Valter Hugo Mãe on ignorance in the age of information

The last day of BABELL was marked by the launch of "O Século dos Imbecis".

The final day of BABELL featured the launch of Valter Hugo Mãe's latest novel, "O Séculos dos Imbecis". In the book, the acclaimed author offers a critical reflection on contemporary society, which he describes as "ignorant" despite having every opportunity to become better. "We are imagining a dazzling, perfect humanity with access to everything—but by default, it does not exist," he remarked during the session, moderated by Héctor Abad Faciolince.

The novel is built around the idea that humanity has never had greater access to information or better conditions in which to thrive, yet at the same time, "we have never shown so much contempt for knowledge, for the possibility of learning, and above all, for the possibility of creating equality."

During the conversation, Valter Hugo Mãe also paid tribute to writer Conceição Evaristo and praised the Fundação Livraria Lello's initiative, describing BABELL as "Porto imagining itself at the highest level, in the most dazzling way."