Doesn’t the name Museu Cetrasa de Santo Amaro evoke curiosity? It should. This museum is a repository of local pride. It showcases the traditions of Santo Amaro. Museu Cetrasa de Santo Amaro stands as a testament to the district’s rich history.
Let’s delve into the story of Museu Cetrasa de Santo Amaro. It is deeply intertwined with the Centro de Tradições de Santo Amaro, or CETRASA. CETRASA is a Brazilian NGO founded in the 1970s. It only became a legal entity in the 1980s.
CETRASA actively participated in many district movements. These include the movement for Santo Amaro’s emancipation. They include the creation of the Museu de Santo Amaro. Also, the institution of the Troféu Botina Amarela. The group organized several pilgrimages too.
In November 2002, CETRASA inaugurated the Júlio Guerra space. It is a memorial featuring the artist’s works. Today, CETRASA is responsible for the curatorship. It is responsible for the maintenance of the Museu de Santo Amaro.
The Museu de Santo Amaro celebrated its 23rd anniversary. That was on January 14th. Initial meetings for its creation took place in 1996. The Museu de Santo Amaro’s collection comes from donations. Santamarense families donated them. These families still respect the memory. They respect the traditions of the neighborhood. Santo Amaro was once known as the city of “Botinas Amarelas”.
In 2018, the museum space underwent renovations. The old floor was replaced with a new one. This ensures better accessibility for visitors. Cleaning and repairs were done on the roof tiles. This eliminated leaks that affected the exhibition spaces. These improvements continued until the Covid-19 quarantine.
Even during the pandemic, the museum’s interior was painted. The paint was donated by Baltech. Luiz Augusto Gonçalves Barbosa facilitated the donation.
The museum’s collection was thoroughly cleaned. This includes furniture, paintings, and sculptures. Also, iconographic material and other objects. Wooden items infested with termites were treated. This eliminated the insects destroying them.
After cleaning, all pieces were returned to the exhibition space. New spaces were created. They feature identifications and explanations. This provides context for each piece. This had never been done before. It ensures future visitors understand each item’s importance. It also honors those in each space.
Dr. José Carlos Bruno is the president of CETRASA. He believes the museum can be visited by appointment. This will happen once society returns to normal. The pandemic will need to be under control first. The population needs to be vaccinated too. Information about appointments will be on social media. It will also be in the media. This allows Santamarenses to visit the Museu de Santo Amaro. They can discover the “pride of being Botina Amarela”.
The Museu Cetrasa de Santo Amaro ensures tradition remains. The roots and history of this land are preserved. It was once a city that became a neighborhood of São Paulo. The museum reminds us of the “pride of being Botina Amarela”. It celebrates the unique identity of Santo Amaro. It ensures its legacy continues.