São Paulo – The Arab countries, their histories and the presence of the Arab culture in Brazil are some of the main topics of books published by Zahle publishing company from Teresina, Piauí. The company was founded ten years ago by journalist and historian Marta Tajra, who is of Lebanese descent.
“Our niche is the topics that relate to the Arab culture, which doesn’t stop us from publishing books on other topics. The West always had a great attraction for the East, but lately the West has had a tendency to associate the Arab countries with terrorism, and we don’t want to pass this along”, said Tajra to ANBA on Monday (28th) in a visit to the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in São Paulo. “Our idea is not to publish and edit a large number of books, but only quality books”.
Among the most recent books published is a reprint of “Lebanon – An oasis in the Middle East”, by the historian and director of the Latin American Studies and Cultures Center of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (LASCC) Roberto Khatlab. In this new edition there are maps, pictures and historical records of the Arab country. The edition will be released in Fortaleza, Ceará, and in Recife, Pernambuco, in October and November, respectively.
Another book released last year was “The History of Trade in Teresina in the Development of Piauí”. In this book, the historian included chapters that tell the story of the Arab immigration to the Brazilian northeast and the evolution of trade in Teresina. “We received a large volume of immigrants, who prospered especially with trade and industry”, she said. The Arab descendants are concentrated in the cities of Teresina and Floriano, approximately 235 km from the capital.
The businesman Lorenzo Tajra, the journalist and historian’s son, who also visited the Arab Chamber, said that the Arab community in Piauí is trying to revive the traditions and the progress that their ancestors had when they arrived in the state. “The immigrants arrived in Brazil and felt the need to stay together, to live close by, but this diminished in the next generations. Now, the youngsters are trying to revive this culture, history and gastronomy”, he said. “Our focus is to attract the Arab countries and to present our main products, such as Brazil nuts, cashews and mango”, said the businessman.
Marta and Lorenzo will stay in São Paulo until next Wednesday (30th). In the city, they have meetings scheduled and will discuss projects with local businessmen.
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
