Portuguese Heritage Research Articles

Environmental impacts and BIM: a Portuguese heritage case study

PurposeThis paper aims to compare the possible environmental impacts of different rehabilitation solutions proposed to a case study of a Portuguese vernacular building, bearing in mind the need to search for less impactful practices in accordance with global agendas and, simultaneously, the importance of preserving heritage assets.Design/methodology/approachThe two proposed solutions differ from each other in the selection of materials, varying from the exclusive use of conventional contemporary materials to the use of locally sourced and natural-based materials, considering the Portuguese and local scenario. Results obtained from Life Cycle Assessment procedures are the basis of comparison, which were developed using a Building Information Model (BIM)-integrated analytical plugin.FindingsProducing Heritage Building Information Model (HBIM) models was essential to the analysis, and therefore is a vital part of the used methodology; nevertheless, the modelling of heritage buildings itself plays an important part in preserving heritage assets once it provides precise documenting and managing tools. The results depict variation in values for different indicators in both cases, whose interpretation might need further development to get to deeper conclusions. It has been found that the software tools are still not well adapted to analyse heritage or historic buildings, and therefore adaptations had to take place to overcome these limitations.Originality/valueThe study distinguishes itself by involving the production of HBIM models and the use of BIM-integrated Life Cycle Assessment plugins as well as its analyses, to validate this approach.

The Macau arraial: Portuguese heritage, serious games, and postcolonial identity in a Chinese tourist city

This study examines the reinvention of Portugal’s traditional arraial festival in the postcolonial city of Macau. It assesses the transposition of the arraial’s cultural significance from a Portuguese summertime event to an innovative tourist attraction that integrates Portuguese colonial symbols with interactive augmented reality experiences in three historic Macau neighborhoods. The research draws on stakeholder interviews, ethnographic observations, and analysis of game content to scrutinize how this tourist festival forges Macau’s hybrid post-colonial identity through visitor virtual engagement with Portuguese heritage. While the arraial is unique among Macau’s tourist festivals for its emphasis on Portuguese culture, it sometimes sanitizes colonial events or perpetuates historical social divides under the premise of harmonious cultural fusion. The research offers insights into the dynamics of tourism in postcolonial regions, the impact of cultural festivals as tourist attractions, and the educational potential of gamification in conveying heritage.

GIS-based inventory for safeguarding and promoting Portuguese glazed tiles cultural heritage

Innovative, non-invasive, digital, and cost-effective instruments for systematic inventory, monitoring and promotion are a valuable resource for managing tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Due to its powerful and effective inventory and analysis potential, which allows supporting central and local entities responsible for cultural heritage management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have proven to be an appropriate information technology for developing these kinds of instruments. Given the above, this work aims to introduce a GIS-based instrument to support inventorying, safeguarding, tourism, and cultural promotion of the traditional Portuguese glazed tile (‘azulejo’, in Portuguese) to raise general awareness of the importance of this unique Portuguese heritage. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no other instrument available with inventory and safeguarding management functions that is accessible and affordable, developed to be used at a municipal level and that contributes to the enrichment of the cultural and tourist information. Information from 70 tile works located in the Portuguese city of Covilhã was used to test the proposed GIS tool, resulting in a georeferenced alphanumeric, graphical, image and drawing inventory and in three pedestrian routes for touristic and cultural heritage promotion. The results were validated by both the research team and the municipality of Covilhã, foreseeing its expansion and daily use in the management of the heritage of the traditional Portuguese glazed tile. The proposed instrument can be replicated in other locations and easily implemented and managed by municipalities or institutions dealing with the protection of cultural heritage.

Portuguese representations in the Semana Santa ritual in Larantuka

The encounter of Indonesian society with foreign cultures leaves a mark on a culture, leaving traces in the form of narratives and symbols. In Larantuka, the encounter of local culture with the Portuguese leaves the Semana Santa tradition or Easter tradition which in the oral narrative and ritual process still presents the Portuguese style. This research was conducted to find out how the presence of Portuguese culture functions in the Semana Santa tradition in Larantuka; and why Portuguese heritage is maintained and preserved in the tradition. Data collection utilized participatory observation, interview, and literature study methods. The results showed that the Semana Santa ritual as a Portuguese heritage still takes place as an annual ritual, the use of Portuguese language in the ritual, symbols, and the Confraria brotherhood formed by the Portuguese. Three important points that become the reason for the Portuguese presence in the Semana Santa ritual are the acculturation process, narratives in collective memory, and the obedience of tradition actors in carrying out ancestral messages.

“I no longer count in German.” On dominance shift in returnee heritage speakers

AbstractThis study analyzes the degree of language balance in three groups of bilingual speakers of Portuguese and German: a group of Portuguese heritage speakers (HSs) living in Germany, another who returned to Portugal, and Portuguese late learners of German L2. Based on the DIALANG vocabulary size placement test, applied in German and in Portuguese, and on extralinguistic variables extracted from a background questionnaire, the results confirm high degrees of unbalanced language dominance favoring the societal language (SL) in HSs without the experience of return, and a leveling of language dominance in returnees. Language balance in returnees is the consequence of some loss of proficiency in the former SL (German) and reactivation of the heritage language (Portuguese). Current relative amount of contact with the two languages is correlated with language dominance only in the HSs and the late L2 speaker groups, whereas age of return and length of residence in Portugal explain language dominance in returnees. Self-reported proficiency is also predictive of language dominance and may be taken as complementary indicator.

The art trade between Flanders and Madeira Island in the 15th and 16th centuries – The contribution of dendrochronology to the history of Portuguese heritage

Flemish paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, now preserved in public and private collections on Madeira Island, provide unequivocal witness to the trade link that existed between Flanders and this Portuguese territory. This article focuses on a dendrochronological approach to date fifteen paintings from thirteen artworks ascribed to several Flemish artists working in the 15th and 16th century and currently exhibited in the Museum of Sacred Art of Funchal (Madeira Island). The dendrochronological results consolidate the historical and iconographic dates reported in the museum catalogue for fourteen paintings, also allowing a more precise dating of one of the studied artworks assigned to Joos van Cleeve's workshop. Furthermore, new knowledge has been added to the panel attributed to Marinus van Reymerswaelle, indicating that it was painted after the historical dating, in the painter's late years. This study has resulted in the construction of a new historical oak chronology for the Baltic region, covering the period 1157–1599 and based on chronological series acquired from several research studies of Portuguese and Flemish paintings carried out over the previous decades. The new chronology can be considered as a valuable new tool for future research into Portuguese and Flemish paintings, sculptures, and furniture from Portuguese cultural heritage collections.

Investigation of the mortars and clay bricks of a luso-brazilian historic structure from XVIII century: The Nosso Senhor do Bonfim Church

Heritage constructions (HC) presents cultural, historical and architectural remarks of a community. This way, maintenance and rehabilitation of HC is an effort each time necessary for keep these structures in safety and in good state of conservation for the future generations. The materials characterization can be a key for that. To characterize the materials of a HC can allow to collect information to support the decision on what conservation strategy to follow, as well give information on the constructive techniques employed and its originality. This work has as the main aim to investigate the physical and chemical characteristic of the mortars and clay bricks samples of the Nosso Senhor do Bonfim Church, placed at Aracati downtown, in the Ceará State, Northeast of Brazil. The church was built in XVIII century and the main façade presents the so-called as “barroco sertanejo”, an architectonic style influenced by Portuguese baroque. A Portuguese heritage from the Brazil colonial period. The results showed the existence of two different mortars layers covering the church walls, where in the most superficial layer cement presence was detected. Information on the original mortar composition was collect, as well clay bricks physical and mechanical properties. This information can be useful for materials and strategy selection in future interventions on the Nosso Senhor do Bonfim Church and contributes to fill the gap of information on luso-brazilian historic construction.

The Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage, Social Exclusion, and Imagined Mobilities: Legacies of Racialized Migrant Industrial Labor in Contemporary New England

Commemorations and monument dedications have been part of Portuguese-speaking migrant place-making and as responses to social exclusion in New England since these arrivals settled in and built industrial and agricultural worker communities beginning in the late nineteenth century. The racialization of migrant laborer identities imposed by discourse and law and supported by scientific studies relying upon genetic data, assisted politicians and elites during the second Industrial Revolution to limit the civic and labor organization rights of workers. This study examines the complex history of Portuguese worker strategies to confront their civic, social, and racial assimilability through civic associations that organized migrant participation in U.S. national celebrations (Fourth of July, Pilgrim ceremonies, war veterans’ memorials) and migrant community commemorations (including Portuguese heritage days and monument dedications like Dighton Rock). Contemporary Day of Portugal celebrations and other heritage dedications that shape social participation in multi-cultural democracy are examined in light of the legacies of white nationalist strategies advocating for Portuguese social mobility. The study examines how some of the ritual elements of today’s celebrations yet promote discourses of racialized laborer hierarchies.

The Vocational School of Sintra and Its Contribution to Heritage Education

This paper aims to share the experience acquired with students of the 3rd year (namely the 12th grade of the Portuguese educational system) at the Vocational School for the Recovery of Heritage of Sintra in the Course of Studies for Conservation and Restoration Assistants in the field of Plaster Restoration, in the classes of Work-Related Training and Analytical Methods of Examination and Laboratory Analysis, by carrying out theoretical-practical work and training in a work context specifically focused on Portuguese heritage, demonstrating how practical classes motivate students and prepare them for future professional work. This vocational course helps students to reflect and question themselves on the role of “looking” at heritage. Thus, its cross information, both interdisciplinary and from the historical-artistic context of the monument, will provide a better perspective over its materiality and its use. In situ learning awakens students to the reality of work. The notion that they are helping to maintain the memory of ancestors credits them and gives them confidence in their work. After presenting their Final Year Projects, they look at heritage with a more awakened vision. With this, they have the perception that they have contributed to the reconstruction of memory, their cultural heritage.

Intersections of Empire, Post-Empire, and Diaspora: De-Imperializing Lusophone Studies

The present article opens with a generic plea for the de-imperialization of Lusophone studies. A de-imperial turn should allow researchers to explore more thoroughly the experiences of diaspora and exile that an empire-centered history and its spin-offs have obfuscated; it should also help to de-essentialize depictions of Portuguese heritage and culture shaped by these narratives. Such a turn promises to address the multiple identifications, internal diversities, and racialized inequalities produced by the making and unmaking of empire. My contribution consists of a few ethnographic-historic case studies collected at the intersections of empire, post-empire, and diaspora. These include nineteenthcentury diasporic movements that brought Portuguese subjects to competing empires; past and present celebrations of heritage in diasporic contexts; culture wars around representations; and current directions in post-imperial celebrations and reparations.

Violins and cellos from Portuguese collections. A tree ring study as a historical source of the Portuguese heritage

• Dendrochronology of Portuguese violins and cellos reinforce the historical records. • Imported wood was used by luthiers in Portuguese workshops in XVII–XIX centuries. • Attributions to makers was confirmed by dendrochronology for most instruments. • For two violins a reassignment of the attribution should be considered. This first dendrochronological study of 13 violins and cellos from Portuguese workshops of the XVIII and XIX centuries aims at a deeper knowledge of dates and origin of the top woods used to build the instruments, as well as adding to the understanding of specific assembly techniques. A similar study was also made on 10 violins and cellos of foreign manufacture from the XVII and XVIII centuries, which are currently in Portugal, showing the scientific potential as well as limitations of the dendrochronological approach. The best chronological references which were applied to date the musical instruments manufactured in Portugal came from the Alpine regions of Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Italy, but the identification of specific wood sources was not possible. The only known musical instrument in Portugal attributed to Antonio Stradivari (cello Chevillard) belongs to the collection of the National Museum of Music (Lisbon). The growth patterns on two pieces which compose the belly were compared with those of five other instruments made by the same luthier and was allowed to conclude that the wood came from the same region and, in one specific case, from the same tree. The terminum post quem obtained by the dendrochronological dating allowed the confirmation of attribution to a maker for most of the instruments but for two violins the attributions proved erroneous making the case for a reassignment of the two instruments. Dendrochronology led us to the conclusion that the Portuguese musical instruments can be seen as a physical proof of the historical records which document Portuguese maritime wood trade with Europe, mainly with Italy.

Uma relação dialógica entre o universo literário e músico-teatral na obra de Cordel “Fogo Encantado”

A literatura de cordel, profundamente inserida no mundo da vida do homem nordestino, se constitui hoje em uma tradição cultural tão forte e arraigada que marca a sua identidade, de forma indelével. Historicamente considerada uma herança portuguesa o presente artigo é um estudo comparativo dialógico entre o cordel do Brasil e o cordel de Portugal e suas influências nos movimentos artísticos, tendo como objeto de pesquisa na cultura brasileira o grupo cordelista Cordel do Fogo Encantado, apresentando uma reflexão sobre a adaptação da cultura popular de nosso país a favor da cultura progressiva e a estética da oralidade como experiência da teatralidade aliada a uma musicalidade moldada por/para essa experiência teatral.

Can marketing create destination personality? The case of Macau

Purpose The paper aims to study Macau’s brand and destination personality. The data are derived from 91 semi-structured interviews with visitors to Macau at points of departure such as the airport and ferry terminals. Macau is perceived as hospitable and friendly, but complexities and ambiguities exist as the city is a fusion of Western and Asian cultures and locates gaming with a Portuguese heritage. Indeed one informant described the city as an “old person with a young spirit”. Given this, the final discussion is concerned with the concepts of anthropomorphic attributes associated with destination personality when applied to a destination, whereas managerial implications are identified with reference to a need to overcome some deficiencies in a perceived coldness in interactions with industry personnel.

How is the bilingual development of Portuguese heritage children perceived by their parents? Results from an ethnographic case study of a non-formal learning setting in Germany

ABSTRACT In the context of German linguistic policies, Heritage Language (HL) education ranges from formal and informal to non-formal offers. Families with migratory backgrounds seeking acquisition and maintenance of the HL frequently resort to educational or maintenance opportunities that are not institutionalized. In the region of Bavaria (Germany), the geographical context of this study, the teaching of Portuguese as an HL (PHL) mainly occurs in non-formal and informal educational spaces. The present empirical study follows an ethnographic perspective and examines how learners’ parents in such non-formal environments perceive their children's bilingualism. As a secondary focus, the linguistic educational tool ‘Mala de Herança’ (MH) (Heritage Suitcase – free translation) shall be examined in order to assess its possible input in shaping the bilingual individual, following Van Lier’s [2004. The Ecology and Semiotics of Language Learning. A Sociocultural Perspective. Dordrecht: Springer.] ecological approach to language teaching. The data described in the study, obtained from parents’ interviews, were collected through semi-structured interviews and interpreted through content analysis. Results point towards a very heterogeneous perception of the ‘bilingual child’ by the parents, compatible with the reviewed literature.

Innovation networks on aeronautical Portuguese heritage

This study intends to develop a tourism product by adding value to Portuguese aeronautical resources, contributing to existing knowledge by: i) exploring aeronautical heritage as a collaborative destination marketing: the Portuguese Aeronautical Route (PAR); ii) developing tourism product through innovation networks. The PAR incorporates collaborative destination marketing and proposes a product that could qualify Portuguese heritage. Our findings suggest the opportunity to promote the country as an aeronautical destination brand, supported by a multi-destination route. The PAR also enables a continuous resource valorization and ensures sustainability by involving collaboration which feeds an innovation cycle and reinforces its marketing potential.

