There are objects that are so relevant and unique that they are incalculably valuable, which makes the responsibility of those that transport and move them incredibly great. Such a special project becomes an unforgettable occasion for all those that participate in the process. And that is how FINK’s path crossed that of the Casa Oswaldo Cruz, which belongs to the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, one of the most important institutions in Brazil and in the world.
This is because FINK has just accomplished the great feat of transporting the whole collection dating from the 18th century to the present, divided between the Department of Archiving and Documentations (DAD) and the Library of the History of Sciences and Health of the Casa Oswaldo Cruz, in a highly thorough and complex service. Over 80 thousand books, 20 thousand fascicles, and another 15 thousand objects of different shapes and sizes were packed with impeccable organization and quality. The collection transported includes items that are extremely important to Brazilian history, such as the glass negatives that today constitute a cultural heritage of humanity.
The transportation was planned in several trips with absolute safety, control and monitoring.
Fiocruz is the most important institution of science and technology of health in Latin America, and is responsible for research and development in biological sciences, and among its many achievements since its foundation in 1900 is its partnership with Oxford University and the AstraZeneca laboratory for the production of the Oxford vaccine in Brazil, one of the immunizers that combat the new coronavirus pandemic.
As described by Fiocruz itself, among the treasures – that date from the 18th century to the present – there is “a book about the health of the peoples, from 1757; records of Oswaldo Cruz’s activities in combatting epidemics; the first sketch of the Moorish Pavilion, headquarters of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz); photographs of insects in Lassance (MG), where Carlos Chagas discovered the disease that bears his name in 1909; diaries of scientific expeditions to the North and Northeast of Brazil at the beginning of the 20th century; studies of HIV/AIDS and biotechnology”.
Renata Vinhas, General Manager, explains how FINK was chosen for the realization of this project:
“In 2018, through a very strict selection, FINK was the company chosen by FIOCRUZ to transfer Brazil’s greatest collection of the History of Public Health and Science. Due to some technical issues that needed adjustment in the new building, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic, plans for the operation were delayed until August of this year, when it was finally possible to accomplish the move” said Ms Vinhas, adding the details of the methodology adopted for the safe transportation of the items.
“The planning involved from seminars about the transference of collections, to approaches for risk management and preventive conservation, and even a profound study outlined by the chief librarian herself, Eliane Dias, who used the theme as her thesis for her Master’s Degree. Imagine the importance and historical value of this collection, entailing so much care and study! Being part of this project was more than an honor for FINK, it was an opportunity for exchanging experiences and for learning”, she concluded.
