Pan-Amazon Book Fair promotes dialogue and appreciation of ancestral art from the Island of Marajó
The 28th Pan-Amazon Book Fair and Multivoices opened space on the afternoon of this Friday (22) for a chat about ancestral arts and contemporary practices from the Island of Marajó. The meeting, held at the Multivoices Arena, brought together ceramists, researchers, and an audience of different ages interested in the strength of ancestry and the meanings of Marajoara art.
In the audience, one of the participants was ceramist Guilherme Santana, 63, who has dedicated over five decades to Marajoara ceramics. For him, the presence of new audiences reinforces the importance of the Fair. “Being here and seeing so many young people interested in the subject is a great joy. This only strengthens the Book Fair, which connects us to our roots and to the past with the present,” said Guilherme.
Ceramist Eitor Sebastian, 36, emphasized the importance of the exchange of experiences provided by the meeting. “I am new to this universe, but it is something that has always moved me and makes me reflect on the past every time I produce a piece. This moment was wonderful, as it strengthens respect for Marajoara art. The event organization did a great job,” he stated.
Belonging - During the event, the audience was able to learn about the meanings of each stroke of Marajoara art, understanding how these elements express the history of the ancestors. The meeting also highlighted the recognition of the importance of these contributions in today's world and showed how artistic production establishes connections between traditional practices and contemporaneity.
These and other topics were led by anthropologist and professor at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Daiana Travassos, alongside Cilene Andrade, a graduate in Literature from the institution, as well as a ceramist and researcher. Both emphasized that ancestry should not be seen only as memory, but as something alive that needs to be constantly referenced in all spaces.
According to Daiana Travassos, sharing this knowledge with different audiences is fundamental. “Talking about art and archaeology to a diverse audience is very important, as archaeology is not just about the past, but also about the present. And this way we live the present and preserve the present, so that we can have this feeling of belonging,” she emphasized.
For Cilene Andrade, the Book Fair represents a space of great relevance to discuss the theme. According to her, “if we stop to look closely, Marajoara art is present in many spaces here at the Book Fair. So, we need to understand it not just as a visual piece, but also as something that tells our entire story, which is rich and has many layers.”
The 28th Pan-Amazon Book Fair and Multivoices will conclude this Friday (22) at 8 PM. This edition honored Mestre Damasceno and Wanda Monteiro. Held again at Hangar – Center for Conventions and Fairs of the Amazon, in Belém, the event featured the participation of 120 companies, including 32 publishers, 40 bookstores, and 48 distributors, occupying 189 booths.
