Pilgrimage to Brumadinho: counter-monument in memory of the victims of the mining crime-disaster

This is a visual essay centered around the IV Romaria pela Ecologia Integral a Brumadinho, a countermemorial action that has been a yearly presence in the municipality's public life since January 25, 2020, marking the first year of the dam collapse at Vale S.A's Córrego do Feijão mine, which claimed the lives of 272 people. It was conducted in 2023 and consists of 8 images that illustrate how the pilgrimage is constructed as a counterpoint to the design proposed by the mining company, responsible for the devastation of the landscape, in the reconstruction of memory. The pilgrimage highlights the ability of the affected local populations to respond in their way to the practices of the criminal company and the state in building an "official memory," drawing attention to the destructive nature of these mega-corporations and seeking redress for the damages and rights violations suffered by the tragedy's victims.

Keywords:
Pilgrimage; Ecology and religion; Mourning; Mining; Photography