Valongo Wharf now Unesco cultural heritage site
Valongo Wharf, Latin America’s biggest port in the slave trade, received Friday (Nov. 23) the title of World Heritage site from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco). The archaeological site is located in Rio de Janeiro’s port area and was discovered in 2011 during excavation works in preparation for a renovation project.
Marlova Noleto, Unesco representative in Brazil, argues that the status should not be seen as an award, but as a way to stress the importance of having the memories and culture of Afro-Brazilians officially preserved by the government.
“Remembering the importance of knowledge and history to overcome discrimination and inequalities is crucial, and this sensitive site can only be compared to that of the Holocaust. These are events in history and of humanity that Unesco’s list helps us remember, and by remembering we can say ‘never again.’ ‘Never again’ because humanity must not silently watch as human rights are so conspicuously violated, be it for skin color or religious beliefs,” she said.
Approximately a million black slaves landed in the continent through Valongo Wharf, built in 1811 and landfilled in 1911. Because of its magnitude, the place can be considered the most important site for the memory of the African diaspora outside of Africa.
The site was included on the list in 2017 and but its official status has just been granted. The harbor is said to meet criterion number six in the operational guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, for the connection between the place and happenings and living memories, ideas, beliefs, and artistic and literary works of exceptional universal significance.
*Trainee under the supervision of Mario Toledo
