FLIST Literature Fest this Weekend: Daily

By Anna Kaiser, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The fifth annual FLIST festival (the International Literary Festival of Santa Teresa) will be held in the Parque da Ruinas atop Santa Teresa this weekend, May 4th and 5th. The festival celebrates literature and poetry from both Brazilian and international authors with readings, lectures, author chats, and musical and theatrical presentations and runs from 8AM to 6PM both Saturday and Sunday.

The featured author this year is children’s book writer Ana Maria Machado and there will be tributes to three Brazilian authors: the beloved Carioca poet and composer, Vinicius Moraes, samba composer Jamelão, and journalist Rubem Braga.

“In the month of May, when fall arrives, comes the time to pour poetry onto the slopes of the neighborhood, which seems to be stopped in time, and take in the hills and views of the Cidade Maravilhosa,” said Emília Maria Fernandes the director of Teixeira Educational Center (CEAT), who sponsors the event.

“I hope to improve my Portuguese and understanding of Brazilian culture through literature!” said Morgan Murphy, who studied Brazilian literature during her exchange program at PUC, “I think Brazilian music and poetry amazing insights into society.”

The honored author of the 2013 FLIST festival, Ana Maria Machado is a winner of the Hans Christian Andersen award for children’s books. Her books and novels for children use symbolism and metaphors to illustrate important life lessons and touch on themes such as racism and freedom of expression.

“Always attentive to what is happening around her, even if it’s far away, she quickly connects the past and the present with a vision for the future, making sense of simple and complex situations in life and teaching the value of history,” says the description of Machado’s writing on the FLIST website.

Parque das Ruinas (The Ruins Park) is 18th century ruins located at the top of Santa Teresa and offers a 280 degree view of Rio de Janeiro. Many of Santa Teresa’s best restaurants are located nearby, making for a great way to spend the day and evenings.

Read more (in Portuguese).

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