Catharsis of Devotion

The Círio de Nazaré is one of the largest religious processions in Brazil, officially recognized in 2013, by UNESCO, as Intangible Heritage of Humanity, taking place annually in Belém do Pará, since 1793, there are approximately 2 million faithful who occupy the streets of the city. According to IPHAN, the Círio festivity is considered one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, being the first cultural asset inscribed by the Institute, in the Book of Registration of Celebrations, as Cultural Heritage of Brazil. One of its main signs is the "rope of promises, which, tied to the saint, is dragged by the devotees of Our Lady, for long hours, immersed in prayers, chants, requests and thanks, transforming her into the protagonist of the procession, at the uni- them as a true “river of people.” Is it difficult to rationally understand what moves these people? I bring a clipping of this work that I have been developing since 2012, where the images seek to portray this devotion capable of overcoming limits. Fatigue, weeping pain, instigate those who observe the passage of the “river”, with its floods, ebbs and turbulences, thus existing a dramatic poetics that unfolds, when man through these sacrifices believes he is purifying his soul. And is there enough soul for that? Or even sacrifice enough?