Mercosur Biennial delayed to 2025 after catastrophic floods damage Porto Alegre venues

Severe flooding in Rio Grande do Sul has forced the postponement of the Mercosur Biennial from September to April 2025. Hundreds have died and thousands are displaced in the southern Brazilian state, with over 50 museums suffering structural damage. The Museu do Trabalho, a key venue for the exhibition, experienced basement flooding. Since 1996, Porto Alegre has hosted this major art event. Foundation president Carmen Ferrão emphasized art's transformative power, calling the rescheduled biennial a beacon of hope that will showcase regional resilience and revive the artistic sector. Curator Raphael Fonseca described the devastation in Porto Alegre as a nightmare from which recovery will take time, expressing personal connection to the city. The event's delay reflects the extensive physical damage to cultural infrastructure across the state capital.