Uma pérola no centro de BH [Rede Minas Memória]

Summary

Café Pérola, a historic coffeehouse in Belo Horizonte, served as a gathering place for politicians, intellectuals, and locals for 44 years. Known for being the site of Brazil's first espresso machine and famous for its cultural and political discussions, the café's closing marks the end of a beloved era. The café, once a hub for debates and socializing, will be replaced by a large fast-food restaurant. The recipe for its iconic coffee has been sold, symbolizing the passing of a significant tradition in the city’s history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Café Pérola was a historic and popular café in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, that operated for 44 years.
• 😀 The café became a significant meeting spot for politicians, with many presidents of Brazil having visited.
• 😀 In the 1950s, Café Pérola served the first espresso in Brazil, using a machine imported from Italy.
• 😀 The café featured murals by Penite, a disciple of famed artist Portinari, which were part of its original design.
• 😀 Café Pérola was always packed at 8 PM daily, with people discussing various topics, including sports and politics.
• 😀 The café was known for its lively atmosphere, where bets were placed on football matches and boxing fights.
• 😀 The closure of Café Pérola marks the end of a longstanding cultural institution in downtown Belo Horizonte.
• 😀 Local residents feel a deep sense of loss with the closure, seeing it as the end of a traditional space for the community.
• 😀 One of the café’s owners, Edson Galo, explained that competition from shopping malls and street vendors led to a decline in sales.
• 😀 With the café's closure, the space will be replaced by a large fast food chain, taking away an iconic local gathering place.
• 😀 The recipe for Café Pérola’s famous coffee has been sold as part of the transition to the new business, including McDonald’s.

Q & A

What role did Café Pérola play in Belo Horizonte's history?

Café Pérola was a significant gathering place in Belo Horizonte, known for being a popular stop for politicians, including several Brazilian presidents, and a hub for social and political discussions over its 44-year history.

What notable historical event took place at Café Pérola in the 1950s?

In the 1950s, the first espresso coffee in Brazil was served at Café Pérola, using a machine imported from Italy.

Who was the artist behind the panels displayed at Café Pérola?

The panels at Café Pérola were created by Penite, a disciple of the famous Brazilian artist Portinari.

What was the significance of the 8 PM gathering at Café Pérola?

Every day at 8 PM, Café Pérola would fill with people discussing various topics, including betting on sports, boxing matches, and especially politics, marking it as a cultural and social hotspot in the city.

How has the closure of Café Pérola impacted Belo Horizonte?

The closure of Café Pérola represents the end of a cherished tradition in downtown Belo Horizonte, leaving many nostalgic for the iconic gathering spot and its cultural role in the community.

What challenges led to the closure of Café Pérola?

The rise of nearby shopping centers and the presence of street vendors (camelôs) caused a decline in sales of coffee and other products at Café Pérola, ultimately leading to its closure.

What is happening to Café Pérola's space after its closure?

The space previously occupied by Café Pérola is being replaced by a large fast-food restaurant.

What is the significance of the 'recipe' sold by Café Pérola?

Café Pérola sold the secret recipe for its traditional coffee, which was a major part of the business, and it was even passed on to the new owners of the café's legacy.

What was Edson Galo's involvement in Café Pérola?

Edson Galo was one of the owners of Café Pérola and shared insights into the struggles the café faced, including competition from modern commercial developments.

How does the closure of Café Pérola reflect broader trends in the city?

The closure symbolizes a broader trend in Belo Horizonte, where traditional establishments are being replaced by more commercialized spaces, contributing to the loss of cultural landmarks in the area.