Restored statue of writer Roberto Drummond returns to Savassi Square in Belo Horizonte
The restored statue of writer Roberto Drummond has been reinstalled in Savassi Square, located in the Central-South region of Belo Horizonte, as of Tuesday, November 7th. The sculpture had been previously toppled in December 2025, necessitating a restoration process. The work was overseen by the original artist, plastic artist Léo Santana, who addressed both surface scratches and structural damage. According to the city hall, the costs associated with the recovery, transportation, and reinstallation of the statue amounted to approximately R$11,000. To prevent future vandalism, the executive branch stated that surveillance measures, including video monitoring and preventive patrols, will be enhanced. This incident follows a previous act of vandalism in August 2022, when the statue was defaced with graffiti and subsequently underwent restoration. Roberto Drummond, born in Ferros, Minas Gerais, in 1933, was a distinguished writer, journalist, and columnist who passed away in Belo Horizonte in 2002 at the age of 68. He received the prestigious Prêmio Jabuti in 1975 as a revelation author for his work "A morte de DJ em Paris." Drummond is also widely recognized for his 1991 novel "Hilda Furacão," which was later adapted into a successful television series in 1998.
The reinstallation of Roberto Drummond's statue highlights the civic value placed on cultural heritage and the challenges of preserving public art against vandalism. The significant cost of restoration and the proposed increase in surveillance suggest a recurring issue that impacts public spaces. This event underscores the tension between accessibility of public art and its vulnerability, prompting consideration of long-term strategies for protection and community engagement. Future approaches might involve exploring more resilient materials, integrating art into secure environments, or fostering a stronger sense of collective ownership and respect for public installations to mitigate recurring damage and associated public expenditure.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.