The Memorialization of Empire in Postcolonial Portugal: Identity Politics and the Commodification of History

Portugal's postcolonial identity remains deeply rooted in its imperial past, particularly the era of 'Maritime Discoveries,' shaping both national memory and tourism branding. This study reveals how Portugal strategically memorializes its colonial history to project a global cultural dialogue pioneer image, serving dual purposes: reinforcing national identity politics and fueling the tourism industry. By analyzing public representations, it demonstrates that while the content and style have evolved post-imperialism, the core narrative of Portugal as an 'inventor' of the modern world persists. The research employs qualitative analysis of memorialization practices, focusing on how historical narratives are commodified to craft a national brand image, blending nationalism with cosmopolitanism.

ELSA PERALTA. (2022). The Memorialization of Empire in Postcolonial Portugal: Identity Politics and the Commodification of History. Portuguese Literary and Cultural Studies, 156–179. https://doi.org/10.62791/yr4g2z95