Inland Literary Festival 2024: Words of Fire in Coimbra
The Inland Literary Festival – Words of Fire (Palavras de Fogo) returns to the Coimbra district this week for its ninth edition, bringing a somber and vital theme to the forefront of cultural discussion: “Genocides, the Dark Interior of Humanity.”
Running from Thursday to Sunday across the municipalities of Arganil, Lousã, Condeixa-a-Nova, and Coimbra, the festival features a diverse program of book launches, creative workshops, and deep-dive discussions. Founded in 2018 in the wake of the devastating 2017 wildfires, the festival continues its mission of bringing high-level literary discourse to the Portuguese interior.
Confronting Global Tragedy
The festival’s central theme will be inaugurated on Thursday at the Comendador Montenegro Library in Lousã. Professor and writer Cristina Robalo Cordeiro will deliver a keynote lecture titled “Wandering through books and images of the Middle East,” setting the stage for a weekend of reflection on human conflict and history.
While the festival had originally announced the participation of Scholastique Mukasonga—a survivor of the 1990s Rwandan genocide—organizer Ana Filomena Amaral confirmed that the Franco-Rwandan writer was ultimately forced to cancel her appearance.
From Artificial Intelligence to Freedom Behind Bars
The program offers a wide-ranging exploration of modern culture and social issues. Highlights in Lousã include a creative writing workshop led by Margarida Fonseca Santos and a roundtable discussion on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and literature. The festival will also host the launch of Amaral’s own new novel, Absolute Power: Caravans of Freedom, accompanied by a live flamenco performance.
The event also extends its reach into the community and social justice sectors. Cape Verdean writer Zaida Sanches is scheduled to visit the Coimbra Prison for a session organized by inmates titled “Waiting for Freedom.” Additionally, Sanches will join Matilde Santos, director of the National Library of Cape Verde, in Condeixa-a-Nova to discuss reading promotion policies in Africa.
A Celebration of Local Heritage
Despite its heavy themes, the festival remains rooted in local tradition and fellowship. The “12th Fraternity Dinner – Lousã With Zeca Afonso” will celebrate the legendary Portuguese singer-songwriter with an evening of music and poetry.
The festival will conclude on Sunday in Arganil. Following the presentation of a new book on literary tourism by Sílvia Quinteiro and Maria Mota Almeida, the event will wrap up with a community lunch featuring “bucho,” a traditional regional meat delicacy.
Future Horizons
Coordinator Ana Filomena Amaral noted that the festival was moved from June to May to ensure students could participate before the school year ends. Looking forward, Amaral aims to strengthen international ties, specifically through a formal partnership with the National Library of Cape Verde to foster a deeper Lusophone literary connection.
Image: Pexels – cottonbro studio
