Fala Comunidade: project transforms the Dom Bosco neighborhood into an open-air museum in Juiz de Fora The streets, alleys, water fountains and large staircases in the Dom Bosco neighborhood, in Juiz de Fora, hold stories and a cultural richness that gave rise to the 'Dom Bosco Territory Museum' project. The initiative seeks to value the identity and trajectory of the community. The project functions as a living museum without walls, in which the galleries themselves are formed by the architecture and urban occupation of the periphery. ? Click here to follow the g1 Zona da Mata channel on WhatsApp The museum was the result of a collective inventory carried out by residents in partnership with the Tourism, History and Architecture courses at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). Tour of the neighborhood and routes of affection Museum of the 'Território Dom Bosco' preserves memories and culture of the neighborhood in Juiz de Fora g1 In the current phase, the group is dedicated to the inventory of the neighborhood, with the mapping of the main cultural practices existing in the Dom Bosco territory and considered relevant to the formation of the population's identity. Activities have advanced mainly in areas known as Chapadão and Morro dos Cabritos. On the first tour, held in June, participants learned how the community adapted and built different forms of occupation and housing, as well as stairs and popular mobility solutions. The work also highlighted the water route, which includes wells, taps and springs that are essential for local sociability. The itinerary also integrated places of memory and affection indicated by the community itself. "The strong presence of the black population in the historical formation of the neighborhood, the sociability relationships marked by the search for water and spirituality, in addition to processes of symbolic and urban violence, were elements that allowed us to identify the potential of the territory", explained the project coordinator and professor of the Tourism course, Edwaldo Sérgio. Environmental racism The occupation of the neighborhood also served as a basis for debating the concept of environmental racism, related to the disproportionate exposure of black and low-income populations to disaster risks. "After Abolition, freed blacks were confined to steep hills, floodplains and unstable terrain", explained professor Raquel Von Randow, from the Faculty of Architecture at UFJF. According to the professor, demographic data in Juiz de Fora shows that risk areas have a majority black population and families headed by women. "The February catastrophe was the most violent expression of this reality", pointed out the professor. Spirituality, unity and empowerment The unity of residents was one of the highlights of the initiative. Eliana das Neves Pereira, known as Doca, highlighted the importance of the project to strengthen the community's self-esteem. "We learned a lot from our grandparents and our mother. This museum came to save this. We will be able to recover, in each part of our community, what was here, what will grow, what it is like today. The children I care for will be able to know", said the resident. Another community leader, Jade Dias, highlighted the unity among residents and the coexistence atmosphere in the neighborhood. "Here we are a united community. Catholics, spiritualists or evangelicals, there is no division. Children play in the street and the houses are open, no one interferes. We have tranquility and peace. Despite being a needy community, we maintain respect for each other", said Jade. Jade Dias also highlighted the role of local entities in social development and the appreciation of Dom Bosco residents. "Aban completed 29 years at Dom Bosco and promotes the empowerment of black women, encouraging them to come out of the cocoon, strengthen their self-esteem, pursue production activities and lose their shyness. This made us create a group for the benefit of the community", said Jade Dias. Partnerships and next steps The initiative was developed by researchers and extensionists from the Tutorial Education Group (GET) of the UFJF Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, in partnership with the Museum of American Archeology and Ethnology (Maea), the Department of Tourism, the Dean of Extension (Proex) and residents of the neighborhood. The action also received support from local networks, such as Aban and the residents' association. The partnership resulted in extension, teaching and research activities involving around 25 people, including teachers, undergraduate students and residents. The methodology was inspired by museums already established in the country, such as the Museu da Maré and the Museu das Remoções, in Rio de Janeiro, and Muquifu, in Belo Horizonte. According to coordinator Edwaldo Sérgio, places of historical relevance and cultural manifestations in the Chapadão and Morro dos Cabritos regions have already been mapped by the team. In the coming months, researchers and residents should expand the cultural survey to the Grota and 511 regions. READ ALSO: With 37 vulnerable areas, Juiz de Fora is the fourth city in MG with the most favelas and urban communities, according to IBGE Fala Comunidade: for more than 2 years, black culture has been highlighted in the MG1 framework in Juiz de Fora Participants in the 'Museu de Território Dom Bosco' project, developed by UFJF in partnership with residents of the neighborhood Dom Bosco Territory Museum/Disclosure VIDEOS: see everything about Zona da Mata and Campos das Vertentes