Francisco Moita Saraiva Wins 2024 Saramago Literature Prize
With this award, Francisco Mota Saraiva joins an illustrious list of past winners, including Valter Hugo Mãe, Gonçalo M. Tavares, and Julián Fuks.
What?
Francisco Moita Saraiva won the prestigious José Saramago Literature Prize for 2024, which recognizes exceptional works of fiction in the Portuguese language by writers under the age of 40.
The announcement was made on Tuesday at a ceremony in Lisbon, where Moita Saraiva’s latest novel, Morramos Ao Menos no Porto (Let Us Die at Least in the Harbour), won praise for its “almost musical quality” and “a style so distinctive it feels like its own language.”
His victory, marked by critical acclaim and the promise of international publication, heralds a bright future for this rising star of Portuguese literature.
Biography
Born in Coimbra in 1988, Mota Saraiva lives in Lisbon, where he earned a law degree from Nova University Lisbon and a master’s in Law and Management from the Nova School of Business and Economics.
His literary journey began with Aqui Onde Canto e Ardo (Here Where I Sing and Burn), published by Gradiva, which won the Agustina Bessa-Luís Literary Revelation Prize in 2022.
His second novel, Morramos Ao Menos no Porto, is set for publication in 2025.
A Novel of Shadows and Uncertainty
During the ceremony, jury member Adriana Lisboa described the novel as “uncompromising and courageous,” offering readers a profound meditation on the precariousness of life.
In her speech, Lisboa reflected on the novel’s resonance with contemporary concerns: “The world of this novel, in disintegration, mirrors our very real one—a world marked by climate chaos, social inequities, and existential uncertainty.”
She highlighted its ability to challenge the reader’s intelligence and avoid simplistic solutions, creating a narrative “where meaning alternates between being glimpsed and slipping away, like navigating a dense forest at night or sailing in foggy seas.”
Fear in Today’s World
In his acceptance speech, Francisco Mota Saraiva addressed the pervasive fear of today’s world and the redemptive power of literature.
“We live in a twilight filled with the noise of darkness and silence. How can one read amid Gaza’s bombings or in the oppressive silence of Afghan women? How do we find solace in books while navigating the cramped corridors of refugee tents or witnessing the wreckage in the Mediterranean?” he asked.
Despite these challenges, Saraiva affirmed that while books may not save us outright, they offer hope and perspective: “Books carry the noble and generous cry that comes to our rescue, the delicate yet powerful force of a hand silencing fear. So, I urge you: do not be afraid. Read, always. And if fear persists, remember that for better or worse, we will always die at least in the harbour.”
The novel’s title, as he explained, is inspired by Letters to Lucilius by Seneca.
The Weight of Responsibility
Speaking with journalists after the event, Saraiva acknowledged the pressure of winning a prize that carries the names of literary giants like José Saramago and Agustina Bessa-Luís.
He described Morramos Ao Menos no Porto as a “story of great love, tinged with macabre and almost grim undertones,” featuring characters grappling with fear, pain, and violence.
These include symbolic figures representing themes like deception, sacrifice, and the aftermath of conflict.
Drawing on influences such as José Saramago, Ferreira de Castro, and Maria Velho da Costa, Saraiva admitted the challenge of balancing his career as a lawyer with his passion for writing.
“I write whenever I can—weekends, holidays, or any spare moment I find. Writing takes immense dedication and sacrifice, but it’s also a craft that demands patience and perseverance,” he said.
A Legacy of Excellence
The José Saramago Prize, now biennial, offers €40,000 and ensures the publication and distribution of the winning work across Portuguese-speaking countries.
In Portugal, the book will be published by Grupo Porto Editora, with Globo Livros handling its release in Brazil.
The jury for this edition included past winners such as Paulo José Miranda (1999), Adriana Lisboa (2003), and Ondjaki (2013), alongside honorary member Lídia Jorge, who succeeded Nélida Piñon after her passing in 2022.
Pilar del Río, president of the José Saramago Foundation, and Guilhermina Gomes, jury chair, also participated.
Would be so nice to get a list of Portuguese writers translated into English put together. Most of us only know Pessoa, Saramago and maybe Dulce Maria Cardoso of the more contemporary ones. How can we start putting this together for the benefit of all..?