In a world where borders are often synonymous with separation, control, and sometimes conflict, the Peace Border between Uruguay and Brazil is a curious exception. This border stretch, connecting the cities of Rivera (Uruguay) and Santana do Livramento (Brazil), is much more than just a dividing line between two nations. It is a symbol of integration, a living testament to how two peoples have managed to live together in peace, sharing not only a geographical space but also a cultural identity.

The epicenter of this unique relationship is the International Plaza, inaugurated on February 26, 1943, during World War II. In an era marked by division and global conflict, this binational plaza was established as a space of union, a symbol of the possibility of peaceful coexistence between nations. The plaza is unique, equally shared by Brazil and Uruguay, and jointly managed by both countries.

It covers about 55,000 square meters and forms a symmetrical ensemble on both sides of the border line, presided over by a 15-meter-high obelisk, symbolizing the Uruguayan-Brazilian fraternity. At 13 meters high, there are two clocks, which are no longer functional, that were synchronized with the official hours of each country. Whenever both times coincided, a beam of light lasting about five minutes would project from the obelisk’s glass-topped vertex.

The street along which the border line between the two cities runs, seen from the International Square
The street along which the border line between the two cities runs, seen from the International Square. Credit: Mx. Granger / Wikimedia Commons

The plaza’s inauguration was a highly symbolic event, presided over by the then-leaders of Brazil and Uruguay, Getúlio Vargas and Alfredo Baldomir, respectively. The timing of the event was no coincidence; in a world fractured by war, the creation of this binational space represented a message of hope, an example of how borders can be bridges instead of barriers.

But the origin of the Peace Border was not always marked by harmony. Initially, both Rivera and Santana do Livramento were founded for military purposes, designed to mutually monitor the interests of their respective countries. However, over time, this military function gave way to closer coexistence between the inhabitants of both cities. The need to interact, trade, and coexist transformed the border into a space for cultural and social exchange.

As the relationships between the inhabitants of Rivera and Santana do Livramento grew closer, the dividing line between them became increasingly blurred, eventually evolving into what we now know as the Peace Border.

Another view of the International Square with the obelisk
Another view of the International Square with the obelisk. Credit: Muñata (Miguel Chaves) / Wikimedia Commons

Over the years, the border has witnessed significant diplomatic meetings between the leaders of Uruguay and Brazil. The first of these meetings took place on February 10, 1957, when Brazilian President Juscelino Kubitschek and Arturo Lezama, President of Uruguay’s National Government Council, met in the International Plaza.

Since then, other significant meetings have taken place at the border. On May 6, 1997, Uruguayan President Julio María Sanguinetti and Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso met again in the plaza, solidifying the tradition of using this space as a meeting point to strengthen bilateral ties. The most recent joint visit of leaders occurred on July 30, 2010, with the presence of Presidents José Mujica and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, once again reaffirming the special character of this border.

One of the most notable aspects of the Peace Border is the binationalism that characterizes its inhabitants. It is common to find families whose members hold both Uruguayan and Brazilian nationalities, moving seamlessly between both sides of the border.

Plaque commemorating the creation of the International Square, placed on the obelisk
Plaque commemorating the creation of the International Square, placed on the obelisk. Credit: Fernando da Rosa (Fedaro) / Wikimedia Commons

This phenomenon has given rise to a hybrid culture, where Spanish and Portuguese intermingle daily, and Portuñol, a border dialect, becomes a lingua franca that facilitates communication.

Everyday life at the Peace Border is a testament to the cultural integration that has emerged between Rivera and Santana do Livramento. People cross the border to work, study, or simply shop, with the dividing line posing no real obstacle in their lives, as there is no control. This fluidity has created a unique border identity, where national differences are blurred in favor of a cohesive binational community.

The two cities are united, not separated, by the border, an imaginary line that runs through their streets and is perfectly expressed in the International Plaza, the only binational plaza in the world, equally shared by both countries.

This article was first published on our Spanish Edition on August 22, 2024: Frontera de la Paz, la única plaza binacional del mundo, compartida por dos países

SOURCES

Fronteira da Paz (Web oficial)

Carlos María Lima, Nacionalidad: Fronterizo

Frontera de la Paz Sustentable

Eurosocial, Frontera de paz

FIIAPP, Frontera de Paz: Fortaleciendo la gobernanza transfronteriza

Wikipedia, Frontera de la Paz

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