Last Sunday (29), the Italian-Brazilian community lost the businessman Walter Tavern, who died at the age of 88 due to pneumonia. He founded the traditional Concheta Cantina and was one of those responsible for the Bixiga Cake, an anniversary tradition in the city of São Paulo.
The businessman had been hospitalized since Thursday (26) at Hospital Sancta Maggiore, in the Paraíso neighborhood, South Zone of São Paulo. His body was laid to rest on Monday morning (30) at the Sérgio Cardoso Theater, in Bela Vista, and buried in the afternoon at the Araçá Cemetery, in Pacaembu.
Trajectory
Grandson of Sicilians, Walter Taverna was born in 1933 in the back of a house on Rua 13 de Maio, in Bela Vista, in São Paulo. He was president of the Society for the Defense of Bela Vista Traditions (SODEPRO), whose first initiative was the return of the Festival of Our Lady of Achiropita to the streets of the neighborhood.
He was also one of the founders of Bloco Esfarrapado, in 1947, considered the oldest carnival group in São Paulo.
In 1983, Walter Taverna was one of those responsible for launching the Antiques and Trade Fair of Bixiga, which still operates today, every Sunday, in Praça Dom Orione.
In Praça Dom Orione, he left behind the bandstand, built in 1984, named after his father, Carmelo Taverna.
He also fought for the restoration of the Arcos do Bixiga, together with Mayor Jânio Quadros, in 1987, and requested the authorities to take care of the Praça dos Artesãos Calabreses.
In 1997, he created Super Pão, a traditional attraction for children, measuring 560 meters.
Bixiga Cake
The history of Bolo do Bixiga began in 1986, when São Paulo turned 432 years old. The party was designed by Armando Puglisi, Armandinho do Bixiga, and, initially, each resident took a cake.
In 1995, after Armandinho's death, Walter Taverna took over organizing the party, which included a cake with a meter for each year of the city.
Bixiga's cake even entered the Guinness Book of Records, due to its length and because it was consumed in around 30 seconds.
On São Paulo's last two birthdays, the cake was not served to avoid crowds due to the pandemic. In 2022, the party was replaced by donations to needy families in the city.
Walter Taverna was also one of the characters who fought most for the historical listing of the Bixiga neighborhood, the largest territory of assets with protected cultural value in the state of São Paulo.
The Italianismo portal team sends its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of this giant of the Italian-Brazilian community.
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