Acre conspiracy
Satirical theory that Acre does not exist or has dinosaurs.
The Acre conspiracy is a satirical theory, popular in Brazil, which humorously claims that the state of Acre either does not exist or is populated by non-avian dinosaurs. It is considered the Brazilian counterpart to the similar joke about the German city of Bielefeld. The theory has been the subject of academic study and has appeared in news reports.
A 2014 academic article by Giselle Xavier d'Ávila Lucena argues that media production and distribution have decontextualized Acre’s history. This process, combined with how the state’s spatial boundaries are defined, has created a “crystallized experience of denial.” The article suggests that the narratives surrounding Acre’s history lead people to imagine the neglect and disregard with which the Brazilian government treated the state.
The state government of Acre has acknowledged the conspiracy. A 2020 article on its website questioned how people could insist Acre does not exist, while a 2022 article explicitly declared that “Acre exists.” In January 2020, the state’s Secretary of Tourism, Eliane Sinhasique, posted a poll on Instagram proposing to place dinosaur sculptures at the state’s entrance portal. She explained that dinosaurs have long been a source of mockery regarding Acre, especially when people question its existence.
The meme has also influenced social media and pop culture. During his debut on the national news program *Jornal Nacional*, anchor Ayres Rocha made a statement “proving” Acre exists, which generated numerous memes. In April 2018, cinematographer Moisés Santos wore a two-meter inflatable dinosaur costume called “DinoAcre” in response to the dinosaur jokes, gaining widespread popularity online. A viral parody song titled “This Is Acre,” based on local legends and inspired by jokes about the state’s non-existence, also achieved success. The Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Brazil has even used the meme, suggesting placing dinosaurs on the state’s entrance sign as a tourist attraction.
- field
- Satirical conspiracy theory
- nationality
- Brazilian
- known_for
- Claiming Acre does not exist or is inhabited by non-avian dinosaurs
- equivalent_to
- Bielefeld conspiracy (Germany)
Lore & Background
The Acre conspiracy has been acknowledged by the Acre state government itself. In a 2020 article on its website, the government commented: '[...] there are some people who insist on saying that Acre does not exist. And then I tell you: how can it not exist?' Another article from 2022 explicitly stated in its title that 'Acre exists.' In January 2020, the Secretary of Tourism in Acre published a poll on Instagram proposing to sculpt dinosaurs at the state's entrance portal. The state's tourism secretary, Eliane Sinhasique, explained the proposal by noting that 'dinosaurs have always been a source of mockery in relation to Acre, when people question whether the state exists.'
The meme has had a significant impact on social media and pop culture. Ayres Rocha, an anchor for Rede Amazônica, made a statement 'proving' that Acre exists during his debut on the national news program Jornal Nacional, generating various memes. In April 2018, 'DinoAcre,' a two-meter inflatable dinosaur costume worn by cinematographer Moisés Santos in response to the dinosaur memes, made headlines and became highly popular on the Internet. Additionally, 'This Is Acre,' a parody of the song 'This Is America' based on local legends, achieved viral success.
Reader's Guide
The Acre conspiracy is significant as a satirical conspiracy theory that has been studied in academic papers and acknowledged by the state government. A 2014 academic article by Giselle Xavier d'Ávila Lucena notes that 'it is possible to affirm the existence of a decontextualization of the history of Acre, resulting from the dynamics of media production and distribution.' The author adds that the spatial definition of Acre added to these mediated processes and 'crystallized an experience of denial.' Ultimately, the narratives delineating Acre's history make people 'imagine the refusal, the disregard, and the irresponsibility with which the Brazilian government treated it on many different occasions.' The meme has been used by the Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Brazil, who proposed placing dinosaurs on the entrance sign to the state as a tourist attraction. The videographer Moisés Santos also used the joke of the presence of dinosaurs in the state to dress in a 2.20-meter-tall dinosaur costume, a fact that had a great impact on social networks. Its legacy lies in how a humorous idea can influence tourism policy, media production, and public discourse about a region's identity.
Did You Know?
- The Acre conspiracy is the Brazilian equivalent of the conspiracy attached to the German city of Bielefeld.
- A 2014 academic article by Giselle Xavier d'Ávila Lucena studied the conspiracy and noted a 'decontextualization of the history of Acre.'
- In January 2020, the Secretary of Tourism in Acre published a poll on Instagram proposing to sculpt dinosaurs at the state's entrance portal.
- In April 2018, 'DinoAcre,' a two-meter inflatable dinosaur costume worn by cinematographer Moisés Santos, became highly popular on the Internet.
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