{"id":80792,"date":"2025-04-30T14:05:31","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T17:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=80792"},"modified":"2025-09-13T14:10:30","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T17:10:30","slug":"sustainable-favela-network-launches-groundbreaking-favela-climate-memory-exhibition-on-may-3-kicking-off-museums-month-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=80792","title":{"rendered":"Sustainable Favela Network Launches Groundbreaking \u2018Favela Climate Memory\u2019 Exhibition on May 3, Kicking Off Museums Month [RELEASE]"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Over<\/a>
Over 50 meetings, 10 climate memory discussion circles, and several partial launches make up the Favela Climate Memory project, which will unveil its full version to the public this Saturday, May 3, at the Mar\u00e9 Museum. Photos: Alexandre Cerqueira and B\u00e1rbara Dias\/Sustainable Favela Network<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/i><\/span>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Relationship Between Rio de Janeiro\u2019s Favelas, Climate and Nature is the Theme of the Complete \u2018Favela Climate Memory\u2019 Exhibition, Bringing an Extensive Timeline, Unprecedented Data and Unique Testimonials From 10 Favelas\u2014Including the City’s Three Largest\u2014to the Public [PDF Version<\/a>]<\/h4>\n

After over three years in the making, this Saturday, May 3, 2025, marks the much-anticipated launch of the \u2018Favela Climate Memory\u2019 exhibition in full. Informed by 1,145 testimonials from 10 favelas and organized by eleven favela museums and memory collectives that are part of the Sustainable Favela Network, the exhibition will be open to the general public at the Mar\u00e9 Museum, with visitation open through July 30. Running from 8:30am to 5pm, the event will feature an official opening ceremony with talks from organizers and participants, banners, videos, a timeline, a memory well, an interactive map, an environmental skit, a tent with activities for kids, and more.<\/em><\/p>\n

April 30, 2025 \u2014 On the weekend that kicks off Brazil’s <\/span>Museums Month<\/b>, Rio de Janeiro’s<\/span> Sustainable Favela Network will launch<\/b> the <\/span>complete \u2018Favela Climate Memory\u2019 exhibition<\/b> on Saturday, <\/span>May 3<\/b>, at the Mar\u00e9 Museum. The Favela Climate Memory project brings together testimonials<\/strong> and unprecedented<\/strong> historical data about the relationship of <\/span>10 favelas <\/b>with climate and nature. The project represents a <\/span>crucial leap forward<\/b>, aiming to foster the understanding needed to achieve the long-awaited <\/span>effective integration and true sustainable development <\/b>of Rio de Janeiro, the complex city we call home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Pav\u00e3o-Pav\u00e3ozinho\/Cantagalo<\/a>
Pav\u00e3o-Pav\u00e3ozinho\/Cantagalo Climate Memory Circle, held at the Favela Museum on March 11, 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Representing the <\/span>three largest favelas<\/b> in the city (Rocinha, Rio das Pedras and Mar\u00e9),<\/span> favelas marked by severe climate impacts <\/b>(Acari, Vidigal and Pav\u00e3o-Pav\u00e3ozinho\/Cantagalo), others that became<\/span> destinations for climate-displaced populations<\/b> (Antares and City of God), and communities with projects that are <\/span>exemplary examples of coexistence with nature<\/b> (Horto and Penha), the exhibition resulted from <\/span>1,145 testimonials<\/b> shared by <\/span>382 participants <\/b>of climate memory discussion circles held across these 10 favelas throughout 2023 and 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI remember well that during the 1996 rains, my family was hugely affected. My family lives very close to the river, and at my aunt\u2019s house, the whole wall collapsed. She was swept away and was saved by a group of neighbors who were working together to rescue people… My uncle was one of them, because he was 1.9 meters (6.2 feet) tall… He stayed in the water helping people\u2014my Uncle Ad\u00e3o. Shortly after, he caught leptospirosis and passed away… Another neighbor who also helped rescue people drank that water and also died of leptospirosis… And then a large group of people were left psychologically affected.\u201d \u2014 Priscila da Silva Pereira, City of God Climate Memory Circle, April 2024<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Launch Day Program<\/h3>\n

The free, public <\/span>exhibition <\/b>launch event<\/b><\/a> will take place from <\/span>8:30am to 5pm<\/b> on <\/span>May 3<\/b>. The <\/span>official opening<\/b> will feature <\/span>talks by organizers and participants in the climate memory circles<\/b>, in the <\/span>morning<\/b>. It will be the <\/span>Sustainable Favela Network\u2019s largest public event<\/b> of the semester, and one of the biggest in its history.<\/span><\/p>\n

