Cidadania, direitos humanos e direitos da natureza e do meio ambiente na literatura de cordel brasileira

The cordel literature of Brazil, printed on pamphlets measuring around 11cm by 16cm and averaging 8 to 16 pages in length, has been dealing with themes and concepts Cidadania, direitos humanos e direitos da natureza e do meio ambiente na literatura de cordel brasileira 42 related to citizenship, human rights, and environmental rights since its inception. These include: the direct and indirect discussion of the notion of citizenship, when considered in conjunction with the rights and responsibilities from which the citizens benefit and to which they are subject; a criticism of inequalities and injustices committed against people and beings sentient and otherwise; the appreciation of differences in gender and ethnicity; the promotion of equal opportunities and fair distribution of wealth; the appreciation of words and of schooling as special areas reserved for learning and assimilating the values and principles which form the basis for citizenship and human rights, starting with the rights to life, to dignity, and to freedom (see, for example, art. 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and art. 24 of the Portuguese Constitution). To depart from this initial statement, which we shall support using examples and analysis of the form and content of several texts, not only do we aim to call attention to one of Brazil’s richest cultural and civic phenomena; we also hope to strengthen the proposal that this cultural product might be successfully integrated into curricular activities and academic evaluation in all lusophone countries (and even beyond), as is already the case in Brazil.