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Poet

Herberto Helder

Herberto  Helder

Herberto Helder

(Portugal, 1930 - 2015)
Biography
Born in Funchal (Madeira Island) in 1930. After having abandoned both his Law and Romanic Philology studies, he worked in various areas, traveled extensively throughout Europe, and lived in Angola. As a poet, he has transformed the act of translating into a fundamental and complementary exercise of his work, giving a new dimension to both activities.
He was closely linked to the vanguards, but his momentum in Portuguese literature achieves however a greater freedom by the singular poetic world he creates, which makes him one of the most important names in the contemporary literary history.
In spite of his brilliant trajectory, the author has stepped back from the limelight, refusing interviews, awards and the participation in literary events, dedicating himself exclusively to his work.
Herberto Helder has been awarded with several prizes, like the 1999 Pessoa prize, that he has refused.

Publications (selection)
O amor em visita [Visiting Love]. Lisbon: Contraponto, 1958
A colher na boca [The spoon in the Mouth]. Lisbon: Ática, 1961
Os passos em volta [The Steps Around], (short stories). Lisbon: Portugália, 1963; Assírio & Alvim, 1980; 4ª ed. 1997
Poesia Toda [Complete Poems]. Lisbon: Plátano, 1973; Assírio & Alvim, 1981; 3ª ed. 1996
Photomaton & Vox, (poems and prose). Lisbon: Assírio & Alvim, 1979; 3ª ed. 1995
Do Mundo [Of the World]. Lisbon: Assírio & Alvim, 1994
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Prins Bernhard cultuurfonds
Lira fonds
Versopolis
J.E. Jurriaanse
Gefinancierd door de Europese Unie
Elise Mathilde Fonds
Stichting Verzameling van Wijngaarden-Boot
Veerhuis
VDM
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère