said Rafael Thompson.

Among the honorees, some careers stood out for their longevity and impact on the company's history. Antônio José Sobral, with 40 years of experience, began his career at the former Municipal Energy Company (CME) as a communications agent. Today, he holds a prominent position leading RioLuz's Operations and Inspection Department. Another example is Paulo Cézar dos Santos, a 29-year employee who passed a public service exam in 1992. He began as an electrician and, throughout his career, held various positions until reaching the Operations and Inspection Directorate.

Luiz Batista Corrêa, 78, is the company's longest-serving employee: with 31 years with the company, he has worked as a Class 2 assistant since 1992, earning recognition for his collaborative spirit and exemplary dedication. Also notable was Ana Cristina Santos da Silva, the only woman on his operations team in Marechal Hermes in the 1990s, where she unloaded trucks and assembled light fixtures. Today, she continues to contribute to the company's administrative department.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of Rio's City Hall, including the Municipal Secretary of Infrastructure, Wanderson Santos; the Municipal Secretary of Public Order, Marcus Belchior; the Secretary of Consumer Protection and Defense, João Pires; and the Undersecretary of Sports, Anna Laura Monteiro Valente de Secco. Also present were the President of the City Council, Carlo Caiado, other municipal officials, and representatives of residents' associations from various neighborhoods. During the event, RioLuz was honored with a motion of recognition for its services to the city, presented by Carlo Caiado to the company's president, Rafael Thompson.

"Celebrating RioLuz's 35th anniversary is a celebration of an essential part of our city's history. Public lighting is a service that transforms lives, promotes safety, mobility, and citizenship. I congratulate all the professionals who helped build this legacy," said Carlo Caiado, president of the Rio City Council.

Exhibition celebrates the history of lighting in Rio

At the end of the ceremony, guests were invited to visit the exhibition “RioLuz – 35 Years: A Leap in Time”, which portrays the evolution of public lighting in the city and the company's trajectory.

Featuring historical objects, images, documents, and sensory experiences, the exhibition highlights technological milestones, the role of lighting in the urban landscape, and its direct impact on the safety and quality of life of Rio residents. The exhibition pays homage to the past, reflects on the present, and invites reflection on the future of lighting in the city.