29º ENCONTRO VIRTUAL DO CLUBE DA LEITURA UNIVERSO/UNITRI Vida e obra de Adélia Prado

Introduction to the Reading Club

Welcome and Acknowledgments

• The event begins with a warm welcome from the host, expressing affection towards attendees for the second edition of the Reading Club.

• Gratitude is extended to various institutions, including Universidade Salgado de Oliveira and Universidade do Triângulo Mineiro (Unitri), for supporting this initiative.

• The focus of today's discussion is on Adélia Prado, a celebrated poet from Divinópolis who recently won the Camões Prize.

Overview of Adélia Prado

• Adélia Prado is recognized for her poetry that resonates with everyday life and emotions, making her work relatable to many.

• Professor Maria shares her long-standing admiration for Prado's poetry, highlighting its reflection on women's experiences and feelings.

Adélia Prado's Background

Career Journey

• Adélia Prado worked as a teacher for 24 years before fully dedicating herself to literature, which had always been part of her life.

• Her writing evokes deep emotions and connects readers with their daily lives through simple yet profound expressions.

Academic Contributions

• The speakers prepared materials to facilitate discussion about Adélia Prado’s literary contributions during the event.

Celebration of Achievements

Recent Recognition

• The group discusses how Adélia was awarded the prestigious Camões Prize in 2024 at the age of 88, marking a significant milestone in her career.

• This award is noted as one of the most important literary honors in Portuguese language literature.

Literary Impact

• Adélia's works are characterized by their exploration of everyday life infused with elements of wonder and faith, showcasing her unique style.

Afonso Roman de Santana and Adélia Prado's Literary Contributions

Afonso Roman de Santana's Influence

• Afonso Roman de Santana, a literary critic, was known for his column in the Jornal do Brasil. The speaker expresses admiration for him and mentions having attended his lectures.

• Santana praised the works of Carlos Drummond de Andrade, encouraging the publication of significant literary pieces.

Highlighting Adélia Prado's Works

• The discussion shifts to Adélia Prado’s poetry, particularly her 1978 work "Coração Disparado," which reflects deep emotional themes such as longing for God.

• Notable works by Prado include "Terra de Santa Cruz" (1981), which is celebrated for its emotional depth, and "O Pelicano" (1987), marking a new phase in her career that intertwines religiosity with eroticism.

Key Poems and Themes

• Other important titles mentioned are "A Faca no Peito" (1988), "Oráculos de Maio" (1991), and prose works like "Solte os Cachorros" (1979). These explore various aspects of human emotion and experience.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of poetry in life, suggesting it enriches existence significantly.

Reading of “Com Licença Poética”

• A request is made to read one of Adélia Prado’s most referenced poems, “Com Licença Poética,” which connects to Drummond’s work.

• The poem is dedicated to Leila Ol, a friend who was an avid declamer of poetry but has since passed away.

Analysis of “Com Licença Poética”

• The poem begins with imagery involving an angel announcing the burdens women carry. It explores themes of identity and societal expectations.

• There is a notable intertextuality with Camões’ work; the speaker highlights how Prado transforms traditional notions into contemporary reflections on femininity.

Significance of Intertextuality

• The poem illustrates how women navigate their identities differently than men. It emphasizes resilience through metaphorical language about being 'desdobrável' or 'unfoldable.'

• The title “Bagagem” symbolizes the life experiences that shape an individual’s poetic voice. This concept resonates throughout Prado's body of work.

Reflections on Life and Poetry

The Essence of Poetry and Perception

• The discussion highlights moments of reflection in life, emphasizing how poetry allows one to notice beauty in everyday experiences, as illustrated by Adélia's perspective.

• A poet's role is to find beauty in the mundane; if one fails to notice these details, they cannot be considered a poet. This notion connects to the idea of seeing versus merely looking.

• Saramago’s quote about perception underscores the importance of awareness—seeing and noticing are crucial for understanding one's surroundings and experiences.

Gender Perspectives in Brazilian Society

• Adélia's poetry often addresses the challenges faced by women in Brazilian society, using rich metaphors and figures that highlight gender struggles.

• The concept of "bagagem" (baggage) is explored as a metaphor for life's journey, paralleling Guimarães Rosa’s ideas about carrying one's experiences within oneself.

Life as a Journey

• Guimarães Rosa suggests that one's essence remains tied to their origins; the sertão (backcountry) lives within us regardless of physical location.

• Life is portrayed as an existential journey rather than just a physical transition from place to place; it encompasses deeper transcendental experiences.

Metaphorical Insights on Travel

• The metaphorical significance of travel is discussed, where leaving behind certain aspects (like a tooth or diploma) symbolizes personal sacrifices made during life's journey.

• Adélia reflects on societal expectations during travel—such as language proficiency—and how these demands can feel burdensome yet are part of the experience.

