A dimensão cultural na política africana do Brasil (1960 – 2010)

Abstract

This article discusses the African cultural dimension in Brazilian foreign policy from the 1960s, when the political relations with the independent African countries are formally established. The generic term “Brazil’s foreign policy towards Africa” was adopted to formalize these political, economic and cultural relations with the various countries of the continent. The article explores how Brazilian governments have mobilized the idea of sharing historical and cultural ties with the countries of the African continent when formulating Brazil’s foreign policy. This foreign policy is rooted in a culturalist discourse based on the sharing of a historical and cultural past and intense commercial exchange. However, throughout this period Brazil's African policy is characterized by certain incongruities in terms of the idea of cultural sharing and its appreciation in Brazil.