The Portuguese language is one of the most spoken native languages in the world, with over 250 million people speaking it. There are 15 Portuguese-speaking countries among Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. Writers from some of these nations will participate at the Reunion on Oralities & Writings of the Portuguese Language, an event that intends to create discussion among distinct realities connected by the language.
The Meeting will take place in August during the Ceará Book Biennial Event and on one of the campuses of the University of International Integration of the Afro-Brazilian Lusophony (Unilab). The meeting will include the participation of guests coming from Mozambique, Cape Verde, and Guinea-Bissau, as well as the Brazilian participants.
Andrea Muraro, a professor from Unilab and coordinator of the event, says this meeting merging different cultures will always make significant contributions. As this meeting with these people will be an opportunity for them to share their art and their knowledge. “A meeting like this is always a moment for congregating and discussing diversity,” she reveals.
The event will even include debates and cultural dance, dramatic reading, and music presentations.
African authors
There will be authors from three African countries. Aldino Muianga, from Mozambique who published his work “A Noiva de Kebera” (The Bride of Kebera) and “O Domador de Burros” (The Donkey Tamer), published by “Editora Kapulana” (Kapulana Publishing) in Brazil.
From Cape Verde comes the poet and prose author Dina Salústio, one of the founders of the Cape Verdeans Writer’s Association, and Vera Duarte, a chronicler.
There are also two names from Guinea-Bissau: Abdulai Sila, one of the main contemporary spokespersons of literature in his country, and Manuel Casqueiro, recognized for his narratives recovering Guianese memories.
“I think that increased publishing of Portuguese-language African literature has been gradual in the past few decades, coming from universities, but also from the growing interests from large and small publishing houses in publishing noteworthy names, in this context,” adds Muraro.
Other African writers
Other African names have been confirmed to participate at the Ceará Biennial. Mia Couto, Mozambican will have his work “Sleepwalking Land” honored at the event. José Eduardo Agualusa, Angolan, Abdellah Taïa, Moroccan, will also be in Ceará speaking about their works.
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Other African names have been confirmed to participate at the Ceará Biennial. The Mozambican Mia Couto will have his work “Sleepwalking Land” honored at the event. José Eduardo Agualusa, Angolan, and Abdellah Taïa, Moroccan, will also be in Ceará speaking about their works.
The Biennial will take place at the Ceará Convention Center from August 16 to 25, and the Reunion on Oralities & Writings takes place August 23-24. At Unilab, the event happens on August 21 and 22.
Check out more information at the Ceará Department of Culture’s website.