MUVIA  

1) Were you born and have always lived in Adamantina or have you lived in other cities?

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R - I was born in Adamantina on October 4, 1951, in 1971-1972 I worked in Maringá-PR, 1973 Bauru and in 1974-1975 in Dracena, returning definitively to Adamantina.

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2) What are your best memories of childhood in Adamantina?

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A - Christmas time, get a plastic cart or a rubber soccer ball and be able to drink a bottle of guarana without having to share.

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3) What were the games of your class when they were kids?

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A - After school, play soccer, play ball, fly a kite, hunt with the slingshot and swim in the streams hidden from the parents.

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4) And in our city's youth, what else do you remember?

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R - From when I managed to buy a semi-new bicycle, when I played soccer in the “cascudo” of the Vila Jardim Operário, to go swimming in the Córrego Burrinho by bicycle and the night before going home, I was in circles telling jokes, cases, stories of haunting and going home in fear.

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5) Where did your passion for the story of Adamantina come from?

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R - I've always been interested in the story of Adamantina, whenever I saw a historical photo it called my attention. Because of the easiness in researching, as I worked at IBGE doing a lot of research, because I really liked this city and noted that the history of Adamantine had many important, interesting details that should be more publicized, so that those who experienced it can remember the past and, for young people, the opportunity to know the story.

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6)You have today the largest historical and detailed collection about the history of our city. How did you manage to accumulate all this material?

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A - Much of the photographic material was extracted from the municipal historical archive and photos that some citizens made available to me spontaneously. But most of the photographs had no identification. From that moment on, I had to carry out a very long research with residents who had knowledge of the history of Adamantine, to clarify the type of event, the year it occurred and nominal identification of the people present in each image, and so I managed to caption all the photos. It took 4 years of uninterrupted work, but it was worth it.

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7) Based on your research, what was the best decade of development of our city after its foundation and until today?

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A - The greatest development of Adamantina was during the 50s, precisely after the arrival of the rails of the Companhia Paulista de Estradas de Ferro in 1950 and we were the final stop of the rails until 1958. The CPEF warehouse, one of the largest in the interior, was built from Sao Paulo. All over the city there was only progress, the construction of the Grande Hotel, at the time the largest in Alta Paulista, the Cine Santo Antônio with capacity for 1,200 seats and the most luxurious in the entire region, remembering that the Cine Adamantina already existed. Inauguration of the Santa Casa. Creation of state schools, including many in rural areas. The commercial expansion that began near the old bus station began to expand to Avenida Rio Branco and Rua Deputado Salles Filho.  The Matriz de Santo Antônio, with its modern architecture for the time. In the 50s, the coffee plantation had 10,000,000 coffee trees, 8,000,000 of which were in full production. This brought several processing machines to the city. The cultivation of peanuts and cotton took place over large areas. Several cotton processing companies have settled here. Two vegetable oil industries were installed whose final product was cooking oil, which was sold throughout the state, including Mato Grosso. The rural area, much more populated than the urban area, consisted of families with many members and had work for everyone throughout the year. Agricultural production was so large that it also absorbed people who lived in the urban perimeter. In trade, large companies emerged, such as Casas Pernambucanas, Moreira, among others. We had a tile, broom, pasta and beverage factory. All this led Adamantina, in 1955, to receive a Diploma of Honor of Greater Progress, from the hands of the then President of the Republic, Hon. Mr. Café Son. Only five municipalities in Brazil were awarded. In 1950, Rádio Brasil de Adamantina was already operating permanently. At the end of the decade, approximately 10 bank branches were already operating here.

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8) You have written several books about Adamantine. What was the repercussion on the publication of your works?

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A - The repercussion was greater than I expected, I sold 800 copies, the books were sent to several states, including 8 countries, where ex-Adamantina residents reside. I was invited to speak at various schools, both in person and online. It is gratifying to meet citizens in various places and they let me know that they liked the content of the book and were aware of many historical facts that they did not know.  Many teachers confide in me that they use the book in their classrooms, and many ask their students to do homework on the story of Adamantina. There are writers who acquired the book to serve as a model, as they also intend to edit historical material from the municipalities where they live. Some who are pursuing a master's or doctoral degree on regional history also make use of published material.

