Narrative in portraits: revisiting a Criciúma that I lived
January 2014
If we count that one day we had lived in a place where most of the streets were not paved, there was no television, no telephone, daily lacked electricity, where the water was taken in private wells, and wooden stoves were the majority, at first it may seem that this place is too distant in space and time. Well this was the scene I saw and experienced in my early years, more or less in the 1960s and 1970s in the city of Criciúma, and I still remember so well. But if on one hand there was some technological deficiency, compared to today, for the other side was a great feeling of brotherhood among the people who lived around there, and I'm sure, still persist in many of them. I miss it.
It is possible to see, at that time we were a little more than two or three generations from the beginning of everything, an intermediate time where everything Read more »
started happening. A time where the great characters who made the history of the city were still there. A time when coal was still the major driver of the economy, but there was already a vigorous awakening of ceramic industry, which was, perhaps, the great representative of the strong industrialization that arose following in the Southern of Santa Catarina State. I believe that these moments were the cradle of a new society that emerged. These are times that I miss them.
I miss the train passing through the city center, the train tracks and the walkway that people passing by. I miss the Criciúma river that today we do not see it anymore, the old Town Hall which stood on the Nereus Ramos Square, the St. Joseph Church, the cinemas Milanez, Rovaris and Ópera, the fakir that was on exhibit at the cinema for thirty days: without eating and without drinking, circuses and their animals that made children too happy, the old cemetery, the old bus stations, the old telephone exchange, cafeterias Rio and São Paulo, the old Burriquete that the children had so afraid of him, the beginning of the Congresso Square, the grotto, the inauguration of the Criciúma Club, the Carnival balls at Mampituba Club, the Pão Pluma Bakery, Sete Belo Pizzeria, the Ok Steakhouse, the Immigrant's Square, the old Monument to the Miner, the modern architecture that emerged, the new Forum ...
They are memories, images that have remained in my memory, so fragile and so strong, true codes that only those who passed through there may know: the criciumenses of that time. Much has been lost and now are just memories, but much still remains alive. And in my reflections on what still remains that emerged this small Narrative in Portraits, where I revisit some of that space-time that is lost in a time still very present in my mind.
The result is a kind of cathartic process, through those paths for many of the places that still exist, that were part it, and also that everyone saw, but as each one of them, I record my singular point of view. I also scoured other places, not exactly the same, but that complement and materialize much of those objects, utensils, and environments that lead me to that feelings. I consider it a great opportunity to be able to project real images, now modified by time, I kept for over 50 years.
I conclude, using words that often go unnoticed for many people but they have a deep significance for touching us so directly. I mean those words engraved in plaque affixed to the Monument to the first industry of Criciúma, ennobles the bravery of the first immigrants and also underscores the gratitude of the criciumense people to those first immigrants who arrived there. I make them my words: "Moved by human strength, these stones were rolled through virgin forest, about 40 km, destined to the first industry of Criciúma, in 1880 ... Tribute to the brave founding colonists of this town."
Criciúma grew, grew much. And keeps growing in our hearts.
Congratulations criciumenses for the 134 years of the foundation of this great city on: January 6th, 2014!
Special thanks:
- Mina de Visitação Octávio Fontana: ao funcionário Ricardo Neves
Title: Oil painting Description: Collection of the Church of St. Casimir. One of the three paintings brought by Polish immigrants who came to the Linha Batista. The other paintings were of Our Lady of Częstochowa and Santa Edvirges, which are also part of the Church's acquis. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 13/03/2012
Nº 003-023
Title: Stairs of the Estado Palace Description: The State Palace was built in the 1960s, and for decades was the Forum of Criciúma. It's architecture was influenced from the Bauhaus School of Architecture and Design, Germany. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 09/11/2013
Nº 003-029
Title: Window of the old kitchen Description: Kitchen of the old "Big House". Built by Augusto Casagrande in 1920, the building now houses the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-050
Title: Ceramic coating of the Estado Palace Description: These tiles are of the laterals walls of the Estado Palace. Are characteristic of the 1960s, when the construction of the building. This ceramic coating was manufactured by CESACA, first ceramic industry Criciúma. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 09/11/2013
Nº 003-028
Title: Image of Our Lady Aparecida Description: Small image of Our Lady Aparecida dating, presumably 1920, from the Chapel of Santa Augusta neighborhood, demolished in 1934. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-055
Title: Lake of the Congresso Square Description: This square was designed to urbanize a central area of the city, and as a mark of celebration of the National Eucharistic Congress which was held in 1946 in Criciúma.
