Folkloric characters are the theme of a craft workshop by the Cultural Foundation of Pará
Course taught by artist Ana Sena teaches the making of Curupira, the mascot of COP 30; Matinta Pereira; Saci Pererê; Mermaid Iara and Boto
The characters and legends of popular folklore are the theme of a fabric doll-making workshop promoted by the Cultural Foundation of Pará (FCP), through the Curro Velho Center, in Belém.
The workshop started on August 18 and features Curupira, the character chosen as the mascot of COP 30, as the highlight. In addition to him, students learn to make Matinta Pereira, Saci Pererê, Mermaid Iara, and Boto.
Taught by artist Ana Sena, the doll-making workshop has been held for several years at the center. The difference in this module was the choice of Curupira as the highlight.
“The idea of bringing Curupira as the main character of the workshop was due to the announcement that he would be the official mascot of COP 30, chosen to represent the forests and the Amazon at the climate debate event,” explains Ana Sena.
She emphasizes that the workshops promoted by FCP are important not only as artistic learning but also as a tool for inclusion, well-being, and income generation.
“Many students leave here already making some income and earning money with the skills we develop here. Not to mention the therapeutic factor that the workshops have; I have students with autism, depression, anxiety… Here we work with inclusion and welcome. It is therapeutic for us, instructors, too,” she states.
Ophthalmologist Silvia Pereira shares that she is a student of the doll-making workshop but has taken almost all the courses offered by FCP. She highlights that in addition to providing welcome and learning, the course is also a gateway to new income, as many students already receive orders and sell their pieces at home and online.
“In reality, here, besides learning new skills, I am doing therapy because I have depression, and the workshops help me in treatment; here is better than many consultations in expensive clinics with various psychologists. Here is a place of healing and therapy. Besides generating professions for people, I know people here who supported their families during the Covid-19 pandemic with the skills they learned here,” reports Silvia.
Cultural management technician Ana Luz explains that the workshops promoted by the Cultural Foundation of Pará aim to encourage artisanal production with regional themes, generating income and valuing local culture.
“The main idea is that people who go through Curro Velho and enjoy making dolls learn and understand the modeling and creation process. And that after the workshop, they can produce on demand, offering the dolls as gifts and souvenirs for clients and events, generating sustainable income and valuing the bioeconomy of the region,” explains Ana Luz.
The doll-making workshop is part of the 3rd module of workshops offered by the Cultural Foundation of Pará, which take place at the Curro Velho Center and the Casa da Linguagem in Belém, where 38 free workshops were offered, providing a total of 519 spots in areas such as languages, animation, audiovisual, photography, and digital arts.
Text with collaboration from Maurício Carvalho
