São Paulo – The culture department at the Brazilian Foreign Office (Itamaraty) will start accepting, on Thursday (19), enrolment for the 4th International Monograph Competition, turned to Brazilians and foreigners residing abroad. The objective is to promote Brazilian literature around the world. Academic papers may run.
The work by writer Lygia Fagundes Telles is this year’s theme. The five best papers will receive the Itamaraty 2012 Brazilian Literature Award. "The Itamaraty had never praised a female or living author,” said Rafael Prince, acting head for Coordination and Promotion at the Itamaraty, regarding the fact that Telles was chosen to be the theme of the competition. "Enrolment opens tomorrow (19), on her birthday," he said.
In previous years, the themes were works by writers Machado de Assis, Graciliano Ramos and Lima Barreto. The award for first place is US$ 20,000. There will also be cash awards for the runner up (US$ 15,000), third (US$ 10,000), fourth (US$ 5,000) and fifth (US$ 3,000) places.
To participate, it is necessary to live abroad and work in activities related to Portuguese language and Brazilian culture studies, including education, cultural journalism and other related activities. The works should never have been published and must be written in or translated into Portuguese.
"These are academic papers. The idea is to promote the study of these authors, who are renowned in Brazil, but not abroad. We want to stimulate the interest in these authors in foreign universities,” said Prince.
The winning papers will be chosen by a judging panel including people connected to the literary field and a Brazilian diplomat. Criteria analysed should include originality, creativity, level of knowledge of the author’s work and literary quality of the text.
According to Prince, international interest in Brazilian culture and literature is on the rise. "In recent years, Portuguese Language departments have been opened in foreign universities. The Itamaraty also stimulates professors who go and teach at universities abroad,” he revealed.
Enrolment ends on October 31st, 2012. There will be an awarding ceremony in Brazil next year, at a date not yet defined. The winners will be granted tickets and housing to participate in the ceremony.
The call to participate in the event may be found on link http://goo.gl/42Pqg. Further information may be obtained from e-mail divulg@itamaraty.gov.br.
*Translated by Mark Ament