The architectural and landscape design was done by architect Fernando Jorge da Cunha Carneiro. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 08/11/2013
Nº 003-024
Title: Monument to the first industry of Criciúma Description: It is written on the plate: "Moved by human strength, these stones were rolled through virgin forest, about 40 km, destined to the first industry of Criciúma, in 1880 ... Tribute to the brave founding colonists of this town." Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 08/11/2013
Nº 003-042
Title: Architectural detail of the House of Culture Neusa Nunes Vieira Description: The construction of this building was completed in 1943 to be the seat Municipal Government, and later used for other purposes. From 1987 became the seat of the House of Culture. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 08/11/2013
Nº 003-044
Title: Facade of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum Description: The architecture of the building was designed and built by Augusto Casagrande in 1920. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-046
Title: Clothes iron Description: Used by the firsts Italian immigrants in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-057
Title: Our Lady of Lourdes grotto Description: Stairs for access to the Grotto Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 11/10/2010
Nº 003-015
Title: Night view Description: Partial view of the city Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 23/12/2012
Nº 003-020
Title: Crucifix, kneeling-desk and trunk Description: Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum. The crucifix, sculpted in wood by Angelo Moro, belonged to St. Peter Chapel (Parish of Siderópolis/Nova Veneza) between 1895 and 1955 Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 06/03/2013
Nº 003-068
Title: Provision cabinets and kitchenware Description: Furniture and wooden kitchen utensils used in the early twentieth century. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 06/03/2013
Nº 003-058
Title: Small Sink of holy water Description: Sink of holy water from 1920s used in the couple's Marcos Rovaris and Celestina Zilli Rovaris room. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-048
Title: The train tracks Description: Located at the boundary between of the cities of Criciúma and Nova Veneza Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 23/12/2012
Nº 003-010
Title: Chamber-pot Description: Used in the early twentieth century. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-062
Title: Soup tureen Description: This soup tureen was a wedding gift in 1914, given by the couple Luiza Mendes and Carlos Coutinho, to the bride Teófila Maria de Figueiredo. It was bought in kitchenware shop Liz in the city of Laguna. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 06/03/2013
Nº 003-060
Title: Stones of the Monument of the first industry of Criciúma Description: It is written on the plate: "Moved by human strength, these stones were rolled through virgin forest, about 40 km, destined to the first industry of Criciúma, in 1880 ... Tribute to the brave founding colonists of this town." Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 08/11/2013
Nº 003-043
Title: Old double room Description: These bed and mattress belonged to the couple Augusto Casagrande and Cecília Darós Casagrande from the 1920s. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-067
Title: Plates of carts Description: Plates found in the town of Orleans region, and that were used in the 1930s and 1940s. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-054
Title: Posterior view of the Cathedral Description: St. Joseph Cathedral Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 11/10/2010
Nº 003-017
Title: The tower and the clock Description: St. Joseph Cathedral Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 11/10/2010
Nº 003-016
Title: View of the Getúlio Vargas Avenue Description: Getúlio Vargas Avenue is located in the city center of Criciúma Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 10/11/2013
Nº 003-036
Title: Flowers Description: Flowers of the Cemetery of St. Casimir Church at Linha Batista Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 13/03/2012
Nº 003-041
Title: Oil painting Description: Oil Painting on the ceiling of St. Joseph Cathedral Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 20/10/2012
Nº 003-012
Title: Congresso Square Description: This square was designed to urbanize a central area of the city, and as a mark of celebration of the National Eucharistic Congress which was held in 1946 in Criciúma.
The architectural and landscape design was done by architect Fernando Jorge da Cunha Carneiro. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 08/11/2013
Nº 003-025
Title: Old Chimney Description: It is located in the neighborhood Próspera in the Chimney Square. This Chimney was part of a power plant, owned by a company of coal extraction called Carbonífera Próspera SA, which was inaugurated on 1st May, 1943. The energy produced by the plant was used for maintenance on weekends Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 10/11/2013
Nº 003-037
Title: Interior of the Cathedral Description: Interior view of the St. Joseph Cathedral from the main door Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 20/10/2012
Nº 003-011
Title: Pillars of the Church Description: The Church of St. Casimir is located at Linha Batista. It was built by Polish immigrants and inaugurated in 1930. Its name is a tribute to St. Casimir, patron of the Linha Batista. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 13/03/2012
Nº 003-021
Title:6 de Janeiro Street Description: Street located in the heart of Criciúma has this name in honor of its founding date: January 6, 1880 Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 08/11/2013
Nº 003-034
Title:Estado Palace Description: Built in the 1960s, was the Forum of Criciúma for decades. It's architecture was influenced from the Bauhaus School of Architecture and Design, Germany. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 09/11/2013
Nº 003-027
Title:Geral Mountains Description: View of the Geral Mountains from the city of Criciúma, with the newly installed aerogenerators Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 05/08/2013
Nº 003-019
Title: Our Lady of Lourdes grotto Description: Facade of the grotto Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 11/10/2010
Nº 003-014
Title: Twine set Description: This twine set was used in the Bortoluzzi family Store, in the city of Nova Veneza, around 1930s. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-056
Title: Pair of shoes Description: Used in the late nineteenth century, early twentieth century. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-063
