The Portuguese editor Nelson de Matos passed away today at the age of 79 in a Lisbon hospital, according to a family source.
“A rare editor in sensitivity and vision, Nelson de Matos left an indelible mark on the Portuguese literary scene, having decisively contributed to the promotion of authors such as José Cardoso Pires, António Lobo Antunes, Manuel Alegre, Lídia Jorge, or Mário Cláudio, who greatly enrich our cultural heritage,” stated APEL in a communiqué.
During his tenure as APEL’s director, “he stood out for his dedication, generosity, and profound commitment to the dignity of the publishing and book-selling sector,” the association added.
Thus, “in this moment of grief, APEL’s board and collaborators pay tribute to his memory and offer their deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those who shared with him a love for books and the written word,” the communiqué further reads.
Nelson de Matos worked for over two decades at Dom Quixote and was renowned as the editor of prominent figures in Portuguese literature, such as José Cardoso Pires and António Lobo Antunes, among others.
The editor died at Hospital dos Lusíadas in Lisbon, with a wake scheduled for Tuesday and the funeral on Wednesday.
On its Instagram profile, Dom Quixote published a tribute message honoring the editor and expressing condolences to his family.
“Dom Quixote pays tribute to Nelson de Matos on this sad day for us all, responsible for the editing and publication in this house of some of the main Portuguese-language writers, and to whom we owe, without exception, the creation of what is still known today as the great home of Portuguese authors,” the publisher’s message reads.
Expressing “the deepest condolences” to the family, the publishing brand also assured that “everything will be done to honor and continue the path initiated by Nelson de Matos”.
