Amazon theaters advance in bid for World Heritage Status

On Friday, January 31, Brazil’s National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage [Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional /IPHAN] officially submitted the candidacy of the Amazon theaters—the Amazonas Theater in Manaus and the Teatro da Paz in Belém —for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The proposal will now be evaluated by the World Heritage Committee, comprised of 23 signatory countries to the Convention Concerning the Protection of UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Should the required criteria be met, the candidacy could be included in the committee's agenda for potential recognition as a cultural heritage site.

The officialization of the candidacy is marked by the submission of a dossier containing documents prepared by a technical group formed by IPHAN, the Amazonas and Pará state secretariats of Culture, and the secretariats of Culture of municipalities Belém and Manaus. The dossier will be analyzed by UNESCO based on criteria that demonstrate the exceptional universal value of the serial cultural property, its authenticity, and integrity. “Bringing the candidacy of the Amazon Theaters for international recognition aligns with IPHAN’s commitment to promote, value, and democratize Brazilian Cultural Heritage," emphasizes IPHAN president Leandro Grass. "The mission becomes even more important as it represents a cultural asset that reflects the richness and cultural diversity of the North region," he stated.

Andrey Schlee, director of the Department of Material Heritage and Oversight [Departamento de Patrimônio Material e Fiscalização /DEPAM] at IPHAN, also highlighted the significance of the candidacy. "It is a satisfaction to be able to participate in such an important initiative that, on an international level, seeks to recognize the richness and diversity of national cultural assets. In this case, two Amazon theaters with unquestionable universal values," he stated.

DOSSIER — The submission of the dossier represents an important step toward the potential international recognition of the Amazon Theaters, which represent a unique architectural, cultural, and historical heritage in the Amazon region. "We are experiencing another chapter in the history of valuing the Amazon. This step for the candidacy of the Amazonas Theater and the Teatro da Paz as World Heritage sites by UNESCO allows us to feel the culture of the North in the spotlight," emphasized Cristina Vasconcelos, IPHAN's superintendent in Pará.

According to the acting Secretary of Culture and Creative Economy of Amazonas, Candido Jeremias, the officialization of the candidacy marks a milestone in the collective effort made by the states of Amazonas and Pará to valorize the historical heritage of the Amazon. "The two theaters are already known worldwide and possess all the credentials to be included in the World Heritage list," he highlighted.

"The candidacy for UNESCO recognition of these two extraordinary architectural landmarks in the heart of urban Amazonia holds more than just symbolic value for Brazil. Our region will host COP30 this year, significantly boosting tourism. These performance venues are already cultural references for the Amazon within Brazil," explained Pará’s Secretary of Culture Ursula Vidal. "With this recognition, the valorization and promotion of our beloved theaters and their mission in fostering the arts will gain a global dimension, drawing the world's attention and stimulating the desire to experience the vibrancy of Amazonian culture, its history, and the beauty of its heritage," she added.