Feira livre de Colônia Leopoldina: aspectos e perfil dos feirantes

Abstract

This undergraduate thesis aimed to analyze the open-air market (feira livre) of Colônia Leopoldina (AL), highlighting its economic, social, and cultural aspects, as well as the profile of vendors and consumers. The research was conducted through a bibliographic review, field observation, and interviews, which provided a detailed view of the fair’s dynamics. The results showed that the fair constitutes one of the main marketing channels for family farming in the municipality, ensuring income generation and livelihood for a significant number of families. It was found that 74.24% of the vendors are local residents, confirming the strong connection between the fair and the internal economy, while 25.76% come from neighboring municipalities, expanding the diversity of products offered. From an economic perspective, the fair strengthens popular trade and capital circulation within the territory, serving as a competitive alternative to the formal market due to the supply of fresh and accessible products. Culturally, the fair represents an intangible heritage of Colônia Leopoldina, preserving traditions passed down through generations and reaffirming local identity. The sale of typical foods, negotiation practices based on trust, and the daily interactions shaped by oral traditions make the fair a space of collective memory and cultural continuity. Moreover, the fair serves as a space for knowledge exchange and socialization. Vendors share experiences regarding cultivation, management, and marketing, while consumers transmit culinary knowledge, eating habits, and even health practices, thereby creating a network of collective learning. This interactive dimension consolidates the fair not only as a place of commerce but also as a meeting point that reinforces social cohesion and a sense of belonging. In conclusion, the open-air market of Colônia Leopoldina represents both a tangible and intangible heritage of the municipality, combining tradition, popular economy, and territorial development. Its importance goes beyond commercial activity, making it a multifunctional space that integrates culture, economy, and sociability—fundamental for maintaining the identity and urban dynamics of the local community.