NOS PASSOS DO PEREGRINO: TURISMO E RELIGIOSIDADE EM SANTA CRUZ DOS MILAGRES (PI)
Parties. Tourism. Religiosity. Santa Cruz dos Milagres.
The present research aims to analyze the festive triad in the city of Santa Cruz dos Milagres (PI) and the strategies of political and ecclesial actions in the proposal to create a religious tourist destination. Santa Cruz dos Milagres is located in the State of Piauí, Northeastern Region of Brazil and represents a religious center of popular Catholicism. In order to achieve this goal, the Festivities - Invention of the Holy Cross, Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Meeting of the Saints - will be investigated - three important religious celebrations held in distinct periods, which in their socio-religious dimensions constitute as potential cultural, historical and economic foundations to promote the city of Santa Cruz dos Milagres as a religious tourist destination. For the accomplishment of the research the qualitative approach was used, that involved bibliographical, documentary and empirical research. The comprehensive method was used, using participant observation techniques, semi-structured interviews (with representatives of the Church, public authorities and local community) and recording in field diaries. The analysis of the subjects' speeches will be carried out through the descriptive and content analysis. These are three events, mainly devotees who, together with local residents and the endorsement of the Catholic Church, re-actualize their beliefs and sacred rites that give legitimacy to the religious phenomenon. As expected results, it is sought to understand how the religious festivals present themselves as a tourist attraction and what strategies of the political and ecclesial actions developed for the promotion of religious tourism in Santa Cruz dos Milagres.