Urdu translation of Brazilian books launched

ISLAMABAD:

Two books of classic Brazilian literature, which have been translated into Urdu and English, were launched at the National Library on Wednesday.

The 19th century “Iracema” by José de Alencar and posthumous memoirs of Brás Cubas by Machado de Assis have been published in Urdu by the Brazilian embassy to make Pakistanis familiar with Brazilian literature.

National Library Director-General Chaudhry Nazir described the books as an important tool to understand the South American country and its people.

First published in 1865, Iracema is one of the most important books of Brazilian romanticism, but also of Brazilian literature as a whole. While the memoirs created an impact in the literature scene of Brazil in the end of 19th century. Narrated by the title character, a single, rich, empty man decides to narrate his life after he has died. At a Q&A session later, outgoing Brazilian Ambassador Alfredo Leoni said the two books were pillars of Brazilian literature.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2015.