Sunset for 2009

It is sunset for 2009! It is time to think of what you expect from 2010 and what role you have to play to make it happen.

The photo shows the sunset at Luiz Xavier avenue in Curitiba.

Itiban Comic Shop

In November, the Itiban Comic Shop has completed 20 years of existence, under the command of Mitie and Xico.

At Itiban, whatever you think in terms of comics, mangá, card games and everything that revolves around these issues, you will find there. Along with the anime fever in the 90’s, Itiban became a reference and a meeting point for fans in Curitiba.

My children grew up attending the place and even today, it is not difficult to find them there.

West view of Curitiba from the observatory

In the west of the observatory, we can see the districts of Cascatinha, Orleans, Santo Inácio and São Braz.

At the end of the last century, Italian immigrants landed on the coast and, a year later, reached the plateau of Curitiba. The region where today is the Cascatinha neighborhood was part of the Santa Felicidade Colony and thus also was occupied by Italian immigrants from the end of the century. The name derives from an accident of geography at the site and a small waterfall (Cascatinha) on a tributary of the Barigui river. Local residents used to visit the region, on which was installed in 1952, the Cascatinha restaurant, considered the oldest still in operation.

The Colony Orleans was created in December 1875, with 65 lots along the highway Mato Grosso (today BR-277). The first Polish immigrants, Prussian and Galician, in greater numbers, were the initial population of 249 people, divided into 63 families. In the area also settled in Italian, French, German and English. The emancipation occurred on November 10th, 1878 and its name was given in honor of Prince Luis Felipe de Orleans, Count D `I, husband of Princess Izabel. In 1880, the colony was visited by Emperor Dom Pedro II.

The neighborhood derives from the Santo Inácio Colony, which was established in 1876 during the administration of then President of the Province Adolpho Lamenha Lins. In its 70 lots, were established Polish immigrants, Silesian and Galician. In 1880, a report from the province stated that the population was 334 inhabitants. The settlers were engaged in cutting wood, taking advantage of the forests of their plots. Eleven years later, the colony dedicated itself to grow potatoes, corn, beans, peas, oats, barley and wheat.

The Sao Braz district received this name due to the great devotion of its residents to this Saint. Its history is intertwined with the history of the Orleans district, for having the same characteristics and their populations, the same rural lifestyle. The cultivation of cereals and production of pigs and cattle were the main activities developed by the families occupying the only four large farms in the region. So it was mid-1970, when the farms began to be divided into plots, changing the character of the agricultural colony to integrate into the urban fabric in expansion.

Cultural Foundation of Curitiba - Moinho Rebouças - Part 2

The Curitiba Cultural Foundation (FCC), after implementing an extensive restoration of cultural areas in Curitiba, has won in 2006 the Moinho Rebouças as a space to be its new headquarters and a place to conduct its cultural activities. The change may seem odd, but not if we take into account some aspects. The most famous theater operated by the institution was powder room. The largest concert hall in the city - also in charge of the foundation - is an old quarry. The building that houses an important classical orchestra is a chapel. And the theater “Novelas Curitibanas” administrated by the Cultural Foundation of Curitiba, once was a brothel.

The Sower

The statue of the Sower at Eufrásio Correia Square, was a gift from the Polish colony to the city of Curitiba due to the centennial of Brazil's independence on September 7th, 1922 (the exact date of birth of my father).

Tiradentes Square, The Cathedral and the Curitibanos

Since the Praça Tiradentes was reformulated, partially recovering its history, renewing its walks and benches, I have the impression that people have become more frequent to this plaza, which is the first square in Curitiba. The lighting has been rethought to ensure safety for those who frequent the square at night.

The photo shows people sitting on benches and quietly in the background, dominating the landscape, our cathedral.

Merry Christmas!

With this photograph of Palácio Avenida decorated for Christmas time, I would like to wish you a very merry Christmas. Peace, Joy and good food to everybody.

