The city of Penafiel once again becomes the epicenter of literature from October 20th to 25th, hosting the 19th edition of Escritaria – Literary Festival. This year, the event pays tribute to Luís Cardoso, a prominent voice in contemporary literature from Timor-Leste. The main program will take place at Ponto C – Cultura e Criatividade, extending to schools, public spaces, and other cultural venues within the municipality.
Over six days, Escritaria offers a multidisciplinary program focused on the life and work of Luís Cardoso, exploring themes such as memory, identity, exile, resistance, and freedom through literature, music, cinema, and visual arts. The festival will feature various personalities from Portuguese and Lusophone culture, including D. Américo Aguiar, Dulce Pontes, Sérgio Godinho, Shahd Wadi, Ondjaki, Adelino Gomes, and Ana Sousa Dias, among others.
Luís Cardoso, born in Kailako in 1958, arrived in Portugal in 1975, following the Indonesian invasion of Timor-Leste. His career is intrinsically linked to the Timorese cause and the representation of the National Council of Maubere Resistance in Portugal. He is the author of works such as Crónica de Uma Travessia, Requiem para o Navegador Solitário, Para Onde Vão os Gatos Quando Morrem?, O Plantador de Abóboras, and Hotel Timor. He received the Prémio Oceanos in 2021 and was awarded the Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste in 2023.
A highlight of the program is the tribute to Luís Represas, with contributions from Manuel Faria and Mona Miari, among others. The song “Timor”, written by João Gil and João Monge and performed by Luís Represas, which became a symbol of Portuguese solidarity with the Timorese people, will be revisited.
The musical program will also feature Dulce Pontes, internationally acclaimed, and the closing performance by Sérgio Godinho, accompanied by pianist Filipe Raposo.
The homage to Luís Cardoso extends to the Palestinian cause through the participation of Mona Miari, a singer-songwriter who collaborated with Roger Waters, and Shahd Wadi, a Palestinian writer and researcher based in Portugal, focusing on themes of exile and identity.
The festival includes the inauguration of Luís Cardoso's silhouette on October 23rd, a mark left by Escritaria in the city. There will also be a screening of the film O Voo do Crocodilo by Fernando Vendrell, performances by companies such as Teatro do Vestido and Circolando, exhibitions on Timor, and educational activities.
The Municipal Library of Penafiel will host, on October 24th, the exhibition Takas: a literatura extraordinária de um viajante timorense. The closing will feature the Group of Timorese Students in Porto and an initiative dedicated to Timorese gastronomy, reinforcing cultural exchange.
Established in 2008, Escritaria annually celebrates a living Portuguese-language writer, fostering a connection between their work and the community. Throughout its 19 editions, the festival has established Penafiel as a meeting point for literature, culture, and the Portuguese language.
