Cultura periférica e direito à cidade : ala-ursa como manifestação artística perifèrica em João Pessoa/PB

Abstract

This study aims to understand the carnival movement of the "Ala-Ursa," also known as "Urso," as a cultural manifestation in the peripheral areas of João Pessoa, Paraíba. The central question of this research is to investigate the perception of the youth from the outskirts of João Pessoa/PB regarding the concepts of youth and culture, and how these representations manifest in the city's public spaces, considering the impact of public inclusion policies. In light of this, the research question guiding this study is: how does the artistic manifestation of the "Ala-Ursas" operate in the city of João Pessoa/PB? Specifically, it seeks to understand how this cultural expression emerges and manifests in the city's urban spaces, who the members of these groups are, and what styles of music and dance are incorporated into their performances. Thus, the theoretical framework of this study is based on discussions about the right to the city, drawing from the works of Lefebvre (1973, 1991, 2000, 2008, 2013) and Harvey (2014), which will serve as a foundation for analyzing the spatial struggles occurring in João Pessoa-PB. Moreover, the concepts of youth, particularly in relation to youth as producers of peripheral culture in Brazil, will be discussed through Bittencourt (2021), to understand how the members of the "Urso" position themselves in relation to the city as a social field. Additionally, the work of Libânio (2017) will be used to analyze the cultural practices of peripheral youth and their relationship with the right to the city. The methodology of this research is qualitative in nature, using participant observation as the primary method of investigation. By following the rehearsals and carnival performances, it was possible to capture the internal dynamics of the Ala-Ursas movement, its interactions, symbols, and cultural practices. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis was conducted on the role and manifestation of this movement in the city of João Pessoa-PB, observing how it occupies and redefines urban spaces, especially in the carnival context. As final results, it was possible to understand that during carnival, the artistic manifestations of the Ala-Ursa transcend the boundaries of the peripheries and begin to occupy other urban spaces, such as cultural centers, tourist spots, and areas of high cultural visibility in João Pessoa. The research also revealed the perceptions of the members regarding their role as active producers and reproducers of the city's peripheral culture. It was possible to identify how these young people interpret the occupation of urban spaces and the inequalities related to the right to the city, highlighting the struggle for inclusion and the redefinition of environments traditionally restricted to cultural elites