Bertolt Brecht
Author of the day

Bertolt Brecht

Bertolt Brecht was a highly influential German playwright, poet, and theatre director. He is renowned for his pioneering work in epic theatre, which aimed to provoke critical thought rather than emotional immersion. His writings often carried strong political and social messages, critiquing capitalism, war, and injustice. Brecht's innovative techniques, such as the alienation effect (Verfremdungseffekt), revolutionized modern theatre.

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.
Read full poem

Born on this day

11
Alberto de Oliveira

Alberto de Oliveira was a Brazilian poet, considered one of the greatest exponents of Parnassianism in Brazil. His work is marked by formal perfection, metrical rigor, and imagistic plasticity, distinctive characteristics of the movement. With a cultivated language and a rich vocabulary, he explored themes such as nature, idealized love, and classical mythology, always with an objective and descriptive approach. His poetry, although sometimes considered cold by some critics, is recognized for its musicality and aesthetic beauty.

Argemiro de Paula Garcia Filho

Argemiro de Paula Garcia Filho is a Brazilian poet known for his work that moves between lyricism and social reflection. His poetry frequently explores the human soul, the beauties of everyday life, the pains of existence, and the search for a deeper meaning in life. With a language that balances simplicity and depth, he manages to touch the reader with universal themes, inviting contemplation and questioning.

Júlio Maciel

Júlio Maciel was a Portuguese poet whose work stands out for its connection to the surrealist movement and for the exploration of the unconscious and the dreamlike. His poems are characterized by innovative language, surprising imagery, and a deep investigation of the human psyche. Maciel left a significant mark on modern Portuguese poetry, influencing other creators with his avant-garde vision and his ability to deconstruct reality through words.

Oldegar Vieira

Oldegar Vieira was a Portuguese poet known for his lyrical work and exploration of themes such as nature, saudade (longing), and the human condition. His poetry, marked by careful language and refined sensibility, reflects a deep connection with landscapes and the feelings of the soul. Throughout his career, he consolidated his own style, within the context of contemporary Portuguese poetry, and left a legacy of verses that continue to resonate for their expressiveness and depth.

Karl Kraus

Karl Kraus was an Austrian writer, journalist, and poet, widely regarded as one of the most important German-language literary figures of the 20th century. He founded and edited the magazine Der Fackel (The Torch), which he published for over thirty years, where he wrote most of his satirical and critical writings. He was known for his fierce opposition to Nazism, militarism, and the decline of the press, using satire and irony as his main weapons.

A good stylist should have narcissistic enjoyment
António Gomes de Oliveira

António Gomes de Oliveira was a poet whose works explored the human and existential dimension with accessible and profound language. His poetry often addresses the passage of time, interpersonal relationships, and the search for meaning in life. With a style that combines simplicity with reflection, Oliveira left a poetic record that invites contemplation and identification with universal human concerns.

Manuela Porto

Manuela Porto was a notable Portuguese writer, whose work stood out for its psychological depth and for how she explored the complexities of the human condition. With a solid literary career, she left a legacy of novels and short stories that continue to be read and analyzed for their literary quality and their capacity for introspection, addressing universal themes sensitively and intelligently.

Fina García Marruz

Fina García Marruz was a Cuban poet, essayist, and researcher, considered one of the central figures of 20th-century Cuban poetry and one of the most relevant female voices in Spanish-language literature. Her work is marked by erudition, philosophical depth, and the exploration of identity, memory, and the human condition. With precise and evocative language, García Marruz wove a universe of reflection in her verses about love, death, faith, and the search for transcendence. Her poetry, both intimate and universal, invites contemplation and the discovery of new perspectives on existence.

Elizabeth Willis

Elizabeth Willis is an American poet, known for her poetry that investigates nature, history, and the complexities of language. Her work is often characterized by sharp intelligence, subtle lyricism, and a deep connection to the natural world. She explores how memory and experience shape our perception and our language.

Roberto Bolaño

Roberto Bolaño was an influential Chilean writer, whose work, marked by a hypnotic prose and a deep darkness, explored the labyrinths of identity, memory, violence, and literature itself. His life, spent between Chile, Mexico, and Europe, was reflected in a narrative that often fused autobiographical elements with fiction and social criticism. Bolaño became a post-mortem cult figure, acclaimed for his stylistic audacity, his vast imagination, and his ability to capture the complexity of the contemporary world through unforgettable characters and absorbing plots.

Died on this day

7
José Maria de Barros Pinho

José Maria de Barros Pinho, better known as Ary dos Santos, was a Portuguese poet of great relevance, a prominent figure of the so-called Intervention Poetry. His work is marked by a strong sense of social and political criticism, addressing themes such as oppression, freedom, and injustice. With direct and passionate language, Ary dos Santos became an influential voice in the fight against the dictatorship in Portugal, echoing the aspirations of a generation and leaving a lasting legacy in protest and intervention poetry.

Idea Vilariño

Idea Vilariño was a Uruguayan poet, essayist, translator, and literary critic, a prominent figure in Latin American literature. She stood out for her engaged poetry and for exploring themes such as love, death, identity, and the female condition, with direct and powerful language. Her work, marked by deep social and existential reflection, established her as one of the most important voices in Spanish-language poetry.

Francisco de Andrade

Francisco de Andrade was a Portuguese poet whose works explore the depths of the human soul, the fleeting nature of time, and the intrinsic beauty of existence. His poetry, marked by careful language and keen sensitivity, invites reflection on the great themes of life. His poetic legacy lies in his ability to touch the reader with the universality of his feelings, consolidating him as an important voice in Portuguese-language literature.

Eduardo Moreiras

Eduardo Moreiras was a Galician writer and professor, whose works explore identity, memory, and the human condition, with a style that frequently combines realism and lyricism. His writing reflects a deep sensibility and a keen eye on the complexities of life. As a professor by profession, he dedicated himself to literature as a form of expression and reflection on society and the individual. His work, although perhaps less publicized than that of other contemporary authors, possesses a notable literary quality and an invitation to introspection.

Winfield T. Scott

Winfield T. Scott was a writer whose contributions to literature focused on themes of historical and cultural interest. His work reflects a keen eye for social complexities and the narratives that shape our understanding of the past. Scott dedicated himself to exploring and documenting relevant aspects of his time, leaving a record of his perspective on the events and people around him.