RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese giant State Grid on Tuesday announced an investment to preserve the Valongo Wharf, an archeological site of outstanding historical importance in Rio.
Located in central Rio, the Valongo Wharf marks the point through which enslaved African people arrived in Brazil during the 19th century. Its remains were found during the renovation of the port area as part of Rio's preparation to host the 2016 Olympic Games.
State Grid's donation will help renovate the site, transforming it into an open museum, with new scenic lighting, direction signs and security cameras, which will help visitors have a better understanding of the area.
Besides the renovation, an education project will be launched to engage students and the public to understand the importance of the Valongo Wharf. The site is especially important to Brazilians of African descent, Rio's Secretary of Culture Adolfo Konder said.
"This is a place ... with a large share of the Brazilian culture. The population needs to know this history," he said. "The history of the Valongo Wharf needs to be told in all classrooms."
The Valongo Wharf was appointed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2017.
