Posts tagged historic preservation
Forced Eviction of Aldeia Maracanã: How Not to Make a World Cup
Mar 23rd
Click here for original article in Portuguese, published on Blog da Raquel Rolnik, Special Rapporteur to the UN on Adequate Housing. Rolnik introduces the essay below, writing, “This morning we were taken aback by news of the violent eviction of Aldeia Maracanã, which occupied the former Indigenous Museum, located in the vicinity of the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Below is a text on the incident by Professor Fernanda Sánchez, from the Fluminense Federal University (UFF).”
Is this how we make a World Cup?
By Fernanda Sánchez*
On Friday, the Batalhão de Choque da Polícia Militar (Military police’s Shock Batallion) stormed the Aldeia Maracanã, the former Indigenous More >
What moves Rio State Governor, Sérgio Cabral, against the Indians?
Jan 16th
For original article in Jornal do Brasil click here.
On Saturday, January 12, a scene unfolded in Rio de Janeiro which to the untrained eye appeared anachronistic to the 21st Century: a heavily armed battalion of military police Special Forces (“Batalhão de Choque,” known locally by the acronym BOPE) – uniformed and ready for battle – surrounded a building inhabited by native Brazilian Indians carrying bows and arrows. Travesty aside, it exemplified the undemocratic manner Rio State authorities have adopted in upgrading the Maracanã Stadium.
On those very grounds, on July 16, 1950, Brazil was stunningly defeated when Uruguayan player, Alcides Ghiggia, scored More >
The Story of a Family from Morro da Providência
Dec 4th
Click here for Portuguese.
This is the story of my family from Morro da Providência. Despite the city’s repeated interference, we have managed to stay in the same place since we arrived here. And so begins the story of Bernardino and Aurora….
They came to Rio de Janeiro in 1942, and settled on Morro da Providência, where Bernardino found land he could afford. Bernardino tells his grandchildren how they came from the Northeast by ship during World War II, taking the risk that their boat would be fired on by German submarines, which were attacking ships along the Brazilian coast. When they arrived, More >
Providência: 115 Years of Struggle (Video)
Aug 13th
The film “Providência: 115 Years of Struggle” was produced by filmmaker Haimy Assefa in honor of Morro da Providência’s 115th birthday coming up in October 2012. Providência was Brazil’s first favela. This film is one of several recent interventions on the hill aimed to call attention to the historic importance of Providência, given Rio de Janeiro’s newly received status as a World Heritage Site. The film calls attention to current eviction threats faced by the community. The short film features local photographer Mauricio Hora and life-long Providencia resident Diego de Deus.
The Igreja da Penha and the North Zone
Aug 17th
Visitors arriving in Rio de Janeiro are greeted not by Copacabana or Christ the Redeemer, as the postcards suggest, but by a white church perched atop a domed hill. It is the first landmark visible from the international airport, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge, and major freeways. The Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Penha, or simply the Igreja da Penha (Penha Church), was constructed in 1635. According to legend, a local landowner was hiking when a large snake appeared in his path. Fearing for his life, he prayed to the Virgin Mary, and an even larger lizard appeared and attacked the snake. More >
