Conceição Evaristo and Milton Hatoum: When Writing Transforms Life

The session was marked by reflections on literature, memory, and identity

Conceição Evaristo and Milton Hatoum led a conversation marked by reflections on literature, memory, and identity, in an event that highlighted the transformative power of writing and the deep cultural ties between Portugal and Brazil.

The session began with Conceição Evaristo expressing her gratitude to Valter Hugo Mãe, who was in the audience. The author highlighted the friendship that binds them and thanked him for being there, a gesture that set the tone for an intimate conversation filled with camaraderie.

Throughout the literary session, moderated by Minês Castanheira, Milton Hatoum discussed the historical ties that bind Portugal and Brazil, emphasizing the mutual influence the two countries continue to exert in the cultural and literary spheres. The writer also revealed that this was his third visit to the city of Porto and shared the charm he felt while wandering its streets. Among the things that surprised him most, he highlighted the impressive number of bookstores and used-book shops scattered throughout the city.

One of the most memorable moments of the conversation occurred when Conceição Evaristo explained the concept of “Escrevivência,” a term she coined to describe writing deeply rooted in life experiences, memory, and the lived realities of Black communities. For the author, writing is an act born of experience and resistance. “We do not write to lull those in the ‘big house’ to sleep; on the contrary, we write to awaken them from their unjust dreams,” she emphasized.

The statement encapsulated the writer’s view of literature as a tool for social awareness and transformation.

Toward the end of the conversation, the two authors reflected on the place writing occupies in their lives. Both highlighted literature as a space of freedom and emphasized that writing goes far beyond a creative exercise: it is also a way of understanding the world and, in some way, finding meaning in it.

The literary session concluded with a quote from Milton Hatoum that summed up the depth of the conversation and moved the audience: “Writing gave me the will to live.” A simple yet powerful statement that reinforced the idea that literature is not only a means of artistic expression but also a form of resistance, hope, and celebration of life.