ONE JOY: FORMATIVE ITINERARIES AND SOCIAL INCLUSION OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE CARNIVAL OF CAMPO GRANDE

Abstract

Population aging has aroused reflections on the quality of life of the elderly, especially in relation to their active participation in cultural events. The "UMA Só Alegria Project", developed by the University of Maturity of the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UMA/UEMS), proposes to integrate the elderly public in the carnival festivities in an inclusive way, inserting themselves in intergenerational education and promoting active aging through cultural practices. The objective of this work was to analyze how pedagogical practice is integrated into the training itineraries of older people, by investigating the educational and cultural processes during the festivities and analyzing the participation of UMA students in cultural celebrations. A qualitative approach was adopted, using direct observations, reflective notes and analysis of institutional documents. Thus, the results revealed how the project contributes to the strengthening of the cultural identity of the elderly and promotes social inclusion, evidencing positive impacts on the psychological and cultural dimensions. On the other hand, activities prove to be an effective tool for active aging, contributing significantly to intergenerational education and the appreciation of older people as active agents of society.