Curitiba's Flower Street Characters 6

To conclude this series of characters that we meet on Flower street, or the "Calçadão", or simply to XV, I will focus on the most important characters of all: the ordinary people who pass through the most fantastic place in Curitiba every day (or sometimes) for any reason: working, headind school, sightseeing or tourism. They are (or we are) the real atraction of this street. At Flower street, Curitiba happens, Curitiba lives.

Thanks to my son Diogo, who kindly allowed me to use his picutes in this series.

Curitiba's Flower Street Characters 5

Two snapshots of fun at Flower Street. The first, shows children having fun in a toy specially built for them. I do not know if it still happens, but usually on Saturdays, a large roll of paper is open on the sidewalk and a lot of ink and brushes are distribuited to any passing kid that wants to paint whatever comes to their mind.

In the second photo, a "friend" is shown applying a practical joke on his asleep friends.

Curitiba's Flower Street Characters 4

Nowadays few are the opportunities that I have to walk down the Flower street. There was a time that daily I used to pass by The Boca Maldita and I still remember some characters. Like the one that used to jump through a tight circle of knives. Or the one who used to ask his poor assistant to support within his lips a cigarette or a small sheet of paper that was thoroughly shredded by a whip.

The photos show a capoeira circle and the dancers showing their skills.

Curitiba's Flower Street Characters 3

With all these distractions at the Flower street, we will certainly find those who, just like in the pictures above, are there only to look at the scenery, people and events.

Sitting on a bench, sitting in a box on the floor, anchored on the walls of the cafes or wherever it may be possible, the important thing is to secure your place and enjoy.

Curitiba's Flower Street Characters 2

The cultural menu at the Flower Street is quite varied. In any corner where a ring of people is made, in the center you will find an artist who came to Curitiba to disclose his art.

In the first picture, we will find a guy whose music in Brazil is called "Repente". He takes a theme (or people around may suggest one) and he does the lyrics and the music instantly (usually is funny).

The second guy is Plá, a mad-style singer very well known in the streets of Curitiba.

Curitiba's Flower Street Characters 1

The Flower Street (Rua das Flores) is a special place to walk in Curitiba. In addition to its historical value, comfort for pedestrians due to the car traffic prohibition and the variety of trade, the people and situations that suddenly arise are very interesting.

I will start a new series with the characters that can be found on its sidewalk. The photos were taken with my camera, but the photographer of this series is my son, Diogo. In one single day he captured all these candid photos. Imagine what can be seen by those who passes by every day. It is a stage in open air.

In the first picture we will find one of the many musicians who use the Flower Street as their stage. He is from Peru or Colombia and he is playing their typical music.

As far as I remember, blind accordion players are a constant at Flower Street and the guy in the second picture is one of them. You would be impressed by their technical quality. I remember one of them that used to play tango very well. It was a pleasure stop by and enjoy the performance.

Rua das Flores

A friend said that her city is best expressed by its streets - the stores, the bars, the restaurants, the people, and just walking around.

I believe that every resident of Curitiba has its own definition of the city. For me, Curitiba is defined by its climate (undefined and almost always cold), its squares and parks, for Sunday lunch at Santa Felicidade Italian district and the Rua das Flores (or Rua XV de Novembro, or simply the Calçadão).

The backbone of Curitiba is the Rua das Flores. The XV was the first street in Brazil in which a large portion (from Osório Square to Santos Andrade Square) was devoted exclusively to pedestrians. In it, people just pass by, enjoy the view, work and shop.