ISLAMABAD: The English and Urdu versions of two famous Brazilian novels were launched at the National Library of Pakistan on Wednesday.

The novels were published by the Embassy of Brazil in Islamabad.

‘Iracema’ and ‘Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas’ are considered pillars of Brazilian literature and important tools to understand Brazil and Brazilians in the years after its independence from Portugal in 1822.

‘Iracema’ which means ‘honey-lips’ was authored by Jose de Alencar.

It was first published in 1865 and revolves around the unexpected appearance of a Portuguese warrior in the land, in the early years of the 17th century.

Machado de Assis was the author of ‘Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas’.

The novel caused a big impact in the literature of Brazil in the end of 19th century. It is a story of a dead man who narrates his unadventurous life.

The Ambassador of Brazil, Alfredo Leoni, while speaking on the occasion said the books were the most important novels written in Brazil in the 19th century.

“We want to promote Brazilian literature in Pakistan but at the same time, we want to show our respect for the national language of Pakistan so it was decided to publish books also in Urdu along with English,” he said.

He said in October 2012, ‘Knowing Brazil’ a guide of Brazil for the Pakistani youth was published and last year a 100-page magazine, both in Urdu and English, was published.

Magazine on football was also published to celebrate the Football World Cup, which was hosted by Brazil.

The Director General of the National Library of Pakistan Ch. Mohammad Nazir expressed the hope that the books would help the people of Pakistan to understand the culture and people of Brazil.

Published in Dawn March 5th , 2015

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