"By bringing together more than 180 extraordinary masterpieces, this exhibition has the purpose to explore the unity and diversity of the cultures that contributed to Portugal's trading empire. From Africa to Brazil passing trough China, Japan and the Indian Ocean, it provides a wide-ranging and unforgettable image of the new world's great age of discovery. If the centrepiece of this event will focus more on Portugal itself, on the tracks of the Portuguese conquests between old maps, navigational instruments and manuscripts, the main interest of this exhibition remains in its indubitable diversity"
Although I do believe that Portugal focuses too much on it's past, one has to admit it is a hefty past. Agreeing or not with the colonization bit, that in this day and age would most likely prompt George Bush to invade us, not to mention how un-PC it is taking another country as your own just because some king fancies spices, the historical legacy that this small garden, planted by the sea (aka Portugal) left, is huge. For appetizer can also point out that this exhibit has the hand of the Smithsonian.
I will most definitely go, also because as every Portuguese and emigrant, I suffer from an identity crisis which can only be mended by searching the historical and cultural roots of this small (but huge) nation.
1 comment:
Just to say Hello!!
Finally I could see it...
Good luck!
Andre
Post a Comment