Ingrid talks Brasilia

Ingrid discusses the architecture, nightlife, and women that make the capital of Brazil so unique.

Ingrid in front of the traditional geometric tiles that can be seen all around Brasilia.

"I am Ingrid, I am a 26-year-old Urban Designer living in London. I have lived most of my life in the Centre-West region of Brazil, in the cities of Goiania and Brasilia. I have been living in the UK on and off since 2013, when I first came for an exchange program, later on for a masters course and now to work. One of my biggest passions in life is to travel and explore new cities around the world. I am going to talk about Brasilia. I spent 7 years of my life in this city when I went to university and later on to work as an Architect."

"I am going to talk about Brasilia. I spent 7 years of my life in this city when I went to university and later on to work as an Architect."

Brasilia is the capital of Brazil and is located in the western-central part of the country.

If a friend were visiting Brasilia, what is the first thing you would show her?

"Brasilia is the capital of Brazil and it is famous for its architecture and urban design. The first thing that I would show her would be the Esplanada dos Ministerios. This is where all the buildings that represent political power are located. They were designed by the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer. My favourites are the Cathedral of Brasilia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building."

Brasilia Cathedral

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ingrid's Favourites

"One of my favourite things about being a woman in Brazil is that, although we face a lot of pressure from society, we enjoy relative freedom in relation to our bodies. We are an open and passionate culture and we like to express ourselves through clothing and dance."

"We are an open and passionate culture and we like to express ourselves through clothing and dance."

Restaurant Culture in Brasilia

"One of my favorites restaurants in Brasilia is called 'Nossa Cozinha', which translates as 'Our kitchen'. They have wonderful fresh juices and really good cheesecake. Also, bars in the commercial area of the 408 North are famous for cheap beer and good atmosphere."

Nightlife in 408 North and the restaurant, Nossa Cozinha.

Challenges

"Being a woman in Brazil as a whole means having to cope with a lot of pressure from society. Brazilian women have been overly sexualized and stereotyped both in Brazil and the rest of the world. Generally, we face pressures of two contrasting sides of Brazilian society: one that sets unrealistic beauty standards to follow and another that judges us through religious principles. Catcalling is very common in the streets of Brazil and woman are taught not to complain."

"We face pressures of two contrasting sides of Brazilian society: one that sets unrealistic beauty standards to follow and another that judges us through religious principles."

Safety

"Traveling alone in Brazil as a woman can be tricky as you are likely to experience street harassment. It is important to be aware of what is happening around you all the time and never walk alone in quiet streets of neighborhoods that you do not know." 

Movements towards Change

"There are a few groups of architects and urban designers in Brasilia creating movements that promote safer public spaces in the city. These include activities that enhance communities ownership towards their neighbourhood through art, empowering women to feel safer when walking on the streets and helping cyclists to gain more rights." 

Picture from Coletivo MOB. A group in Brasilia working to empower women and make safer public spaces.

One group doing amazing work to make safer public spaces and empower women in Brasilia is Coletivo MOB. Visit their website and instagram for more information.