In Wonderland

Most Portuguese are proud and feel good with Portugal. Our “Garden by the sea planted ”As Tomás Ribeiro wrote, it is a kind of Wonderland. I am also part of this majority.

It was, therefore, with enthusiasm that Portugal and the Portuguese have attributed over the last 18 years several dozens of distinctions related to our culture.

Places, monuments or traditions, which by their place of prominence and relevance, deserved enhancement, promotion and protection. Are our wonders!

In 2007, the 7 wonders of Portugal were elected, that is, the seven most relevant monuments of Portuguese architectural heritage.

The wonders of nature, the villages, the beaches, the wonders at the table, the wonders of gastronomy, the new gastronomy, the sweets, the wonders were followed. Wonders of popular culture Also, but no less important, the 7 wonders of Portuguese origin in the world.

And it’s exactly About this last election I would like to write.

It seems clear to me that one of the main objectives of this kind of election is related to the valorization and promotion of culture and identity national. Everything else arises by addition: demand, interest and tourism.

It is essential, however, to preserve the essence and singularities of each of the realities that has been elected.

Otherwise we see: we cannot elect the green broth as one of the gastronomic wonders and then replace your cauliflowerby cauliflower; Nor can we elect Guincho’s beach as one of Portugal’s wonderful beaches and allowing it to be beaten by pollution or problems related to urbanism.

It looks simple! The same happens to the monuments: If you choose the Tower of Bethlehem, as one of the 7 wonders of Portugal, we have to preserve it.

Still recently, one of 7 wonders elected, was presented by World Monuments Fund – the most important independent international organization, dedicated to the preservation of heritage worldwide – as one of the 25 places in the world in danger of preservation.

But there are other examples: Church of St. Francis of Assisiin Ouro Preto (Brazil), one of 7 wonders of Portuguese origin in the world, was pointed out by this same organization, as one of the monuments at risk; Also the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa is, since 2021, reported as being “risk of collapse”.

It seems to me, for that, in this purpose, the duty and interest in preserving is clearly to fail.

This election – the 7 wonders of Portuguese origin in the world – was supported by the then Ministry of Education and Culture, and had as its main objective “Disseminate the heritage legacy of the Portuguese expansion No world”.

My question is as follows: After the election is completed, our responsibility ends with this heritage? It is true that, despite being of Portuguese origin, This heritage is not Portuguese. It will not be simple to actively support measures that promote its preservation.

In any case, these 7 monuments being, a kind of views of Portugal scattered around the world, All active forms of support The preservation, study and safeguard should be equated: exchange programs, collaboration between institutes and universities, study programs and internships, invitation to the cultural patronage of exporting companies (I know some good examples with banking and telecommunications institutions).

I don’t know. What I know is that the formula will be foundso that our legacy is preserved.

If nothing is done, what happened last February 5, with the Salvador of Bahia, will succeed again in other monuments of Portuguese origin. Also this monument has been referenced since 2022due to lack of maintenance and conservation and it has already been referred to as “An announced tragedy”.

But much more serious: this collapse caused one dead and five injuredsince, unfortunately, the church remained open to tourism, despite the structural problems already identified.

The property is ownership of the first order of São Francisco, which is responsible for direct responsibility for management and maintenance. Being classified, is still under the protection of Iphan, the Institute of Brazilian Cultural Heritage.

Obviously, no Portuguese institution has any kind of responsibility for what happened. But we also know that situations like these may be repeatedbecause in most of these countries the preservation of heritage is not a priority.

It is our duty and interest, that this “our” heritage remains in good condition. Our wonders have to be valued. And yes, this bet is work; We cannot simply be waiting in a rabbit den, as it happened to Alice, to be able to enjoy our Wonderland!