A Brief History of Surrealism: From André Breton to Frida Kahlo | Art of Saudade

Surrealism as a cultural, literary, and artistic movement emerged in the aftermath of World War I when artists would not only dream of a better world, but they would try to create it.  Among the major figures of Surrealism were the writers André Breton, Robert Desnos, Paul Éluard, Louis Aragon, and the painters Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst and René Magritte. André Breton, the Father of … Continue reading A Brief History of Surrealism: From André Breton to Frida Kahlo | Art of Saudade

Emily Dickinson’s Lesson On The Real Value Of Things | Art of Saudade

“Water, is taught by thirst. Land — by the Oceans passed. Transport — by throe — Peace — by its battles told — Love, by Memorial Mold — Birds, by the Snow.“ – Emily Dickinson We only learn the real value of things when we lose them. Only when we are thirsty can we truly appreciate Water. People who survive a shipwreck get to know … Continue reading Emily Dickinson’s Lesson On The Real Value Of Things | Art of Saudade

Rumi’s Dance

Rumi’s poetry is based on Sufi mysticism, spirituality and most importantly, love. Sufis dance “like nobody’s watching, love like they’ve never been hurt and live like it’s heaven on earth”, as a wise man once said. However, according to Sufism, there is indeed someone watching – God, and love can never hurt since there is no love without sacrifice. But Sufis dance like there is … Continue reading Rumi’s Dance

Learn to write from the Masters: #2 Charles Kiefer – “Para ser escritor”

The writer’s struggle for the right word is the most painful struggle. This is Charles Kiefer’s statement, Brazilian literature professor and author who shares his thoughts on the most common challenges writers face. Finding the right word, or le mot juste that Flaubert himself struggled with, is obviously one of the obstacles in the writing process. In Flaubert’s case, this struggle turned into obsession (it … Continue reading Learn to write from the Masters: #2 Charles Kiefer – “Para ser escritor”

Discover Macedonian poetry: #3 Aco Sopov – The Wind Carries Beautiful Weather

The wind carries beautiful weather. It raves within us, then resounds. It carries beautiful weather. All that’s lovely is bright but changes, and grief remains. Sometimes grief stretches inside us, lies down in our eyes and thickens the layers that dim the lights we watch. Then an aching of awe blows cold and lost, unknown inside us, haunting us deep. But then again grief plays … Continue reading Discover Macedonian poetry: #3 Aco Sopov – The Wind Carries Beautiful Weather

Latin American authors you absolutely need to discover

Latin American literature is best known for its magical realism, its beautiful poems and tales. I recently read a collection named “América Latina cuenta”, a series of Latin American short stories called “Leer es fiesta” (Reading is fun). Since everything is fiesta in Latin America, I thought why reading (and writing) wouldn’t be, so I thought of discovering how true it is. The result? I … Continue reading Latin American authors you absolutely need to discover