‘Educação da Tristeza’ emerged from loss, driven by the circumstances surrounding the award-winning author Valter Hugo Mãe—namely, the deaths of his nephew Eduardo and the artist Isabel Lhano. The book is dedicated to them and marks the beginning of a non-fiction collection exploring a “more meditative universe” in search of life as it truly happens.
The collection also reflects on other deceased individuals close to the author, including his father, whom he still vividly recalls 25 years after his passing. Mãe emphasizes that the influence of these individuals, notably his father, permeates his actions and thoughts.
In an interview, Mãe expressed that his gestures are laden with actions that belong to these departed figures. Despite the profound sadness elicited by their absence, he emphasizes that their memory evokes love and gratitude. Above all, he aspires for his memories of them to signify happiness and pride.
“Death is inevitable, but I don’t want Isabel and my nephew to exist in my life as a sad dimension. Sadness seems to dishonor them. I want them to mean joy and pride,” Mãe stated.
‘Educação da Tristeza’ is the initial installment of the non-fiction series ‘Escola É Casa Aberta’. Mãe chose to explore grieving and loss, as recent events compelled him to turn life experiences into literature as a means of understanding the world and himself.
Mãe aims to interweave joy with pain. His book posits that “eternal people must mean joy,” underscoring the inherent celebration in remembering loved ones, despite profound sorrow. The absence of his nephew and Isabel catalyzed a shift from fiction to non-fiction, driven by life’s unexpected turns.
Recollecting the dead involves various stages, Mãe observes, with initial, destructive emotions giving way to joyous remembrances. He strives to ensure that his nephew and Isabel are sources of joy, not lingering despair. The journey reflects profound personal insights on the relentless yet celebratory nature of memory.
Having faced the loss of his father at a young age, Mãe developed perspectives on endurance and finding joy amidst grief. Initially struggling to reconcile sadness with life’s beauty, he realized the importance of reshaping meanings attached to life events.
Mãe notes the profound personal responsibility in maintaining joy in memory. His deceased contribute to his actions, allowing him to continue their legacy, as exemplified by fulfilling Isabel’s simple gestures, such as gifting her artwork.
The book’s vibrant illustrations reflect Mãe’s experiences with his nephew and Isabel. Drawing was a shared pastime with them, symbolizing joyous memories. The artwork infuses the book with the joy that Mãe seeks to convey.
Mãe shared experiences with Isabel, illustrating how unfinished dialogues with departed loved ones leave a sense of ongoing conversation. Isabel’s unexpected passing disrupts this narrative continuity, evoking feelings of indignation and unresolved absence.
Mãe grapples with frustration toward Isabel’s absence, reflecting on feelings of unresolved dialogue. The sudden loss of a lifelong confidante leaves an enduring impact, highlighting the personal confrontation with absence.
Mãe admires his late nephew Eduardo for his maturity and insight during his brief life. He perceives Eduardo’s understanding of life’s essentials as a testament to his profound wisdom, adding richness to the nephew’s enduring legacy.
Despite personal skepticism about divine realms, Mãe reflects on physical essence and the potential continuity of spirit in other forms, driven by the connections felt towards the deceased.
Eduardo’s realism and acceptance of life’s challenges exemplify a narrative awareness often overshadowed by society’s reluctance to acknowledge suffering. Mãe advocates for embracing life’s complexities without cosmetic delusions.
Reflecting on Eduardo’s mature approach to life and death, Mãe values the lessons of gratitude and appreciation that stem from such loss, aspiring to honor his nephew’s legacy.
Mãe insists on cherishing memories, prioritizing the happiness of having known loved ones. He supports celebrating life, emphasizing Pilar del Río’s perspective on the true sorrow of those who never experience connections lost.
He recounts practices for honoring memories, advocating for joyous recognition, not shrouded in sorrow. By celebrating Isabel’s life, he continues her legacy of joy and connection.
Discussing his intrinsic connection to his deceased loved ones, Mãe reflects on the enduring influence of his father, whose guidance remains poignant, illustrating how memory informs life decisions.
Mãe discusses the painful realities of death, recalling a troubling experience when his father’s body was exhumed. Such moments starkly illustrate the harsh finality of death, affecting his grieving process.
Death rituals, albeit essential, evoke visceral reminders of mortality, Mãe remarks, touching on the unsettling reality of corporeal decay and the emotional impact of loved ones’ remains.
The book offers an epilogue noting artist Luísa Reis Abreu’s death coinciding with Mãe’s novel release, suggesting a symbolic transcendence into print, reflecting on literature as an enduring human legacy.
The ‘Escola É Casa Aberta’ collection will feature contemplative essays exploring life’s realities, diverging from traditional fictional narratives to embrace genuine human experiences.
