The city of Torres was officially named the National Capital of Ballooning, as established by Federal Law No. 14,808, of January 11, 2024. The honor was granted by the Presidency of the Republic after a series of deliberations in the committees of the Chamber and the Federal Senate .
In May 2022, the Federal Chamber’s Culture Committee approved the designation. At the time, the mayor emphasized the relevance of attributing the title to the city, attributing the success to collective dedication. He mentioned the efforts of councilor Gibraltar Vidal in collaboration with federal deputy Alceu Moreira, who proposed the project (PL 9073/2017). Former councilor Zete Silveira was also praised for her cooperation with federal deputy Maria do Rosário, who was the PL rapporteur and the only representative of Rio Grande do Sul on the Culture Commission. The bill was subsequently approved by the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Committee of the Federal Chamber of Deputies and forwarded to the Senate.
In August 2023, the project was approved by the Federal Chamber after passing through the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Commission. With the approval of the final wording by the Chamber of Deputies, the project was sent to the Senate for analysis. Mayor Carlos Souza once again highlighted the tireless work of the Secretariat to obtain the title. He also recognized the contribution of other federal deputies, such as Pompeo de Matos, Afonso Motta and Afonso Hann, in addition to the efforts of councilor Fábio da Rosa and the former secretary of Tourism, Fernando Nery.
In December 2023, bill 4,146/2023, originating in the Chamber of Deputies, was approved by the Sports Committee of the Federal Chamber and received a favorable opinion from the rapporteur, senator Paulo Paim. The text was then forwarded for presidential sanction.
It was highlighted that the activity of flying in hot air balloons animates the city of Rio Grande do Sul throughout the year, especially during the Torres International Ballooning Festival, which will reach its 34th edition in 2024. This festival is the largest event of its kind in America Latin and attracts sports enthusiasts, tourists and professionals. As a result, the city’s commerce, hotel and gastronomy sectors are boosted, generating income and jobs.
Torres is famous for hosting the International Ballooning Festival for more than three decades, the largest event of its kind in Latin America. Each year, the festival brings together balloon pilots from different countries and regions of Brazil, who enchant the public with their vibrant colors and varied shapes in the sky.