Brazilian academy of the letters

The Brazilian Académie of the Letters is the principal linguistic and literary institution Brésil. It sits at Rio de Janeiro since the July 20th 1897

History

At the end of the XIXe century, some Brazilian authors and intellectuals tested the desire to create a national Academy, on the model of the French Academy.

The initiative was taken by Lúcio de Mendonça, concretized in preparatory meetings which initiated on December 15th, 1896, under the presidency of Aitch of Sitted (elected by acclamation), in the drafting of Revista Brésilienne. In these meetings the Statutes of the Brazilian Academy of Letters were approved were approved the January 28th 1897, being composed their table of 40 founding members. July 20th of this year the Inaugural Session was taken place in a building of the center of Rio.

The Academy, which did not have a resource financial, was itinerant until 1904, date on which it settled in part of a governmental building of Rio which sheltered other cultural institutions.

In 1923, thanks to the initiative of its president, Afrânio Peixoto, and of the ambassador of France, Raymond Conty, the French government yielded the building of the French House to him, retorts Small Trianon of Versailles built for the Exposure of the Centenary of the Independence of Brazil of 1922.

These installations are reversed pelo Institut of the state of Cultural heritage (INEPAC), da Secretaria of the state of Culture, since November 9th, 1987. Their living rooms function until the days of today by sheltering the meetings to regulate, the commemorative solemn sessions, the sessions of possession of the new academicians, like for traditional the of Thursdays. They can be known by the public in guided visits, or in cultural programs I eat concerts of chamber music, launching of books of the members, cycles of conferences and plays.

Characteristics

Members

The statute of the Brazilian Academy of the Letters is copied on that of the French Academy. It comprises forty " members effectifs" , elected on a purely basis for life and called " immortels" , for which it is necessary to add twenty members " correspondents étrangers". To become member, it is necessary to be born Brésilien, and to have published works with the recognized merit, whatever the kind.

When an academician dies, the armchair is declared vacant and the candidates have one month to announce themselves to the President. The election, with secret bulletin, takes place three months after the declaration of the vacancy. The uniform, still inspired there by that of the French Academicians (dark gold green, embroidered, accompanied by a black velvet hat) is offered to the novel member by the State of the Brazilian Federation in which it is originating. At the time of the meeting of reception, the new one occupying of the seat speaks in praise of its predecessors, before receiving the collar, the diploma and the sword. Then another academician makes the speech of reception where it speaks in praise of new immortal.

Traditionally male institution, the Academy elected its first member on November 4th, 1977, in the person of Rachel de Queiroz, for which was drawn a female version of the costume.

the president

The president is elected annually by the Academicians.

The first President, Machado de Assis, was gratifié honorary title of President Perpétuel .

The load is given in theory concerned annually, contrary to the presidency of the French Academy. However, the outgoing president has the right to be represented indefinitely. Austregésilo de Athayde misused this possibility while managing to remain president almost 34 years (1959-1993)! Its successors gave up this frame of mind and returned to the principle of a rotating presidency.

Guards of the chairs

One of specificities of the Brazilian Academy, compared to its French model, is the institution of " protecteurs" (in Portuguese, owner ). The first members wanted to pay homage to Brazilian great writers missing by making some the " protecteurs" their armchairs. This system of literary patronage was extended thereafter to the twenty seats reserved for the " correspondents étrangers". Despite everything, certain great names were forgotten, and the initial choices sometimes granted this honor to writers now considered as poor, even completely forgotten.

Activities

The institution allotted itself like tries essential the defense of the language and the national literature. Thus, the " Put of Machado de Assis" publish in its review of the works written by the Academicians, and engages has to prepare the dictionary language , after being itself occupied organization of the orthographical Vocabulaire of the Portuguese language .

Members, passed and present

Internal bond

Presidents of the Brazilian Academy of the Letters

External bond

Site officile of the ABL

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