The writer, philosopher and environmentalist Ailton Krenak was elected this Thursday (5/10) to the Brazilian Academy of Letters (ABL), becoming the first indigenous person to occupy a professorship at the institution. Krenak will assume the fifth seat, vacant since the death of historian José Murilo de Carvalho in August this year. The new academic surpassed other candidates such as the historian Mary Del Priore and also the indigenous Daniel Munduruku.
Literary trajectory
Krenak is an Honorary Doctor of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora and a member of the Academia Mineira de Letras. His career is marked by activism in favor of indigenous rights and the environment. In 1987, his speech to the National Constituent Assembly was fundamental for the approval of the amendments guaranteeing the rights of the original peoples.
The philosopher’s works have become best-sellers, such as “A Vida Não É Útil” and “Ideias para Adiar o Fim do Mundo”, published by Companhia das Letras. In these books, Krenak offers a critique of “zombie humanity,” a term he uses to describe a society disconnected from nature and focused on unbridled consumption.
The current climate crisis has given Krenak greater visibility. His most recent book, “Um Rio um Pássaro”, published by Dantes, brings reflections on man’s relationship with nature and the universe. Krenak explores the concept of “cosmophobia,” the human resistance to accepting a cosmic view of existence.
Audiovisual trajectory
Ailton Krenak has also participated in numerous documentaries and audiovisual productions that explore environmental and indigenous themes, such as “Territories of Resistance – Florestanias, Sertanias, Ribeirias” (2021), “Our homeland is where we are loved” (2022) and “Treading Sweetly on Earth” (2022).
He also appeared in “Falas da Terra”, Globo’s special on the original peoples, and was a consultant for Xuxa’s yet unpublished series, “Tarã”, as well as being often invited to share his thoughts on sustainability, indigenous people and the protection of man. relationship with nature.
Recently, his books “Ideias para Adiar o Fim do Mundo” and “A Vida Não É Útil”, were purchased by RT Television, the television arm of RT Features, the award-winning production company of Rodrigo Teixeira, responsible for successful films such as “German”, “Tim Maia”, “The Witch”, “Call Me by Your Name”, “Ad Astra” and “The Invisible Life”.
Krenak, who turned 70 on September 29, was elected to the ABL at a time when the Academy sought greater diversity and cultural breadth among its ranks, a trend also demonstrated with the inclusion of Fernanda Montenegro and Gilberto Gil in his ranks. The inauguration ceremony of the new “immortal” is scheduled for next month.
Source: Terra
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