Itumirim in 1957: the film of the horseback procession and the celebration at the viaduct over the railway line

In July 1957, a movie camera recorded Itumirim during a celebration: public works were inaugurated, the faithful rode in a horseback procession, and the mayor's family posed in front of the lens. The film runs 12 minutes and 4 seconds and is on the History of Lavras channel on YouTube, under the title "Historical Film of Itumirim (1957)".

The material was provided by Osvaldo Lopes and João Lopes, according to the video description published by the channel in April 2024. There is no narration. The images play with background music, and the date appears handwritten on a sign: "Itumirim, July 1957".

The town almost 70 years ago

The opening scenes show the town from above, houses scattered among the hills, and then the dirt streets. A corner sign identifies Rua Zakhia. Girls in flared dresses walk down the street, horsemen pass in the background, and the church tower rises above the rooftops.

The viaduct over the railway line

The main work of that year, according to the text accompanying the video, was the viaduct built over the railway. The speech about it was given by Alécio, the mayor's brother-in-law, who is listed as the official speaker.

The film also shows the unveiling of a plaque dated July 6, 1957. It carries the names of the President of the Republic, "Dr. J. K. de Oliveira", of Governor Bias Fortes, of Transport Secretary Feliciano Penna and of Mayor João Lopes Netto, along with a tribute to Dr. Edmundo Loures and the name of the construction firm, Soteco.

The family in front of the camera

The list of people appearing in the footage, published by the channel, starts with the mayor's mother, Dona Deolinda, his wife, Zoraide, and his sister, Izaura. The film also features his sons Geiel Lopes and his wife Emerenciana, Gabriel Lopes and his wife Maria Stela, Deolinda Lopes Gattini with her daughters Marilane and Heloisa Maria, Paulo Lopes, Catarina, Terezinha Tôrres and João Lopes.

Also appearing are Carmélia, Geiel's sister-in-law, the mayor's niece, also named Deolinda Lopes, Dr. Silvio Menicucci and Padre José, then parish priest of Itumirim.

São Jorge on horseback, São José on foot

The procession of São Jorge went out with the faithful mounted. The mayor also joined the procession on horseback, according to the video description.

Further on, the film follows the procession of São José, patron saint of Itumirim, with priests at the front and residents lined up along the streets.

Watch the full film: Historical Film of Itumirim (1957). The project's blog also features the film: historiadelavras.blogspot.com.

Do you recognize anyone in these images, or remember the new viaduct or the horseback procession? Send your memory or your photo through the WhatsApp of Rádio Cultura 96.5, (35) 3822-5000.