Anabela GALHARDO COUTO

UNIDCOM, IADE – Creative University, Lisbon, Portugal

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Abstract
This paper focus on ephemeral architecture and design constructions associated to the urban celebrations in Portugal, in the Baroque period. This is a field of knowledge where there are still many gaps. The paper seeks to contribute to deeper understanding of the Portuguese cultural heritage. From the research and collection of documents, some unpublished, we proceeded to its interpretation in the light of Baroque culture. We seek to trace the typology of these events and summarise the main characteristics of the major shows-parties of that period. Special attention is granted to triumphal arches and pyrotechnic machines and fireworks displays, which embellished the streets and squares of Lisbon to celebrate special occasions, such as the weddings of members of the royal family. The paper analyses some of such artifacts, reflecting on their aesthetic, conceptual and ideological sense. Bringing together ephemeral architecture, engineering, pyrotechnics with narrative fiction, dramatic performance, literature and mythological characters, symbols, and images, triumphal arches and fireworks apparatus draw over the city a fantastic geography where dream and wonder rule, configuring an aesthetic of enchantment scoped within the principles of the Baroque culture.

Keywords
Portuguese cultural heritage; Baroque period; ephemeral design; triumphal arches;
fireworks displays