The Cathedral from the Largo da Ordem

Another point of view of the Cathedral and the panel of Poty Lazzarotto of Nestor de Castro street. The photo was taken from the Largo da Ordem on a Sunday morning, before setting up the tents of the crafts fair.

Today is Christmas Eve and we are all at home getting ready for supper at my mother in law's home. Presents and good food are about to come!

Cultural Foundation of Curitiba - Moinho Rebouças - Part 1

The Moinho Rebouças was a mill built at the beginning of the twentieth century by British . It used to made bran, bulgar wheat, wheat flour, and cookies of the brand Soberana. The building burned down in 1942. Only in 2002, already as a Curitiba Cultural Foundation property, it was reopened. The Moinho Rebouças is a symbol of the revitalization project of the Rebouças district with activities of culture, leisure and business.

Fernando Amaro Street

I consider the Fernando Amaro Street at Alto da XV district, one of the most beautiful streets of Curitiba because it is almost entirely covered by their high trees. During its bloom, the street gets an impressive yellow carpet made of flowers (which I missed this year).

Fernando Amaro is considered to be one of the first paranaenses poets.

Northwest view of Curitiba from the observatory

This direction presents us the districts of Butiatuvinha, Lamenha Pequena, Mercês, Santa Felicidade.

The first references to Butiatuvinha district appear recorded in the minutes of City Council of March 9th 1782 referring to a bridge to be built over the river Barigui. Around 1931, the region was occupied by farmers and it was crossed by important routes used by drovers. In 1878, the first Italian immigrants occupied 15 lots.

The Lamenha Pequena district was founded in 1876 and it was named in honor of then President of the Province Adolpho Lamenha Lins. The region was divided into 139 lots occupied by 643 Polish settlers. The history of the district, from 1878, blends with the neighboring districts Santa Felicidade and Butiatuvinha.

Mercês is a word originating from Latin and means grace, benefit or protection. The choice of this word to be the district's name comes from the religion of its inhabitants who used to made processions in devotion to Our Lady of Mercês. On June 28, 1926 began the construction of the Mercês Church - completed in 1929.

Santa Felicidade received a large number of settlers from the north of Italy, especially from Veneto and Trento. Today it is an important gastronomical center, with lots of restaurants of Italian cuisine, in addition to many wineries and craft shops. The district was named after a former owner of land in the region in the nineteenth century, the Portuguese Felicidade Borges.

Eufrásio Correia Square Station

The photo shows a couple walking along the sidewalk outside the Railroad Museum of Shopping Estação, next to the Eufrásio Correia Square Station in Curitiba. This is another great photo by Diogo Saito Takeuchi (my son).

The Castle of Batel

Built in the 1920's in a land with almost 10,000 m2, by the Herbalist and grower Luiz Guimaraes, who after that trip to France was impressed by the castles of the Loire. In 1928, the house was opened. Authorities in Brazil and abroad stayed in the castle, which was overturned in 1974 by the Historical and Artistic Heritage of Paraná. The building was restored and expanded, now housing a center of events.

North view of Curitiba from the observatory

To the north, the districts of Pilarzinho (home of radio and TV from Curitiba), São João; Taboão, and Vista Alegre can be observed.

Former region of German immigrants farms, it is now home to some of the most important tourist spots of Curitiba, such as the Wire Opera House, Paulo Leminski quarry, Tanguá/Tingüi parks and Ukrainian Memorial. It is a predominantly residential neighborhood, in accelerated phase of urban transformation. Due to Its altitude, that is where the majority of radio and television stations of Curitiba are located.

The São João district began with the occupation of the lands that formed the Santa Felicidade Cologne by Italian immigrants who came from Genoa in 1877. At that time, agriculture was the main activity of the settlers. Later, they developed cattle and chicken ranches.

The region of Taboão district is bounded by the neighborhoods and Abranches Pilarzinho and the City of AlmiranteTamandaré. This current definition is not the same that exists in historical records. In this region, opened the second oldest registry of Curitiba, the São Casemiro do Taboão Clerk that since May 12, 1891, has recorded the history of Curitiba.

