Associação Cultural Ítalo-brasileira : a trajetória de um espaço de sociabilidade étnica, cultural e educacional em Pelotas, RS (1958-1983)

Abstract

This master's thesis presents the trajectory of the Associação Cultural Ítalo-Brasileira [Italian-Brazilian Cultural Association] (ACIB) in Pelotas, RS, from 1958 to 1983. Initially, seeking to understand the historical context in which its creation took place, it is traced an overview of immigration and the ethnic and linguistic identity of Italians in Rio Grande do Sul, of Italian ethnic associations and the consular representation of Italy in Pelotas. Then, the history of ACIB is presented based on its process of constitution and decline, as well as its organization and achievements, against the backdrop of sociability and focus on Italianity. Regarding its constitution, the process that led to its creation, the issue of the headquarters and its membership are discussed; with regard to its organizational structure, the principles governing its statute and directive powers are described. After that, its main achievements are presented, involving civic, cultural, educational and social activities, such as the promotion of Italian language courses and the commemorations of the proclamation of the Italian Republic; finally, its process of decline is discussed. As a theoretical framework, the work uses, among others, the concepts of associativism and sociability (AGULHON, 1992), educational institutions (MAGALHÃES, 2004), school culture (ESCOLANO BENITO, 2017; JULIA, 2001; VIÑAO FRAGO, 1995), non-formal education (SEVERO, 2015; TRILLA BERNET, 2008), ethnic identity (BARTH, 1997; HALL, 2003), invented traditions (HOBSBAWM, 2008). Methodologically, the research is based on literature review, documentary research, oral history and semi-structured interviews. Documentary research uses mainly documentary and journalistic sources, which are constituted by various documents produced by ACIB and belonging to the collection of the Associação Cultural Italiana Pelotense; and these are mostly made up of advertisements paid for by ACIB and published in the newspaper Diário Popular, whose collection can be found in the Hemeroteca do Centro de Documentação e Obras Valiosas of the Bibliotheca Pública Pelotense. The interviews were carried out with people – or their relatives – who maintained some type of bond with the ACIB, whether as a student, teacher, partner, or as a consular agent. After analyzing and crossing documentary, journalistic and oral sources, this investigation showed that the ACIB was a multifunctional space, that is, it was constituted as a space for ethnic, cultural and educational associative sociability, not only for its associates, but also for the community in general, and focusing on Italianity, mainly through its Italian language courses and the celebrations of important dates of the Italian calendar.