.

Jorge Amado is the most translated Brazilian novelist, published in 52 countries. Born in Piranji in the eastern state of Bahia on August 10, 1912, he remains unparalleled in his depictions of Bahia, its diversity, myths and religions, its food, architecture and its peculiar philosophy and use of the Portuguese language. His books were adapted to film and TV by Walter George Durst, Alberto D’Aversa, Marcel Camus, Nelson Pereira dos Santos, Cacá Diegues, Bruno Barreto, Aguinaldo Silva, Luiz Fernando Carvalho and others. Amado was also the subject of documentaries by Glauber Rocha and João Moreira Salles.

One of the most important writers of the 20th century, to many around the world Jorge Amado embodied Brazilian culture. Leaving behind a national treasure in his body of work, Jorge Amado personifies the true soul of Brazil singing its beauty like no one else. In 2012 he would celebrate his 100th birthday. In August 2001, fellow Bahian author João Ubaldo Ribeiro published in Rio de Janeiro’s “O Globo” newspaper:

“... All of this is and will be seen, because Jorge Amado’s legacy is eternal and indelible, it penetrated our soul, and historical perspective will give it the relevance it deserves and that some still deny narrowing and trying to contain the indestructible stature of his work and life, with ideals that cost him four prison sentences and exile. (...) He always said his characters were the people and because of that, with ill hidden disdain, some have labeled him a populist. But even if he were, he didn’t give a damn to all that, he even liked it. I was in Bahia for his farewell and I saw the people on the streets, emotionally applauding their author. Many of them can’t even read, but they all know they lost something very important, that fortunately will still live on through his work.”