O borbulhar das águas e a fenomenologia do lugar: afeto e pertença em relação aos balneários de Manaus

Abstract

This research is about an analysis about balnearios (i.e. a set of swimming rivers in a given place) of Manaus and assumes the purpose of rebuilding the fragments and patchworks of the users of these natural places, aiming to perceive the expression of their subjectiveness during the bath and leisure. To venture through the ontology of these balnearios users‘ speeches will allow us to perceive the phenomenology of the place, aiming to identify the subjectiveness of these users. Our purpose consists in understanding the leisure, the playful space, the aquatic ecosystem: the rivers, streams, fishes, ciliary environment. Interesting the wakening of city´s history, the embracement of Manaus citizens with their memories and feelings. What happened to the balnearios? These playful places, once enjoyed by the inhabitants of our city, have been buried, lost. One of the central concerns of this study is also utilize this theme as an excuse to instigate and discuss not only the history of Manaus and, particular, of Amazonas, but also the matters that currently affect its cultural property and symbolic, seeking elements of our historic memories to support the comprehension of our contemporary day by day. The informers of this inquiry are frequent users of balnearios of the city of Manaus (men and women). These users gave their impressions about the historic moments when they could enjoy the cool and clear water that the balnearios used to have. The discussion about Manaus and its multiple problems concerning environmental matters attracts considerable academic interest, not only by history standpoint, but also due to existing political and social implications. A relevant cascade of proposed problem is to link this discussion directly to the public policies of conservation and revitalization of public places and memories of the city. The great question that rules this study consists in acknowledging which way these users perceive the abrupt closure of the balnearios of Manaus, which ways of leisure forged by themselves to fulfill their needs of overflowing and relaxation, and how the lack of leisure contributes to the social degradation of people and environment. Our look is focused in understanding the remained past that emerge in the minds of balnearios´s users of the city. Moreover, the situation of these people create questions of the following subject: who are these balnearios´s users? How did they elaborate the loss of so meaningful moments in their living, in their subjectiveness? It must forcibly acknowledge, therefore, to conclude that, in this process of expansion of urban areas of Manaus, the government proceeded to expropriate this public asset that is the balneario, without considering the social function that this collective device has, while a place that remains unique at leisure and entertainment levels