The commercial galleries of Curitiba: Tijucas Gallery

The Tijucas Gallery (Luiz Xavier Avenue, 68) is the best known and frequented gallery in Curitiba not only by the notary Marques (opened in the 60s) or to be the access to the the commercial and residential building which gives its name to the gallery, but also because it is the Boca Maldita’s gallery and offer its official coffee at “Cafe da Boca”, which was opened in 1965.

Who lives in Curitiba long, must remember that every day at dusk, a lawyer at the window of his office, used to offer to the city a trumpet presentation. Those who lived close by have become accustomed to that sound and it was very common to see people standing under Tijucas, looking for the musician.

The gallery offers lawyers office, medical clinic, dental, pharmacy, real estate, cafeteria, lottery, shop for perfume, cosmetic, seamstress and tailor, in fact, the only tailor I ever visited in Curitiba used to work in this building. The Tijucas since the 70’s as a bastion of tailors. Among them we will still find Mr. Ferdinando Nardelli, a 74 years old tailor, working at Tijucas since 1958. There are only 18 taylors still working at Tijucas.

Chatting at Boca Maldita

The photos, taken on a Sunday afternoon, show for what purpose the "Boca Maldita" was conceived: to bring together old friends, stop for a few or several minutes and talk about everything and everyone and after that, go back home updated.

It's Fun Time

Every weekend the city of Curitiba through its Municipal Secretary of Sports and Recreation promotes in the public spaces of Curitiba, recreational events called "Brincadeira tem hora" (something like "Fun time") providing ping-pong tables and various boards games for the population, just like in the picture taken at Boca Maldita.

Brazil 3 x 0 Chile

It is a pity for our South American brothers, but today Brazil was the Brazil that we all want to see on the pitch. OK! Kaka was still not the Kaka that we expect, Robinho has not pedaled all he had to pedal, but when the trio worked (Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano), the goals happened. Our defense was always very competent and Julio Cesar is always a guarantee that our goal is very well kept.

So for now, one more reason to celebrate and may come the Holland!

Sunday of art at Flower Street

On Sundays at Flowe Street, the rushing crowd of weekdays is replaced by people walking around, by musicians and artists, as the designer sat in front of the Palace Avenue, drawing a portrait, while his bench mate is reading a book.

Another point of view of Boca Maldita

The Boca Maldita is the center of all important events in Curitiba (political, social and cultural). It is an obligatory passage for those who want to know what is happening in the city. Get closer to where the old men are talking to disclose the backroom of Curitiba's politic panorama.

The photo was taken from Dr. Muricy street towards the Boca Maldita.

Brazil 3 x 1 Ivory Coast

Phew! Brazil played very well, escaped almost unscathed from the carnage that the Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire) tried to perpetrate on the field (in their case, a battlefield) and in the end, Brazil had a victory just like Brazilian fans love: with brilliant goals and attitude. Sad to see a team which was expected a fine football (Ivory Coast) and what we saw in the field, was a team that thought could win by physical intimidation. The pictures were taken at Boca Maldita few minutes before the match. We now look forward for Portugal!

South Africa, here we come!

The short and discrete period that the Brazilian Soccer Team was concentrated in Curitiba, has left to the city a new decoration of the Flower Street, an exhibition at the Memorial of Curitiba (which I intend to visit), the Cable Car with the colors of the Brazilian flag and a new monument next to the clock of the Boca Maldita, presenting the escalation of all Brazilian Soccer teams of the past that have won the World Cup.

The team has left Brazil to South Africa and next month, Brazil will stop to follow the World Cup. No doubt there is no other event that could mobilize the Brazilians as the World Cup can and there is nothing cooler than follow the games in the company of friends (since Brazil plays well and win of course!).

Art at Boca Maldita

Saturday is the day of outdoor art at the “Boca Maldita” in Curitiba, as well as recreational activities and sports. The frameset of this photo, being enjoyed by pedestrians, mainly depict the symbol tree of Curitiba, the Araucaria.

Braz Hotel

The Braz Hotel is a symbol of hospitality in Curitiba. Opened in 1930 at Tiradentes Square, owned at that time by the Portuguese couple Maria and Francisco Braz. The current building at Boca Maldita was completed in 1941. It was one of the most important Hotel in Curitiba in the 50's, for hosting politicians and was the scene of many political rallies, including one of President Getúlio Vargas in 1950. It was shut in 1978 and reopened by the Group Slaviero in 1991.

Cleaning the Moreira Garcez Building

Yesterday while waiting the arrival of the zombies for the zombie walk, we witness the work of two professionals who were abseiling to clean the facade of the building Moreira Garcez at Boca Maldita, using jets of water, splashing the people down there, refreshing the intense heat.

Carnival in Curitiba?

Carnival in Curitiba is a unanimity: everyone loves on behalf of the four days off (or four and a half days). But the Carnival here is not the same thing when compared with other cities or states. Samba in the foot, Maracatu, Axé-Music and Frevo, I would not say this is the soundtrack of all Curitibanos, many simply abhor all of it.

In the majority opinion of those who lives in Curitiba, the Carnival (as seen in other cities) over here is simply a HORROR and therefore, it seems fair that the Zombie Walk takes place right in the middle of carnivel time! See the call I found in the blog "Young Nerd":

"In this carnival, no feathers, sequins and carnival marching just like in your grandmother`s time! In Curitiba, the babble of always is going to be replaced by blood and brains! It is the fifth edition of the Zombie Walk in the city, which will drag the living dead by the streets of Curitiba, on February 14. The concentration starts at 2pm at Boca Maldita, with scheduled departure 4pm to the ruins of San Francisco at the Largo da Ordem. After arriving at the Largo da Ordem, four bands will be playing horror punk and psycobilly. "

So if you want big carnival balls, big parades of the samba school, beautiful mulatto teaching how dance the samba, run away from Curitiba, because here you will not find any of that!

Night view of the Boca Maldita Clock

The photo shows the night vew of the place where Luiz Xavier Avenue meets Osório Square.

This place has always been an important open air stage for major events in Curitiba, both artistic and political, as the historical protest of 50 thousand people on 12 January 1984, launching the “Diretas Já”, a popular movement demanding direct democratic elections, culminating in 1985 with the end of 21 years of military dictatorship in Brazil.

Boca Maldita

The Boca Maldita (it is hard to translate, but I would say that it is close to "Accursed Mouth") is a spot at Luiz Xavier avenue, close to Osorio square, established in 1957 and institutionalized on December 13, 1966.

At this place, politicians, intelectuals and people in general (mainly old fellows), stop by for a coffee and talking with friends. It is said to be "accursed" because everything is subject to be severely criticised over there.

Powerful and sexist, The Boca Maldita is famous since the forfeiture of the State Governor Harold Leon Peres in the 70's. This event was due to its members (as it is told in the streets).
Its motto is "I see nothing, I hear nothing, I speak nothing."