Carimbó and inclusion mark CIIR's action at the state shelter Nosso Lar Socorro Gabriel

An afternoon filled with music, dance, and regional culture enlivened the elderly residents of the state shelter Nosso Lar Socorro Gabriel, in the Maracangalha neighborhood of Belém. The event, held this Monday (16), was promoted by the project Vô com Arte, from the Arts and Culture sector of the Integrated Center for Inclusion and Rehabilitation (CIIR), to provide leisure, inclusion, and cultural appreciation moments for institutionalized elderly individuals.

The program included carimbó, June festival dances, and plenty of interaction, led by teachers Marcos Mendonça (Music) and Hellen Sousa (Dance), with support from entertainers Hellayne Sousa, Luã Tavares, and Nathália Nanci, as well as administrative assistant Thaiz Ferreira. Together, the professionals created an environment of joy, integration, and affection for the residents.

“Today we promoted a June procession with carimbó dances, bringing music, dance, and culture to the elderly. Professor Marcos and I performed Curió do Bico Doce and then invited everyone to dance with us,” said teacher Hellen Sousa.

According to her, the main goal of the initiative is to strengthen bonds with the participants through art. “We want to include the elderly in this universe of dance and music. They love carimbó and feel very happy when we carry out actions like this. It’s a way to bring culture closer, especially for those who cannot leave the shelter frequently,” she emphasized.

The artistic activities also positively reflect on the physical, mental, emotional, and social health of the elderly, as highlighted by the social worker of the shelter, Erlen Alves. “These actions directly impact the self-esteem and mental health of our residents. They feel seen, remembered, and welcomed,” she stated. She also reinforced the importance of the partnership with CIIR, which helps keep cultural traditions alive and promotes moments of joy and community interaction.

The typical songs and dances also awakened special memories among the participants, such as those of Mrs. Maria José Oliveira, 79 years old, who has been living in the shelter for eight months. With a smile on her face, she recalled her youth when she used to dance carimbó at parties.

“I liked it very much, from the heart. I had a lot of fun. When I was healthy, I went to all the parties. I worked, took a shower, got on my bike, and went alone to dance carimbó,” she recalled, emotional. She also made a special request to the project team: “I want you to come and cheer us up always. Our fun here is this.”

Through Vô com Arte, CIIR reinforces its commitment to an active, participatory, and meaningful old age, bringing affection, music, and respect for Amazonian cultural roots.

Reference – CIIR is a reference in Pará for medium and high complexity assistance to People with Disabilities (PwD) visual, physical, auditory, and intellectual. Users can access the Center's services through referrals from health units, welcomed by the Regulation Center of each municipality, which in turn forwards to State Regulation. The request will be analyzed according to the user's profile by the State Regulation System (SER).

Service: The Integrated Center for Inclusion and Rehabilitation is an agency of the Government of Pará and is located at Rodovia Arthur Bernardes, No. 1,000, in Belém. More information: (91) 4042-2157 /58 /59.

Text: Tarcísio Barbosa – Ascom CIIR