Atlas of Dutch Brazil

The relationship between Brazil and the Netherlands has already lasted for more than 400 years. From the end of the 16th century, the Dutch looked for trading possibilities along the coast of Brazil. Between 1630 and 1654 a colony was established in the northeast of Brazil, which was called New Holland. Even though there is historical and iconographical information about these early contacts, little is known about the built cultural heritage from this period.

The New Holland Foundation is going to create an Atlas of Dutch Brazil, a unique publication on objects, forts and buildings from the Dutch Period in Brazil (1624-1654). For this purpose pioneering research will be done in European and Brazilian Archives, followed by on-the-spot archaeological field research.

After a first pilot in 2007, the project will continue in 2014 with more research, more data, an expansion to North America and a collaboration with Atlas of Mutual Heritage.

The aim is to launch the Atlas in 2016, the year of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Research data will already be online available in 2014.

For more information, contact the New Holland Foundation at: info@newhollandfoundation.nl

OBJECTIVES
The ‘Atlas of Dutch Brazil’ project, begun in 2007, aims to focus attention on the mutual cultural heritage between the Netherlands and Brazil and thereby effect their permanent protection and conservation by means of the following objectives:
# Interactive website www.atlasofdutchbrazil.org. The results of the Atlas of Dutch Brazil project, concerning the shared history of the Netherlands and Brazil, are presented to the public worldwide on this Internet site.
# Landmarks. Small commemorative/information panels will be erected at each of the former sites, describing their historical importance.
# Mobile information centre. This is a large van that can be driven to any desired location. One can find a complete workshop for the processing of archaeological and historical data. This also includes showcases with artifacts, information panels, brochures, computer and video images designed to inform and stimulate (local) public interest in archaeological research and the mutual cultural heritage in Brazil.
# Museum. In order to guarantee continuity, all material and information resulting from this project will be assembled in a permanent mutual heritage museum. Artifacts, models, information panels, computer and video images will be on display.
# Mutual Heritage Centre. The Mutual Heritage Centre will be established in the museum. This centre is intended to stimulate initiatives and projects in this area.
# Exhibitions in the Netherlands. The first exhibition, entitled The Dutch Forts in the Brazilian State of Paraíba was organized in the ‘Nederlands Vestingmuseum’ in Naarden in the autumn of 2007. It is the intention to house a permanent exhibition on the Dutch forts overseas in this museum.
# Campaign Exhibition. In cooperation with IBRAM and Culturalia, the New Holland Foundation organized an exhibition about Mutual Cultural Heritage in Brazil in 2010.
# Publication. The results of the Atlas of Dutch Brazil will be published in book form.
# Training of the work force. Training of the work force, which is coordinated by the ‘Laboratório de Arqueologia’ of the ‘Universidade Federal de Pernambuco’ (UFPE), will produce an experienced group that will participate in future projects in Brazil.
# Training of guides. Under supervision of the ‘Laboratório de Arqueologia’ of the UFPE, young people will be trained as guides to inform and organize guided tours in the area.