Curitiba and its hot summer

This morning, I was in the Praça Santos Andrade, waiting for our photography teacher (yes, I'm doing a basic course to try to post pictures at least tolerable), taking pictures randomly. Than I saw a tree with a twisted trunk and went to photograph it. On the way there, under a 35oC sun, I wondered what could be worse than suffering with the heat that is unusually punishing Curitiba in historical records. Well, it would be worse to be under such a sun, for hours and hours, wearing a very hot uniform, just like the garbage garbage guy of the photo.

Masses of hot air from the north of Brazil, preventing the advance of cold fronts, the El-Nino phenomenon and who knows what else, made this the hottest perior in Curitiba in more than 30 years.

Secretary of State for Culture of Paraná

Construction of 1904, thisbuilding was the former seat of Gymnasio Paranaense. At this address in Curitiba, circulated generations of students. The current headquarters of the Secretariat of State for Culture, includes the Casa Andrade Muricy. The whole set of buildings is protetect by historical heritage.

On June 18, 1979 it was created by the Government of Paraná the State Secretariat of Culture and Sports, being installed in the building of the old Gymnasio Paranaense. Initially introduced in order to coordinate and promote activities relating to the areas of culture and amateur sports. Later, changes its name to the Secretary of State for Culture - SEEC. This year the Department of Culture has completed 30 years.

Cândido de Abreu Avenue

Cândido de Abreu was born on 02 agosto 1855. His name was given to a stretch of the old road of Graciosa, which starts at 19 de Dezembro Square and ends at the Iguaçú Palace. Cândido de Abreu was mayor of Curitiba twice. In his second term in 1912, he obtained a substantial loan, applying it in durable works such as the City Hall building (now the Paço da Liberdade at Generoso Marques Square) and many squares and gardens. Under his administration the streets of the city were re-aligned and the wiring for the trams were planned. The Passeio Público got the structure and design that we can appreciate until today. He was also a federal deputy and senator. He died in 1919 and he is considered the first urbanist of Paraná.

Tiradentes Square - The Past on Display

Revitalized in 2008, the Praça Tiradentes recovers its importance and its significance for the city of Curitiba. The work featured the accompaniment of archaeologists from UFPR (Federal University of Parana), that during the excavations, found objects related to the occupation of the first residents. More significant of the findings, are the remains of pavements corresponding to the first urbanization of the area, dating from the second half of the nineteenth century. Although fragmentary, the pavements have allowed the understanding of urban layout deployed. These remains are now on display in the square, under the protection of a glass display (as shown in photo above).

Alemão Bar - Schwarzwald

The Alemão Bar or the Schwarzwald, one of the most traditional and well attended bar of Curitiba, is located at the Largo da Ordem and was opened in 1979. The most traditional drink of the bar is the "submarine", which is made of a dose of Steinhäger served in a cute tiny mug submerged in a pot of beer (hence the name submarine). Invariably people "steal" the mug as a souvenir, to find out later at the bottom of the tiny mug the phrase: "This mug was stolen honestly."

A famous snack called "Carne de Onça" (Beef of Jaguar) is served there. It is composed of a slice of dark bread with a portion of super spiced raw minced meat on top. Unlike the name, it is not made of Jaguar meat, but with a good piece of beef. The name was given because the meat is so temperate that those who eats it, ends up with a " bad breath of a Jaguar".

Barão do Serro Azul Street

By 1840, Curitiba did not have more than six thousand inhabitants mainly surrounding the Largo da Matriz (Tiradentes Square). Turning right on Chapel at that time, a small street began to be known as the Louro Street. That name remained until March 31, 1863, when temporarily moved to a house on the corner of the Louro Street and Saldanha Street the headquarter of the local government. At that time, the Louro Street was renamed to Nogueira Street. Later on, after the great Parana unfair victim of the federalist revolution, the street was renamed to its current name: Barão do Serro Azul street.

Reference: "Ruas e histórias de Curitiba" of Valério Hoerner Júnior. Artes e Textos Publisher. Curitiba, 2002

Theme day: Wood

Yesterday I took my wife to the Iguaçú Park Cemetery in Curitiba, so she could take flowers to her father's grave. It would be his 65th birthday. The place is very quiet and full of beautiful trees and wooden benches, where I imagine, people can sit and for a moment and remember their time with their loved ones that are already gone.

The empty wooden bench under a tree in this picture, caught my attention and I started thinking of the people who might have sat there and their stories.

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