# Law No. 4943 of April 6, 1966 > Brazilian law **Wikidata**: [Q105647632](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647632) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4943-of-april-6-1966 ## Summary Law No. 4943 of April 6, 1966 (Lei nº 4943/1966) is a Brazilian federal statute that transformed the Casa de Rui Barbosa—originally established as a cultural institution honoring the renowned Brazilian writer and former president—into a formal foundation. Promulgated by President Castelo Branco on behalf of the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, this law established the institutional framework for what is now known as Fundação Casa de Rui Barbosa (FCRB). The legislation was published in Brasília on April 6, 1966, and remains a significant piece of Brazilian cultural heritage law. ## Key Facts - **Official Title:** Lei nº 4943, de 6 de abril de 1966 - **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4943/1966 - **LEXML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1966-04-06;4943 - **Publication Date:** April 6, 1966 - **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil - **Promulgating Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil - **President:** Castelo Branco (at time of promulgation) - **Country of Jurisdiction:** Brazil - **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese - **Classification:** Statute (formal written legal document) - **Main Subject:** Transformation (Transformação) of Casa de Rui Barbosa into a foundation - **Entity Transformed:** Fundação Casa de Rui Barbosa (FCRB) - **Available Online:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4943.htm - **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law - **Wikimedia Project:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws (on focus list) ## FAQs **What does Law No. 4943 of April 6, 1966 do?** Law No. 4943 of April 6, 1966 transforms the Casa de Rui Barbosa into a formal foundation, establishing it as Fundação Casa de Rui Barbosa (FCRB). The law's digest states it "transforms into a foundation the current Casa de Rui Barbosa and provides other measures." **Who promulgated Law No. 4943/1966?** The law was promulgated by President Castelo Branco on April 6, 1966, acting in his capacity as the head of the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. **What is the legal status of Law No. 4943/1966?** Law No. 4943/1966 is a Brazilian federal statute, classified as a formal written legal document that creates law. It operates within the Brazilian legal system as a piece of legislation enacted by the federal government. **Where can Law No. 4943/1966 be accessed?** The full text of the law is available through the official Brazilian government legislation portal at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4943.htm. **What is the subject matter of Law No. 4943/1966?** The law's main subjects are the transformation (Transformação) of an existing institution and the formal establishment of Fundação Casa de Rui Barbosa as a foundation entity. ## Why It Matters Law No. 4943 of April 6, 1966 matters because it represents a critical moment in Brazilian cultural heritage preservation. By transforming the Casa de Rui Barbosa into a formal foundation, the Brazilian government created a permanent institutional structure dedicated to honoring Rui Barbosa—one of Brazil's most influential intellectuals, jurists, and former presidents of the Republic. This legal transformation provided the institution with a more stable organizational framework, ensuring its continuity and ability to preserve and promote Brazilian literary and cultural heritage. The law demonstrates how Brazilian legislative bodies use statutory instruments to formalize cultural institutions, granting them legal personality and operational autonomy while maintaining government oversight. As part of Brazil's legislative history, Lei nº 4943/1966 exemplifies the country's approach to cultural policy during the mid-1960s, a period of significant political transformation following the military coup of 1964. For researchers, legal scholars, and those interested in Brazilian cultural history, this law serves as a key reference point for understanding the institutionalization of cultural memory in Brazil. It connects the broader context of Brazilian cultural heritage law to the specific legacy of Rui Barbosa, who made substantial contributions to Brazilian jurisprudence, education, and political thought. ## Notable For - **Cultural Heritage Designation:** One of the foundational legal instruments establishing Brazil's cultural foundation system - **Rui Barbosa Legacy:** Formalizes the institutional preservation of work and memory of Rui Barbosa, one of Brazil's most celebrated intellectuals - **Presidential Authority:** Demonstrates the use of presidential promulgation power during Brazil's military government period (1964-1985) - **Legal Classification:** Classified as a statute—a formal written document that creates law within the Brazilian legal system - **Digital Accessibility:** Available through official government portals, exemplifying transparency in Brazilian legislative documentation ## Body ### Legislative Context and Origin Law No. 4943 of April 6, 1966 emerged from Brazil's federal legislative process during a significant historical period. The law was promulgated by President Castelo Branco, who led Brazil following the military coup of 1964. This era saw substantial legislative activity aimed at reorganizing various aspects of Brazilian governance and institutions. The