Velosinho and Joaquim visit the Botanical Garden in Rio de Janeiro

The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden was visited by the characters from the comic book Velosinho e Joaquim nº 6. Published by the Cayapiá Institute and available online from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), the magazine tells of the fictional journeys made by the two characters inspired by the botanist Frei José Mariano da Conceição Veloso, better known as Frei Veloso (1741-1811), and his cousin Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, known as Tiradentes (1746-1792).

By pronouncing the name of a plant called cayapiá - a reference to the Cayapiá Institute, responsible for developing the project - they are transported through the centuries and meet different researchers and historical figures. On each trip, the characters learn a little more about their country's rich biodiversity and get to know different botanical projects.

In the 6th edition, Velosinho and Joaquim explore the Herbarium of the Botanical Garden together with researcher Fabiana Filardi, who works in the field of taxonomy and systems architecture for biodiversity data. The characters have the opportunity to learn about the history of the founding of the JBRJ and visit some of the botanical species in the Arboretum, such as the kapok tree. Then, in Bahia, they meet researcher Rafaela Forzza in the Descobrimento National Park.

The magazine "Velosinho e Joaquim" is written by Dr. Maria das Graças Lins Brandão, a retired professor from UFMG who developed work on naturalists in Brazil with funding from CNPq's Reflora program. Both Reflora and the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden are mentioned in issues 2 and 3. The comics are part of the "Science at School" project, coordinated by UFMG/Instituto Cayapiá, in partnership with the Basílio da Gama State School and the Marília de Dirceu Municipal School, in the municipality of Tiradentes (MG).

Access the magazine's publications:

Velosinho and Joaquim and the Portal of Time (no. 1): https://www.ufmg.br/mhnjb/ceplamt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/VelosinhoeJoaquim01.pdf
Velosinho and Joaquim and Brazilian biodiversity (no. 2): https://www.ufmg.br/mhnjb/ceplamt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/VelosinhoeJoaquim02.pdf
Velosinho and Joaquim and the Independence of Brazil (nº 3): https://www.ufmg.br/mhnjb/ceplamt/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/VelosinhoeJoaquim03.pdf
Velosinho and Joaquim and the Serra de São José (no. 4): https://cayapia.org.br/velosinho-joaquim-e-a-serra-de-sao-jose/
Velosinho and Joaquim in the Amazon Rainforest (no. 5): https://cayapia.org.br/velosinho-joaquim-na-floresta-amazonica/
Velosinho and Joaquim in the Atlantic Forest (no. 6): https://cayapia.org.br/velosinho-joaquim-na-floresta-atlantica/