The neighborhood, which sits atop a hill, owns its name due to the fact that a pioneer has built his home and on its façade he wrote "Vista Alegre". The well known property named the whole neighborhood. It is a district located less than 6 kilometers from downtown, with its European-style homes, witnessing the Italian, German and Polish colonization Italian. There is located the Bosque Alemão (German Woods).

Rosário Church

Appears to be the second Church of Curitiba, built by slaves in 1737. Being located next to the road to the cemetery, it was once called the church of the dead. In 1931 it was demolished because of its disrepair. In 1946, the new Rosário Church was inaugurated. Built in baroque style, it has the facade in Portuguese style tiles from the old chapel.

Northeast view of Curitiba from the observatory

In this direction, we can observe the following neighborhoods: Ahu, Bom retiro, Centro Cívico and São Lourenço.

The Ahu is a neighborhood with about 10mil people. In it are located the ruins of the Ahu Penitentiary. The building, built in 1896, housed the judicial hospice since 1903. In January 1909, it became a prison to replace the old jail. In an agreement signed in early 2009 by the governor of Paraná, Roberto Requião and President of the Court, Judge Carlos Augusto Hoffman, was formalized the purchase of this land, where a park and the future Judicial Center will be built.

The name of the Bom Retiro disctrict, was originated in a sanatorium, opened in 1946, on the ground donated by Lins de Vasconcelos. The Bom Retiro sanatorium was transferred to Nilo Peçanha street, its address until today, the main street of the district. Around these entities, the neighborhood began to expand significantly in population and development.

The Centro Cívico district began to emerge during the '40s, when the French urban planner Alfred Agache, proposed a new Urban Plan of Curitiba, creating a Civic Center. Agache Plan envisaged the Civic Center as "a square of special features of buildings to senior State government agencies”. In 1951, its construction has begun. In 1953, the then governor of Paraná, Bento Munhoz da Rocha Neto, inaugurated the Civic Center and in 1968, the district officially received its current name.

The first people that arrived in the region where today is located in the district of São Lourenço, were the Portuguese. The name came in honor of the Catholic saint, San Lorenzo de Huesca. Due to the constant flooding that occurred in the region, it was inaugurated in 1972 the São Lourenço Park, which offers entertainment to the people and a center of creativity and culture. In this district, besides the São Lourenço park, we can find the Santa Maria school, the Wire Opera House and the Paulo Leminski Quarry.

Santa Maria School and Santa Maria Chapel

The arrival of the Marist Brothers in Curitiba was conducted by the diocesan bishop D. João Francisco Braga in 1924. The work of the first Marist Brothers began on December 24, 1924 and the school on January 15, 1925, the then Institute Santa Maria, with 3 teachers and 46 students, coming to the end of that year with 102 students.

The physical space of the school, at Rua 15 de Novembro, next to Teatro Guaira, became small. In the 1980s, a new and appropriate location for the installation of a modern school, that meets the most advanced education systems was found. So in 1984, the old Santa Maria school was moved to its present building, near the São Lourenço Park, an area with 55,000 m2 and 22.000m2 of built area, situated in a pleasant place, with an area that has green woods contrasting with a modern structure.

The former headquarters of the Santa Maria School at 15 de Novembro was split. The building that contained the chapel (a neoclassical style building dated of 1939) was donated to the city of Curitiba by Walmart. Workers, architects specializing in areas such as cenotecnia, acoustics and reverberation, restorers, engineers and technicians of the Municipality of Curitiba participated in one of the most anticipated changes in the city: the building that once housed the Chapel of the Santa Maria school and the building where rooms were once classrooms has been fully restored, transforming it into a concert hall with 278 places specially dedicated to classical music.

The space became the home of the Camerata Antiqua of Curitiba, orchestra founded in 1974 that today, in this genre, is the most important in Brazil. The Camerata uses the space for both rehearsals and for classical music presentations.

