In 50th anniversary event, Folha Espírita launches historic book and personalized postage stamp

São Paulo, April 22, 2024 - Representatives of the São Paulo Spiritist Movement gathered last Saturday at Chico Xavier - Centro de Estudos Espíritas de São Paulo, in the Lapa neighborhood of São Paulo, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Folha Espírita, one of the most important segmented publications in the country. Inspired by the medium Chico Xavier and conceived by the journalist Freitas Nobre, the newspaper had its first edition published in 1974, on April 18th, the same day as the launch of The Spirits' Book, by Allan Kardec. Several leaders of the Spiritist Movement in the state were present at the meeting, including: Walther Graciano Júnior, president of the Cairbar Schutel Spiritist Center, home of the Folha Espírita in the Jabaquara neighborhood; Ricardo Silva Pastori, president of the Batuíra Spiritist Group in Perdizes, whose founder, Spártaco Guilardi, was present at the creation of Folha Espírita; Ney Prieto Peres, who experienced the historic moment 50 years ago; Paulo César Pio, He was also representing the Perseverança Spiritist Center in Vila Invernada, founded by Guiomar de Oliveira Albanesi and her husband Serafim Antônio Albanesi; Ronaldo Zucatelli, President of the Fraternal Union Disciples of Jesus; Marina Gazzoni, representing the Evangelical Spiritist Alliance; Marcus Renato Ribeiro, president of the São Paulo Medical-Spiritist Association, who also represented the Brazilian Medical-Spiritist Association; and Oceano Vieira de Melo, representing the host house.

The event was opened by journalist Cláudia Santos, editor of Folha Espírita. In partnership with Eleni Gritzapis, responsible for the FE podcast, Cláudia is one of the organizers of the book Folha Espírita - a story of love and dedication to the Spiritist Doctrine, The book, commemorating the newspaper's 50th anniversary, was edited by FE's Marketing Director, Conrado Santos, and launched at the event. The book features a collection of FE's main covers over the last 50 years and is on sale at FE portal.

Oceano Vieira de Melo, who is in charge of the doctrinal work, the program of lectures, art and culture at Chico Xavier - Centro de Estudos Espíritas de São Paulo, opened the celebration by reading a 1938 psychograph of Emmanuel, by the medium Chico Xavier, which informs that spirituality would spread ideas through radio, TV and newspapers. Walther Graciano Júnior recalled his involvement with the Folha Espírita and the Cairbar Schutel Spiritist Group's responsibility for spreading the Doctrine through the FE, and lawyer Marcelo Nobre, son of Freitas Nobre and Marlene Nobre, recalled the joy of the medium Chico Xavier when he saw the Folha Espírita in his parents“ hands. "This is a simple tribute, as I imagine the launch of The Spirits' Book, For 167 years,” said Fábio Gandolfo Severino, son of Professor Paulo Rossi Severino, responsible for one of Editora FE's most important works, A Vida Triunfa. Columnists Waldenir Cuin and Sandra Marinho, who have been writing for Folha Espírita for 37 and 15 years respectively, gave testimonies of their participation in the newspaper over the years and Conrado Santos, Folha Espírita's Marketing Director, said that, in celebration of Folha Espírita's 50th anniversary, a new portal was launched, featuring a book catalog with e-books and printed books, podcasts, editions of the newspaper online and a collection of the newspaper's 600 editions for consultation. As subscriptions are no longer available, he said, the Friend of Folha Espírita campaign is also being promoted, through which it is possible to choose values to contribute to the dissemination of the Doctrine.

Stamp records the history of one of the main newspapers in the Spiritist press

Renato Rosa, state superintendent of the São Paulo Metropolitan Post Office, closed Saturday afternoon with the launch of a personalized postage stamp developed especially for FE's 50th anniversary. “We are very happy to be here celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of a spiritist newspaper, which demonstrates the religious freedom that Brazil is experiencing,” he said.