Comunidade integrada, memória preservada: Arquivo Histórico Dr. Sezefredo Azambuja Vieira e o seu o acervo fotográfico como a memória de Canoas/RS

Abstract

This research analyzed the photographic collection of the Dr. Sezefredo Azambuja Vieira Historical Archive, located in Canoas/RS, from an ethnographic point of view, seeking to reflect on the performance of both city residents and employees of the institution in the constitution of the aforementioned collection. The research analyzed several actions carried out by the Canoas society, gathering different documents and promoting photographic exhibitions about the city's history and other cultural activities. When verifying the popular demands, I found that since 1970, the community required the creation of the Historical Archive, with the municipal government creating the institution only in 1985 and its inauguration occurring only in 1989. In this sense, the research analyzed which strategies, interests and narratives legitimized the creation of the Historical Archive; the process of constitution and organization of the photographic collection and the use of photographs as memorial representations of the city. Furthermore, it contributes to denaturalize the idea that the sole purpose of archives like this is to serve as a repository of local memory, but also to encourage research in its collections to think about the city or other themes. When describing the strategies of the Community of Canoas in having the memories of the city preserved in the Historical Archive, I use an ethnographic narrative approach, with bibliographic research, consulting local newspapers, official documents, oral interviews, in addition to the source I consider essential, which is the photographic collection that lies in this institution. Thus, I verified that the arrangements for the constitution of this photographic collection aimed to project a legacy for future generations, through the search for recognition and the establishment of an image of oneself, based on heritage preservation. Therefore, this research aimed to deepen the study of the importance of the role of civil society in public policies aimed at the promotion and conservation of cultural assets, as well as encouraging research from archival collections in the area of history, human sciences and others.