Children Christmas Choral of Palácio Avenida

Yesterday I saw for the first time in Curitiba, a presentation of the Palácio Avenida Children Christmas Choral. The number of people crowded at Flower Street in front of the HSBC building was impressive. I waited patiently for 45 minutes and the show began promptly at 20:30. For an hour and twenty minutes, the children delighted everyone with their songs and most importantly, by their presence in the windows of the building.

Each child has an "angel" that ensures all the time his safety and assistance for changing clothes. After the presentation, a fireworks display took place and without any incident, all went to their homes.

Here is a text of HSBC talking a little bit of this project that already has 19 years in Curitiba.

The Christmas Choral is formed by 160 children benefited by the HSBC Education Program. This initiative, created in 2001 with the objective of assisting the children of the Choir, is directly linked to the investment of HSBC to reduce the vulnerability of children and promote academic success. Today, besides the 160 choristers, 600 more children in 11 institutions in Curitiba region are part of the program. During the year, all of them receive assistance as:

- Health insurance and dental care;

- Monitoring of school performance, motor development and growth;

- Professional training courses;

- Emotional education classes.

http://www.portaldovoluntariohsbc.com.br

East view of Curitiba from the observatory

In this direction, the districts that are first displayed from the observatory are São Francisco, the Alto da Glória, Alto da XV and Hugo Lange.

At Alto da Gloria is located in the Couto Pereira Soccer Stadium, owned by Coritiba Foot Ball Club, unfortunately relegated to the second division of the Brazilian championship in 2010. The Alto da Glória district is endowed with a good socio-economic indicators and it is mostly residential, although it is well endowed with shopping, leisure and services. It is also located in this district the Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro Church, very traditional and popular in the city for their novenas. The first settlers were the family Leão, who built the first theater of Curitiba and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Glória (which gave rise to the name of the neighborhood).

The Alto da Rua XV district has a wonderful viewpoint: the Plaza of Nations, which commands one of the most beautiful panoramas of the city. The population of the district Alto da Rua XV, mostly, is made up of descendants of European immigrants who, in ancient times, there were established to carry out the crops. A phenomenon more or less recent in this quarter is the concentration of restaurants and bars, giving life to the night life of this district.

The Itupava Road used to links Curitiba to the coast. This road passed through three quarters, among them the one which is now called Hugo Lange district. The name is a tribute to Hugo Lange, one of the oldest and dearest residents of this neighborhood. Until mid-twentieth century, the place was still considered far from "town". Its main street, Augusto Stresser concentrates several trades of high quality furniture.

The São Francisco district is one of the main sights of the city. In this neighborhood is located much of the historic section. Its name is closely linked to the history of the Church of the Third Order of São Francisco das Chagas. Apart from the main buildings and historic churches of Curitiba, in this neighborhood happens every Sunday Crafts Fair of the Largo da Ordem.

Southeast view of Curitiba from the observatory

The view of Curitiba from the observatory is very beautiful and from the top of its 110 meters, you can enjoy Curitiba in 306 degrees. Shooting from up there is a little tricky because it is impossible to avoid the reflection of glass. So, I ask your understanding for this difficulty.

I'll post from today, a series of pictures taken from the observatory in the direction of 8 cardinal points.

The southeast picture shows the following districts: Downtown, Jardim Botânico, Prado Velho and Rebouças. Here some information of these neighborhoods.

Downtown: Around the small chapel of Nossa Senhora da Luz e Bom Jesus dos Pinhais a village was founded which is now called Curitiba. There are 105 bank agencies, 4848 commercial houses, 12 flats, 68 hotels, 669 industries, 555 restaurants, 4 shopping malls and the total population is 32,623 inhabitants.

Jardim Botanico: Its main attraction, as you can tell by the name, is the Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden), one of the most visited tourist attractions of Curitiba. It is also houses one of the campuses of the Federal University of Parana and the Stadium Durival Britto e Silva.

