Lugares de memória institucionais: uma análise no acervo arquivístico do memorial Arlindo Coelho Fragoso

Abstract

The general objective of this study is to analyze how the archival documents of the Arlindo Coelho Fragoso Memorial are related, organized, and maintained to ensure the preservation of cultural and institutional information and memory. To achieve this goal, the following specific objectives were defined: to examine the existing practices and policies of document management and preservation at the Arlindo Coelho Fragoso Memorial; to select the specific types of archival documents present at the Arlindo Coelho Fragoso Memorial; and to evaluate how the archival documents of the Arlindo Coelho Fragoso Memorial are related, organized, and maintained to ensure the preservation of cultural and institutional information and memory. To compose the theoretical basis that supports the research, the relationship between information, memory, especially institutional memory, and archival documents was the center of discussions, as well as the concept of places of memory, which contributes to understanding the Memorial as a symbolic space for the preservation of memory. A conceptual review of the term memorial was also carried out, with the aim of clarifying its functions and differentiating it from other spaces of a similar nature, but with distinct practical and methodological applications, such as memory centers and, mainly, permanent archives. Methodologically, it is configured as qualitative research, of descriptive level, having the single case study and documentary research as procedural methods and the interview with semi-structured script and documentary analysis as data collection sources. Thematic analysis was used as the data analysis technique from the interviews. The analysis and discussion of the results indicate that the Arlindo Coelho Fragoso Memorial performs a hybrid function, acting simultaneously as a memory space and as a permanent archive. The existence of actions and strategies aimed at the organization and preservation of documents is observed, however, the absence of specific institutional policies and guidelines directly interferes with the way in which archival documents are selected, organized and preserved. It is concluded that these spaces require greater attention from the University. We understand that this research will serve as a basis for future research on the subject, and the following themes can be explored: management of archival documents in institutions with a focus on preserving memory, and the role of memorials and memory centers in institutional memory, in addition to opening doors for case studies of other institutional memorials.