Articles written by Mariana Albanese:
Living in the Favela: My Experience in Vidigal
Apr 8th
When I first thought about moving to Vidigal, the first and only concern of the few people that found it strange was: what about the drug traffickers? Since I knew the danger in this respect was zero, the hill seemed like a harmless place. My legs, however, found out little by little that this was not the case.
The greatest challenge of the favela for me was learning how to walk up the stairs quickly without falling. I have countless scars from my first year here. Among them, there are a few that have become affective tattoos. They are from the More >
Speculation Halts the Work of NGO in Vidigal
Feb 25th
For original article in Portuguese in Vidiga! click here.
Victims of the greed generated by the pacification of Vidigal, the Institute Todos na Luta (All in the Fight), responsible for the training of young athletes in boxing, had to abandon the important position it has held in the community for over 20 years. Now, it is a race against time to raise funds and renovate the new space, in order to resume their activities, which have been suspended since December.
Trainees meet for a boxing tournament in Vidigal's square
In mid 2011, everything was going fairly well for the Institute. After 20 years in the More >
UPP Brutality as Vidigal Fights to Save Only Recreational Space
Dec 29th
Like in a country town, the news in Vidigal at first travels in whispers. So it was with the information about the location of the UPP’s (Pacifying Police Unit) new base: “They are saying it will be in the square in Alto.” But it wasn’t until December 11th that the residents’ fears were confirmed: in a meeting at the Residents’ Association for the Village of Vidigal (AMVV), Captain Fabio and Lieutenant Dantas officially announced that the only recreational space in the community would be given up for a police base with an auditorium.
While they hurried to mobilize, contacting the appropriate authorities More >
40 Houses Threatened in Vidigal
Dec 11th
“Money! Money! Your house!”-That’s how Vilma Cristina Ribeiro, 43 and a lifelong Vidigal resident, says foreign investors approach her as they come into Carlos Duque Street, located in the upper part of Vidigal, trying to acquire properties. The houses are in a prime location, not only with easy access to the main street, but with a breathtaking view of the beach of São Conrado. Her answer comes swiftly: “We say no.” She explains, “I do not want to lose my house to the City, why would I lose it to these gringos?”
What these interested visitors don’t know is that Carlos Duque is a More >
Vidigal: One Year After the Occupation
Nov 13th
Original article by community journalist Mariana Albanese for Vidiga! can be read in Portuguese here.
One year ago was a decisive moment in our history. Late Saturday night, November 13, 2011, Vidigal was occupied by the police Shock Battalion. As previously announced, they had come to pacify the favela. Approximately two months later, Vidigal’s Police Pacification Unit (UPP, by its Portuguese acronym) was established.
A year into the pacification, things are still a little shaky. But life in the community has changed. We can see that people move through the neighborhood, and even relate to others, in a different way. Residents are More >