The event will feature an <\/span>exhibition circuit<\/b> with <\/span>banners<\/b> presenting the climate memory circles held in each location, screening of a<\/span> minidoc<\/b> documenting residents\u2019 reflections on climate change, an extensive <\/span>timeline<\/b> showcasing <\/span>60 key events<\/b> in the climate history of Rio de Janeiro\u2019s favelas, a “<\/span>memory well” installation<\/b> with photo memories, an <\/span>interactive map<\/b> offering a personal cartographic experience, an environmental <\/span>skit<\/b> and other performances by youth from Mar\u00e9, and a <\/span>tent<\/b> with activities for children.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Map<\/a>
Favelas where climate memory discussion circles took place that inform the exhibition<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The exhibition will remain <\/span>open for visitation until July 30<\/b> at the <\/span>Mar\u00e9 Museum<\/b>, which hosted the inaugural climate memory circle in the <\/span>Mar\u00e9 favela<\/b> two years ago. The exhibition brings together knowledge recorded during memory circles held by: the Sankofa Museum (<\/span>Rocinha favela<\/b>), the Historic Orientation and Research Nucleus of Santa Cruz (<\/span>Antares favela<\/b>), the Favela Museum (<\/span>Pav\u00e3o-Pav\u00e3ozinho\/Cantagalo favela<\/b>); the Vidigal Memories Nucleus (<\/span>Vidigal<\/b> favela); Alfazendo (<\/span>City of God<\/b> favela<\/strong>); the Serra da Miseric\u00f3rdia Integration Center (<\/span>Complexo da Penha<\/b> favela<\/strong>); the Horto Museum (<\/span>Horto favela<\/b>); Fala Akari (<\/span>Acari <\/b>favela); and Conex\u00f5es Perif\u00e9ricas (<\/span>Rio das Pedras favela<\/b>).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we can do today is to not forget, and never give up.\u201d \u2014 M\u00e1rcia Souza (Favela Museum)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The May 3 launch will be the only event during this landmark exhibition <\/span>featuring all of the project organizers together<\/b>. <\/span>Don\u2019t miss their presentations during the morning\u2019s opening ceremony!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

“We remember, and we must share our memories! To protect our lives, our relationship with nature and future generations.” \u2014 Lidiane Santos (Alfazendo\/City of God)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How It All Started<\/h3>\n

The idea of documenting \u2018favela climate memory\u2019 <\/span>surfaced<\/b> within the Sustainable Favela Network’s Local Culture and Memory Working Group, in <\/span>2021<\/b>. The goal was to retrieve and <\/span>document the memories and stories held by long-time favela residents<\/b> about the climate, in order to identify ways to better <\/span>prepare for climate changes<\/b> to come. Traditionally, this topic has rarely been addressed, even though, as the experiences shared during the circles revealed, it has always been a significant part of daily life in the favelas.<\/span><\/p>\n

“When I came here, there were just shacks, no brick and mortar homes. There was no electricity, no paved streets, no sewerage. In short, to get around, we had to lay down wooden boards. We had to leave the house carrying our bags and shoes in our hands [so they wouldn\u2019t get dirty in the mud].” \u2014 Izanete Bernardo da Silva, Acari Climate Memory Circle, August 2024<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Over the course of over <\/span>50 meetings<\/b>, ten full-day <\/span>discussion circles<\/b>, and <\/span>several partial exhibitions held between 2022 and 2024<\/b>, the <\/span>Favela Climate Memory project and exhibition were developed<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Vidigal<\/a>
Vidigal Climate Memory Circle, March 12, 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Drawing from the <\/span>knowledge produced and recorded during discussion circles<\/b> with the participation of <\/span>382 residents<\/b>, held in <\/span>ten of Rio’s favelas<\/b> between 2023 and 2024, the <\/span>final exhibition demonstrates the importance of the memories<\/b> that shape the lived experiences of these residents. It aims to <\/span>generate a future characterized by the realization<\/b> of rights, climate resilience, human flourishing and valuing of the ancestral knowledge of these territories. The exhibition brings forth unexpected knowledge and <\/span>positions favelas as central to the discussions on climate change and the future<\/b> we want to achieve.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>discussion circle<\/b> format\u2014\u2018focus group\u2019 in social science terminology\u2014was chosen not only for its high effectiveness in eliciting information as a research tool, but also for its role as a <\/span>space for local empowerment<\/b> through the collective construction of knowledge and mutual understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Four guiding questions shaped the reflections during these gatherings:<\/h3>\n