Instituto Pombas Urbanas

Somos do Circo

The institute develops art projects in poor communities, aiming to strengthen cultural identity and develop the potential of children and adolescents. It is located in the neighborhood of Cidade Tiradentes, in Sao Paulo, one of the largest housing complexes in Latin America. With a population of 350,000 inhabitants, the neighborhood was created as “a depository of people, where workers, slum dwellers and homeless people were placed” in the words of the project coordinator, Adriano Mauriz. There was no infrastructure and the first hospital was opened just a few years back.

In this project, circus activities were used to promote the physical, psychological, and emotional development of children and adolescents living in the neighborhood. The support of BrazilFoundation allowed for the manufacturing of materials needed for these activities, the organization of events open to the public, and the presentation of a theatrical piece starring the youth of the community.