Institute Menezes Braganza is a cultural institute in the centre of Panjim, Goa, India. It was set up by Portuguese colonial authorities in the late 19th century, but was taken over by the Government of Goa and continues to play a role in the state's cultural activities. In recent years, its takeover by the government was the subject of litigation in the Bombay High Court.[3]
The institute was set up in 1871 by the Portuguese government, initially under the name Institute Vasco da Gama (IVG). This ceased functioning after four years, and then lay dormant between 1875 and 1925.[3] Around that time, there was a need for an institute focusing on literary, scientific, and cultural themes, and a new Portaria (provincial order 105 dated 10 February 1925 and Legislative Diploma or enactment No.144 of 26 March 1925) was passed, with an annual grant of Rs.10,000.[3]
Following the end of Portuguese rule in Goa in 1961, the institute was renamed after Luís de Menezes Bragança, a campaigner against colonial rule. It continued to receive official government support. In 1997, in a step which was questioned by some, the Government of Goa took over the institution,[4] and re-established it as a society.
The Bombay High Court dismissed the petition against the takeover of the institute, but expressed "a hope that the respondent- State [Government of Goa] shall maintain artifacts and/or paintings and/or coins and/or other valuable articles and shall make all attempts to preserve Portuguese culture for future generations."[3]
The institute's stated aims are to "focus mainly on the promotion of activities in the fields of Language, Literature, Art & Culture in Goa".[5] It organises literary and cultural activities, and also publishes the Bulletin of the Institute Menezes Braganza, historically published by Tipografia Rangel .
