José Dias de Melo
Encyclopedia
José Dias de Melo was an Azorean
author and writer.
, in the local lyceum
and primary educational institution, but eventually settled in Ponta Delgada
after 1949 where he was to marry and begin a family. He completed his courses in teaching in Ponta Delgada, and became a teacher in a preparatory institution before moving on to teach in Cova da Piedade (1976–1977) and Lajes do Pico
(1978–1979). While in Horta he worked for the regional newspapers, including the regional newspapers O Telegrafo, Açores, and Ilha, and the national media Diário de Notícias
and Diário de Lisboa; during his time in Horta, with other school colleagues, he helped found the Associação Cultural Académica ("Academic Cultural Association") in November, 1944.
His contribution to Portuguese culture, is his thirty published works in various styles: poems, narratives, novels, romances, chronicle, monographs, dissertations and studies in the field of ethnography. He captured in his writings the particular culture of mid-century Azorean life, and in particular the experiences of emigrants, the people involved in whaling, and the culture of the island of Pico. A dominant theme in his works was an empathy, or sympathy, for the socially unprotected, the victims of the powers-that-be, and the uncontrollable forces of nature.
The book Pedras Negras ("Dark Stones"), published for the first time in 1954, and now on its 4th edition, was translated into various languages (including English and Japonese). It is considered his best-selling and most accessible work. Writing of this book, Urbano Bettencourt said:
Similarly, Vamberto Freitas, wrote how he "registered and/or tranfigured the problematic socio-political and economic situation of the islands, turning them a part of contemporary Portuguese history." The Azorean writer, Cristóvão de Aguiar
affirmed that Dias de Melo "remains for posterity, a symbol of the man of the sea...his is a whaler's writer that provided a picture in realtime of the whaler's life..." But, Dias de Melo also wrote of life in the Azores from the perspectives of the gentrymen, farmer, fisherman, cattlemen and other social classes.
Former President of Portugal, Mário Soares
, bestowed on him the Order of the Infante for his contribution to literature in Portugal, while the city council of Lajes do Pico
awarded him an Honorary Citizenship. Similarly, the President of the Regional Government of the Azores presided over a public session that honoured Dias de Melo, which included a new release of his trilogy Pedras Negras, Mar Rubro and Mar Pela Proa.
With over 50 years in literature, he died at the age of 83, in Ponta Delgada on September 24, 2008.
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
author and writer.
Biography
He studied in the city of HortaHorta (Azores)
Horta is a single municipality and city in the western part of the Archipealgo of the Azores, encompassing the island of Faial. Horta has a population of about approximately 15,038 people and an area of 173.1 square kilometers. The population density is about 88 persons per square kilometer...
, in the local lyceum
Lyceum
The lyceum is a category of educational institution defined within the education system of many countries, mainly in Europe. The definition varies between countries; usually it is a type of secondary school.-History:...
and primary educational institution, but eventually settled in Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada is a city and municipality on the island of São Miguel in the archipelago of the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal. It includes 44,403 residents in the urban area, and approximately 20,113 inhabitants in the three central parishes that comprise the historical city: São Pedro,...
after 1949 where he was to marry and begin a family. He completed his courses in teaching in Ponta Delgada, and became a teacher in a preparatory institution before moving on to teach in Cova da Piedade (1976–1977) and Lajes do Pico
Lajes do Pico
Lajes do Pico is a municipality in the southern part of the Azores.The municipality is located is on the southern part of the Pico Island. The northern area of the municipality is mountainous while the Atlantic Ocean is in the south. The only road linking to the northern part of the island runs...
(1978–1979). While in Horta he worked for the regional newspapers, including the regional newspapers O Telegrafo, Açores, and Ilha, and the national media Diário de Notícias
Diário de Notícias
Diário de Notícias is a Portuguese daily newspaper, founded in Lisbon, on December 29, 1864 by Tomás Quintino Antunes and Eduardo Coelho. It gradually became one of the best known Portuguese newspapers...
and Diário de Lisboa; during his time in Horta, with other school colleagues, he helped found the Associação Cultural Académica ("Academic Cultural Association") in November, 1944.
Literature
It was during the 1950s, that he would begin his literary career with his book of poems Todas do Mar e da Terra ("Everything in the Sea and Land").His contribution to Portuguese culture, is his thirty published works in various styles: poems, narratives, novels, romances, chronicle, monographs, dissertations and studies in the field of ethnography. He captured in his writings the particular culture of mid-century Azorean life, and in particular the experiences of emigrants, the people involved in whaling, and the culture of the island of Pico. A dominant theme in his works was an empathy, or sympathy, for the socially unprotected, the victims of the powers-that-be, and the uncontrollable forces of nature.
The book Pedras Negras ("Dark Stones"), published for the first time in 1954, and now on its 4th edition, was translated into various languages (including English and Japonese). It is considered his best-selling and most accessible work. Writing of this book, Urbano Bettencourt said:
- "in Pedras Negras, Dias de Melo represented the island life during the 19th Century, whaling and excitement of emigration to North America, learning of the world within ferous competition, the inhumanity and solitariousness also, the material successes, in the end, porportioned by the loss of abundance."
Similarly, Vamberto Freitas, wrote how he "registered and/or tranfigured the problematic socio-political and economic situation of the islands, turning them a part of contemporary Portuguese history." The Azorean writer, Cristóvão de Aguiar
Cristóvão de Aguiar
Luís Cristóvão Dias de Aguiar commonly known as Cristóvão de Aguiar, is a Portuguese writer....
affirmed that Dias de Melo "remains for posterity, a symbol of the man of the sea...his is a whaler's writer that provided a picture in realtime of the whaler's life..." But, Dias de Melo also wrote of life in the Azores from the perspectives of the gentrymen, farmer, fisherman, cattlemen and other social classes.
Former President of Portugal, Mário Soares
Mário Soares
Mário Alberto Nobre Lopes Soares, GColTE, GCC, GColL, KE , Portuguese politician, served as Prime Minister of Portugal from 1976 to 1978 and from 1983 to 1985, and subsequently as the 17th President of Portugal from 1986 to 1996.-Family:...
, bestowed on him the Order of the Infante for his contribution to literature in Portugal, while the city council of Lajes do Pico
Lajes do Pico
Lajes do Pico is a municipality in the southern part of the Azores.The municipality is located is on the southern part of the Pico Island. The northern area of the municipality is mountainous while the Atlantic Ocean is in the south. The only road linking to the northern part of the island runs...
awarded him an Honorary Citizenship. Similarly, the President of the Regional Government of the Azores presided over a public session that honoured Dias de Melo, which included a new release of his trilogy Pedras Negras, Mar Rubro and Mar Pela Proa.
With over 50 years in literature, he died at the age of 83, in Ponta Delgada on September 24, 2008.
Published works
- Pedras Negras (1964)
- Cidade Cinzenta (1971)
- Mar pela Proa (1976)
- Vinde e Vede (1983)
- Vida Vivida em Terras de Baleeiros (1985)
- Das Velas de Lona às Asas de Alumínio (1990)
- Na Memória das Gentes (1991)
- O Menino Deixou de Ser Menino (1992)
- Aquém e Além-Canal (1992)
- A Viagem do Medo Maior (1993)
- Pena Dela Saudades de Mim (1994)
- Inverno sem Primavera (1996)
- O Autógrafo (1999)
- Milhas Contadas (2002)
- Poeira do Caminho (2004)