MEMÓRIAS E CONDIÇÕES SOCIAIS DOS IDOSOS QUE CONTRIBUÍRAM PARA A CONSTRUÇÃO DE GOIÂNIA (1930-1950)

Abstract

This work portrays elderly people s reminiscences and life experiences involving contribution to Goiânia city foundation. It seeks to identify reasons that led these people to this city, where they came from, where they settled, their impressions about, social relations that setted up, what historical, political, social and economic events they remember and the perceptions about the capital of Goiás nowadays, 77 years after its foundation. A social point of view from the narratives is presented aiming to catch remains. Thus, a qualitative study was developed whereby a semistructured interview, focusing on oral history, with seven seniors who contributed to Goiânia s building. Classic and contemporary authors was taken as theoretical support to reflections on the central categories of this work. The septuagenarian and octogenarian respondents moved to Goiânia searching a better life for themselves and their families. Their narratives reveal social aspects of Brazilian society in the 1930-1950 s, as well as political events during the 1964 military coup. They express concern about the effects of cesium 137 accident and contemporary problems and also about the quality of public policies, emphasising the tripod health, social assistance and social security. The aging process was not a concern for them during the youth. Actually, they fell victorious considering their contribution to the capital building, and seem awared about their rights and concerned about vulnerable situations that affect other elderly people.