Portuguese Language Museum reopens in São Paulo
The Museum of the Portuguese Language, located near São Paulo’s historical subway station Luz, was re-inaugurated this weekend. The ceremony was attended by representatives from Portuguese-speaking countries, among whom the presidents of Cape Verde and Portugal. The re-opening took place Sunday (Aug. 1).
The building was burnt by a large-scale fire on December 21, 2015, and had to be thoroughly reformed. In addition to the content of exhibitions, which was revised and expanded, the museum now features a terrace with a view of the Jardim da Luz park and the clock tower, as well as stepped-up security facilities.
“We came here to say that the language is a soul made of millions of souls, through which one loves, suffers, creates, weeps, laughs, thinks, writes, and speaks,” said Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Cape Verde President Jorge Carlos Fonseca talked about the union of Portuguese-speaking countries and the contribution made by writers. “This is a language that’s been appropriated, reconstructed, and cherished; caressed by gods—the gods of our common language are the ones who best mold it and spread it, in addition to our humble peoples.”
Approximately $16.5 million has been put into the reconstruction, which started in 2017 and was monitored by federal, state, and municipal historical and artistic heritage protection agencies.
“This is the world’s first museum dedicated to a language. It is back after a long period of reformation. […] It has come back a better museum, with more resources and technology, expanded and strengthened with all the care that’s been incorporated into its reconstruction,” São Paulo state Governor João Doria declared.
Portuguese speakers add up to more than 260 million people. In nine countries, Portuguese has official status. It is the fifth most used language in the world, the third in the West and the first in the Southern Hemisphere.
