This event will cover topics related to architecture, music, and painting, based on the major questions of the project Making Portugal: 1) Were European Africans creators of Portugal’s artistic and architectural heritage, as were other groups and figures of patronage or financial backing? 2) If so, how, why, and to what extent did they accomplish it?

This is the first stage of a collective investigation that aims to rethink Europe’s artistic and architectural past, including new protagonists and unveiling the importance of the contribution of African and Afro-descendant people and communities in the construction of Portugal’s National Heritage. Participatory education experiences that are being implemented as part of this and other Centre for Social Studies’ projects will also be shared and discussed.

This event is part of the MAKING PORTUGAL project «Challenging the past. Patronage and agency of people of African birth or descent in early-modern arts and architecture in Portugal during the Transatlantic slave trade (1486-1836).» (2023.12349.PEX) https://doi.org/10.54499/2023.12349.PEX, whose conception stemmed from the project CEEC-IND https://doi.org/10.54499/CEECIND/04792/2017/CP1402/CT0009 (2019-2025).