Museum tragedy: remember 6 fires that burned our history
On Sunday night (02), the National Museum of Rio de Janeiro, the oldest in Brazil, burned in flames. Works of incalculable value and history may have been completely lost in the tragedy. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case: in the last decade alone, several cultural institutions have suffered fires that have forever erased part of Brazilian and world culture. Check out:
1. Artistic Culture Theater - 2008
Located in São Paulo, Cultura Artística is a private, non-profit institution that was founded in 1912 to promote art in the city. In the 1950s, with the inauguration of the Theater, the institution finally had its own headquarters, which was partially destroyed in 2008, when one set on fire consumed scenarios of the two pieces that were on display, costumes, technical equipment, audience and two pianos Steinway et. Sounds
2. Butantan Institute - 2010
In May 2010, the history of Brazilian and world biology took a thud with the fire that hit the Butantan Institute, founded in 1901 in São Paulo, and responsible for the creation of serums and vaccines against snakes, spiders and scorpions. In all, it is estimated that 70, 000 specimens preserved in formaldehyde were burned.
3. Latin American Memorial - 2013
A massive fire engulfed the Latin American Memorial in November 2013, consuming stage, chairs, carpets, and linings, including an 840-square-foot tapestry created by artist Tomie Ohtake that decorated one of the Memorial's walls. The reconstruction and restoration work took 4 years.
4. Liceu Cultural Center of Arts and Crafts - 2014
Founded in 1873 under the nickname Propagating Society of Popular Instruction, the São Paulo High School Cultural Center for Art and Crafts became a reference in the teaching of techniques such as carpentry, locksmithing and drawing. In 2014, a fire in one of the sheds destroyed furniture and artwork that inspired students. The renovation of the site took 4 years, with the space being reopened only last month.
5. Portuguese Language Museum - 2015
Opened in 2006 in a building built in 1867, the Portuguese Language Museum suffered a huge fire in 2015, when much of the physical structure was damaged. A firefighter who worked to contain the flames died of cardiopulmonary arrest. Fortunately, most of the collection was undamaged as it was digital and easily replenished.
6. Brazilian Cinematheque - 2016
Founded in 1946, Cinemateca Brasileira is located in São Paulo with the objective of preserving the memory of Brazilian audiovisual. The institution has already suffered 4 major fires throughout its history, the last of which occurred in February 2016, causing the complete loss of at least 731 titles, mainly of newsreels and short films. Other items consumed by fire had copies in different formats.
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