Lost in thought after a major accident, a person might ask How could something so beautiful arise from tragedy. That is the story of Memorial 17 de Julho Square. This square stands as a tribute to the 199 lives lost in the TAM Flight JJ3054 accident in 2007. Let’s explore this space of remembrance and life.
The city decided to construct a square here after the crash. The land acquisition proved complex. TAM, owner of the crash site, donated the land to the city.
Amidst the wreckage, something remarkable happened. A lone amoreira tree survived the impact. It endured the fire and explosion that followed the crash. Severely damaged, the tree had a chance to recover. SPObras hired biologists to care for the amoreira. The resilient tree became a symbol of survival. It stands as a living tribute to the victims. Even now it bears scars amid its green leaves. After treatment, the amoreira finally bore fruit.
Architect Marcos Cartum designed the square around the amoreira. He placed it at the center of a circle surrounded by grass. A reflecting pool encircles the tree symbolizing life. The names of the 199 victims are etched on the pool’s edge. 199 LED lights illuminate the square floor. They serve as both a memorial and a warning. The lights alert planes landing at Congonhas Airport.
Twenty-five specially designed posts light the square. Each has three lights forming a 360-degree circle. A retaining wall surrounds the square. Typical plants grow among the stones celebrating life’s rebirth.
The playground equipment was designed to integrate children into the space. The square covers 8,318 square meters. The city invested R$3.6 million in its construction.
The Memorial 17 de Julho Square was inaugurated on July 17. The ceremony commenced with a mass led by Dom Fernando Figueiredo. At 6:51 PM the exact moment of the crash, a minute of silence was observed. A bugler from the Military Police played “Taps”.
The Association of Relatives and Friends of the Victims of TAM Flight honored those who helped create the square. The square is meant to celebrate life according to architect Marcos Cartum. The three stone walls feature flowers blooming from within. These serve to alert arriving planes to the past accident.
The Memorial 17 de Julho Square sits at the head of Congonhas Airport’s runway. It’s located on Avenida Washington Luiz. The square offers a space for reflection. It is a reminder of resilience and remembrance. It transformed a site of tragedy into a tribute to life.