Brazilian musician, composer and writer Buarque boy received this Monday in Lisbon, four years late, the prize Camõeswhich was granted in 2019 and which Jair Bolsonaro he refused to hand it over at the time.
The distinction awarded in the framework of the recomposition of bilateral relations between the two countrieswhich provides for the presence of the Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Portugal, allowed the artist, da 78 yearsexpressed: “I also receive this award in reparation to so many actors and artists offended by these years of stupidity and obscurantism“.
“The four years of disastrous government of Bolsonaro they lasted forever. Time seemed to go backwards,” added the author of the song’s gems as chalice, Construction, love Acorda AND I will passto name but a few, before noting that “the fascist threat persists in Brazil and just about everywhere.”
The Camões Prize, established in 1989 by the governments of Brazil and Portugal, is considered the main literary prize and is intended for authors who, through all their work, have contributed to the enrichment of the literary and cultural heritage of the Portuguese language. The awards ceremony usually alternates between Brazil and Portugal each year.
Among others, the writers won it Antonio Lobo Antunes, Jorge Amado AND José Saramago.
With everything and after taking over Camões In a deed at the Queluz Palace on the outskirts of Lisbon, Buarque indicated that the award was “worth the wait” on the eve of the anniversary of the Carnation Revolution in a country where, he said, “I feel at home”.
Chico has been recognized across a wide range of his artistic career, both in music and literature. In this case, the prize was awarded to a literary work which, according to the organizers, contributes “to the cultural formation of several generations in all Portuguese-speaking countries”, as determined by the jury of this award.
what happened four years ago
He four years late in the delivery had to do with the fact that Bolsonaro, elected president shortly before the announcement of the prize, refused to sign the diploma corresponding to the agreement between the two countries.
Consulted at the time on the subject related to Buarque, Bolsonaro, true to his style, was more than provocative: “Is there an estimated deadline? Well, I will sign it on December 31, 2026…”he said in relation to the last day of his term, figuring he would not lose the election to Lula.
Buarque, who has manifested himself as an absolute critic of Bolsonaro, was quick to cross paths with him in the local media: “The fact that I didn’t sign the diploma is a second Camões for me”.
The awards ceremony, in 2023, takes place in the context of Lula’s official visit to Portugal, where he arrived last week to participate in a bilateral summit, the first in seven years, and in a business forum between industrialists from both countries.
Lula said: “If we are here today for this kind of Chico’s repair job it’s because democracy finally won in Brazil”.
Source: Clarin
