A new collection, Quando o Micondó da Casa Florir no País – Escritos sobre Conceição Lima, has been published, celebrating the poetry of Conceição Lima, a renowned São Tomé and Príncipe poet. The collection, edited by Inocência Mata, features essays, unpublished texts, and testimonies that explore Lima's work and its connections to memory, community, identity, and history. The book was presented on October 30 at the UCCLA auditorium.
The collection has been published by Rosa de Porcelana and features diverse perspectives on Lima's poetry. The presentation event included interventions from writer and researcher Ana Paula Tavares and writer Filinto Elísio, and was also transmitted live on the UCCLA Facebook page. Tavares highlighted the organization of the texts and the variety of approaches proposed by the collection, emphasizing that Lima's work requires an understanding of the relationship between memory, community, and imagination.
Ana Paula Tavares noted that Lima's poetry allows readers to revisit the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe not only as places of memory but also as territories marked by pain and historical trauma. The poet's work explores themes such as settlement, slavery, forced labor, and population movements. Tavares also emphasized that Lima's poetry is not exhausted by a single reading, requiring new interpretations and attention to language, history, and experiences.
The literary dimension of Lima's production was also highlighted during the presentation. Her writing has been the subject of studies and translations into different languages. The collection features a diverse range of perspectives, making it a critical edition. The event also recognized the contributions of participants, including Ismael Soqueira, who designed the book's cover and separator art.
In her opening intervention, the representative of Rosa de Porcelana acknowledged the contributions of participants who collaborated on articles and testimonies. The session also recognized the support of the Oeiras Municipal Chamber and the Regional Government of Príncipe, among other entities. Inocência Mata expressed gratitude to participants, the publisher, and institutions that contributed to the project's realization.
Mata recalled the preparation process for the collection and mentioned that it had already been launched in São Tomé and Príncipe, where free copies were made available. Conceição Lima was born on December 8, 1961, in Santana, São Tomé and Príncipe, and began writing poetry at a young age. She studied journalism in Portugal in the early 1980s and later worked in communication.
The collection is a testament to Lima's significant contribution to African literature. Her poetry has been widely recognized and translated, and this collection offers new insights into her work and legacy. The publication is a valuable addition to the literary landscape of São Tomé and Príncipe and Angola, highlighting the importance of memory, identity, and history in shaping the region's cultural narrative.
Key points
- The collection features diverse perspectives on Conceição Lima's poetry and its connections to memory, community, identity, and history.
