Conservação preventiva de documentos na América Latina: estudo da produção científica gerada em Cuba

Document preservation is a fundamental aspect of preserving a society’s historical memory. Documents are written testimonies that reflect the culture, traditions, customs and events that marked the history of a people. Therefore, it is vitally important to preserve them to ensure that they are passed on to future generations. Documents are primary sources of information that allow us to reconstruct a society’s past. Through them, it is possible to learn what life was like in previous times, what people’s beliefs, values ​​and forms of social organization were. In this way, documents allow us to understand the evolution of a society and to understand the roots of its cultural identity. Documents are indispensable tools for historical research and knowledge. Historians and educators use documents as a basis for developing their analyses and constructing their narratives about the past. Without documents, it would be impossible to study the history of a society in a rigorous and objective manner. Therefore, their preservation is essential to guarantee the quality and veracity of historiographical production. On the other hand, documents also have sentimental and emotional value for people. Documents often bear witness to the lives of our ancestors, their achievements, their struggles, and their suffering. Preserving these documents allows us to keep alive the memory of those who came before us and honor their legacy. Furthermore, documents also have symbolic value, as they connect us with our history and help us build our identity as individuals and as a society. Preventive preservation of documents in Cuba is an essential task for preserving the nation’s historical and cultural memory. Documents are fundamental pieces in the construction of a people’s identity and knowledge, which is why their care and protection are of vital importance. In Cuba, as in other countries, documents are exposed to various deterioration factors, such as humidity, light, temperature, insects, and improper handling. For this reason, it is necessary to implement preventive preservation measures that ensure the integrity and accessibility of documents for future generations.