The IBGE opened at Palácio do Catete (Museum of the Republic), in Rio de Janeiro, a free exhibition that is part of the celebrations for the institution's 90th anniversary. Installed in a space full of symbolism — which for more than 60 years was the heart of the Brazilian Executive Branch and the stage for important events in national history —, the exhibition presents an interactive timeline that covers the main milestones in the IBGE's trajectory since its creation in 1936, when it was still called the National Statistics Institute (INE).

Organized as a chronological journey, the exhibition presents the main milestones in the IBGE's trajectory, from its creation to the present day. Throughout the visit, the public has access to historical documents, images and objects that help tell how the Institute has established itself as a reference in the production of information about the territory and the Brazilian population.

José Daniel Castro da Silva, general coordinator of the Center for Information Documentation and Dissemination (CDDI), the IBGE sector responsible for the documentation and dissemination of statistical and geoscientific information, spoke about the exhibition. "Telling the story of a 90-year-old institution is, at the same time, an honor and a challenge: to be able to synthesize this trajectory so that the public understands the importance of preserving the memory, while keeping it alive in the present and recognizing it as a basis for planning future public policies. Visiting the exhibition is taking a journey not only through the history of the IBGE, but through the history of Brazil itself," told the coordinator.

Marina Guerra, from the CDDI multimedia center, spoke about the organization. “I think that the organization of the 90th anniversary exhibition was a movement to rescue Brazil's historical and social moment and the context that created the conditions for the emergence of the IBGE. By revisiting this trajectory, from 1936 to 1964, we show how the history of the Institute is intertwined with the formation of the modern Brazilian State. Our proposal was to bring this history to the present, to highlight this period.”

The curatorship places special emphasis on the period between 1936 and 1964, highlighting the relationship between the formation of the IBGE and the construction of the modern Brazilian State. Milestones such as the 1940 Census and the creation of the institutional graphics help to contextualize the Institute's role in producing knowledge about Brazil.
Installed in the rooms where the IBGE began its activities, the exhibition reinforces the connection between institutional memory and historical space, in addition to highlighting the importance of the IBGE in formulating public policies and understanding the country's multiple dimensions.

Augusto Schmitt, from the IBGE's Department of Information Content Systematization, recalled the unprecedented initiative. "Here, we chose to look at this beginning based on some milestones: the 1940 Census, the creation of our printing shop and a timeline that spans these years, milestones in the production of knowledge in and about Brazil. Between past and future, the principles that guide us are also present and, in the center, the medal commemorating the 90th anniversary of the IBGE, produced by the Brazilian Mint, which symbolically summarizes the trajectory and permanence of the Institute."

Among the highlights are records from the first Population Censuses, which highlight the challenges of mapping a country that was still little known in statistical terms, as well as pieces from the old printing shop, which reveal the evolution in the production and dissemination of data throughout the 20th century. The exhibition also brings together commemorative medals, including the 90th anniversary edition, produced by the Brazilian Mint.

For those who wish to visit the exhibition, the Palácio do Catete (Museum of the Republic), located at 153 Catete Street, has different opening hours for the main building and the historical garden. Entry is free in both spaces. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm, with last entry allowed until 4:30 pm. The historical garden can be visited daily, from 8 am to 6 pm.

The complete program for the IBGE's 90th anniversary can be seen on the commemorative portal: IBGE 90 years

Service:

Exhibition IBGE 90 years
Venue: Palácio do Catete – Museum of the Republic, located at 153 Catete Street, in Rio de Janeiro, entry is free.
Opening hours: The main building is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm, with access allowed until 4:30 pm. The historical garden can be visited daily, from 8 am to 6 pm.
The exhibition runs for a month.