Brazil: in Rio de Janeiro, the reconstruction of the National Museum has started
Audio 01:22
The restoration work on the National Museum should be completed in 2026. © MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
Three years after the fire that had devastated a large part of the main museum of natural history in Latin America, its restoration will begin with the facade.
At the time, the fire was denounced as a “
tragedy foretold
” due to lack of maintenance.
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With our correspondent in Rio de Janeiro,
Sarah Cozzolino
“
We are in front of the main entrance to the National Museum, in front of this beautiful and wonderful facade that we want to restore as the first part of the reconstruction for Brazilian society.
"
Helmet on his head, Alexander Kellner, director of the National Museum, walks around the building.
If the exterior of the former 19th century imperial palace will be restored as close as possible to the original, the loss of 85% of the collections will necessarily change the interior of the museum.
“
We want to make a more contemporary museum,”
continues Alexander Kellner.
That's what the public wants, and that's what makes sense to us.
"
End of work scheduled for 2026
At the back, in the staff offices, a few remains of tiles and faded frescoes on the walls remind us of the grandeur of the palace: “
It was my office.
I entered the National Museum on August 21, 1997. And here it was my reign… and you can see what is left of it.
"
The restoration work is expected to be completed in 2026, which will mark the end of the museum director's second term.
He had taken office six months before the tragedy.
“
I will go down in history as the director of the museum that caught fire,
” he said.
It's very frustrating, but at the same time it's liberating.
As long as I am in good health, I will fight for the reconstruction of this museum.
"
The inauguration of the facade is scheduled for September 7, 2022, on the occasion of the bicentenary of the independence of Brazil.
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Also to listen:
The National Museum of Rio de Janeiro
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