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20 / 05 / 2004
Paulo Coelho: “We must look into the eyes of the reader”
The Brazilian writer, Paulo Coelho, the Galician writer, Suso de Toro, and the Mexican poet, Homero Aridjis, have given a press conference to present the dialogue “Literature and Memory”. They discussed the role of the writer and the dialogue in present-day society.
Paulo Coelho explained that he was attempting to explain who he is, through the Forum dialogue and “to make people aware that human beings live beyond books”. The Brazilian writer wanted to emphasize in this way the importance of dialogue in society, and specifically with the reader, “whose eyes we must look into”.
It is precisely that close dialogue with people that has helped him in his career. “The most important things I have learned were not only found in books but in talking and listening to country folk, and taxi drivers. Wisdom is not found among the cultural elite, but among the people who have a real connection with life.” The author of “The Alchemist” believes the television and the internet often deprive us of better oral communication, but despite this communication will “be with us forever”.
For his part, Galician writer, Suso de Toro, wanted to thank the Forum and Barcelona for its work in offering dialogue and culture to the world in an “all-embracing and responsive social environment”. Suso del Toro said in support of this, “it is good to begin the century with something like the Forum which allows culture to be understood as something more movable and fluid, and to forget about the fragmentation and rigidity of the past”.
De Toro highlighted the social and entertainment function the writer has, to help people express themselves in a way that makes them more involved. “Our obligation is to render meanings, transfer messages, talk about what really matters”, he pointed out.
Lastly, the Mexican poet, Homero Aridjis, whose involvement in environmental issues has given him great inspiration in his work, emphasized that his commitment was based on nature more than on “the rights and the lefts”, and that the transformation of society should be brought about through shifts in conscience.
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