Analysis: Virada Cultural without violence would be historic, but the signs are not promising

In presenting the 2023 edition, Mayor Ricardo Nunes does not prioritize the issue of security in his speech; history shows that not even the concerts of artists like Caetano and Ney Matogrosso have saved years without an efficient strategic policy

There have been 18 editions so far. Eighteen years in which the city offers 24 hours of music in open squares and public facilities, calling on the inhabitants to re-occupy what is theirs on the one hand and, at the same time, and in an interesting opposite movement, taking artists of medium and high cost for internships in suburban neighborhoods. Inspired by the project Nuit Branche (Notte Bianca), Paris and Prague, which keeps its cultural facilities open and free once a year, turn of Sao Paulo sadly it started in the cultural pages and ended up in the police.

No matter how great the efforts and good intentions of the city hall with logistics, art curation, infrastructure and cleanliness, all can be buried in the memory of the regulars as soon as a dystopian script begins, observed for 18 years by those who cover or assist Viradas Culturais on stage urban centers: robberies, robberies and fishing boats in the open space of Vale do Anhangabaú and its surroundings. It’s not omen, it’s history. If the production has strategies to make everything work, the criminals have them too, and they are already set up to act in a thriving environment for theft and theft.

Two criminal modalities have gained strength, and risk repeating themselves this year: trawling carried out in places with the highest concentration of people, such as the track itself in front of the stage, and in the narrowest corridors, such as the roads that connect Anhangabaú to in Largo do Paissandú. On more open roads, such as Ipiranga and São João avenues, thefts are also carried out by gangs of cyclists.

In 2022, the police on the sides of the Valley were strengthened, subjecting people entering the square to a search that didn’t take long. While the vehicles and the police remained on the sidelines, the robbers deliberately provoked riots in the public to steal wallets and mobile phones. A strategic error has become clear: the police must be in the crowd, not just watch from afar. After the third revolt, the sense of insecurity was such as to cause several people to leave.

If the strange press conference to announce Virada Cultural 2023, held this Tuesday morning at the Centro Cultural São Paulo, was of any use, it was to turn on a yellow light. By not spontaneously pronouncing the word security during their brief explanations, Mayor Ricardo Nunes and Secretary of Culture, Aline Torres, left one wondering how much they focus on what should be the heart of Virada. Without intelligent security, as previous editions have shown, every effort is strained. Nor comebacks that Caetano Veloso had, Ney Matogrosso OR Racionais MC’s they were saved by artistic argument. What remains is fear and a sense of insecurity.

Although present at the table of the authorities, the Secretary for Urban Security, Elza Paulina Souza, was not invited to speak. Aline, after listening to the mayor Ricardo Nunes, the tourism secretary, Rodolfo Marinho, and the president of SPTuris, Gustavo Pires, called artists such as Supla, Tierry and Karol Conká to the stage, who said they were enthusiastic about participating in the party. Elza has spoken Stadium, after the event, that the people can give a vote of confidence in the work of the Municipality and that the police are strengthened. Aline, also in a reserved way, replied about the policing scheme: “We will use something that is already adopted by private festivals”. If you eradicate the severe violence of the Virada for 24 hours, the administration of Ricardo Nunes makes history. If not, you will have only, once again, invited your population to confront the danger.

Source: Terra

Earl

Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.