International Literary Festival of Paraty starts this Wednesday (10)

“The sertanejo is, above all, a strong man.” famous phrase of Euclides da Cunha synthesized the resistance of the residents of Arraial de Canudos to the government’s military attacks in the 19th century, during the battle that would serve as inspiration for his book, Os Sertões.

The carioca was sent to the interior of Bahia to do journalistic coverage and returned a little less than a month later with an invaluable record of such a turbulent historical period. After 122 years, he is honored by the International Literary Festival of Paraty🇧🇷

Between the 10th and 14th, the coastal city will remember the author and celebrate highlights of national and foreign literature, in addition to promoting various artistic presentations, such as dances and a slam tournament. In all, the event has 21 main tables, with 33 writers – 18 women and 15 men.

“We want non-fiction to gain relevance in conversations, as it will allow us to discuss current issues, such as gender and politics,” he says. Fernanda Diamantjournalist and curator of the event for the first time.

CLAUDIA spoke with some of the guests about the impact of their works on society – in common, they have the same fiber of the sertanejo described by Euclides. Check out:

expanding horizons

In her debut as curator of the event, Fernanda Diamant continues with her commitment to increase the number of women and blacks among Flip authors. But she also wants to invest in diversity in other ways.

“I decided to include more literary genres and reinforce the presence of non-fiction at the main tables”, he explains. This was directly reflected in the choice of Euclides da Cunha as the edition’s honoree, as the author makes a journalistic report without leaving aside high literature.

“In addition to the quality of his writing, he has a very strong relationship with Brazil. In the current situation in the country, it is perfect to single out someone who speaks about the homeland, who produces culture about it.”

new realities

Among the most anticipated foreign authors of this edition is the Nigerian Ayobámi Adébáyo, whose novel Stay With Me (Harper Collins) was released in 2018. In the plot, it addresses the role of women and family in their country. And proposes a reflection.

“In addition to showing the reality of my homeland, I want readers to think and evaluate what their duties and responsibilities are towards each other as human beings”.

impact record

Like Euclides da Cunha, from Pará Cristina Serra faced the challenge of covering a landmark episode for the country. From this experience, Tragedy in Mariana was born: The History of the Greatest Environmental Disaster in Brazil (Record).

He considers his triumph to be able to contribute to historical records of the country. “My legacy will be to leave a well-documented account of this disaster not only from the technical aspects but also from the human point of view.”

Where insights come from

Transiting between different genres, the cearense Jarid Arraes takes inspiration for his works from everyday life and tries to write about what he has never read. He released his first titles without a publisher and thus gained his place in the market. Just published Remoinho in Dia Quente (Alfaguara).

“When I write, I want to be, for those who accompany me, what I took a long time to find or did not find while discovering literature.”

winds of change

the argentina Mariana Enriquez he usually writes gothic stories – like a collection of chronicles about cemeteries – and science fiction, always with a touch of terror. However, on his latest release, This is the Sea (Intrinsic), he wanted to try something different.

“I’m tired of so much darkness. Instead, I talked about the lifestyle of groupies who follow rock bands.”

built ties

After more than 30 years of studies on the Wari’ – the indigenous people of Rondônia –, the anthropologist Aparecida Vilaça published With Paletó and I (However). In the report, in addition to giving more visibility to the tribe, it exposes the relationship developed between his family and the indigenous people.

“I took my children with me several times, since they were little. The coexistence led them to be people open to the different. That is the most rewarding thing for me,” she says.

Dilemma

In Maternity, the Canadian Sheila Heti reflects on the gains and losses for a woman who decides to be a mother. The narrator of the story is approaching 40 and begins to question whether she wants to have children. With frankness, originality and humor, the novel shows the search for this answer for years.

Intolerable

The Portuguese Grade Kilomba uses books, performances and films to raise questions about the normalization of prejudice. Memórias da Plantação, from 2008, is a compilation of short stories about everyday episodes of racism. It will be released in Brazil by Cobogó during Flip.

on the run

Night in Caracas, from Karina Sainz Borgo, Caraquena, tells the story of a woman who loses her mother in the current Venezuelan crisis. Shaken, she tries to steal her neighbor’s passport to escape the violent capital. Despite wanting to leave, she has to deal with the guilt of leaving the country on the brink of collapse.

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