“The The vocation of literature in times of war is the same as in times of peacerecognize that all humanity lives within us,” with these words the writer and journalist from Mozambique, Mia Couto (1955), defined the work of literature in our times, during his appointment as the Award winner FIL of Literature in Romance Languages 2024with which he was recognized as sharp critic of the complex social reality of African countries.
“Mia Couto is recognized as a remarkable literary work that integrates and interweaves the chronicle, the short story, the novel, whose linguistic innovation makes us rethink the relationship between the members of the community of Portuguese-speaking countries, drawing attention and sensitivity to the African continent and its historical, cultural and geopolitical relations, invitingin addition, to recognize and bring us closer otherwise to the history and nature of the planet“said Portuguese writer Carlos Reis, a representative of the jury.
During the event, Hector Raul Solis, president of the award, mentioned that Mia Couto was selected from a total of 49 authors from 20 countries, representing six languages, who were nominated by the jury members themselves, as well as cultural and academic institutions, as well as publishing and writers’ associations.
I am passionate about inventing language: Mia Couto
Through a video call, Mia Couto —whose literary work written in Portuguese exceeds 21 books, of poetry, chronicles, stories and novels—spoke about his personal and writing interests, in which has invited social criticism towards colonialism and racismin the midst of conflicts such as the Mozambique independencewhich are not allowed to be indifferent.
Living in a country that is still at war, peace is the first major issue. I am also concerned about the issue of identity affirmation at a time when Africa is seeking to represent its universality and diversity within Africa itself.Mia Couto.
The writer believes that he finds no difference between his chronicle work and fiction, because he considers that Your country must not and cannot forget the reasons and traumas that led to its independence.in which he participated as a journalist.
What I am passionate about, more than the story itself, is inventing the language. Just like what happens with Juan Rulfo, who, independently of his story, created a way of saying things that already existed in me and in all of us.Mia Couto.
The death of journalism
As a journalist, Couto He expressed being concerned about the future of journalismwhich was already in crisis since he started, in the 1970s and later as part of the Mozambique Liberation Front.
“This crisis It is not caused, not only by social networks or technology, but what it is about is knowing, Who are the real owners of social communication?”, for which he later commented as a solution: “I think it is necessary build a kind of anti-crisisI think there is a tendency towards something very apocalyptic, which corresponds to those who propose absolute solutions.”
Which writers influenced Mia Couto?
After confessing that he did not expect this recognition at all and because of the mention of Juan Rulfo whose influence can be perceived in his work, Mia Couto He assured that Latin American literature has been part of his literary training since I was little.
My knowledge is mainly of the writers of what we call Magical Realism. My father, who was a poet, had a library in his house that he gave me to read, where I got to know the work of Carlos Fuentes, Octavio Paz, Juan Rulfo, Gabriel García Márquez.Mia Couto.
With this appointment, Couto A list of great recognized authors whose work has stood out in the world of Romance languages is added, such as Coral Bracho, Ida Vitale, Mircea Cărtărescu, David Huerta, among others.The award will be presented on November 30 during the opening of the Guadalajara International Book Fair 2024.
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Also present at the event were Ricardo Villa Nueva, Rector General of the University of Guadalajara, and Marisol Schulz Manaut, General Director of the Guadalajara International Book Fair.