The 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth was celebrated on February 12, 2009, an event that opened the Darwinian celebrations, which also celebrated the 150th anniversary of the publication of his greatest work, The Origin of Species, a work that revolutionised the theory on the evolution of life on Earth.
Near the closing of the celebrations, the opening of the “Islands & Natural History” exhibition to the public is the culmination of a project with the purpose of evoking Darwin and his work in order to recover the historical, material and symbolic heritage of the Azores in their long adventure of Natural History.
The Carlos Machado Museum and the Ponta Delgada Public Library and Regional Archives (BPARPD) have decided to celebrate the historical naturalism, , investing in the research and dissemination of their material and documental heritage.
An exhibition on Natural History, particularly on its moments and historical practices, is an invitation to look back to Nature. Publications and Manuscripts, natural objects, illustrations and photographs provide a visual support for the understanding of a path that has begun with the natural simple observation, then evolved into a collection passion, founding in Systematics a solid foundation for the current studies on Biodiversity.
Honouring their status as natural laboratory, the Azores have conquered their space in the in national and international context of the Darwinian celebrations with the “Islands & Natural History” project, which is sponsored by the Regional Government through the Regional Directorate of Culture.
The “Islands & Natural History” exhibition will officially open at the Centre of Sacred Art at the Carlos Machado Museum on February 5 at 5:30 PM. It will be open to the public until May 18, 2010 with the following timetable: Tuesday to Friday, from 10 AM – 12:30 PM and from 2 PM to 5:30 PM, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 PM – 5:30 PM. Mondays and holidays – closed.
The Educational Service of the Carlos Machado Museum and the Social and Educational Service of the BPARPD will be in charge of the guide tours and workshops. The organisation of these activities will be made by previous appointment through the telephone: 296 28 38 14.