It is the result of an investigation of journalist Susana Andre.
Let's start by the beginning, what is after all a myth? It is a narrative that explains certain phenomena of nature, the origins of the world that were not understood by humans through reason. They are also acts or personalities in a particular cultural context that stood out over the centuries, creating narratives, covered up by actual facts that have created a story laden with symbols that are transmitted to new generations as absolute knowledge. All these ingredients associated with urban space, generate endless stories that pass from generation to generation through oral tradition. How many of us read the book of Susan André and mentally relive those moments that begin with someone saying: You know, they told me a few days ago ... And from that moment on is created a credible scenario, because it was told by a friend, which in turn heard it from another friend who swears by this mother soul that is true and although we have some reservations about the contents of these reports, we ended up repeating this same story because is a perfect topic of conversation at the dinner table. Many of the myths reported here, I heard and replied them eagerly in a very colorful way over time, just as an example, I recall in my high school years when I visited the convent of Mafra for the first time to asked one of the employees if I could see from a safe distance the giant rats that flooded the lower floors of these national monuments and I might add that I was not the only one curious! The answer? Obvious! Just read the book!
As for rumors is another completely different story! It arises spontaneously without a known source, without any shred of truth, it is born thru the people's mouth as we say and has in most cases the clear aim is denigrating or defaming a person or a particular group of persons. It is the wickedness of man at his worst. Some of the cases that are reported in the book were of public knowledge and hurt many of those targeted in professional and personal terms. What's wrong with the rumor? It appears to be credible, there is no absolute certainty of the "facts" and as such is difficult to prove what never happened and the more the "victims" fight for they good name, plus the rumor gains strength and size. It is a contradiction in terms, but it is the case, the public understands this gesture as confirmation of the alleged facts that did not occur. Can you believe it? Well! And don't tell me this is the country we live in, because unfortunately rumors are cross-boundaries, cross-cultural and timeless, to prove my point all I have to remind you is one of the most famous of plays of English literature, William Shakespeare's Othello. Interestingly, reading "urban myths and rumors" eventually extrapolate in me a reflection on the more human aspects of the life. Our ying and yang. Our best and our worst through time. Makes you think! Good reading.
