João Pessoa hosts cultural showcase amid naming‑rights debate
On Sunday, 19 May, the historic Casa da Pólvora in João Pessoa’s centre hosted the Circulador Cultural project, organized by the municipal cultural foundation Funjope. The event, part of a five‑year series, attracted a large crowd and featured DJ Furni’s electronic reinterpretations of classic Brazilian songs, forró rhythms, and the folk group Quadrilha performing original material. City officials highlighted the venue’s role in fostering youth and creative cultures, with Funjope executive Marcus Alves noting, “We worked the concept of Casa da Pólvora as a space for junior, creative, and alternative cultures… and it worked super well.”
At the same time, local architect Flávio Brasileiro warned that the recently approved municipal law (Law 15.895/2026), which allows the sale of naming rights for public assets, threatens João Pessoa’s identity. He argued, “We are selling the city of João Pessoa and this is not rhetoric!” and cautioned that commercial naming of spaces such as lagoons, monuments, and cultural venues could erode collective heritage, calling for broader public debate.
The juxtaposition of a popular cultural event and a policy debate underscores ongoing tensions between promoting cultural life and preserving the city’s public identity.