Prado Velho is the neighborhood in which the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná is located and also a large slum called Vila das Torres. The word comes from the Latin meadow pratum and means a flat, plain or plain.

Rebouças is a middle-class neighborhood of Curitiba. The name is a tribute to the brothers and engineers Rebouças Antônio Pereira Filho and André Rebouças who built the railroad that connects Curitiba to Paranagua. At this district we will find the old mill that was purchased by the Municipality of Curitiba and transformed into the headquarters of the Cultural Foundation of Curitiba.

World War II Brazilian soldiers Museum

The museum is maintained by the Paranaense Legion of Expeditionary, a group of ex-combatants living in Curitiba and who served in the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB) during World War II. It was created in 1946, and since 1980 is linked to the Secretary of State for Culture. The collection consists of military equipment, medals, clothing, photographs, documents and newspapers relating to World War II.

The museum and the square is located at Alto da XV disctrict in Curitiba.

MAC - Museum of Contemporary Art

The construction of the building that holds the MAC started in 1926 and was inaugurated in 1928. The museum created in 1970 in Curitiba, since 1974 occupies that address. It consists of paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and other manifestations of Brazilian artists, specially from Parana.

The "Salão Paranaense", a traditional art exhibition event, was officially established in 1944, and it is sponsored by the MAC since 1970, providing a major review and reflection on the contemporary Brazilian art. This year it is in its 63rd edition.

CINDACTA II

The Second Integrated Center of Air Defense and Air Traffic Control (CINDACTA II), based in Curitiba, was established on 01 November 1982, for the purpose of monitoring air traffic in general and to guide aircraft . The CINDACTA II has the task of maintaining the integrity and sovereignty of the Brazilian airspace, defined as the area of responsibility that currently includes the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, Santa Catarina, Mato Grosso do Sul and parts of Sao Paulo.

Holding the traffic near Guaíra Theater

No, the fellow of the picture is not learning to fly, he is kindly holding the traffic at Amintas de Barros street, close to Teatro Guaira, in order to allow a parked car to leave. After releasing the traffic, he had to continue with open arms not to fall, because he was a little dizzy.

Batel SoHo Old Cars Fair

Another nice attraction of Batel SoHo is the Old Cars Fair. The proud owners of their well conserved old cars get together every saturday by the Espanha Square to present their jewels.

The Rosicrucian Order in Curitiba

The Grand Lodge of Brazil of the Rosicrucian Order was implemented in 1956 in Rio de Janeiro, was transferred to Curitiba in 1960. The temple is part of an architectural complex of 06 buildings in egyptian style in honor of its first members met in secret chambers of the Great Pyramid. It is located at the Bacacheri district.

Andrade Muricy House

Inaugurated on June 26th 1998, it is devoted to expose national and international artists. It also promotes exchanges with similar institutions and performs cultural activities. The building was built between 1923 and 1926 and inaugurated during Caetano Munhoz da Rocha government.

It is part of Paraná Secretary of Culture in Curitiba.

Christmas at the Palácio Avenida

The Palácio Avenida at Flower street is already decorated for Christmas and the presentations of the children's choir of HSBC has already started their presentations. I hope this year have the opportunity to photograph one of the presentations, which this year expects to receive 200 thousand people over 12 presentations. Curitiba is well decorated for Christmas and has been known as the capital of Natal in Brazil.

The Crow

Much has been and is being done in Curitiba in terms of reforms and restoration of architectural heritage. But we will always find some buildings in the city which has obvious historical value and needs to be reformed or revitalized.

For years I've been seen a two-story building in the corner of Carlos Cavalcanti street with Duque de Caxias street, which always struck me by its beauty. Long ago, people still lived there (maybe it explains the reason why it is almost a ruin), but nowadays it seems to be uninhabited. We can even see some supporters holding the top floor balcony.

I could not find on the Internet, any information about this building, so I do not know if there is any restoration plan or destination for it.

