"Viagra Square" is officially inaugurated in Nova Friburgo, Brazil

After12 years of its creation, the “little square” is known as one of the one of the most frequented chat points in downtown.

Text by Leonardo Lima. Photos: A Voz da Serra News (www.avozdaserra.com.br).

Now it's official. Founded in 2000, one of the most frequented chat points in Nova Friburgo, small town located in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro State, ​​founded, from 1818 to 1820, by Swiss and German immigrants, was finally recognized. Through the initiative of the theatrical group Gama, in partnership with the municipal government, the Viagra Square was officially opened on the evening of October, 18 (curiously, Doctor’s Day in Brazil).

Located at the corner of Alberto Braune Avenue with Christovam Columbus Street, the place is a backdrop of heated chats on various subjects. Everything, of course, with great good humor. "People talk about it all here. Football, politics, religion, gossip and even the lives of others, jokes Robert Edson Tavares, also called Edinho, one of the oldest regulars of Square Viagra.

According to him, the banter and enthusiastic discussions are common from Monday to Monday, from morning to night, all the time. " Some passerby stops and sits on a bench, another also does the same and so the conversations begin. It is a meeting place for friends and certainly one of the biggest cultural spots in Nova Friburgo. The group here is not closed. Who wants to come here will be very welcome”, he says.

But after all, why the famous “blue pill” gives name to the square? "Here always has been frequented by many retired old men and a friend called Tiao used to sell Viagra to them. So this place began to be popularly known as Viagra Square. When someone marked a date or had a parcel to deliver, was using the square as a reference. It started as a joke that became popular”, explains Edinho.

Like all well-organized group, the Square Viagra's gang has a board and a president. This position is occupied by Sartorio, who is now in his fourth term. "My greatest obligation as president is coming here every day at about 7am, 8am, to read newspapers. It really is a lot of responsibility”, he laughs, adding that the group is not formed only by occasional encounters daily. At least one programming is fixed on the annual calendar. "Every Carnival Friday we do a barbecue party and world champion player Gerson (1970 World Cup) always participates. This is a tradition here”, he explains

President of Gama, Chico Figueiredo believes that beyond the cultural part, the issue of humor is also very important and should be valued. "Nova Friburgo has his own characteristic irreverence. And Viagra Square has this joy, and a huge cultural warmth”, he uianalyzes. The inauguration, which took delivery of popcorn and cotton candy, was the recognition of the importance of place and sure many meetings still to come.