Milton Hatoum Becomes First Amazonian at Brazilian Academy of Letters

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Milton Hatoum, an Amazonian author, made history as the first Amazonian author to be inducted into the Brazilian Academy of Letters (ABL).
Throughout his career, Hatoum has held professorships, contributed as a columnist for various publications, and translated works by notable authors such as Marcel Schwob and Edward Said.
His literary work, including Pontos de fuga and essays on Brazilian and Latin American literature, have achieved significant success, selling over half a million copies and being published in 17 countries.
During the ABL ceremony, Hatoum expressed his views on the need for a revolution in the mindset of elites to prevent disaster in Brazil, advocating for a pact among all Brazilians for a democratic and socially inclusive project to ensure dignified living.

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Writer Milton Hatoum made history last Friday, April 24, becoming the first Amazonian author to be inducted into the Brazilian Academy of Letters (ABL). The ceremony took place at the ABL’s headquarters, Petit Trianon, in Rio de Janeiro. Born in Manaus in 1952, Hatoum’s academic journey began at CIEM (Colegio de Aplicacao da UnB). He moved to São Paulo in the 1970s, where he earned a degree in architecture from FAU (USP) and later conducted research under geographer Prof. Dr. Milton Santos. His studies continued in Paris from 1981 to 1983, where he pursued a master’s degree in Latin American literature. Hatoum’s career includes a professorship in French language and literature at the Federal University of Amazonas from 1984 to 1998. He also contributed as a columnist for various publications, including Caderno 2 (O Estado de S. Paulo) between 2008 and 2016, as well as O Globo, Terra Magazine, and Entre Livros. Since 2017, he has held the title of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters, awarded by the Ministry of Culture and Communication of the French Republic.

His literary work includes “Pontos de fuga,” the second volume of his trilogy “O lugar mais sombrio,” published in 2019. Hatoum has also authored essays and articles on Brazilian and Latin American literature for numerous publications in Brazil, Spain, France, and Italy. He co-edited “Cronica de duas cidades: Belém e Manaus” (2006) with philosopher and literary critic Benedito Nunes. His translation work includes Marcel Schwob’s “A cruzada das crianças” and Edward Said’s “Representacoes do Intelectual.” In collaboration with Samuel Titan, he translated Gustave Flaubert’s “Three Tales.” His books have achieved significant success, selling over half a million copies, being published in 17 countries, and garnering widespread critical acclaim internationally.

Milton Hatoum Hailed as “Greatest Living Brazilian Writer” at ABL Ceremony

During the ceremony, Hatoum will be welcomed by Academica Ana Maria Machado. He will receive his collar from Academica Rosiska Darcy and his diploma from Academica Lilia Moritz Schwarcz. Dean José Sarney will present him with the sword. The commission for his entry into the ABL will consist of Academicos Antonio Carlos Secchin, Domicio Proença Filho, and Eduardo Giannetti. The commission for his departure will be formed by Academicos Arno Wehling, Ana Maria Gonçalves, and Gilberto Gil. Merval Pereira, President of the ABL, celebrated the writer’s arrival, calling him “The Greatest Living Brazilian Writer” and a “First-Rate Novelist.” In a separate statement, Milton Hatoum expressed his view that a revolution in the mindset of elites is necessary for Brazil to avoid disaster, advocating for a pact among all Brazilians for a democratic and socially inclusive project to ensure dignified living. With information from Estadao and DCM. This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Portal Uai.