A city to excite the senses.
Salvia, Petunia and Josephs Coat provide wild splashes of colour in the squares, parks and gardens of Curitiba, demonstrating the “perfect love” which helps to cultivate and retain the history of the early immigrants, and whose colourful flowerbeds help preserve the well being of the local residents. Curitiba, is the Capital City of Parana State, located 410km south of Sao Paulo and always maintains regular programs of high quality cultural events. Curitiba is blessed with one of the highest standards of living in the world and visitors feel their senses heightened on arrival. There are always good reasons to make another visit; here are some suggestions.
The Botanical Gardens.
Pride of place goes to the Jardim Botanico, inaugurated in 1991. Beneath a structure of metal and glass, Bromelia, Begonias and Orchids bloom. Within the gardens, there is even a natural forest of Brazilian Pines and a herbarium containing plants from all over the world. Over 7000 seedlings are planted quarterly. One might add, that here you will find the highest concentration of cameras per square meter in Brazil. Literally everybody, tourists and locals alike, take photographs with the wonderful background of flowers and colours. It is therefore more than appropriate that the Botanical Gardens should be the home of the original works of Frans Krajcberg, a naturalised Pole, who creates art from tree trunks, abandoned wood found in disused mines, remains from forest fires and mango groves destroyed by man. In the Espaco Cultural, which bears his name, situated beside the large glass greenhouse, you may study his transforming work, totally dedicated and committed to the protection and defence of nature. His works give a warning cry, simultaneously shock us, but give us hope.
Museu Oscar Niemeyer.
The vibrant Oscar Niemeyer Museum is a“real life” exhibition whose displayed art work stimulates ideas, thoughts and concerns. Its sculptured form, clean and with a grand sense of scale and style, was, according to the architect designer, inspired by the magnificent size and shape of the Brazilian Pine Tree. The Iranian film maker, Abbas Kiarostami, said “geometrical and natural symmetrical lines are the origin of all of the arts”. He knew what he was talking about.
Feira da Memoria.
In the heart of Curitiba`s city centre, where the first colonial buildings and churches were founded, eg. Ordem e a do Rosario, built by slaves during the 18th century, you will find safely preserved, the drinking place that the colonists used to water their horses. It is called the Fonte da Memoria. Every Sunday morning, in the six streets surrounding the fount, some 1300 artists and artisans display their wares. You will find paintings, sculptures, marquetry, needlework and bordered towels. It is a pleasure to note that all items have one thing in common, a heritage from the original immigrants, of care and work, beautifully executed.
Memorial Ucraniano.
The Ukrainian Memorial lies within the Parque Tingui and the temple, constructed entirely from wood, houses Icons surrounded by cross stitch bordered towels. On one side of the temple, you will find in the Vacelka shop, Ukraine artwork, of which the most attractive are the “Pessanke” or Easter Eggs, that symbolise Earth`s re-birth each Spring. They are true works of art, and in some parts of the Ukraine, it is believed that the “Pessanke” possess healing powers and the ability to protect homes and bring God`s blessing.
Following on, there is the Bosque Alemao with the Trilha de Joao e Maria and then the Memorial Polones. Here, within the bosk area, you will see six old, typical houses constructed from fitted Pine logs. Inside there is furniture, household items and photos, showing us how the immigrant lived.