The TV Fronteira de Presidente Prudente made a specific article, after an evaluation of the subjects covered in the published Books.

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9) What is your feeling when you sit down to write about Adamantina?

R - Feelings of pleasure, happiness, after all, writing about someone I like is very good.

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10) As a historian, you have information about the city on the timeline. Do you think the city, over the years, has evolved, regressed or remained at the same stage?

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A - Regressed in agriculture, as happened in the whole state and in Brazil. It remained with the same population, which is a positive factor, considering that the neighboring municipalities all regressed in terms of population. It evolved in urbanization, education, health, trade and service provision that serves the microregion.

Adamantina has a very strong Municipal GDP, compared to other larger municipalities, the banking movement is large, the number of registered vehicles is significant, we have 5 broadcasting establishments, 1 daily newspaper and UNIFAI, which in the municipal autarchy category, is among the main ones in Brazil. We have needs, situations that need to be improved, improved and organized, as happens in many cities.

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11) You have always been passionate about football. What do you remember most about Adamantina football?

From the unforgettable Guarani FC.

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12) Every historian has a sentimental relationship with the themes of their works. What is the subject about Adamantina that makes you most emotional when writing?

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R = Of the love, dedication, struggle and union of the members of the Caravans who, in 1947, periodically followed São Paulo in order to achieve the long-awaited emancipation of Adamantina. If this union had remained, the municipality would be at a better level.

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13)Adamantina has a spectacular cultural and historical heritage, but little explored and disseminated. What do you think about this?

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I compare it to a hidden treasure, it has enormous validity, but it is dormant.

Lately I have not been asked by the Department of Culture, if I have any historical project to put into practice, if I would be interested in participating in any cultural event. Nor was I invited to participate in the Installation Commission of the Museum and Historical Archive of Adamantina.   In 2019, during the month of June that commemorates Adamantina's birthday, I had a photographic exhibition called Reviver Adamantina at the Municipal Palace, with 66 photos, printed on A4-size photographic paper. In July, I held another exhibition about football with 42 photos.

Since 2013, I have been posting weekly articles in the media of adamantine, which I am currently doing. In celebration of Adamantina's 72 years, Néio and I recorded a historical interview about Adamantina, in partnership with the Folha Regional-Adamantina Net newspaper, we set up a virtual photographic exhibition, with the support of our friend José Roberto Rafacho, we put together a video about the arrival of the railroad, all available on youtube.   Secretary PASS, the story REMAINS. I will continue to REMAIN, as my commitment is with the history of Adamantine.

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14) You completed the 4th year of primary school at Navarro de Andrade in 1962, professor Olavo Ribeiro. What do you remember from that time?

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Professor Olavo Ribeiro, great master. On the first day of school, we had to hand in the registration, I lost it, he looked at me and said: 'If on the first day you have this ready for me, imagine the whole year.' He became my great friend, forcing me to register for admission, so I could attend high school. During classes, he gave a math exercise, and launched the challenge: “Whoever finishes first and gets it right, I'll pay a pastel during recess”. I ate several pastries. Even after many years had passed, when we passed each other on the street, he would smile at me. We graduated in 1962 with Professor Olavo, in Adamantina we never had the opportunity to meet, but fate reserved this reunion for us in the Group, with my friend Néio.

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15) The City Council of Adamantina gave you a “Motion of Applause” for your beautiful work as a historian of the city. How did you feel when you received this honorable title?

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I actually received 5 Motions of Applause from the City Council. The first was in May 2015, due to publications in the media called Reviver Adamantina. The second in December 2015, when I edited the Magazine Memória do Futebol Adamantinense, in December 2016, after the launch of the Book Reviver Adamantina, then in July 2017 at the presentation of the Book Reviver Futebol Adamantinense and the 5th happened in March 2020, requested to the City Council by the “Somos Nós de Adamantina” Group. I felt good about myself knowing that there are institutions and people who recognize what I've accomplished. Another priceless feeling is that my family is also proud of my work.

