Brasília’s Cultural Revival: Connecting Communities Through the Arts
Brasília is Brazil’s capital, founded in 1960, it was created to move Brazil’s capital from Rio de Janeiro to a more central location
Cultural Heritage
Planned since the late 19th century, Brasília’s development only began in the mid-1950s, and it became Brazil’s capital in 1960. People from all over the country came to participate in its construction, creating a diverse and culturally rich workforce, which remains one of the capital’s main assets. Remarkable for the modernist architecture and artistic urban planning of Oscar Niemeyer and Lucio Costa, UNESCO declared the whole city a World Heritage Site in 1987, making it, at 112 square kilometres, the largest area in the world with this designation.
Major cultural landmarks include the ‘Casa do Cantador’ (Singer’s House), created 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, which is a centre for Black culture. Sites such as the Indigenous Peoples Memorial not only mark the city’s colonial past but also encourage policies supporting Indigenous communities.
The city has a reputation for carnival and mass public gatherings, from its Universal New Year’s Eve Celebration to a major event in 2019 under the slogan ‘Brasília, capital of all carnivals.’ However, the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 and 2021 put a temporary stop to some of these celebrations.
In 2022, Brasília celebrated its designation as the Ibero-American Capital of Culture, ushering in new opportunities for the city through collaborations with many of the 133 embassies located there, supported by its International Affairs Office. In addition to offering a public program featuring film, concerts, and art for the local community, this designation garnered significant attention across the Ibero-American world. The event promotes collaboration among Capitals of Culture, all sharing a common interest in nurturing and advancing local culture.
Embracing Change
Brasília already boasts the third-largest creative economy in the country, accounting for 3.1% of GDP. The city is committed to further nurturing this sector by fostering entrepreneurship and cultivating a new generation of artists and art enthusiasts through education. Three crucial policy strands underpin these efforts:
- Since 1991, 0.3% of the net revenue of the Federal District Government has been allocated to the Cultural Support Fund (FAC). This fund supports a wide array of cultural endeavours, spanning from films, plays, and exhibitions to DVDs, books, and workshops. In 2019, the fund provided R$70 million in assistance to cultural agents.
- Private investment in culture is incentivised by the Culture Incentive Law (LIC), which offers tax incentives to businesses that sponsor the arts, resulting in R$11 million in contributions in 2019.
- The Culture Connection Programme promotes Brasília’s cultural industries on the international stage. In 2019, it facilitated the travels of 491 entrepreneurs to 28 different countries. During the Covid-19 pandemic, it shifted to virtual events but has returned to hosting live programs since March 2022.
As Brasília resumes live events, it is creating a virtuous circle – recognising that international connections established through its creative offerings bolster the local sector and bring new opportunities to citizens across all its neighbourhoods.
The Role of the Policymaker
Brasília’s cultural planning is overseen by the Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy of the Federal District (SECEC), encompassing both the city and its surrounding districts, with a combined population of approximately three million. Culture Councils play a significant role in the city’s cultural landscape. These councils, comprised of equal participation from government agencies and civil society, provide a valuable platform for formulating equitable and effective cultural policies. In a city teeming with heritage sites, the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN-DF) also plays a pivotal role in safeguarding tangible and intangible heritage.
SECEC’s primary focus lies in social development, including the commissioning of artistic endeavours as a means to alleviate poverty. The city is steadfast in its commitment to bolstering the Creative Economy by fostering economic growth, heritage preservation, and promoting locally and globally produced cultural goods and services within the Federal District.
SECEC has been innovative in reaching citizens in their daily lives. For instance, through the Book Bag project, they have distributed free micro-libraries across low-income neighbourhoods. Additionally, their Health Concerts program brings musicians into healthcare settings, helping to alleviate stress for patients. These programs align with SECEC’s efforts to decentralise and democratise access to culture.
The Future
The Creative Economy is rapidly evolving in the Federal District, and SECEC is at the centre of this transformation. Through initiatives like the Book Bag project and Health Concerts, the city is actively working to reduce poverty and promote access to cultural goods and services, both locally and globally. These programs align with SECEC’s mission to decentralise and democratise access to culture.
Images copyright © Getty Images/Canva; City of Brasília
