Ferreira Gullar

• Birth Name — José Ribamar Ferreira • Born — 10 September 1930 • Birthplace — São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil • Died — 4 December 2016 • Place of death — Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil • Spouse — Tereza Aragão • Notable Works — Poema Sujo • Occupation — Poet, dramaturge, art critic, translator • Awards — Prémio da Associação Paulista dos Críticos de Arte (1976) Prémio Machado de Assis (2005) Prêmio Camões (2010)

Ferreira Gullar was born in São Luís, Maranhão, Northeast Brazil. He was exiled by the Brazilian dictatorship that lasted from 1964 to 1985, a period who saw him living in the Soviet Union, Chile, Peru and Argentina. In 1975, while living in Argentina, Gullar wrote his best-known work, "Poema Sujo" ("Dirty Poem" in English), in which he attributes his decision to stop writing poetry to the increasing persecution of exiles, many of whom were found dead, and to hypothetical thoughts about his own death. He spent months writing the more than 2,000 verses that constitute the poem. "Dirty Poem" draws on his memories of childhood and adolescence in São Luís, Maranhão, and his anguish at being far from his homeland. Gullar read the poem at Augusto Boal's house in Buenos Aires during a meeting organized by Vinicius de Moraes. The reading, recorded on tape, became well known among Brazilian intellectuals, who tried to guarantee Gullar's returned to Brazil in 1977, where he continued writing for newspapers and publishing books. He also had a weekly column in Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo, published on Sundays.

In 2002 Gullar was honoured with a Prince Claus Award from the Dutch organisation, the Prince Claus Fund. Gullar was considered one of the most influential Brazilians of the 20th century by Época magazine, and was awarded the Jabuti Prize for best fiction book in 2007. The magazine recalls its critical stance in opinion articles about the populism of former President Lula da Silva, posted in national newspaper Folha de S.Paulo. On October 9, 2014, Gullar was elected as a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters.

Gullar died of pneumonia on December 4, 2016.

Ferreira Gullar was recorded at birth as José Ribamar Ferreira. He also worked under the name Ferreira Gullar. The authorities additionally record the heading Jose Ribamar Ferreira. His recorded languages were Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish and Russian. Recognition and collections. Gullar received Camões Prize, Prêmio Jabuti, Prince Claus Award, Prêmio Machado de Assis, honorary degree and APCA Awards.