THE DONATION OF MERCEARIA LIBERDADE TO
THE MUSEUM OF WORK MICHEL GIACOMETTI

 

During the 2 half of the 20 century, in most Portuguese cities but specially in Lisbon, banks and big corporations took over the place of the family buildings in the old noble residential areas in the centre of the city. As we have seen, the last owner of Mercearia Liberdade, gave it in good time, instead of watching it disappear, to the City of Setúbal, which in turn received it and installed it in one of its museums, which has as prime vocation the work and professional identities. Thus, the Museum of Work Michel Giacometti receives a precious asset which will complete, with a qualified allusion to the tertiary sector, the cycle of economic activities existent in this already constituted space, fundamentally by the Michel Giacometti

ethnographic collection, related to the primary sector and to the daily living associated to it, and by the Canning Industry Collection, related to the Secondary sector, formed by a large set of instruments and machinery for making the tin can and also the filling with fish.

 

The public presentation of the Mercearia Liberdade reconstitution at the Museum of th Work Michel Giacometti on the 18 May 2002, the International Day of the Museums, wishes to show to all visitors and specially to Setúbal citizens an example of how to save a forgotten patrimony which is necessary study and preserve.

 

With the exhibition of this remarkable store, this Museum fulfils its Mission planed since the opening: The Museum of Work Michel Giacometti looks to know, to valour and to transmit the material and immaterial testimonies connected

to labour memories and daily living since the mid-19th century until nowadays, focusing on the canning industry, which was at the genesis and development of Setúbal's industrial revolution.

 

The Museum of Work privileges the social function and the relation with the community as a vehicle of patrimonial education. It also looks for the communication with several

audiences using multiple strategies of animation appealing to art expression.

 

Dr. Coluna Gonçalves, by donating this artefact of our national Patrimony to the Museum, is making a cultural and pedagogical act of large dimension and reach, which certainly will echo in all the citizens of Setúbal and Azeitão, that have been donating this Museum so many of the collections it holds today, certain that, beyond the adequate conservation and restoration treatment, these same

objects, after being studied and exhibited, will give back to the most varied audiences memories and dialogues filled with identity.

 

Setúbal, May 1, 2002

(*) Superior Technician, Principal Assessor (History

Museology), City Hall of Setúbal