Title: Inside view Description: Our Lady of Lourdes grotto Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 14/02/2008
Nº 003-006
Title: Inside view Description: Our Lady of Lourdes grotto Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 14/02/2008
Nº 003-004
Title: Pitcher and Bowl Set Description: Dating from the 1910s. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-065
Title: Small Sink of holy water Description: Sink of holy water from 1920s used in the couple's Augusto Casagrande and Cecília Darós Casagrande room. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 06/03/2013
Nº 003-047
Title: Benjamin Bristot Gallery Description: The construction of the Benjamin Bristot Gallery dates back to the 1970s. It was the first covered shopping center of the city of Criciúma Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 08/11/2013
Nº 003-031
Title: Stairs of the Old Casarão Description: Stairs inside the old "Big House". Built by Augusto Casagrande in 1920, the building now houses the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 06/03/2013
Nº 003-049
Title: Wardrobe Description: Belonged to the first mayor of Criciúma: Macos Rovaris. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-059
Title: Bricks of the Chimney Description: It is located in the neighborhood Próspera in the Chimney Square. This Chimney was part of a power plant, owned by a company of coal extraction which was inaugurated on 1st May, 1943. Observe that the bricks still retains the marks of the hands of the workers who made them Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 10/11/2013
Nº 003-039
Title:Capim Criciúma Description: Plant native from this region, which is attributed the name of the city, which existed in abundance during the colonization. It is a grass genera Arundinários and Cusquea. In the indigenous language, the name Criciúma means: stick smooth and delicate, a small bamboo. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 08/11/2013
Nº 003-033
Title: Kerosene lampion Description: Used by the early Italian immigrants, around 1930s and 1940s. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-064
Title: Faith Description: Our Lady of Lourdes grotto Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 14/02/2008
Nº 003-005
Title: Interior of a coal mine Description: Octávio Fontana Visitation Mine. In this image it is possible to see the different thicknesses of coal layers. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 09/11/2013
Nº 003-003
Title: Letters trunk Description: Belonged to Maria Piazza Motta, first teacher of Criciúma, that used to store letters and private confidences. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 06/03/2013
Nº 003-061
Title: Interior of the old "Big House" Description: Living room of the old "Big House". On the left side is a portrait of the old owner of the house: Augusto Casagrande, that completed it in 1920. It houses the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum nowadays. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-051
Title: Flowers Description: Flowers of the Cemetery of St. Casimir Church at Linha Batista Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 13/03/2012
Nº 003-040
Title: Organ Description: St. Joseph Cathedral Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 20/10/2012
Nº 003-007
Title: Interior of the Church Description: The Church of St. Casimir is located at Linha Batista. It was built by Polish immigrants and inaugurated in 1930. Its name is a tribute to St. Casimir, patron of the Linha Batista. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 13/03/2012
Nº 003-022
Title: Monument to the Miner Description: This bronze monument dates back to 1946 and is situated at Luz Etelvina Square. It is inscribed: "Criciúma to the Men of the coal from 1913 to 1971."Its construction marked the 33 years of the implementation of the coal industry in southern Santa Catarina. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 08/11/2013
Nº 003-045
Title:Geral Mountains Description: View of the Geral Mountains from the city of Criciúma Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 05/08/2013
Nº 003-018
Title: Dry leaves on the avenue Description: Getúlio Vargas Avenue is located in the city center of Criciúma Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 10/11/2013
Nº 003-035
Title:Estado Palace Description: Built in the 1960s, was the Forum of Criciúma for decades. It's architecture was influenced from the Bauhaus School of Architecture and Design, Germany. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 09/11/2013
Nº 003-026
Title: Interior of the Cathedral Description: St. Joseph Cathedral Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 20/10/2012
Nº 003-013
Title: Stairs of the Chimney Description: It is located in the neighborhood Próspera in the Chimney Square. This Chimney was part of a power plant, owned by a company of coal extraction called Carbonífera Próspera SA, which was inaugurated on 1st May, 1943. The energy produced by the plant was used for maintenance on weekends Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 10/11/2013
Nº 003-038
Title: Pair of boots Description: Made by the father of Julia Gaidzinski in Criciúma and were bought by Caetano Sonego. Were used for riding, and had the long barrel because it also served to river crossings. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum. Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-066
Title: Interior of the Cathedral Description: St. Joseph Cathedral Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 20/10/2012
Nº 003-008
Title: Pleyel Piano Description: First piano brought to Criciúma in 1939 by Mrs. Zulcema Póvoas Carneiro, piano teacher. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013
Nº 003-053
Title: The train tracks Description: Located at the boundary between of the cities of Criciúma and Nova Veneza Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 13/08/2011
Nº 003-032
Title: Interior of a coal mine Description: Octávio Fontana Visitation Mine Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 09/11/2013
Nº 003-002
Title: Interior of a coal mine Description: Octávio Fontana Visitation Mine Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 09/11/2013
Nº 003-001
Title: Interior of the Cathedral Description: St. Joseph Cathedral Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 20/10/2012
Nº 003-009
Title: Partial view of the city Description: Picture of the central region of the city Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 09/11/2013
Nº 003-030
Title: Old shaving set Description: Old shaving set from the early twentieth century. Collection of the Historic and Geographic Augusto Casagrande Museum Local: Criciúma, Brazil Date of Registration: 07/03/2013