Deciphering Concepts in Museology: Interview with Mário Caneva Moutinho

Abstract

Mário Caneva Moutinho studied in Paris, initially in Architecture, and afterwards in Ethnology (PhD, 1983). He returned to Portugal in the 80’s, discovering the local cultural heritage, and pursuing solutions for the safeguard of that heritage. That passion led him to museums. A critical reflection about the museums role in society guided him to sympathise and adopt less conventional approaches of museums and practices, then known as New Museology experiences. He has made his career in the academia, and was the precursor of introducing Museology as a course of post graduation level
in Portugal. He is since 2007 dean of Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias (Lisbon), position that he embraces with perseverance in times of crisis. It was at his usual workplace that we met Mário Caneva Moutinho for the interview.