Galo Gigante Rises on Ponte Duarte Coelho, Launching Recife’s 2026 Carnival

Overview

• At 7:10 p.m. on Feb. 11, the 32-meter, roughly eight-ton sculpture was raised on the downtown bridge as crowds gathered for the traditional ascent.
• This is the first year the monument was fully finalized on the bridge, marking a change in how the piece is completed before the festivities.
• The work, led by artist Leopoldo Nóbrega with designer Germana Xavier, incorporates upcycled elements and hand-crafted details.
• Production techniques included mosaics, pontillism and 3D printing, with participation from about 100 professionals.
• A symbolic heart honoring Dom Hélder was carried in a cortege from the Convento de Santo Antônio on Feb. 10 and installed on the chest, and the sculpture will remain on the bridge through Feb. 22.