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16) What was the entertainment in Adamantina in your youth?

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Dancing games at friends' houses, going to flirt in Lucélia on weekends. There was a time that I dated in Junqueirópolis. I loved to ride in the dangue (Mexican hat) in parks, sat in the outer chair and used the inner one to boost and fly higher. Go to beer parties. When I left the Ateneu at night, I would “take” some coconuts from some houses to drink water and eat their kernels, watch bang-bang movies and listen to Jovem Guarda songs in the sonata.

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17) Which were the films of Cine Santo Antônio that stayed in your memory the most?

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Films by Tarzan, Zorro, Jerry Lewis, Passion of the Christ, we even cried, The Broken Dollar, Captain America's series, The longest of days, Lawrence of Arabia, among others.

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18) João, people want to know: when single did you flirt more or were you more flirted?

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More flirtatious, it may not seem like it, but I was more “arranged”. From the age of twelve, he already had a girlfriend. At one time I had two girlfriends, when they found out, I almost got beaten up and was “praised” a lot.

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19) What were the main joys that happened in your personal life?

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Meeting Eliane, my partner for 48 years, dating 8 years. My two children: Larissa and Carlos Eduardo. Working at the IBGE, I learned a lot there, from giving interviews in the media and speaking at schools, city councils and city halls. Publish the Magazine and my two Books, and my grandson Kauan, who stays on my feet when he's at home.

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20) Are there any decisions you made in the past that you wouldn't make today?

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In 1974 I was the Manager of a company in Dracena, the owner seeing that it was going to go bankrupt, suggested that I open another company with a new CNPJ in my name. I was sorry and accepted, after a few months, the company did not succeed, and I felt the fear of having my name and CPF denied at the Commercial Registry, I left the company and urgently requested that my name be removed as owner. I had a terrible time and I regretted having accepted the suggestion.

21) You worked for several decades and retired as an IBGE employee. What is your feeling about your professional history?

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At IBGE you have to know and/or learn a little bit of everything: accounting, personal management, economics, agriculture, etc, because you have to make contacts with many types of activities, it is a school of life. As I gave a lot of lectures and had an affinity with the regional media, the work was always less arduous. When IBGE received criticism, mainly in the municipal results of the Demographic Census, I sought out the critic and gave him all the necessary explanation, proceeding in this way, the results of the censuses and my person as representative of the Institution, obtained more credit and respect from the community and the media. What made a big difference is that most called me “Joãozinho do IBGE”.

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22) Of all the articles published in your works about Adamantina, which was the one that made you the most sad and the most happy?

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Sad is when I have to honor someone who left and who was my partner, helped me with photos and information. Glad that God allowed me to publish a Book that presents historical and important facts, through images and subtitles, which makes its interpretation more practical.

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23) You made a book about Adamantina football and did a lot of research for it. In your opinion, who were the best players in our history?

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R - Izidro Bortoletto, Tino Regiani, Bassan, Dinho, Cido, Pagão, Gil, Jonas, Ademar, Vicente and Vaí.

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24) As a great historian already recognized, what will be the next work on Adamantina?

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Book Reviver Adamantina II, with 349 pages and 728 images, all subtitled. Remembering that there will be approximately 300 photos taken from the collection of Grupo Somos de Adamantina, duly authorized by the Administrator. I found a lot of interesting images in the Group, many will be surprised when the Book is released.

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25) You became an important member of our group with your posts about the city's history. What is your opinion about our group?

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This Group is fantastic, large in the number of members, firm so that the rules are obeyed, with respectful, ethical, humorous and efficiently managed messages. Undoubtedly, this is the largest historical archive in Adamantine.

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THE END

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We really appreciate your great answers and congratulations on the excellent interview.

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Interview conducted by  Néio Souza Bom Junior

Interviewee: João Carlos Rodrigues

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