Hélmiton Prateado brings Araguaia River book to Goiás schools

Journalist and researcher Hélmiton Prateado is launching a series of educational initiatives in Goiás to present his book, ‘Araguaia, o Grande Rio’. Between October 15 and 27, the project will hold free lectures and distribute copies of the book to public schools across several municipalities, including Goiânia, Trindade, Senador Canedo, Itumbiara, and Aparecida de Goiânia.

The book is the result of extensive research covering more than 2,100 kilometers of the Araguaia River, involving both land travel and a fluvial expedition. The work documents the biodiversity, landscapes, and cultural memory of the region, including the traditions of riverside populations, indigenous communities such as the Karajá people, and the Ilha do Bananal.

In addition to celebrating local history and identity, the publication addresses environmental challenges facing the river, such as pollution, deforestation, and predatory exploitation. The project is supported by the Government of Goiás through the Goyazes Program and the State Secretariat of Culture (Secult-GO), with sponsorship from Piracanjuba.