The Cidade Branca (White City), Capital of the Pantanal, and Cultural Cradle of the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, closed with flying colors the cultural events that are part of the life of the Pantaneiro community. A show that drew thousands of people of all ages and from every corner of the city, who jostled to be able to watch a marvelous spectacle put on by the competent direction of Moinho Cultural. Moinho in Concert was a smashing success and delighted everyone.
The great cultural events of the Cidade Branca have been consolidating year after year, thanks to selfless and dedicated citizens who love Corumbá, a city that in the past represented the economic development of the Center-West region, but which, unfortunately, due to mistaken political decisions, kept losing its important position on the political stage, as well as on the economic stage, to the point of seeing its population shrink in search of opportunities for a better quality of life.
Everything indicates that the political class of the Cidade Branca, and organized society, are gradually becoming aware that the Old Corumbá is now breathing different air, and have come to believe that the people’s calling, rooted in a centuries-old culture, could be the redemption of the Capital of the Pantanal. Cultural calendars such as Carnival, the Banho de São João (Saint John’s Bath), and the International Festivals have made the population motivated to support the involvement of the public sector in these initiatives.
Some years ago, the number-one ballerina of the Ballet Nacional, Ana Botafogo, starred in a performance at Praça Generoso Ponce, with the marvelous and admired view of the Pantanal as a backdrop. A large audience, as always, honored that event, and, at the end of the performance, the artist was enthusiastically applauded, with the admiring audience calling for an encore, which she granted. At the end of the performance, Ana Botafogo said that in her long career she had never granted an encore request, but upon seeing an audience like that one, far from the major urban centers, on the country’s western border, she was moved to tears, and said she would carry that beautiful moment with her for eternity.
Could it be that “A Menina Passarinho” is the long-awaited Phoenix? That bird of Greek mythology which, after years buried, is reborn from the ashes to take flight as a symbol of progress, of development, of recognition, and of hope for a people full of pride in their origins. Yesterday’s show made it very clear that Culture, allied with Tourism, can indeed be the redemption of the Cidade Branca, since, in its official calendars, Corumbá carries the seal of the already-renowned Pantanal, but also of the well-known hospitality of these border people, which fills us with pride and joy.
A Menina Passarinha deserves a special edition, so that Brazil and Brazilians may know that the Bororo Legend left a beautiful trail of culture, as if Pedro de Medeiros had glimpsed the rebirth of the Phoenix. Congratulations to the organizers of this magnificent event. This is a demonstration that a united and motivated people can contribute positively to a resumption of development. May there be more Meninas Passarinhos to come, bringing us comfort and hope.
BENEDITO RODRIGUES DA COSTA Economist
