Headlines articles

27 January – To the notes of the song “Gracias a la vida”, the immense multi-coloured throng of the World Social Forum (WSF) 2009 set off this afternoon on the traditional inaugural parade which wound through the streets of Belém along an itinerary of approximately five km from the old port (Estação das docas) as far as the bus station. The route chosen by the WSF organisers was of great significance for the city of Belém and for the Amazon region in general, since it was similar to the itinerary of the well-known and very popular “Cirio” procession which takes place in October and attracts almost two million pilgrims for the Feast of Nossa Senhora de Nazaré, the patron saint of the Amazon region.

The number of participants in the WSF parade was not so large but still a very respectable amount. Local authorities and the press have estimated there were 50,000 at the parade and circa 100,000 people present in the city for the WSF. Most striking was the great amount of young people participating in the inauguration. Countless young people took part in the parade and constantly enlivened the crowd with songs and the enthusiastic rhythms of drums and dancing. Many of them work in voluntary associations or civil society movements or are interested in the issues proposed by the WSF. Others are here more due to curiosity than conviction, they are fascinated and appreciate the contagious festive atmosphere in the air. All however believe that “another world is possible”.

In any case the main protagonist in the first part of the parade was the rain which fell unceasingly and violently for almost an hour. For the inhabitants of Belém and those who know the climate in this part of the Amazon region the sudden heavy rain this afternoon was no surprise. On the contrary it was expected since January is a very wet month and the rain almost always falls in the early afternoon. Despite causing some inconvenience however the rain did not destroy the parade or the cheerful atmosphere.

Other major protagonists in the parade were the indigenous peoples of the Amazon. From the moment Belém was chosen to host the 2009 WSF it was clear that indigenous peoples and environmental issues would be at centre stage. In fact the high numbers of indigenous people taking part in the WSF confirm these expectations, circa 3,000. Now the great challenge for the WSF is that in dealing with these environmental issues the indigenous populations are not merely passive but first hand actors, providing that contribution, unique and theirs alone, which comes from a knowledge deeply rooted in the earth and in respect for nature.

Among the great mass of participants in the parade were also Jesuits and lay partners including those who took part in the Fé’namazônia Pre-Forum. The banners prepared by the SAPI group highlighting issues such as war, the right to land and violence against Christians attracted great interest as did their clothes in the traditional colours of the Dalit peoples, traditionally considered untouchables in India since they are without caste and still today victims of prejudice and discrimination.

(Giuseppe Riggio SJ)