Existential Reflections through Poetry

• The poem illustrates themes of existence and memory, suggesting that what we carry with us shapes our identity throughout our journeys.

• Adélia uses intimate symbols like her tooth to represent personal history and connection while navigating through life’s complexities.

Conclusion: Moments Captured in Poetry

Life Reflected in Everyday Objects

The Joy of Life and Everyday Items

• The speaker reflects on the idea that life is more joyful than sad, emphasizing the importance of being good and kind.

• A metaphor is introduced where a messy house symbolizes a lively home, suggesting that everyday objects like a worn teapot or pepper shaker represent vitality and usage rather than mere decoration.

Connection to Poetry and Personal Experience

• The speaker connects the imagery found in poetry, particularly referencing Adélia's work, to personal memories of small towns and slow-paced life.

• There’s an emphasis on how only those who can visualize these feelings truly understand the depth behind such poetry.

Influence of Regional Identity

• Discussion about regional identity highlights shared backgrounds between poets like Drumon and Adélia, both hailing from small towns in Minas Gerais.

• Nostalgia for childhood is expressed through vivid imagery of simple objects that evoke happiness and innocence.

The Nature of Formality in Literature

Critique of Literary Formalism

• The speaker critiques formalistic approaches to poetry, contrasting them with Adélia's informal style which resonates more with everyday experiences.

• A description of a "cerebral poet" illustrates someone who overanalyzes writing instead of feeling it; this contrasts with Adélia’s approach.

Accessibility vs. Complexity in Writing

• Reference to Mário Quintana emphasizes that while anyone can write, true skill lies in making complex ideas accessible to readers.

• Discussion on Parnassianism highlights how overly ornate language can detract from genuine expression; poetry should reflect real emotions rather than just aesthetic beauty.

Metapoetry: Reflecting on Poetry Itself

Exploring Metapoetic Elements

• Introduction to metapoetry as poems reflecting on their own creation; this self-awareness adds depth to poetic works.

Optimism Amidst Reflection

Reflections on Life and Poetry

The Beauty of Positivity in Adélia Prado's Work

• Adélia Prado concludes her poetry with a positive outlook, emphasizing the beauty of life's possibilities and the balance between joy and sorrow.

• Despite moments of melancholy, Prado consistently highlights hope, illustrating the transition from night to day as a metaphor for renewed optimism.

• The concept of "blessedness" is explored through the lens of daily life, where even mundane routines can be seen as beautiful when viewed with appreciation.

Marriage and Everyday Moments

• The discussion shifts to marriage, portraying it as a blend of routine and beauty; small gestures become significant in daily interactions.

• A poem is read that encapsulates this sentiment, showcasing how love manifests in simple acts like waking up together or sharing quiet moments.

Sensitivity in Relationships

• The speaker reflects on the tenderness found in shared experiences within relationships, highlighting how these moments create deep emotional connections.

• A specific poem is praised for its sensitivity, capturing intimate details that resonate deeply with readers.

Transforming Ordinary Experiences into Poetry

• The conversation emphasizes how everyday situations can transform into profound poetic expressions, revealing deeper meanings behind common experiences.

• An example illustrates this transformation: a fishing trip becomes a narrative rich with emotion and reflection on life’s fleeting nature.

Memory and Time in Poetry

• The importance of memory is discussed; poetry serves as a medium to explore personal histories and familial relationships across time.

• A poignant recollection about childhood memories evokes nostalgia while addressing themes of loss and change over time.

Conclusion: Embracing Life Through Art

• Ultimately, the dialogue underscores how poetry allows individuals to navigate their emotions regarding family dynamics and personal growth throughout life’s journey.

Reflections on the Concept of "Janela" (Window)

The Symbolism of Windows

• The speaker expresses a sense of surprise and discomfort regarding common experiences, likening them to the mundane aspects of life, such as small white mountains, which everyone understands.

• The word "janela" (window) is celebrated for its beauty; it symbolizes freedom and perspective, akin to a butterfly's wings opening outward.

• The window serves as a metaphorical lens through which one can observe significant life events and personal intentions, highlighting its role in connecting individuals with their surroundings.

Observing Life Through the Window

• Emphasizes the importance of attentiveness in life; observing beauty often requires conscious effort to notice what surrounds us.

• Acknowledges the audience's participation and engagement in this literary discussion, reinforcing community involvement.

Celebrating Literature and Its Impact

• Encourages reading works by Adélia Prado, noting her accolades and longevity in literature as reasons to explore her poetry.

• Urges listeners to share poetry aloud as a beneficial exercise for both personal growth and communal enjoyment.

Promoting Reading Habits

• Expresses gratitude towards various contributors involved in promoting literature within the community.

• Suggests starting with short reading sessions to cultivate a love for books, emphasizing that reading is an acquired habit rather than an innate preference.

Conclusion and Future Engagement

• Reiterates the club's mission to inspire daily reading practices among participants.