José Craveirinha

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Oeiras > Oeiras > Bairro do Bugio

Location:

This sculptural ensemble, dedicated to José Craveirinha, is located in the Poets' Park, a vast green area in the locality of Oeiras, situated in the Bugio Neighborhood. The park is recognized as a cultural and leisure space, where poetry and art merge with the landscape.

Walking along its paths allows one to enjoy a serene environment and, at specific points, observe the mouth of the Tagus River and the Atlantic Ocean. The presence of Craveirinha's sculpture in this context contributes to an atmosphere of reflection and cultural appreciation.

The Sculptural Tribute:

The sculpture is a tribute to the notable Mozambican poet José Craveirinha. Created by sculptor Frank Ntaluma, this work is inspired by the author's most famous poem, "Quero Ser Tambor" (I Want to Be a Drum).

The ensemble consists of four sculptures, carved from marble of different shades and set on a concrete base. Three of the figures represent drum players, depicted in various positions, seated, standing, and kneeling. The fourth figure, seated on a drum, evokes the idea of a gathering or poetic soiree, conveying a passion for poetry and the richness of traditional Mozambican music. It is a visible expression of dreams transformed into reality by the power of art.

The Poetic Legacy:

José Craveirinha (1922-2003) is considered the greatest poet of Mozambique, a central figure in Portuguese-language literature. His career was marked by a deep commitment to his country and by the exploration of social themes in his work.

His poetry stands out for its originality and its ability to integrate the cadences and vitality of Mozambican languages into the structure of the Portuguese language. In 1991, Craveirinha became the first African author to be awarded the Camões Prize, the most prestigious recognition in Lusophone literature. His work reflects the complexity of Mozambican cultural identity and the transformative power of the word.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt