My reference to the article in Lisbon daily <Diário de Noticias> of 24 Aug. would be relevant, despite Rui Colaço considering it a selective reading. Full picture may emerge from many fragments. All that we post or produce can only be fagmentary and a selection based on one's own criteria, or "agenda" as Rui Colaço likes to call it. It is obvious that he has his! No one can provide full picture of anything. Even the so-called *objectivity of history* is a myth. Real objective history could result (if it will ever result) from the subjective expriences / narratives of every single individual.
For those who could not access the link, follows the text. I shall translate the last paragraph: «This researcher comes to the conclusion that our history has seen all along a lack of organization and planning. Her criticism is: "We have a quaint sensibility regarding the heritage. In reality, there is no single policy of conservation and restoration of monuments. If there are restoration projects, there is no concern for archeological excavations. The trend is to capture fast and mass tourism."» ---------- Jangadas de pedra à deriva by Silvia Costa, Cascais [not anonymous as claimed by Rui Colaço] Fortificar e restaurar à pressa, face ao iminente ataque do inimigo, foi uma das características da incipiente organização militar do reino, nos séculos XV e XVI. Seiscentos anos depois, já não se constroem torres, fortes nem fortalezas, pelo contrário, deixam-se ruir. Pontualmente, algum deste património é restaurado, mas com o fim de retirar dele o máximo proveito económico. As fortificações hoje conservadas pertencem ao Exército e à Marinha, suportam faróis ou centros de instrução. Outras transformaram-se em hotéis, restaurantes, palacetes, discotecas, como o Forte Velho, em S. João do Estoril, ou em colónias de férias, como os fortes de Santo António do Estoril e de Catalazete. Na Linha de Cascais, que somou no passado 36 fortificações entre fortes, fortalezas e baterias, foram restaurados para fins museológicos apenas o Forte de Oitavos, em Cascais, e de S. Bruno, em Oeiras. A grande maioria destas construções, uma vez desactivada, foi incorporada no Ministério da Fazenda Pública e, no século XIX, posta em hasta pública. Na posse de particulares, «acabaram por servir de base à construção de restaurantes e hotéis. No Guincho foram arrasadas, em 1959 e 1964, as baterias da Galé e Alta, que deram origem ao Muchaxo e ao Hotel do Guincho, que, apesar de parecer um forte, nada conservou da arquitectura militar original», refere a investigadora Margarida Ramalho. «Outras foram transformadas em casas apalaçadas: Casa Seixas (sede da Capitania de Cascais), casa da Duquesa de Palmela (Monte Estoril), Casa de S. Roque, Chalet Barros (Estoril), Hospital Ortopédico José de Almeida, que nasceu em cima do Forte de S. Domingos de Rana». «A maior parte destas fortificações foi mais dissuasora que defensiva. Ou tinham homens e não tinham pólvora, ou tinham pólvora e não tinham homens, ou tinham pólvora e homens e tinham os canhões estragados», diz, explicando: «Em tempo de guerra fazia-se um esforço enorme para as construir e restaurar nos períodos de paz ficavam ao abandono.» Esta investigadora constata que a falta de organização e planeamento acompanha a nossa história: «Temos uma sensibilidade sui generis em relação ao património. De facto, não há uma política de conservação e restauro dos monumentos. Se há projectos de restauro, não há o cuidado de fazer escavações arqueológicas. As directivas são voltadas para a captação de turismo rápido e de massas», critica. --------- What is happening at home in Portugal differs from the intervention of Portuguese Foundations abroad. As it happens with all countries and governments, there is generally a tendency to show the best face to outsiders. For the Portuguese, it may even represent their old tradition which they translate as "para o inglês ver"! But even this is possible due to effective intervention of private foundations. Goa has known two of them. The Gulbenkian Foundation had for long functioned almost as the Cultural Department of Portuguese government. More recently, since the entry into EU the government has other sources of funds for its cultural activities. As a result the Fundação has shifted many of its activities to areas where the State still lacks capacity of effective intervention. In matters of conservation of Portuguese heritage abroad, the Gulbenkian Foundation has always adopted the policy of getting the local national authorities to ask for its technical and financial help to restore the physical remains of the Portuguese heritage in their countries. I am aware of many details of Foundation's contribution in this respect in different parts of the former Portuguese empire. Personally, I had the privilege of collaborating actively in the project of Rachol Museum of Goa Archdiocese. It was done with full collaboration of INTACH and the local authorities and heritage society in Goa. A former President of India was the chief guest for its inauguration. It does not matter if it had to be moved elsewhere for good reasons, but the Museum remains and so the validity of the project. More recently the Fundação Oriente has also been active and doing well. In Goa, the restoration of the Church of N.Sra. do Monte in Old Goa and of the temple of Naroá, are excellent illustrations of this sort of intervention. It is a pity that some should question the morality of the funds! In biblical terms all money is identified with Mammon! In an ever more globalized economy who can ever be sure which funds come from where and how? How do we know how much of the modern facilities that we all enjoy without scruples are not proceeds of international gun-running and drug peddling? We can react to the visible links of the world economic chain and protest, but we would be paralysed if we had to wait till we get to know the source of all and every fund that makes our everyday life possible. In any case, the Foundations do not and cannot substitute local governments and their responsibilities. They can make their token (and they have been expensive tokens!) contributions and deserve our appreciation. But in democratic politics even the best intentions and actions are subject to questioning, and even vilification. ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################