Casa de Cultura Villa Maria

History

The Casa de Cultura Villa Maria is a supplementary body of the State University of Northern Rio de Janeiro Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), whose purpose is to develop research, teaching and the preservation of collections and the production and dissemination of knowledge. Its functions include promote and encourage the production, practice and development of cultural, artistic and scientific activities at UENF and especially, promote actions aimed at disseminating the product and cultural, artistic and scientific production of the University, the municipality and the region and, maintain, expand and preserve the documentary (sound, audiovisual, iconographic, textual and
bibliographic) and museological collections through continuous actions of acquisition, conservation, preservation, access and public consultation of cultural assets, encouraging and contributing to the development of research that has as its object the collections and cultural assets in question.

Built in 1918 as a gift from her husband, Atilano Chrisóstomo de Oliveira to Maria Queiroz de Oliveira, it was left by her in her will, in the absence of heirs, to the first university to be established in the city of Campos dos
Goytacazes. Before that, the house was occupied by Campos dos Goytacazes City Hall from 1979-1982.

Villa Maria, also known as Palacete Maria Queiroz, was donated by its owner in her will to the first public university to be established in the municipality. With the creation of the Darcy Ribeiro/UENF North Fluminense State University in 1993, the palace was donated to UENF so that it could house the rector’s office, becoming UENF’s Casa de Cultura.

From the outset, UENF’s Casa de Cultura has been associated with the dissemination of music and cinema. The Phonotheque and Video Library were created to serve the general public free of charge, welcoming them to the expressive art of film and music, both national and international, without losing focus on local production. The Reading Room is another sector of the house that houses literary productions in the most diverse expressions. The Casa de Cultura also hosted the first free internet point in the city of Campos dos Goytacazes. The newest sections of the Casa de Cultura are the iconographic collections and the collections of sound, image and communication technology objects.

We mustn’t forget that UENF’s Casa de Cultura has always valued and hosted events of the most diverse cultural expressions, such as: concerts; exhibitions; book launches and workshops.

Professor Dr. Maria Priscila Pessanha de Castro, who is also UENF’s Culture Advisor, is currently in charge of the Villa Maria Casa de Cultura. In December 2023, UENF’s Casa de Cultura will complete 30 years of service to the community of Northuminense, while the Palacete will celebrate 105 years.