In a groundbreaking collaboration facilitated by Chiri Uchu TXT, the highly acclaimed novel "Jerusalem" by Portuguese writer Gonçalo M. Tavares has been translated into Afrikaans by renowned poet Pieter Odendaal. This partnership has opened the doors for Afrikaans readers to access the works of one of the world's most influential and widely translated authors. Minimal Press, an independent publishing house specializing in Afrikaans, undertook the important task of releasing this literary masterpiece.
Gonçalo M. Tavares, born in Luanda in 1970, is a prominent figure in the literary world and currently teaches Theory of Science in Lisbon, Portugal where he was raised. His extraordinary talent and literary prowess have garnered high praise, including a bold prediction from Nobel Laureate José Saramago. Saramago declared, "In thirty years' time, if not before, Tavares will win the Nobel Prize, and I'm sure my prediction will come true... Tavares has no right to be writing so well at the age of 35. One feels like punching him." Tavares' literary achievements have astonished readers, as he has produced a diverse range of books since 2001 and has swiftly received numerous national and international literary awards. Notably, he won the José Saramago Prize in 2005, which recognizes young writers under the age of 35. During the award ceremony, Saramago praised Tavares' remarkable work, particularly his novel "Jerusalem," stating that it deserves a place among the great works of Western literature. Furthermore, "Jerusalem" was honored with the Prêmio Portugal Telecom de Literatura em Língua Portuguesa in 2007, as well as the LER/Millennium Prize, further solidifying its significance and critical acclaim.
"Jerusalem" unfolds over the course of a single night, as six characters wander through the streets of a city, each in search of something that will redeem them. Among them are Mylya, a sick woman; Theodor, a doctor engrossed in researching the "history of human terror"; Hanna, a prostitute; Ernst, a man who was once institutionalized in the same psychiatric clinic as Mylya; Hinnerk, a war veteran; and Kaas, Mylya and Ernst's sickly son, raised by Theodor as his own. Tavares skillfully weaves together familiar tropes often found in global quality fiction, imbuing his prose with lyrical touches and an intimate sense of spirituality. Beyond religious connotations, the novel delves into the yearning for something that transcends the material world, crafting a macabre luminosity that captivates readers.
Pieter Odendaal, a celebrated South African poet, translator, cultural manager, and university professor, stands at the helm of this significant translation endeavor. He garnered critical acclaim and won the prestigious Ingrid Jonker Poetry Prize for his debut collection, "asof geen berge ooit hier gewoon het nie" (Tafelberg, 2018). Recently, Odendaal achieved success with his first play, titled "Droomwerk," and published his second poetry collection, "Ontaard" (Tafelberg, 2023).
The publication of "Jerusalem" in Afrikaans was made possible through the Linha de Apoio à Tradução e Edição (LATE), established in 2020. LATE emerged as a fusion of the translation support program of DGLAB, which had been active for over 30 years, and the publishing support program of Camões, IP. This initiative aims to support foreign and national publishers in translating and publishing Portuguese-language works by Portuguese authors and authors from Portuguese-speaking African countries (Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, São Tomé, Guinea-Bissau) and Timor-Leste.
At Chiri Uchu TXT we have unwavering commitment and love for promoting literature in indigenous languages of the Global South. By bridging linguistic and cultural gaps, we have enabled the translation and dissemination of significant literary works, empowering readers to explore diverse voices and narratives from around the world. Through our support and collaboration with publishers like Minimal Press, we continue to amplify the richness and diversity of global literature, fostering cultural exchange and understanding.
If you are in South Africa, you can easily secure your copy of "Jerusalem" at https://www.willowtradingsa.co.za/shop/publishers/minimal-press. Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the captivating world of Gonçalo M. Tavares' masterpiece, now available in Afrikaans.
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