Voices that echo
Since its foundation, Rio de Janeiro has suffered a series of urban interventions that erased a large part of black history, which cause a deep loss of that culture. Rio is currently undergoing more transformations with the "Porto Maravilha" project that is revitalizing the entire port zone. Such project also leaves aside the historic part of that region, which is so important for Brazilian society. Thus, the importance of this project is to rescue such spaces for a cultural reinforcement, in which the cultural identity of those people are given a voice on streets and walls, since "the best way to destroy a people is to destroy their culture and deny their identity". This project is a tribute to the population that contributed so much for the development of this city, seeking to recognize and rescue that lost identity. The project is based on the song "Cidadão” (Zé Ramalho), in which a citizen left the North and came to the city to help build it and at the end… He couldn't use anything he had built. In Rio de Janeiro, in the same way, the black population was essential in the construction of the city and doesn’t have the right to enjoy it. The project will take place in the Little Africa region. Statues representing iconic people from the region's past will be installed. Each statue will be linked to a QR code that gives access to an online interactive platform. In that platform, there will be letters from each character telling a little about their experiences. The story of a specific character will be updated weekly, with real-life reports from city residents who'll talk about what they experience in current society. Thus, the project will bring past and present together, aggregating in segregated culture knowledge, values and the understanding of today based on stories experienced in the past, stitching stories together.
Miriã Brasil, 22, was born and raised in Itaboraí. She is currently studying photography at the Spetaculu Art and Technology School. And she is developing a project to create a Youtube channel, where she'll present the tourist attractions and activities of the state of Rio de Janeiro.
