Nigérian Writer and feminist , Chimamanda In Brazil , Nigerian Pride Dazzles Multitude, Speaks Out
The clock had barely adapted to the new time zone when Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie set foot in Rio de Janeiro, on Friday 13th. May 2022, at 10 am. Upon disembarking, everything became new: the time, the stories, the colors.
There were few things that matched the memories of the first time she came to Brazil, 14 years ago ; she is still the same
Although the Nigerian writer was here in 2008 for an appearance on Flip, it can be said that this is the first time she has come to the country with celebrity status. Or rather, rockstar. After all, few intellectuals in the world have the power to fill a gymnasium , she participates in the conference “Telling Stories to Empower and Humanize” at LER (Salão Carioca do Livro) in Maracanãzinho. The expectation is to serve an audience of 3 thousand people.
The hype is not for nothing: her TedTalk lectures went viral, the phrase “we should all be feminists” appeared on T-shirts (and starting with Dior) and gained public debate from bar tables to defense stands. One of her speeches ended up musicalized by none other than Beyoncé in the song “Flawless”. Although her media appearances gave her the title of activist and feminist. However, the writer is categorical: “The most important thing in my life is literature” Chimamanda said
“The passion for fiction is not just lip service. The standard answer to all the ailments in the world is storytelling. I know I’m repetitive, but storytelling is our way of moving forward. I talk about what not everyone wants to hear, but the way is to insist. It is by insisting that the ‘critical mass’ will listen and make other people, who were in denial, listen”, she explains while caressing the books in Portuguese edited by Companhia das Letras during the press conference held at a hotel in Copacabana.
According to the writer, by listening carefully to stories, one can equalize some inequalities. “We need to get rid of numbers, graphs and tables. They don’t tell human stories. There are stories that make people sympathize with sensitive topics. The slave trade is an example , people need to understand that those who were enslaved were people, so stories are made by people, and as they hear stories, they create awareness of some facts.” She said
According to her , stories creates awareness . “ A president answering “so what” when challenged about the number of deaths caused by covid-19 or calling the biggest pandemic that devastated Brazil a ‘little flu’ has developed new ways of telling stories”, she says while insisting on persistence
New ways of telling stories are thought almost daily around the world, but, according to the writer, the pandemic may have effervescence this movement. “I really want to read fictional stories based on the horror we live. Humanity has already passed through decisive moments, such as the bubonic plague and two world wars, and many interesting stories have been told from these historical events” she explains.
The uncertain phrase was the necessary spark that readers and the literary scene needed to rekindle hope for a new novel. After all, the last published book of fiction was “Americanah” (Companhia das Letras) in 2013 . She also published two essays to educate feminist children “ A Manifest ”in 2017 and “Let’s All Be Feminists” in 2014 . The mysterious reason for the hiatus was finally revealed.
“Motherhood has changed my creativity, both positively and negatively. There were changes on the emotional plane and that made my writing more difficult.. I have had experiences in the last few years that have greatly nourished my life.”- Chimamanda revealed .
However, still on nourishing , it is the present that fascinates Chimamanda . That became clear in the event that preceded the lecture at Maracanãzinho. The first that caught her attention was the representation in the place of the 18 people present, 8 were black women . Second, the diversity in the hairstyle of black Brazilian women , so many types of braids and beautiful looks. Third , the talks and explanation of what a favela ‘Ghetto’ represents and its relationship with skin color . Chimamanda thanked and praised the two journalists present at the press conference who live in favelas
“ I would like to thank you. I was asked today what needs to be done to change reality, but you know: you are already changing ” she said.
“I am very excited. The first time I came to Brazil, I found it strange not to find blacks , given that the majority of the population is black. Today, I am happy to see so many black women together in the same space. It is very special to me ” she said during her event with Marie Claire.
Chimamanda dazzled all that listened to her lectures and interviews , the Nigerian writer attended to Brazilian Journalist and Television Presenter, Malu of the National Television ( Globo TV) in Brazil , she explained the importance of liberty in all instances. Chimamanda compared Nigeria and Brazil , she said ; ” Brazil is like Nigeria , the difference is the roads “
Brazilian philosopher and writer , Djamila Ribeiro who was at Chimamanda’s press conference expressed satisfaction. The philosopher said ; “this would be the first face-to-face meeting between a Brazilian philosopher and the Nigerian writer “ He said while communicating in fluent English with the Nigerian writer
Chimamanda is a Nigerian writer and feminist who has taken literature to a deserved level. An Igbo descent, Chimamanda migrated to the United states of America at the early stage of her life where she studied political science and holds a masters degree in literature. Chimamanda is outstanding in this new generation of writers
