BRICC Network

It was great to come together for this year’s second BRICC Network meeting in Berlin! We enjoyed hearing the inspiring contributions by Bettina, Fernanda, Mariana, and Marília, and took the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss current and future projects within our network. #academicsky

We are excited to come together soon for this year’s second meeting of the BRICC network, taking place in Berlin from October 9-10. We are looking forward to reconnecting, exchanging ideas and exploring new perspectives together. #edusky #academicsky

Another example of Brazilian-Italian contacts in Brazilian literature is João Silverio Trevisan's Ana em Veneza. It tells the story of Júlia Mann, her Black nurse Ana, and composer Alberto Nepomuceno in Venice in 1890. Exile connects them, weaving together cultures, art, and the quest for belonging.

Today, another Italian in Brazilian literature: Machado de Assis often included Italian characters in his works. One example is the fortune teller in A Cartomante. Such figures reveal the cultural presence of Italy within 19th-century Brazilian literature. #ItalyBrazil

Once you're trained to look for it, you find Italians anywhere in Brazilian literature. One example is the following paragraph from the German version of José Henrique Bortoluci's book "O que é meu", translated by Maria Hummitzsch. #academicsky

Last week, Luca Bacchini gave a lecture on Clarice Lispector at the UERJ in Rio de Janeiro. In August, he also presented his research on Chico Buarque and Nélson Rodrigues there. Together with his talk, an international cooperation between La Sapienza in Rome and the UERJ was launched. #academicsky

SPOTLIGHT - Tutti Schiavi in Portogallo; Andrea D’Angelo | La collezionista di Fandom SPOTLIGHT - Tutti Schiavi in Portogallo; Andrea D’Angelo: Primo appuntamento di questa nuova rubrica, volta a presentarvi le nuove uscite letterarie.

Portugal still captivates Italians today, as seen in Andrea D’Angelo’s Tutti schiavi in Portogallo. The author blends social critique with narrative force, exposing hidden forms of exploitation while revealing why Portugal continues to inspire Italian writers. #edusky #academicsky

Antonio Tabucchi, one of Italy’s most acclaimed writers, found his literary home in Portugal. Deeply inspired by Fernando Pessoa, he translated his works and lived part of his life in Lisbon, weaving Portuguese culture and spirit into his own celebrated narratives. #academicsky

Aquiles Estaço (1524–1581), also known as Achilles Statius Lusitanus, was a Portuguese humanist and poet. A student of André de Resende, he later moved to Italy, where he gained fame writing in Latin and joining Rome’s vibrant intellectual circles, blending Portuguese roots with Italian humanism.

Francisco de Sá de Miranda (1481–1558) transformed Portuguese poetry after traveling to Italy. Inspired by Renaissance masters, he introduced sonnets and classical forms to Portugal, blending humanist thought with local tradition and paving the way for poets like Camões. #academicsky

Exposição no MAC documenta a passagem de Gastone Novelli pelo Brasil Em cartaz até 12 de outubro, mostra "A Arte Deve Viver ao Sol" destaca as experimentações feitas pelo artista italiano em solo brasileiro, onde viveu entre 1948 e 1954

Em cartaz até 12 de outubro no Museu de Arte Contemporânea (MAC) da USP, a mostra "A Arte Deve Viver ao Sol" destaca as experimentações feitas pelo artista italiano Gastone Novelli em solo brasileiro, onde viveu entre 1948 e 1954

Now, the other direction: During Renaissance, Italy drew minds from across Europe — including Portugal. One example is painter Álvaro Pires de Évora, who left his homeland to work in Tuscany. His journey reflects how the ideals of Italian Humanism inspired artists far beyond the Alps #academicsky

Giovanni da Verrazzano was an Italian explorer who sailed for France in the early 16th century. In 1524, he became the first European to explore the Atlantic coast of North America between Florida and Newfoundland, including New York Bay. #edusky #academicsky

Brasil e Itália negociam acordo visando ao enfrentamento do crime organizado O acordo entre as procuradorias dos dois países foi discutido durante seminário promovido pela Escola de Segurança Multidimensional (Esem) do Instituto de Relações Internacionais da USP

Brasil e Itália negociam equipes permanentes de investigação contra o crime organizado, incluindo PCC. Acordo foi debatido no seminário da Escola de Segurança Multidimensional do IRI-USP

