The podcast Patrimoniar #05, which has just been aired, talked with Welita Caetano, labor scientist and leader of the Frente de Luta por Moradia (FLM). She talks about her experience as an activist in the defense of the right to the city and housing.
Born in Goiás, Welita came to São Paulo with her parents when she was still a child. With no resources for rent, the family had to settle in an occupation until they were eligible for a federal government housing program.
The activist discusses the cultural and political practices and manifestations of the housing movements and the impacts of recent projects on the memory and identity of the Bixiga neighborhood.
Housing movements have promoted a fundamental role both in the defense of the social function of property, occupying empty properties, and in the resistance to the expulsion processes of vulnerable populations. The central areas of São Paulo are marked by the presence of buildings that, by remaining idle for long periods, do not comply with the social function of private property provided by the Federal Constitution. At the same time, as happens in Bixiga, the advance of the real estate market has led to the demolition of old buildings and the expulsion of low-income populations, resulting in significant alterations to the cultural heritage spread throughout the city.
The program was produced by Eduardo Kishimoto and Gabriel Fernandes in May 2023. The edition is by Eduardo Kishimoto, with records of the rehearsal of the Coralusp Dona Yayá singing the song “Ágbà”, by Douglas Germano, with arrangement by Selma Boragian and conductor Mauro Aulicino.
About the podcast
Patrimoniar is a production of the Center for Cultural Preservation/Casa de Dona Yayá (CPC-USP) aimed at reflection and action on cultural heritage.
In each episode the CPC team invites researchers, professionals, activists, and those interested in cultural heritage to a conversation about the cultural references of our neighborhood, the city, and the University.
The series propose to discuss places, buildings, memories, affections, disputes, shares, cultures, and natures, that is, practices and things that are fundamental to our identities and memories.
All episodes are available on the CPC-USP website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and the main aggregators.
Translated by: Lara Yoshime Shizuko Fukushima