Voltaire
Author of the day

Voltaire

Voltaire was a prolific French writer, historian, and philosopher, a central figure of the Enlightenment. Known for his sharp intellect, sense of humor, and advocacy for freedom of speech, he vehemently criticized religious intolerance and the tyranny of the aristocracy and clergy of his time. His vast work spans poetry, essays, plays, correspondence, and philosophical texts, exerting a profound influence on Western thought.

Poem of the day

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Dylan Thomas
Do not go gentle into that good night, 
Old age should burn and rave at close of day; 
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. 

Though wise men at their end know dark is right, 
Because their words had forked no lightning they 
Do not go gentle into that good night. 

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright 
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, 
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. 

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, 
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, 
Do not go gentle into that good night. 

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight 
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, 
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. 

And you, my father, there on that sad height, 
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. 
Do not go gentle into that good night. 
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
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Born on this day

19
Bocage

Bocage, whose real name was Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage, was one of the most important Portuguese poets of the late 18th century. His work, marked by intense and sometimes irreverent lyricism, explored themes such as love, passion, the fleetingness of time, and melancholy. Known for his bohemian life and strong personality, Bocage left a poetic legacy that transcends his time, influencing later generations of writers with his formal mastery and expressiveness.

Lya Luft

Lya Luft was a Brazilian writer, translator, and lexicographer of German origin, known for her vast literary and essayistic work. Her writing, marked by intelligence, psychological depth, and engaging prose, addressed themes such as family relationships, the female condition, memory, and identity. As a translator, she played a fundamental role in disseminating German-language literature in Brazil. Her work, which includes novels, short stories, and essays, reflects a critical perspective and a deep sensitivity to the complexities of human life. She passed away in 2018, leaving a significant intellectual and literary legacy.

Judas Isgorogota

Judas Isgorogota is a complex literary figure, whose work fits within the tradition of mystical and metaphysical poetry. His compositions explore the duality between the sacred and the profane, light and shadow, the search for transcendence in a world permeated by suffering and disillusionment. He is characterized by a dense language, laden with symbolism, and by a profound introspection on the human condition.

Rubem Alves

Rubem Alves was a Brazilian psychoanalyst, pastor, and writer, known for his work that spans philosophy, psychology, and poetry. With accessible language and a tone that was sometimes playful, sometimes profound, he addressed themes such as love, happiness, childhood, and the meaning of life, inspiring readers of all ages. His vast literary production, which includes children's books and essays, left a legacy of reflection and tenderness about human existence.

Zila Mamede

Zila Mamede was a Brazilian poet whose work stands out for its expressive force and its social and existential themes. Her poetry, marked by direct and powerful language, addresses issues such as female identity, social injustices, and the pursuit of freedom and autonomy. Although her literary output is concise, she left an indelible mark on Brazilian literature. Her work is recognized for its originality and courage in dealing with themes considered taboo in her time, especially regarding the condition of women. Zila Mamede is remembered as a powerful and necessary voice, whose poetry continues to inspire and provoke reflection.

Gunnar Ekelöf

Gunnar Ekelöf was one of the most important Swedish poets of the 20th century, known for his innovative work and his deep exploration of the human condition. His poetry is characterized by rich language, complex symbolism, and a constant search for meaning in a fragmented world. Ekelöf is considered a central figure in Swedish modernism.

Lucebert

Lucebert (real name: Lubertus Jacobus Swaanswijk) was a Dutch poet and painter, a central figure in the experimental CoBrA movement. His poetry, like his art, is characterized by a playful, transgressive, and often provocative approach that challenges linguistic and artistic conventions. With a body of work marked by experimentation and the pursuit of authentic and visceral expression, Lucebert explored themes such as the human condition, freedom, nature, and social criticism. His ability to merge the visual and the verbal, creating poetic images charged with meaning and emotion, established him as one of the most unique and influential post-war artists in the Netherlands and Europe.

Vítor Manuel de Aguiar e Silva

Vítor Manuel de Aguiar e Silva is a distinguished academic, researcher, and university professor, widely recognized for his vast contributions to Portuguese language literary and linguistic studies. His work is dedicated to the critical analysis of literature, with a particular focus on Portuguese and Brazilian literature, also addressing literary theory and the history of ideas. He is a benchmark name in the field of philology and literary criticism.

Antonina Canyelles

Antonina Canyelles is a Spanish writer and pedagogue, known for her work focused on children's and youth literature. Her career is highlighted by her contribution to education and the creation of stories that encourage reading and imagination in children.

Manuel Curros Enríquez

Galician poet whose full name is Manuel Narciso Bernardo Curros Enríquez. He is a prominent figure in Galician literature, especially of the Rexurdimento, a movement that revitalized the language and culture of Galicia in the 19th century. His work is characterized by a strong social and political commitment, as well as a deep melancholy and love for his homeland. Despite having written in Castilian, his Galician identity and his use of Galician in works like "A Gaita Gallega" establish him as a pillar of literature in this language.

Claude Mckay

Claude McKay was a Jamaican-American writer and poet, who was a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance. His work often explored themes of racial identity, injustice, and the search for dignity. McKay's powerful verses, characterized by their lyrical quality and bold social commentary, challenged prevailing notions of race and belonging, leaving a significant mark on African American literature and diasporic thought.

Upon the clothes behind the tenement, That hang li
Baldomero Fernández Moreno

Argentine poet known for his lyrical and costumbrista work. His poetry is characterized by simplicity, musicality, and the evocation of daily life, especially that of Buenos Aires. He addressed themes such as love, nature, and the city with an accessible and emotional language.

Carlos Germán Belli

Peruvian poet, one of the most unique and enigmatic voices in 20th-century Spanish-language poetry. His work, marked by an elaborate language and a profound reflection on existence, time, and memory, is characterized by its formal rigor and its often dark and existential tone. Throughout his career, Belli has explored the depths of the human condition, the transience of life, and the persistence of memory, using a poetics that combines tradition with a contemporary and personal vision. He is recognized for the demands of his writing and the intensity of his verses.

Died on this day

4
Domingos do Nascimento

Domingos do Nascimento was a poet whose work is part of a context of deep reflection on the human condition and spirituality. His poetic compositions explore the duality between the material and the immaterial, the ephemeral and the eternal, using a language rich in symbolism and evocative imagery. His poetry is marked by an incessant search for meaning, addressing universal themes such as love, loss, faith, and transcendence. Musicality and rhythm are distinctive elements of his style, lending a unique sonority to his verses, which invite contemplation and introspection.