FESTA NOSSA SENHORA DO CARMO COMO CAMPO DE POSSIBILIDADE PARA O TURISMO RELIGIOSO NA FRONTEIRA BRASIL-BOLIVIA

Abstract

This work aims to present an approach to the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the Brazil-Bolivia border, a highly visible event in the rural community of "El Carmen da Frontera." The study was developed based on literature about borders, territory and territoriality, religious festivals, and religious tourism, with the goal of reflecting on this event in the border region. The main objective is to analyze the festival as a field of opportunities for religious tourism, while the specific objectives include characterizing its tourism potential and evaluating the territorial dynamics that contribute to the economic and cultural aspects of the festivity. The research utilized semi-structured interviews and field observation, focusing on residents' perceptions of religious tourism at the Brazil-Bolivia border. The analysis revealed that the religious nature of the event is intrinsically tied to historical, political, social, and economic aspects, making it a significant representation for the community of "El Carmen da Frontera." The participation of residents from other settlements in the region, both from Brazil and Bolivia, as well as from other areas, during the two-day festival highlights its tourism potential. The event's location within the community showcases attractive features for religious tourism in the border region. The community’s perspective in organizing the festival goes beyond superficial considerations, encompassing multiple characteristics that make this celebration a complex interplay of symbols, stories, and identities. The interaction of various stakeholders during the preparation and execution of the event provided insights that enriched its realization, leading to the conclusion that the celebration opens new opportunities for tourism. Through empirical research, the study aimed to understand the district residents’ perceptions of the event and its relationship with religious tourism. The religious tourism project at the Brazil-Bolivia border, centered on the "El Carmen da Frontera" community, seeks to enhance the event's visibility, promoting recognition, leisure, spirituality, and local development. Proposed actions include the inclusion of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the OBISFRON platform and the creation of a webpage for the community. The primary expected outcome is increased recognition of the event, coupled with the implementation of improvements to the community’s infrastructure, which is currently lacking.

Keywords: Border, Territoriality, Religiosity, and Touristification.