The General Library of the University of Coimbra (BGUC) is hosting the launch of Património na Estética do seu Tempo (Heritage in the Aesthetics of Its Time), a book by António Ginja, published by Coimbra University Press (IUC). The book launch is jointly organised by IUC and BGUC, and will be introduced by art historian Milton Pedro Dias Pacheco.
Scheduled for 9 April at 6 pm in Sala de São Pedro, the event is part of the cycle Depósito Legal: Novos Livros, Novas Leituras (Legal Deposit: New Books, New Readings), an initiative that promotes public engagement with recent publications, featuring authors from a range of scientific, literary and artistic fields.
In his newly published book, Património na Estética do seu Tempo, António Ginja examines how aesthetic perception has shaped our relationship with cultural heritage from the eighteenth century to the present day. He explores how ideas of beauty — as defined in each each historical period — influence the way we view, protect and assign meaning to monuments, ruins, artworks and other cultural assets, while also reflecting on how cultural heritage has, in fact, been shaped by the aesthetic ideals of its time.
António Ginja is an archaeologist with a PhD in Art History and a visiting assistant professor at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Coimbra. His research focuses on architectural archaeology and heritage, particularly rehabilitation and critical perspectives on contemporary heritage practices.
Translation: Diana Taborda [DCom-UC]