The Brasilea Foundation was founded in Basel on 22 September 2003. The establishment of the Brasilea Foundation is based on the Walter W眉thrich Collection, which arose out of the longstanding friendship between the founder Walter W眉thrich and Franz Josef Widmar. The Foundation aims to achieve its objective through cooperation with other institutions in Brazil and Switzerland and Brazilians who have settled in the region. Therefore, it fosters cultural exchange between Switzerland and Brazil.