Rita: a tribute to Boca da Rua’s fighter

The regional work of INSP has increased dramatically since the first lockdown as solidarity and connection have become more important than ever. That has overwhelmingly been the case in Latin America, as INSP’s tight knit group of publications have battled through adversity to continue their work. This is an overview of the region’s street papers.

Everyone who is a part of the global street paper network knows what a street paper is – that extends to the staff that put each publication together and those who buy them. But the people who truly know what a street paper is – what it means – are those who sell them. Here, a collection of street paper vendors – from Greece to Australia – tell us, in their own words, what a street paper is, personally to them.

Everyone who is a part of the global street paper network knows what a street paper is – that extends to the staff that put each publication together and those who buy them. But the people who truly know what a street paper is – what it means – are those who sell them. Here, a collection of street paper vendors – from North Macedonia to Canada – tell us, in their own words, what a street paper is, personally to them.

Everyone who is a part of the global street paper network knows what a street paper is – that extends to the staff that put each publication together and those who buy them. But the people who truly know what a street paper is – what it means – are those who sell them. Here, a collection of street paper vendors – from Brazil to Finland – tell us, in their own words, what a street paper is, personally to them.

In a new webseries produced for Revista Traços, the street paper based in the Brazilian capital of Brasília, those who sell the magazine – traditionally called vendors or salespeople across the street paper network, but at Revista Traços known as ‘Spokespersons for Culture’ – are having their lives dramatically retold on a soundstage by local actors.

Brazil has endured one of the worst outbreaks of COVID-19 of any country, with over 2 million cases and rising. The situation has been worsened by political turmoil, including constant change of the nation’s top health official and a leader, in Jair Bolsonaro, who downplays the dangers of the pandemic. Alongside multiple social, humanitarian and religious organisations, Aurora da Rua, a street paper based in the Brazilian city of Salvador, is engaging in a campaign that utilises the power of silence to draw attention to the disaster currently unfolding.

Bete first started work as an Aurora De Rua vendor in 2010 after spending 10 years on the streets. She now works as a facilitator on the Levanta-te e Anda [Get Up and Walk] Project in addition to continuing her work for Aurora De Rua. Bete, who is renowned for her friendly nature, takes great satisfaction in her work and is grateful for all that she has accomplished.

Today is Valentine’s Day, so we’re sharing vendor stories of love, sex and romance. Norma and Lazaro have had difficult lives separately, but since meeting, they have been together, and life isn’t so unbearable anymore. Now selling the Brazilian street paper Aurora da Ru, the couple talk about their hardships, how they met and their seemingly inevitable marriage.

This year we asked vendors: if you could give a song as a present this Christmas, what would you choose? The result was the INSP Vendor Playlist, which is now available for your listening pleasure. Aurora da Rua vendor Luís talks about his choice, the traditional bloco-afro song ‘Revolta do Olodum’.

Popular Glasgow vendor Daniel Collins has turned his Glasgow wit and wisdom into a poem that contributes to a nationwide discussion on land and housing.

INSP scholarships to the Global Street Paper Summit allow emerging street papers to learn from the expertise within the network, and bring new voices to the global conversation.

Alongside the Olympics, an equally momentous occasion saw homeless people come together from six nations for an artistic festival – With One Voice. We speak to participant João about the life-changing performances.