Memory Tourism as a Social Practice of Remembering Sensitive Heritage:

possibilities for the Preservation of the Memory of Bento Rodrigues, Minas Gerais

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29149/mtr.v10i1.8733

Keywords:

Memory Tourism, sensitive heritage, identity, memory, Bento Rodrigues

Abstract

The emergence of new perspectives on heritage has its roots in the events of the 20th century. The experiences of civic-military dictatorships, the Holocaust, colonial crimes, and the impacts of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki have imposed on contemporary society the demand and challenge of transforming sites associated with traumatic events into spaces of memory and tourism. This transformation aims to raise awareness and politicize society, as well as seek memorial justice for the victims of these events. In this context, this study focuses on one of the largest recent socio-environmental crimes in Brazil: the collapse of the Fundão dam on November 5, 2015, in the subdistrict of Bento Rodrigues, located in the district of Santa Rita Durão in Mariana, MG. Through a literature review and documentary research on the Bento Rodrigues Listing Dossier and the 80 editions of the newspaper 'A Sirene', this article seeks to understand whether the modality of memory tourism can contribute to the victims' narrative, especially concerning social political awareness. It also explores the possibilities of preserving archaeological traces through community practices, such as the Museum of Removals in Rio de Janeiro, in contrast to top-down heritage preservation proposals within the context of Bento Rodrigues' community detachment.

Author Biographies

Gabriela Lana, Federal University of Ouro Preto

Master in Tourism and Heritage, with an emphasis on Memory, Heritage, and Cultural Assets, from the Graduate Program in Tourism and Heritage at the Federal University of Ouro Preto. Holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism from the Federal University of Ouro Preto. Currently, she is a student in the Museology program at the same university. She is a member of the Study Group on Memory and Heritage in Places of Suffering (NEMPLus) of the Graduate Program in Social Memory and Cultural Heritage at the Federal University of Pelotas.

Kerley dos Santos Alves, Federal University of Ouro Preto

Postdoctoral researcher in Leisure Studies at EEFFTO/UFMG, with a previous postdoctoral degree in Social Sciences from the Center for the Study of Democracy, Citizenship, and Law at the Center for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra (UC). Holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from PUC-MG with a sandwich program at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona. Graduated in Business Administration from the Federal University of Ouro Preto, and in Psychology and Tourism from Newton Paiva University Center. Specializations in Public Administration, Environmental Education/Interpretation, and Business Management. Master's in Tourism and Environment from the University Center of Managerial Sciences (UNA). Certified in Chemistry and in Pathology/Clinical Analysis. Volunteer professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and adjunct professor at the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), where she coordinates the Master’s Program in Socioeconomic and Environmental Sustainability and teaches at the School of Law, Tourism, and Museology. Professor in the Graduate Program in Tourism and Heritage, Associate Researcher of the UNESCO Chair Water-Woman-Development (UFOP), affiliated with the research group on Tourism, Heritage, Social, and Labor Relations (DETUR), and a member of the International Observatory on Inclusion, Interculturality, and Pedagogical Innovation (OIIIIPe). Academic Director (ANPTUR 2022–2024), member of the Work and Mental Health group of the National Association of Research and Graduate Studies in Psychology (ANPEPP), affiliated with the Public Policy Research Center on Tourism (CET/UNB). Poet and walker. Her main areas of work are psychosocial interventions—Heritage, Tourism, Work, Communities, Gender, and Environment.

Solano de Souza Braga, Federal University of Ouro Preto

Professor in the Bachelor's program in Tourism and in the Master's program in Tourism and Heritage (PPGTURPATRI) at the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP). Ph.D. in Development and Environment - PRODEMA/Federal University of Piauí (2021), Master’s in Geography - Institute of Geosciences at the Federal University of Minas Gerais - IGC/UFMG (2011); Teaching Degree in Geography - UNIVERSO (2014); Teaching Degree in Tourism and Hospitality through the Teacher Training Program - Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais - CEFET/MG (2008), Bachelor’s in Tourism - IGC/UFMG (2006). Member of the following research groups: Integrated Research Group on the Espinhaço Range (GIPE) - UFMG / UFVJM, NATUR - Tourism, Heritage and Nature - UFOP, and the Research Center Northeast Collective for Leisure and Free Time Attention (CONTEMPLAR) - UFDPar.

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Published

2025-05-05

How to Cite

Maria de Lana Pinto, G., dos Santos Alves, K., & de Souza Braga, S. (2025). Memory Tourism as a Social Practice of Remembering Sensitive Heritage:: possibilities for the Preservation of the Memory of Bento Rodrigues, Minas Gerais. Marketing & Tourism Review, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.29149/mtr.v10i1.8733

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025): v. 10. n. 1, 2025 - Fluxo contínuo

Section

Artigos

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Copyright (c) 2025 Gabriela Lana, Kerley dos Santos Alves, Solano de Souza Braga

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