An Exhbition of Goan Literature in Lisbon. Conference by Miguel Real and Everton V. Machado on October 15, 2012 at 5 pm --------------------------------------------------------------
Throughout ages, India has been the subject of numerous Portuguese cultural manifestations. The historical relations between the two countries show up till today in various aspects -- linguistic, artistic, architectural, gastronomic nature, or in habits, traditions, festivals and customs. The Indo-Portuguese Literary Dialogues, integrated into the IV Indo-Portuguese Cultural Week, aim to strengthen the ties of friendship between the two peoples and make known to the Portuguese public some of the most relevant literary productions on India, and particularly on Goa, the smallest state of the Republic of India, which, despite being small in area, offers unique conditions to assume as a privileged platform on inter-cultural dialogue between the Indian subcontinent and Europe, where Portugal is situated. Besides a vast historiography and non-fiction literature that bind us, the fiction literature, particularly historical novels and travelogues also facilitate our effort in strengthening the foundations for a mutual understanding and comprehension, thus contributing to the development of a suitable intercultural awareness. The fascination and the keen interest that India awakens in the Portuguese, is evident in the extensive literary production published in the 21st century. Heading the list is, obviously, Uma Viagem A India (A Journey to India) by Goncalo M. Tavares, an amazing and unprecedented book, which was awarded the Grande Premio de Romance e Novela da Associacao Portuguesa de Escritores (The Grand Prize for Romance and Novel awarded by the Portuguese Writers Association) and the Literary Award Fernando Namora/Estoril Sol 2011, which, as Eduardo Lourenco says, is "a post-modern navigation of the soul" portrayed as an anti-epic poem. More recently Raquel Ochoa surprised all with her Casa-Comboio, Premio Revelacao Agustina Bessa-Luis 2009 (Agustina Bessa-Luis Award 2009). Also that same year the poet and writer Luis Filipe Castro Mendes, former ambassador of Portugal in New Delhi, was awarded Premio Antonio Quadros 2011 for his book Lendas da India (Legends of India). Now in 2012 it was the turn of Almeida Faria to give us the Murmurio do Mundo (Whispers of the World), a very beautiful account of his trip to India, enriched with the splendid illustrations by Barbara Assis Pacheco. Also in 2012 we have the affectionate account of Filipa Nery in her historical novel, Da India com Amor (From India with Love), and the latest novel by Miguel Real, O Feitico da India (The Spell of India). Through the fictional writing of some of the most respected Portuguese authors we can actually breathe in a kind of kaleidoscope of colors, sounds and flavors, the magical atmosphere of millenary India where tradition and modernity are the two sides of a vibrant and dynamic world which keeps on fascinating us. The Indo Portuguese Literary Dialogues is an initiative of the Organizing Committee of the IV Indo-Portuguese Cultural Week (Goa) which intends, through conferences and exhibition of Goan Literature, to spread and promote books and awareness about Goan and Portuguese authors, thus establishing the necessary bridges and synergies for new productions and future literary editions that might rouse interest of a greater number of readers. The Exhibition includes a selection of the most important literary works published recently in Goa, which the organisers thought worth making known to the Portuguese public, and, in particular, to the readers of the Goan community living in Portugal. Goan Literature in Portuguese is undoubtedly a valuable cultural legacy enriching the Lusophone Literature as a whole, thanks to some works of renowned authors and prominent figures in the cultural, social and political life in Goa, from the nineteenth century. Names from the past like those of Francisco Luis Gomes, Paulino Dias, Floriano Barreto, Lino Abreu, Adeodato Barreto, Orlando Costa, Gip (nom de plume of Francisco Joao da Costa), Agostinho Fernandes, Nascimento Mendonca, Vimala Devi or even Laxmanrao Sardesai referred today by writers in Konkani, Marathi or English language, need to be honoured during this week's commemoration. The Exhibition on Goan Literature will be open to the public at the head-office of Camoes, IP: from 12th and 15th October, from 10.00 to 17.00 hours and later at Casa de Goa, in Lisbon. The conferences of the Indo-Portuguese Literary Dialogues will take place on October 15, 2012 at 17.00 hours, at the head-office of Camoes, I.P., Lisbon. Responsible for the Conferences is the Portuguese writer Miguel Real, who will also deliver a talk, entitled A India na Literatura Portuguesa (India in Portuguese Literature), and Everton V. Machado, Post-Doctorate scholar in the Centre of Comparative Studies at the Faculty of Humanities, Lisbon University and author of a Critics Edition in French of the first Goan novel in Portuguese, Os Brahamanes (1866) by Francisco Luis Gomes (Les Brahmanes, trad.L. de Claranges Lucotte, Paris, ClassiquesGarnier, 2012), who will speak on "As controversas leituras d'Os Brahmanes de Francisco LuiĀs Gomes (The controversial readings of The Brahmins by Francisco Luis Gomes)". Among the general public, teachers and specialists in Indo-Portuguese Literature and Oriental Studies, are also expected to take part, besides Goan delegates who will be in Lisbon for the IV Indo-Portuguese Cultural Week. Camoes, Instituto da Cooperacao e da Lingua Avenida da Liberdade, 270 1250-149 Lisboa T: 213109100 /32/37/75 More details in Goa from: Prof. Delfim Correia da Silva delfim...@gmail.com 91-9881 203697