Sayuri Sandra Takigahira (photo), works as a lawyer and volunteers at O Clarim Spiritist Centre in the Brazilian city of Matão. She coordinates the team that organises visits to the Cairbar Schutel Memorial. It was opened on November 13^th, 2013 to honour one of the greatest pioneers of Spiritism in Brazil. In the following interview, she talks about her involvement in the project.

What objects can we find at the Memorial?

It has a collection of books, pharmaceutical items (medicine bottles and tools), personal use objects, photographs, letters, note pads, minute books, official papers, original issues of O Clarim newspaper and other documents. The material is displayed in different rooms divided by theme. The Memorial has a timeline of Caribar Schutel’s life and his life as a politician (Cairbar, the citizen); his work as a pioneer and disseminator of Spiritism, including the foundation of O Clarim and Revista Internacional de Espiritismo, or International Spiritism Magazine (Caribar, the journalist); his work as a writer and his books (Cairbar, the writer); and the Schutel Pharmacy and his charity work (Cairbar, the chemist); also, you can visit his bedroom with the original furniture and his living room, where we expand on the relationship Schutel had with Spiritism.

You have welcomed and guided many groups and individuals coming from different parts of the country to visit the Memorial. What can you tell us about that experience?  

It’s very gratifying. I’m happy to be able to welcome guests here and tell them a bit about the life and work of Cairbar, which always bring something very positive in me. That’s what I try to share with the visitors. But to be truly able to be inspired by his example, we need to wake up to the real values of life. That was one of the main reasons why he decided to work so hard for the dissemination of the Spiritist Teachings.

Do you have an idea of how many people from how many cities and states have visited the Memorial?

Yes, since the Memorial opened its doors to the public in 2013, more than 1,500 people have been here, according to our signature book, not to mention those who ended up leaving without signing the book. We’ve had visitors from 120 cities in 12 different Brazilian states.

From all your memories here in the past seven years, is there a particular one you would like to share with us?

There are so many beautiful memories, from so many people who get really emotional during the visits, especially when they enter Caibar’s old bedroom. One particular visit has left a stronger impression on me. It was a mother whose son had passed away, returning to the Spirit World still at a young age. That woman had been informed by a medium that her son had been welcomed in the Spirit World by a team led by Cairbar Schutel. It was really moving to see her here! As I explained the life of Cairbar Schutel to the group, I noticed that in several moments she was really moved, and the same happened to me.

Which items from the Memorial’s inventory would you draw our attention to?

I think it’s the section called Cairbar, the journalist. His work was really important for the dissemination of Spiritism in the beginning of the 20^th Century. He worked hard, he was dedicated and remained faithful to the Spiritist Teachings as codified by Allan Kardec, having to deal with all the problems of that period.

What are the contacts and details for those who wish to visit the Memorial?

Please get in touch via WhatsApp + 55 16 997817855, via email, lucia@oclarim.com.br or via the landline 55 16 33821066, during office hours, to book a visit.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The Memorial is managed by O Clarim Spiritist Centre (current name of the Amantes da Pobreza Spiritist Centre, founded by Cairbar Schutel on July 15^th, 1905). We invite and welcome both Spiritist and non-Spiritists, as this is not only the story of a Spiritist pioneer, but also that of a man who was highly regarded by everyone. He had a vision and was much ahead of his time, and played a key role in the development of the city of Matão and other cities in the region. Cairbar was fully aware of the role he could play to help in the transformation of the planet. He was, therefore, a true Christian, who lived and lives according to the Gospel of Christ.

Please leave us with your final thoughts.

I must thank you for this opportunity to introduce the Cairbar Schutel Memorial to your readers. Watson Campelo used to tell his friends every time he left to meet Cairbar: “Well, my friends, I’m now going to get a bit of sunlight. I’m going to see Schutel.” So I invite all of you to come here too and get a bit of sunlight with us. Visit the Cairbar Schutel Memorial! You’re my guests!