The Antifascists Have Arrived - Literature of Resistance from Brazil, Angola, and Portugal
The book, edited by Gustavo Felicíssimo, poet and editor at Mondrongo, arrives at the urgency and danger facing Brazil and all democracies.
Yesterday, in a brilliant partnership with TV 247, the first launch of the Antifascists anthology took place. On the following Thursdays, at 4 PM, we will have seven more launches, featuring live interviews with the 32 writers of Antifascists. But what is this book in which writers unite against fascism?
In the words of writer and journalist Leonardo Valente, who, alongside Carol Proner, a lawyer and university professor, organized the gathering of 32 writers who make literature a militant voice in the world, this was the origin of the anthology: “With the real threat of a coup, with growing authoritarianism and with frequent attacks on institutions and democracy, this book has become even more urgent.”
The book, edited by Gustavo Felicíssimo, poet and editor at Mondrongo, arrives at the urgency and danger facing Brazil and all democracies. And I'll mention right away, in passing, as if speaking of another: the author Urariano Mota is honored to be among those published in this book combating fascism. In alphabetical order:
André Diniz, Bárbara Caldas, Carol Proner, Christiane Angelotti, Cinthia Kriemler, Cristina Judar, Cristina Serra, Eliane Potiguara, Fernando Molica, Gustavo Felicíssimo, Hildeberto Barbosa Filho, Jeferson Tenório, João Ximenes Braga, José Eduardo Agualusa, Juliana Neuenschwander, Leonardo Tonus, Leonardo Valente, Luis Fernando Verissimo, Marcelo Moutinho, Marcia Denser, Maria Valéria Rezende, Micheliny Verunschk, Nívia Maria Vasconcellos, Pilar del Río, Regina Zappa, Rodrigo Novaes de Almeida, Rosângela Vieira Rocha, Sylvio Back, Stella Maris Rezende, Urariano Mota, Valter Hugo Mãe, Wanda Monteiro.
And the organizer, Leonardo Valente, speaks best about the anthology:
“This is a literary response to the hatred that has taken over the daily life of the country, and which is also worrying because it is becoming a trend in other parts of the world. This book aims to be yet another instrument in the future struggle for narrative and affection, so that the atrocities of today are not repeated in the future. 'Antifascists - short stories, chronicles and poems of resistance' (Mondrongo Publishing House), organized by Carol Proner and Leonardo Valente, brings together 32 writers from Brazil, Portugal and Angola, who readily joined the project and who together represent a significant part of contemporary Lusophone literature and thought. Writers who do not remain silent in the face of this serious moment that demands a stance from everyone, and this includes art.”
And he continues, highlighting the symbolic weight of having the book published by Mondrongo, a publishing house from Bahia. “For us, it was very important to have a publication in Brazil coming from the Northeast, the region most battered by the current government and a victim of prejudice from fascists in all regions of the country. And in the Northeast, Mondrongo stands out for its literary awards and for being the birthplace of great writers, such as Itamar Vieira Júnior, who is now very successful in Portugal.”
Before the coronavirus, book launches in Brazil would have included debates aimed at different audiences "with the goal of raising awareness of the need to confront fascism," with a pre-launch of the anthology in Paris during the Brazilian Literary Spring, the largest Brazilian literature event abroad. But faced with the necessary quarantine, writers who don't give up have achieved something remarkable. As the editor and poet Gustavo Felicíssimo aptly puts it:
"An unprecedented partnership with TV 247 for the launch of a book. Eight live programs, one per week, moderated by the incredible Regina Zappa. The largest virtual book launch ever in Brazil. - 32 guest authors, four at a time, to talk about their work, about politics, about the pandemic and quarantine, about the importance of culture and literature in the resistance against the government of death. The first virtual launch was yesterday. But the..." The video continues to play on YouTube..
We will have seven more releases. Sales are available at Mondrongo Publishing House.
"Antifascists - short stories, chronicles and poems of resistance", 186 pages, 39 reais.
* This is an opinion article, the responsibility of the author, and does not reflect the opinion of Brasil 247.