São Paulo Reclaims Container Theater Site for Social Housing After Court Ruling

Overview

• The municipality sealed the Teatro de Contêiner Mungunzá site on Jan. 15 with Metropolitan Civil Guard presence and reported no incidents during the operation.
• The São Paulo Court of Justice recognized on Jan. 12 that the theater’s permitted stay had expired after an initial 180-day allowance was cut to 90 days.
• City officials say the plot will be transferred to COHAB for popular housing with public spaces and neighborhood revitalization in the former Cracolândia zone.
• Theater managers say they had agreed to relocate to Rua Helvétia 807, describe the sealing as unexpected, and request access and time to remove equipment while seeking talks with the Culture Secretariat.
• City statements cite four relocation offers and R$100,000 in proposed moving support as artists including Marieta Severo, Fernanda Torres, and Antônio Fagundes voiced support for the venue.