I enjoyed very much the image of a crow printed on the side facade of the building. The sinister figure emphasizes the abandonment of the building.

First Independent Presbyterian Church of Curitiba

The First Independent Presbyterian Church of Curitiba was built in 1934 in neo-classical style and its interior is clearly influenced by German architecture.

It is the first of the five temples of the Independent Presbyterian Church in Curitiba, which originated by the division of the traditional Presbyterian Church held in Brazil in 1903. It is located at Garibaldi Square in the Historical district.

Love is waiting

I'll be waiting for you baby
I'll be holding back the darkest night
Love is waiting til we're ready, til it's right
Love is waiting
(Brooke Fraser Lyrics)

I have taken this picture of this young couple in a bench at Japan Square in Agua Verde District this morning. They look so sweet together early in the morning, probably waiting for the moment to go to school.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Palacete Wolf

The Palacete Wolf was built in 1867 under request of the Austrian Joseph Wolf and his son Fredolin. The Wolf family never lived at this house, that housed along the time a Mason Lodge, an art school, the headquarters of the Police Corps during the Federalist Revolution and the prefecture of Curitiba in 1912/13. Became a residence during the decade of 1950 and Braun Bookstore between 1958 and early '70s, when the city bought the house.

Restored, it became in 1975 the headquarter of the Cultural Foundation of Curitiba (which has moved to the Moinho Rebouças recently). Nowadays it is a space dedicated to literature and reading. Located at Garibaldi Square, in the historic disctrict of Curitiba, it is the home to the traditional Dario Vellozo Bookstore, the Poet fair, and offers creative writing workshops, seminars and literature courses.

Freddo Gelateria

The Freddo Gelateria was choosen for 5 years the best icecream shop in Curitiba. Well, it certainly deserves that. There are 60 different flavors and it is hand made with italian products and fresh fruits.

During weekends it is crowded and it is one of the best atractions at Batel Soho.

Prefecture of Curitiba

The current headquarters of the Curitiba Prefecture in the Civic Center, was designed by Rubens Meister to replace the old one at Generoso Marques square (The Paço da Liberdade).

Inaugurated on November 14th, 1969, joined the Prefecture of Curitiba to the Civic Center complex.

Some technical data of Curitiba:

Area: 430.9 km²

Population: 1,797,408 (estimate IBGE/2007)

Disctricts: 75

Green area per capita: 51 m²

North-South Extension: 35 km

East-West Extension: 20 km

Average Altitude: 934.6 m

Latitude: 25 º 25'48''South

Longitude: 49 º 16'15''West

Climate: Temperate

Rainfall: 1500 mm / year

Average temperature (summer): 21 º C

Average temperature (winter): 13 º C

ACTION!!

It is not so common, but is no longer impossible to see some kind of recording on the streets of Curitiba. The most common to be witnessed is the recording of TV commercials.

These guys look like art students doing their homework. They were shooting on Vicente Machado street, during rush hour, near the corner of Visconde de Nacar.

Ground Zero of Curitiba

At Tiradentes Square the Ground Zero of Curitiba can be found. From this point are taken all the distances from Curitiba.

Near Ground Zero, we can find the reference level of Curitiba and the monolith that records the location of the Pelourinho, raised by Gabriel de Lara, with the Cross of Malta, which meant at that time, the legally constitution of the Portuguese government, justice and characterization of the village of Curitiba.

Delio's Cantina

Today I had lunch with my son at Delio's Cantina that is located at Alto da XV Disctrict. I had a nice Fiorentina Steak and he had a Garlic Fettuccine. Both perfect!

This is a very casual restaurant, tastefully decorated (with curios objects hanging on the ceiling and walls), the service is above average (they are really concerned with customer's satisfaction), the food is VERY good and the price is fair.

The owner of the Delio's Cantina, also owns the Bella Banoffi confectionery across the street and the Cana Benta Bar (on the same block), they form a triplet that values the Alto da XV disctrict as a good gastronomic choice in Curitiba.