Cultural Heritage
Brasília, which had been planned since the late 19th century, was only developed in the mid-1950s before becoming Brazil’s capital in 1960. People from all across the country came to help build it, resulting in a diversified and culturally rich workforce that is still one of the capital’s most valuable assets. Remarkable for the modernist architecture and artistic urban planning of Oscar Niemeyer and Lucio Costa, UNESCO named the entire city a World Heritage Site in 1987, making it the world’s largest at 112 square kilometers.
Major cultural landmarks include the ‘Casa do Cantador’ (Singer’s House), designed by Oscar Niemeyer to celebrate the northeastern Brazilian community of the Federal District through cultural events, and the ‘Praça dos Orixás’ (Orixás’ Square), located on the shores of Lake Paranoá and serving as a center for Black culture. Sites like the Indigenous Peoples Memorial not only commemorate the city’s colonial history, but also promote policies that benefit Indigenous communities.
The city is known for its carnivals and large public gatherings, including the Universal New Year’s Eve Celebration and a major event in 2019 with the slogan ‘Brasília, capital of all carnivals.’ However, the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 put a brief end to some of these celebrations.
Brasília’s nomination as the Ibero-American Capital of Culture in 2022 will open up new prospects for cooperation with the city’s 133 embassies, sponsored by the International Affairs Office. This distinction drew widespread notice throughout the Ibero-American continent, in addition to providing a public program for the local community that included film, concerts, and art. The event encourages collaboration among Capitals of Culture, who all have a common goal in preserving and enhancing local culture.
Embracing Change
Brasília already has the third-largest creative economy in the country, contributing 3.1% of GDP. The city is committed to supporting this industry by encouraging entrepreneurship and educating a new generation of artists and art fans. These efforts are based on three key policy strands: Since 1991, the Federal District Government has allocated 0.3% of its net revenue to the Cultural Support Fund (FAC). This fund supports a wide range of cultural activities, including films, plays, exhibitions, DVDs, books, and workshops. In 2019, the fund provided R$70 million in aid to cultural agents.
Private investment in culture is encouraged by the Culture Incentive Law (LIC), which provides tax breaks to corporations that support the arts, culminating in R$11 million in donations in 2019. The Culture Connection Programme promotes Brasília’s cultural enterprises internationally. In 2019, it facilitated 491 entrepreneurs’ journeys to 28 different countries. During the Covid-19 epidemic, it switched to virtual events, although it has been airing live programming since March 2022. As Brasília restarts live events, it creates a virtuous circle by recognizing that worldwide connections made through its creative offers boost the local sector and present new chances to inhabitants across all neighbourhoods.
The Role of Policymakers
The Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy of the Federal District (SECEC) oversees cultural planning in Brasília and its surrounding districts, which have a combined population of around three million. Culture Councils have a huge impact on the city’s cultural landscape. These councils, which include equal representation from government agencies and civil society, provide an important platform for developing equitable and successful cultural policy. In a city overflowing with heritage landmarks, the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN-DF) is critical to preserving both tangible and intangible legacy.
SECEC’s principal goal is social development, which includes commissioning cultural initiatives to alleviate poverty. The city remains committed to supporting the Creative Economy by promoting economic growth, heritage preservation, and locally and globally produced cultural goods and services inside the Federal District.
SECEC has used new methods to reach citizens in their daily life. For example, the Book Bag project has dispersed free micro-libraries throughout low-income communities. Additionally, their Health Concerts program takes musicians into healthcare settings, reducing stress for patients. These projects are consistent with SECEC’s objectives to decentralize and democratize access to culture.
The Future
SECEC is at the heart of the Federal District’s Creative Economy, which is rapidly evolving. The city is actively attempting to relieve poverty and improve access to cultural goods and services on a local and global scale through programs such as the Book Bag Project and Health Concerts. These initiatives are consistent with SECEC’s objective to decentralize and democratize access to culture.
World Heritage
UNESCO follows guidelines based on international normative instruments – conventions, recommendations, and declarations – ratified by Brazil. These documents commonly deal with protecting, promoting, and appreciating people’s cultural identity. Thus, identifying, protecting and valuing cultural heritage, tangible or intangible, are at the centre of UNESCO’s attention in the field of culture.