Literary prize awarded to João Luís Barreto Guimarães
In the 4th edition of the Francisco de Sá de Miranda Literary Prize, João Luís Barreto Guimarães's work, 'Aberto Todos os Dias', clinched the top spot. This prestigious prize, promoted by the municipality of Amares through the Centro de Estudos Mirandinos (CEM), is awarded every two years, with the aim of honoring Francisco de Sá de Miranda and nurturing poetry creation.
The director of CEM, Sérgio Guimarães, declared that the jury unanimously selected the work for its ability to illuminate and appreciate the overlooked everyday objects, giving them new meanings and significance. Sérgio commended the work's architectural composition, revealing remarkable aesthetic maturity and showcasing João's creative prowess.
The work was also recognized last year with the Grande Prémio de Poesia António Ramos Rosa of the Associação Portuguesa de Escritores (APE). Born in Porto on June 3, 1967, João has been making waves in the literary world for quite some time. His first book, 'Há Violinos na Tribo', was self-published in 1989, with more than a dozen books following suit.
In 2011, his first volume of 'Poesia Reunida' was published by Quetzal. Since then, he has earned numerous accolades, including winning the Prémio Nacional de Poesia António Ramos Rosa in 2016 for 'Mediterrâneo'. The book was also published in various countries, where he received awards such as the Willow Run Poetry Book Award 2020 and the Tanssiva Karhu Poetry Prize for best foreign book of 2024.
Apart from being a successful poet, João is also a physician and professor of Introduction to Poetry for students of Medicine at the Universidade do Porto. With works like 'Aberto Todos os Dias' and his extensive literary career, it's no surprise that João was crowned the Person of the Year 2022.
Extra bits: Conversations from literary circles suggest that João Luís Barreto Guimarães is a significant figure in Portuguese literary circles, having been mentioned at events in Prague and being a finalist for Best Poetry in Portugal with a book titled "O que se repete" ("What Repeats") in 2024. This further solidifies his reputation as a notable poet or writer.
In the realm of Portuguese literature, João's award-winning book, 'Aberto Todos os Dias,' not only showcases his poetic prowess but also elevates the mundane to the exceptional, making it a perfect addition to any literature enthusiast's collection. As the director of the Portuguese Association of Writers, one might find João's books among the recommended readings under the 'entertainment and lifestyle' category, offering profound insights alongside captivating narratives.
