Heritage

Heritage is an important factor in Brazilian culture. Traditionally, Brazilian heritage organizations are concentrated in large urban centre’s, leaving a whole continent of initiatives, problems and opportunities out of sight. Nowadays, the heritage field in Brazil looks at the country as a whole. Government policy and the articulation of social actors highlight the importance of diversity in the field of heritage. However, it is difficult to get a diverse picture of the Brazilian heritage field. For this reason, choices made in this mapping reflect the practical possibilities of accessing information and making reasonable selections. This mapping aims to provide information on the varying aspects and dynamics of Brazil’s heritage and to supply a roadmap for further discoveries.

This mapping embraces a broader view of what is heritage and the field of heritage in Brazil. It covers a range of definitions: protected and listed heritage, heritage sites, institutions of memory, museological, bibliographical and archive collections, cultural property, cultural assets and immaterial heritage. Furthermore it covers other ways of managing and developing such collections. However, it is not enough to see Brazilian heritage merely as a quantity of different collections, cultural assets or pieces of heritage being managed by different organizations. Organizations are complex social practices with their own traditions and developments that play a fundamental role in shaping Brazilian culture. This mapping will try to give an overview of these dynamics.

Numerous professionals working in different institutions in Brazil have made this mapping possible. It has helped raise awareness of the common heritage between the Netherlands and Brazil. However, it still is necessary to make an effort to involve the right people in Brazil.