Correspondence from Paulo Barreto to João de Barros (1909-1921): critical and annotated edition

Abstract

This article focuses on the editing process of the letters Paulo Barreto (aka Joao do Rio) sent to Portuguese poet Joao de Barros over the course of the XXth century’s first two decades. In addition to reminding us of the circumstances and identifying characters and places it alluded to, depicting with great care that environment to today’s readers, the authors reflect on the various editing work related steps and try to clearly identify the multiple chapters associated with the preparation of the text and comments on this group of letters that are today so critical to explain the nature of the relationship between Brazil and Portugal at that point in time, as well as the strategies deployed by each author to promote their works in both countries. In short, that correspondence points at the profound connection between journalism, culture and politics in Brazil, as well as Portugal, and the existence of a true “cultural industry” between the two countries back then.