Ferreira Gullar, Dies Aged 86

Hello Gentle Reader

Ferreira Gullar, was a well renowned Brazilian writer and artist. His main literary achievements were poetry; but during his later years he was known for his columns. Ferreira Gullar was best known however in both the fields of literature and art for two works specifically. In literature, Gullar was noted for his famous poem: “The Dirty Poem,” and for the “Neo-Concrete Manifesto.” The Neo-Concrete movement of Brazil, was revolutionary as it called to push aside the geometric purity and rationalistic forms of the Concrete Movement, and to instead embrace phenomenology, in which case spectators, admirers and viewers of the art would not just view the exhibit and the work, but be forced to participate with it. Five years later, Gullar would abandon the Neo-Concrete art movement, which he viewed as elitist. During this time, the Brazilian military would form a dictatorship, a prominent communist, would face increase persecution, before going into exile in: Moscow, Lima, and Buenos Aires.  In nineteen-seventy five in exile, Gullar would publish his most famous poem: “Dirty Poem.” The poem took shape from Ferreira Gullar’s own memories, specifically his memories of adolescence spent by the seaside during the Second World War. The poem deals heavily with the socioeconomic system and it’s shameful abuse of the ordinary citizen with such tools as poverty, sexism, greed and fear. Many have praised Ferreira Gullar’s famous poem, for its ability to achieve and capture the daily experiences, victories, defeats, and small triumphs of the everyday citizen of Brazil. The famous witch of Brazilian letters, Clarice Lispector herself was a great admirer of “Dirty Poem,” in which she said:

“I am a fervent admirer of Ferreira Gullar’s scandalously beautiful Dirty Poem. It makes me feel like a child before a tropical forest or a soaring monument.”

Ferreira Gullar did return to Brazil in nineteen-seventy seven, only to be incarcerated and tortured once again. The dictatorship would eventually fall, and Gullar would be recognized as one of the most important intellectuals and writers of Brazil during the twentieth century. Since “Dirty Poem,” was published Gullar would go on to continue to write poetry, a bit of prose, and his column.

Sadly on December 4^th, at the age of eighty six, Ferreira Gullar died due to pneumonia. He leaves Brazil and the world during a time of great political uncertainty and volatility. Brazil itself is going through great social upheavals due to allegations of governmental corruption. Despite this, Brazil is sadly in a state of mourning for one of its greatest writers and poets have died. Ferreira Gullar, was a fierce champion of art and those struggling. He challenged the status quo, and suffered for it. Yet in the end survived while, such a form of government truly only has a short shelf life. While Ferreira Gullar, may find immortality for his poems, his columns, and his eclectic essays.

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader

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And As Always

Stay Well Read

M. Mary