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Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen Portugal
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Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen (1919–2004) lived in Lisbon since going to university, where she studied Classic Philology. The first of the twelve collections of her poems was published in 1944. She is considered an outstanding personality in Portugal’s contemporary poetry.
Sophia (no one ever called
her by her surname), a mother of five children, also published half a dozen
books for children, short stories and essays and translated Claudel, Dante and
Shakespeare. Decades later her books for the little readers are still among the
best-selling children’s books in Portugal. Her works have been translated into
several languages. She received national and international awards, in 2003 the Premio
Reina Sofia, in 2001 the Max Jacob Prize and in 1999 the most
important literary prize of the Portuguese speaking world, the Prémio Camões.
Ever since she opposed the
Salazar regime, Sophia spoke out on key social and political issues.
Poetry ... is the act of naming the world, not with names that strike the
namer’s fancy but with the true, necessary names of things. It is discovery and
recognition, according to the poet’s vision of the world, according to the
particular grace she was given.
Her voice is declamatory, in the manner of the ancients, when philosophy
and poetry were still one science, but it never shouts or attempts to persuade.
It is oracular, not oratorical, the meaning not always evident, although the
words are clear, and it is often troubled by frank uncertainty. It is the voice
of a poet belonging unmistakably to the twentieth century, telling the truth she knows without claiming to know the truth.
Richard Zenith
Sophia is, without doubt, one of the poets closest to the initial pulse
and magic of the word. For this reason, her poetry, like all great verse, can
be recited, sung or even danced to.
Manuel
Alegre, Jornal de Letras
Her poetry, from beginning to end, frequently calls to mind the brief,
concise structure of haiku, and with it she pursues the most recurrent thread
of her experiences: Life simply passes by and we must do everything possible to
avoid being victims of the fugacity which is our essence.
Ángel Rupérez, El PaÍs
Il y a nostalgie dans les histoires qu’elle
raconte. Celle des époques révolues, de l’âge d’or, des êtres qui vous
manquent.
Raphaëlle
Rérolle, LE mONDE
Original
editions and rights sold:
Poetry:
Obra poética
I-III. Lisbon: Editorial Caminho
Selections published in:
Argentina: Adriana Hidalgo
2002 ● Brazil: Companhia das
Letras 2004 ● France: several selections
of poetry with La Différence in 1980, 1988, 2000 ● Germany: Langewiesche-Brandt 2010 ● Hong Kong: Orchid Press ● Italy: Fogli di Portucale 1983, Japadre 1987, Onlus,
Ellis 2011 ● Latvia: Minerva 2010 ● Norway: Cappelen 2000 ● Spain: Círculo de Lectores 2004 ● Spain: selection of poetry with Salobre (Catalan) ● UK: Black Swan 1988, Carcanet 1997
Navegações, Lisbon: Imprensa Nacional 1983, Caminho 1996, 2004,
40 p.
France: La Différence 1988 ● Italy: Ellis 2011
Stories:
Contos
exemplares, 1st edition 1962, several reeditions
Brazil: Nova Fronteira ● Czech Republic: Torst ● France: La Différence 1988 ● Italy: Lusitania/Libri 1993 ● Serbia: Albatros Plus 2011
Histórias da
terra e do mar, 1st edition
1984, several reeditions
France: La Différence 1990 ● Serbia: Albatros Plus 2011
Participation in anthologies:
A Lua no cinema e Outros Poemas
Brazil: Companhia das Letras 2011
Children’s books:
Since 1956 Figueirinhas,
Porto, has been the publisher for the author’s.
In Brazil they will be
published by Nova Fronteira.
A menina do mar, 21 p.
France: La Différence 1999 ● Russia: Petersburg XXI Century ● Spain: Salobre (Catalan) ● Thailand: Pakvan ● Mexico: Dirección General de Publicaciones 2011
A fada Oriana, 77 p.
France:
La Différence 1999 ● Spain: Salobre (Catalan) ● Srpska: IP Mladost ● Thailand: Nanmeebooks 2011
O cavaleiro da
Dinamarca, 54
p.
Denmark: Rhodos 2001 ● France: La Différence ● Germany: TFM ● Spain: Salobre (Catalan)
O rapaz de
bronze, 37 p.
France: La Différence ● Spain: Salobre (Catalan)
A floresta, 78 p.
France: La Différence ● Spain: Salobre (Catalan)
A árvore, 51 p.
Spain: Salobre (Catalan)
A noite de Natal, 29 p.
Spain: Salobre (Catalan)
Os três reis do
oriente, 42 p.