Baile da Matinta celebrates the Amazonian imaginary and promotes cultural inclusion at CIIR
The program included theater, music, exhibition, and a costume parade inspired by the legends of the Amazon
With music, costumes, and characters from the Amazon rainforest, the Integrated Center for Inclusion and Rehabilitation (CIIR) held, this Friday (31), the traditional Baile da Matinta, an event that has become part of the institutional calendar of the unit and invites users, families, and collaborators to experience regional culture as an expression of health, belonging, and enchantment.
The activity proposed an Amazonian reinterpretation of Halloween, transforming the rehabilitation space into a setting populated by legends and mythical beings such as Matinta Pereira, Curupira, and Iara. The program included theatrical and musical performances, a costume parade inspired by the narratives of the forest, and a visual arts exhibition, curated by Professor Eduardo Oliveira, who translated the dialogue between art and territory into colors.
One of the highlights of this edition was the tribute to the In Bust Group (Puppet Theater), a national reference in the dissemination of Amazonian legends through the work Catalendas. The tribute moved artist Paulo Nascimento, one of the creators of the project, who emphasized the importance of bringing art and regional memory to care environments.
“Bringing Catalendas to a space like this strengthens our identity and improves everyone's health. It is art made by people from here, with stories from here. This creates familiarity, joy, and is good for those who live and for those who care,” said the artist.
Popular Imaginary - For Professor Eduardo Oliveira, the ball reaffirms CIIR's commitment to the cultural appreciation of the Amazon. “The Baile da Matinta is now in its sixth year. It was born from the idea of affirming our culture in the face of so many external influences. Each edition works on the popular imaginary and folklore as a form of expression and identity construction. This year, the tribute to Catalendas was also a gesture of gratitude to those who keep Amazonian art alive,” he highlighted.
The theater professor at CIIR, Paula Barros, reinforced the event's proposal as part of comprehensive health care. “CIIR thinks of the user, the collaborator, and the companion in a holistic way. Bringing art and culture into the space is to think about health beyond assistance: it is to promote reflection, joy, and belonging,” she explained.
Joy of the users - The audience actively participated in the ball. For Leila Lima, mother of Victória Miranda, 17, and a CIIR user for a year and a half, the moment was one of emotion and pride. “It was moving to see her happiness participating. With each of these events, I realize how much she evolves. It’s a feeling I can’t even describe. I’m really very happy,” she said.
Also enchanted by the program was Reriane Gama, mother of João Lucas, 4 years old, a user of the Center since 2021. “Everything is beautiful! It’s a joy to see the children having fun, breaking the routine of treatment. This type of event does a lot of good for everyone,” she said.
More than a festivity, the Baile da Matinta reaffirms CIIR's commitment to integrating health, art, and culture into the routine of its users and professionals.
Reference - CIIR is a state reference in medium and high complexity assistance to People with Disabilities (PwD) visual, physical, auditory, and intellectual. Access to services is made through referrals from health units, via the Municipal Regulation Center, which directs requests to State Regulation. The user's profile is analyzed by the State Regulation System (SER).
Service: CIIR is a government agency of Pará, managed by the National Institute of Social and Human Development (INDSH), in partnership with the State Department of Public Health (Sespa). The unit is located at Rodovia Arthur Bernardes, 1000, Val-de-Cães neighborhood, in Belém. More information: (91) 4042-2157/ 58/ 59.
