Basking in Poetry: The Radiance of Songs in the Sun

The translations of the original Portuguese poems were carried out by key individuals, namely Irene Silveira Almeida and Elisabeth Defrain for French, Loraine Barreto Alberto for English, Aditya Sinai Bhangui for Hindi, Naresh Naik for Konkani, and Purva Pandit Vasta for Marathi while Shusha Oliveira has meen the design editor of this exquisite compilation.

Irene Silveira Almeida, the editor of the book 'Songs in the Sun' and Silvia's niece, has had a close relationship with her for many years. She has observed Silvia's profound passion for poetry and art, often witnessing her spontaneously recite verses or jot down poems. Particularly moved by the struggles of those in distress, Silvia aimed to shed light on their hardships through her poetry. While watching news reports from areas affected by conflict, she would create poems that emphasized their suffering and called for peace. In light of the current global resurgence of war, Irene felt compelled to reconnect with her work and share it through translation, reflecting her desire to utilize language as a means to bridge divides.

Irene notes, "These poems explore a variety of themes, including conflict and peace, enslavement and freedom, as well as the universality of nature and human solidarity. The poet's perspective conveys allusions to the historical context of the 1970s and 1980s, including Portugal's Carnation Revolution, the conflicts in Mozambique, and societal racism, as she experienced these events firsthand."

The events of October 19, 1986, form the core, with Poem to the 35, poignantly remember the 35 individuals who perished in the tragic crash that claimed the lives of Samora Machel and Aquino de Bragança, says Irene. Moving beyond her personal anguish, Silvia becomes the voice of a grieving community, capturing the profound loss endured by countless spouses, children, and comrades. Poems like ...of the hut, my paradise… and Marta, your name! powerfully evoke the last moments of the dying, bringing to life the raw, intense suffering of war's victims and concluding with the haunting question, “Who did my life give life to?”—a question that resonates deeply with Silvia. Her poetry is born from the shadow of death, yet it pulsates with life. In One Ship and Two Stars, Silvia crafts an allegorical journey that mirrors her own life with Aquino, poetically depicting two stars navigating the Indian Ocean, and her onward journey from that ill-fated day.

Too long the trodden path! is a strikingly simple yet potent visual poem that celebrates resilience. Another notable piece, Entombed Are My Bones, of Whites and Blacks, builds up to a crescendo with the word “equal,” powerfully underscoring the inherent equality between races. In ‘If Ears Would Listen to Supplications’, Silvia’s art combines with her words to amplify her plea for “bread for all”. In the final poem depicted in the colors of the sun- Don’t Kill, Don’t Take Away the Sun’s Right to Rise!, Silvia uses the imagery of the dawn as a metaphor for hope, resilience, and renewal. 

Silvia’s work reflects a profound engagement with the literary and socio-political currents of her time, blending lyrical beauty with didactic reflection—a style shaped not only by her personal experiences but by the influence of her husband, Aquino de Bragança. Aquino, a committed intellectual, advocated for social justice and cross-cultural understanding. Together, they envisioned literature as a bridge for reconciliation and healing, especially in post-colonial contexts fraught with conflict and division. Inspired by Aquino’s ideals, Silvia's lyrical poems address themes of resilience, love, and peace, anchoring them in the harsh realities of violence and loss. She transforms these experiences into verses that inspire collective hope and a call to action. Her poem Battles waged, Lasting dreams is emblematic of this, encapsulating their shared belief in a world where language, love, and peace replace divisiveness. The work concludes with a poignant call to “speak a different language each day”—a metaphor for bridging divides.

Initially launched as a limited edition in 1998, this collection has now been reimagined and translated into five different languages. By amplifying her voice, we aim to preserve her message of solidarity. Silvia’s earlier work, Sonhos da Lua (Dreams of the Moon), has been recognized as a beloved anthology in children's poetry, encapsulating the enchantment of childhood dreams and the limitless possibilities of imagination, explains Irene. She further notes that she rediscovered Bragança’s poetry and conducted research on her collection, presenting her findings at an International Conference in 2020.

Irene aspires for readers to experience Silvia’s art and poetry in translation as an encounter that transcends linguistic barriers. She encourages readers to engage profoundly with the themes she ardently expressed—healing from collective grief, bridging divides, and fostering compassion among communities—and to view the anthology as an invitation to actively construct connections between cultures.

‘A unique challenge faced during the project was that of conveying her visual, and metaphor-laden language in a way that would resonate across diverse languages and cultural contexts’, admits Irene. Silvia's poetry is deeply rooted in specific historical moments. For contemporary audiences, who may be less familiar with these contexts, it was essential to provide clarity without diminishing the impact of her words. Translators paid attention to Silvia’s visual and metaphoric language, working together to retain her vivid imagery while adapting metaphors to reflect culturally resonant symbols in each language. The multilingual translation, allows her legacy to live on for a diverse, global audience.

‘I see Silvia Bragança’s poetry resonating profoundly with future generations, especially as her themes of resilience, peace, and unity continue to hold urgent relevance in our complex, interconnected world!’, exclaims Irene.