Giovanni Caboto, known in English as John Cabot, was a Venetian navigator sailing for England. In 1497 he likely reached Newfoundland. Christopher Columbus was informed about of Caboto’s voyages, which sparked nervous reactions in Spain and Portugal. #academicsky #edusky

Two other historical figures between Italy and Portugal: Alvise Cadamosto & Antonietto Usodimare, Italian explorers in Portuguese service, sailed along West Africa in the 1450s. They explored Senegal, Gambia and the Cape Verde Islands, opening trade routes and mapping new lands. #academicsky #edusky

In 1341, Nicoloso da Recco, a Genoese explorer, sailed to the Canary Islands for Portugal. He was among the first to describe the native Guanche people, inspiring Boccaccio to write his famous text on Canary Isles. #academicsky #edusky

Lancelotto Malocello was a 14th-century Italian navigator from Genoa. Early in the century, he sailed west and reached the Canary Islands, paving the way for later Atlantic explorations. The island of Lanzarote was later named in his honor. #academicsky #edusky

In the next six posts: examples of lesser-known Italians who sailed westward across the Atlantic (though not to Brazil). First up: Vandino and Ugolino Vivaldi. In 1291, the brothers set sail from Genoa to reach India by sea crossing the Atlantic. They vanished without a trace. #academicsky

Did you know that Nelson Pereira dos Santos hired two Italians (father and son) for several of his films? Manfredo and Arduino Colasanti came to Brazil in 1947, and the son (Arduino) even played various leading roles for dos Santos, for example in Como era gostoso o meu francês. #ItalyBrazil

Did you know Rio’s famous Parque Lage was once a private mansion? In the 1920s, industrialist Henrique Lage and his wife, Italian opera star Gabriella Besanzoni, transformed it into a neoclassical palace with the help of Italian architect Mario Vodret. #ItalyBrazil

Juegos de miradas (2025, Sapienza Università Editrice) is a free eBook that brings together scholars that explore transatlantic ties between Italy and Latin America through rewriting, identity, cultural transfer, and intertextual dialogue in literature. #academicsky #ItalyBrazil

The Museu da Imigração in São Paulo offers a fascinating oral history project featuring interviews with Italian immigrants. Full transcripts can be accessed online - an invaluable resource for anyone interested in migration stories. #ItalyBrazil

We’ve just hit 100 posts – wow, what a journey! Thanks for being part of it! We’d love your feedback: What do you enjoy, what’s missing, what should come next? And if you like what we do, share our profile with others! #academicsky

Überraschender Karriere-Start: Arturo Toscanini springt als Dirigent ein | BR-Klassik In Orchestermontur tritt der junge Cellist Arturo Toscanini ans Dirigierpult: Ihm bleibt keine andere Wahl, denn das Konzert ist kurz davor zu platzen. Das Publikum im Theater von Rio de Janeiro tobt,...

Did you know? On June 30, 1886, 19-year-old cellist Arturo Toscanini made his unexpected debut in Rio de Janeiro. When the conductor failed and quit, Toscanini stepped in—and thrilled the audience. It was the start of a legendary career. #ItalyBrazil

Discover Una escursione Botanica nell’Amazzonia by Luigi Buscalioni — a vivid 1901 account of botanical exploration in the Amazon, blending scientific insight with rich travel narrative. Now available via USP's digital library:
#ItalyBrazil

In his book "Interviste brasiliane", Alessandro d'Atri says in 1894: “Chi in un senso e chi nell'altro, del Brasile hanno scritto ormai perfino gli analfabeti. [...] si trasportano con tutto il bagaglio delle loro fantasie in quel paese per darvi la caccia ad ogni specie di avventure” #ItalyBrazil

Yesterday died Pope Francis in Rome. Even though he was Argentinian and not Brazilian, he is still an example of Italian migration to Latin America, as his family migrated to the South American country in the 1930th. May he rest in peace.

Junior Fellows - Mecila Maria Sibylla Merian Centre Conviviality-Inequality in Latin America

Letizia “Tita” Patriarca is a 2025 Junior Fellow at Mecila @mecila.bsky.social. The project explores how translation, migration, and identity shape the political framing of sex workers across Brazil and Italy, focusing on affect, language, and transnational belonging. #ItalyBrazil #academicsky

The italian scholar Roberto Francavilla dedicated his recent book to a famous voice in Brazilian literature: Clarice Lispector. Città senza demoni, reflects on her time in Bern and reveals how exile shaped her introspective prose and transformed alienation into a powerful literary force #ItalyBrazil