Writer and poet Álamo de Oliveira has died

The writer, poet and playwright Álamo de Oliveira, born on the island of Terceira, in the Azores, died this Sunday at the age of 80, with the president of the Regional Government highlighting one of the “most authentic” voices in the region.

Álamo Oliveira was born in the parish of Raminho, on the island of Terceira, and began his studies at the Angra do Heroísmo Seminary.

His novel “I no longer like chocolates” was translated and published in the United States and Japan and his work “Until today, memories of a dog” was awarded the Maré Viva prize, from the Seixal City Council, in 1985.

“Solidão da Casa do Regalo” was awarded the Almeida Garrett prize in 1999.

In a note alluding to his death, the President of the Government of the Azores considers that the departure of Álamo Oliveira left Azorean and Portuguese culture “poorer”.

“A man who was, throughout his life, one of the most authentic voices of the Azorean soul has left us. A restless, generous creator, deeply connected to the roots of our islands, to their people, to their pain, to their joys, to their memories”, says José Manuel Bolieiro.

Álamo de Oliveira published around 40 books of poetry, novels, plays, short stories and essays, but “the ideas, the questions, the stages he has been on, the readers he has touched, the young people he has inspired remain”, according to Bolieiro.

Álamo de Oliveira was distinguished with the Autonomous Insignia of Recognition by the Government of the Azores and with the degree of Commander of the Order of Merit by the Presidency of the Republic.