legislation was published in Brasília, which had been the capital of Brazil since April 22, 1960, following the transfer from Rio de Janeiro. The publication in Brasília reflects the institutional maturity of the new federal capital, which served as the center of legislative activity for the Brazilian government. ### Legal Framework and Classification As a Brazilian federal statute, Law No. 4943/1966 represents an act of legislation that creates binding legal rules within the Brazilian legal system. The law is classified under the category of statute—a formal written document that creates law, encompassing acts, executive orders, and by-laws. The law carries the official citation "Lei nº 4943/1966" and is identified in Brazilian legal databases by its LEXML identifier: urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1966-04-06;4943. This identification system allows legal researchers, scholars, and citizens to locate and reference the specific legislative text within Brazil's extensive body of law. The statute operates within the jurisdiction of Brazil, applying to all matters within Brazilian federal authority concerning the transformation and operation of the foundation it establishes. ### Institutional Transformation The primary purpose of Law No. 4943/1966 was to transform the existing Casa de Rui Barbosa into a formal foundation—Fundação Casa de Rui Barbosa (FCRB). This transformation provided the institution with a legal personality distinct from its previous organizational structure, enabling it to operate with greater institutional autonomy while maintaining its cultural mission. The law's digest, which summarizes its purpose, reads: "TRANSFORMA EM FUNDAÇÃO A ATUAL CASA DE RUI BARBOSA E DA OUTRAS PROVIDENCIAS" (Transforms into a foundation the current Casa de Rui Barbosa and provides other measures). This transformation represents a common pattern in Brazilian cultural policy, where existing cultural institutions are formalized through legislative acts that establish their organizational framework, governance structure, and operational mandate. ### Connection to Rui Barbosa Rui Barbosa (1849-1923) was one of Brazil's most distinguished intellectuals and public figures. He served as President of Brazil in 1909-1910 and made lasting contributions to Brazilian law, education, and political thought. The Casa de Rui Barbosa was established as a tribute to his legacy, and its transformation into a foundation via Law No. 4943/1966 ensured the permanent preservation of his contributions to Brazilian culture. The foundation continues to operate as a center for the study and dissemination of Brazilian literary and cultural heritage, maintaining archives, libraries, and educational programs dedicated to Rui Barbosa's work and the broader context of Brazilian intellectual history. ### Legislative Process and Authority The law was enacted through the presidential promulgation process, with Castelo Branco acting in his capacity as President of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The determination method is recorded as "promulgation," indicating the formal issuance of the law by the executive branch following legislative approval. This legislative mechanism reflects the structure of Brazilian lawmaking, where federal statutes require presidential approval before becoming law. The law's connection to the "Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil" as its approving authority situates it within the executive branch's legislative functions. ### Documentation and Preservation Law No. 4943/1966 is preserved in multiple official records and databases. The full text remains accessible through the official website of the Brazilian Presidency at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4943.htm, ensuring public access to the legislative text. The law is documented in the LEXML system, which provides structured legal information for Brazilian legislation. This documentation ensures the law's availability for legal research, academic study, and public reference. The Wikimedia project "WikiProject Brazilian Laws" includes this law on its focus list, indicating its relevance to Wikipedia's coverage of Brazilian legislation and cultural institutions. ### Language and Accessibility The law was drafted and published in Brazilian Portuguese, reflecting the official language of Brazil and the requirements for domestic legal documentation. This ensures that the law is accessible to Brazilian citizens, legal professionals, and government officials who operate within the Portuguese-language legal system. The availability of the law in digital format through official government portals exemplifies Brazil's efforts to provide public access to legislative information, supporting transparency and democratic accountability. ### Historical Significance Law No. 4943/1966 represents a specific moment in Brazil's mid-20th century history, when the military government was consolidating power and reorganizing various aspects of Brazilian society. The transformation of cultural institutions into foundations was part of a broader pattern of institutional formalization during this period. The law's existence for more than five decades demonstrates the enduring nature of Brazilian legislative frameworks and their capacity to provide stable institutional structures for cultural heritage preservation. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1966-04-06;4943) 2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4943&ano=1966&data=06/04/1966&ato=759o3Y65EMZRVT699) 3. LexML Brasil