Text: Cristina Fontenele*
Friday in Cascais, lunch for a literary club, secret book friend, women from various parts of Brazil and also from Portugal. “This isn’t just a book club,” the project’s creator confessed with a wide smile. “It’s a real community”, I added, praising how she is an inspiring woman, who prepares everything with great care and dedication.
On Afeto Literário’s Instagram, which is the name of the movement, this friend defines herself as “creator of literary worlds with soul and affection”, promoting “books, meetings and smiles – always at hand”. In a scenario where there is so much hate being spread, talking about affection can be revolutionary.
And there were several women gathered, sharing their tastes, readings, impressions and experiences. Through the microphone, a little of each one was presented in the form of literature. “I chose for my hidden friend the book I most enjoyed reading this year,” said one of the participants.
As for me, I offered a work that I still want to read. The Sound of the Jaguar’s Roarwinner of the Jabuti award for best literary novel, in 2022, by Pernambuco author Micheliny Verunschk. Coincidentally, my secret friend also took me out. I received a book by another writer from Pernambuco, Martha Batalha, author of The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão. A story that addresses the fate of many women born at the beginning of the 20th century, who were educated to be good wives.
Books are always an invitation to visit other places, whether to the universe narrated by the writer, to the interior of the characters, or to ourselves, with a little more depth and reflection. Readings help us develop critical sense, tolerance, perspectives and creativity. It’s building repertoire and wisdom.
In addition to literary narratives, various stories were told between the tables. I heard about immigration, challenges and belonging, about interactions between Brazilians and Portuguese in a more or less friendly nature over the years. Above all, I observed people willing to get to know places and people.
We talked about a German daughter-in-law who teaches Spanish and gives forró classes; travels with her husband to other countries for northeastern rhythm festivals. A daughter who was born in England, has a German father and a Brazilian mother, lives in Portugal and, even though she is young, already recognizes herself as a citizen of the world. A Brazilian couple invited to celebrate Christmas Eve at the home of Portuguese neighbors who had recently arrived in the neighborhood. A lady who carried out grocery shopping to help other residents of the building who had Covid at the height of the pandemic.
Characters, setting, plot, scenes from real lives.
All of this was set, to my delight and surprise, in a northeastern food restaurant, with a menu prepared by a woman from Ceará. Joined the party baião de Dois, farofa, curd cheese baked with honey, fried cassava, escondidinho de carne de sol, among other sweet and savory delicacies, remembering that food is also affection.
The place is decorated with objects from the family’s grandmother’s house, including documents, photographs, lamps, an iron and the iconic hammock on the porch. As one of the pictures hanging on the wall said, Affection “is the younger cousin of love, it is the whisper near your heart that tells you when you really like someone.”
Between books and smiles, affection was the protagonist of the celebration.
*Cristina Fontenele is a Brazilian writer, specializing in Writing and Creation. Author of “Um Lugar para Si – reflections on place, memory and belonging”, as well as a journalist and publicist. She has been writing chronicles for fifteen years and, like a typical Ceará native, she loves a hammock and couscous with hot coffee.