MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Sao Paulo launches week of birthday events

A rowing regatta, in which participants wore masks, goggles and plastic gloves to guard against pollution, began festivities Sunday leading up to the 450th birthday of Sao Paulo, the Western Hemisphere's biggest city.

The celebrations include concerts and art shows in the coming week, culminating in a parade featuring folkloric dancing, samba music and fireworks next Sunday, the city's anniversary.

Sunday's regatta, sponsored by the traditional Clube Esperia health club, was described by organizers as "informal," and no prizes were awarded or winners declared. Organizers called it "a nostalgia trip."

Sao Paulo's main river, the Tiete, was used for rowing by local universities and health clubs from 1903 until 1971, when highway construction on its margins and pollution coursing through its currents ended the practice.

In order to take part in Sunday's event, the 40 participants were obliged to obtain flu shots and wear goggles, surgical masks and plastic gloves. None of the 14 boats capsized, spectators said.

Sao Paulo, with a metropolitan population of 18.3 million, is South America's most-industrialized city. The United Nations ranks it the world's second largest metropolitan area, behind Tokyo, Japan.

Other events Sunday included a cycling race, won by Antonio Nascimento, a native of the northeastern state of Ceara, and a parade of antique cars.

The parade included 450 vehicles, ranging from a 1909 Model-T Ford to a 1957 Chevrolet.