Thoughts on the Brazilian Liberal Project’s Failure at the Imperial Era

The word liberal was a constant presence in the speeches of the main leaders of the Brazilian State process of independence and formation. However, it’s important to understand the different concepts of liberalism that were used by the political speech, frequently not linked to the reality. In fact, the new country stands firm to the Portuguese heritage, seeing in the authoritarian centralism of the monarchy the key to the State organization. Order, stability and unity are common values that guide political leaders of different orientations, placing themselves above any transformer project, especially those who could touch the social and economic structures centered on slavery.Fecha de envio / Submission date: 16/04/2019Fecha de aceptacion / Acceptance date: 22/07/2019

Sobre o uso da maiúscula por alunos de português língua de herança na Suíça. Um estudo de caso

O presente artigo centra-se sobre um estudo de caso desenvolvido em 2017 comum a amostra de falantes de Português Língua de Herança, residentes em Zurique (Suíça), e tem como objetivo refletir sobre os desvios na representação gráfica da maiúscula por parte de alunos lusodescendentes bilingues. Partindo da hipótese empírica que a causa destes desvios consiste na transferência (linguística) do Alemão para o Português, o procedimento de intervenção implementado no grupo de informantes em estudo baseou-se numa sequência de dois exercícios em momentos avaliativos diferenciados, permitindo, desta forma, proceder à recolha e análise de dados, com vista a aferir a classe e subclasse de palavras que registam a percentagem mais elevada de ocorrências desviantes e perceber se a reflexão metalinguística contribui (ou não) para o uso da maiúscula convergente com a norma ortográfica do Português Europeu padrão.

Stone consolidation by biomineralisation. Contribution for a new conceptual and practical approach to consolidate soft decayed limestones

Abstract The consolidation of soft limestones has since long been practiced by using various products applied by different procedures, both for laboratory conditions and as real conservation actions. However, the actual performances of these consolidants have always left doubts, mostly as regards to their long-term – and, in some situations, short-term – behaviour when used for outdoor objects. The encouraging results that have been reported for the biomineralisation process in limestones, both for laboratory conditions and in trial tests, led to test it under onsite conditions to assess the operational aspects, as well as on a conservation intervention carried out for a limestone portal in the south of Portugal. The biotechnology approach reported here resorts to the activation of carbonatogenic bacteria present in the substrate’s microbiota. In this paper, the main steps and logistics requirements for this consolidation treatment - environmental control, product transport and application conditions – are summarised, onsite test results are presented and discussed, and its application in a conservation intervention is described and commented. The onset of this new consolidation treatment led us to revisit past experiences on Portuguese heritage objects as an opportunity to discuss the practical significance and applicability of the concepts of effectiveness and compatibility in the consolidation of soft calcareous stone materials. A new conceptual and practical approach to deal with the very complex and difficult problem posed by the consolidation of real outdoor exposed and decayed objects is proposed. The discussion is based on the authors’ experience on four Portuguese monuments: the Santa Cruz church (Coimbra), the Porta Especiosa of the Old Cathedral of Coimbra, the National Palace of Queluz, and the Main Portal of the Loule church. The potential of the method and its encouraging results may represent the crossing of a new technological and practical frontier to consolidate decayed highly porous limestones.

Editorial

Editorial

Porto Alegre e a presença da cerâmica portuguesa

Apesar das origens portuguesas da cidade de Porto Alegre, a existência das tão marcantes cerâmicas lusas, quase não são percebidas na cidade. Poucos registros ainda denotam sua presença. As fachadas azulejadas tão recorrentes nas cidades do sudeste e nordeste do país e até mesmo na cidade de Pelotas, interior do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, aqui não figuram na paisagem urbana. Ao caminharmos pelas ruas do centro histórico ainda podemos perceber algumas poucas edificações que fazem do uso deste material, sua identidade visual. Buscando por registros desta herança portuguesa podemos ainda verificar que algumas edificações históricas mantém em seu interior alguns exemplares, como o Solar dos Câmara. Vasos e esculturas, de fabricação portuguesa da fábrica Santo Antônio do Vale da Piedade da cidade do Porto, hoje abrigadas em seu interior, já compuseram a leitura das fachadas marcando a transição do prédio do estilo colonial português ao eclético.