Ferréz
Encyclopedia
Ferréz (Born 1975) is a Brazil
ian author, rapper, cultural critic and activist from the Zona Sul (southern zone) favela
of Capão Redondo in São Paulo
, Brazil
. He is a member and leader of the literary group Literatura Marginal (Marginal Literature) that emerged during the late 1990s and early 2000s from the urban periphery of São Paulo. His writings are notable for descriptions of graphic violence and the stark reality of individuals living on the margins of society. He has emphasized that his writings are for the youth of the favela, that they feel a sense of pride in reading literature that reflects their reality and experiences.
, his writing reflects the oral culture of the urban periphery and of hip hop culture which he is heavily involved in currently in São Paulo. Slang is extremely prevalent in his books, even the spelling he uses reflects the colloquial speaking patterns of individuals from the favela.
His first book, Fortaleza da Desilusão is a collection of concrete poems and was published with the financial backing of his then-employer.
Ferréz's second novel, the story revolves around a group of criminals or bandits who live in São Paulo. The complexity in the novel is the overlapping and intersecting of each individual criminal's history to the present moment where the reader finds the group involved in activities ranging from robbery, hanging out at the club to intimate relationship with others. It's important to note that several of the main characters are migrants from the Nordeste, or northeastern region of Brazil which is considered on the most impoverished regions of the country. Furthermore, many residents of the favelas, or slums of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are originally from the Nordeste.
which is clear since many references to African culture and pride are prevalent throughout the entire book.
This book is a collection of short stories and prose written by Ferréz.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian author, rapper, cultural critic and activist from the Zona Sul (southern zone) favela
Favela
A favela is the generally used term for a shanty town in Brazil. In the late 18th century, the first settlements were called bairros africanos . This was the place where former slaves with no land ownership and no options for work lived. Over the years, many freed black slaves moved in...
of Capão Redondo in São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. He is a member and leader of the literary group Literatura Marginal (Marginal Literature) that emerged during the late 1990s and early 2000s from the urban periphery of São Paulo. His writings are notable for descriptions of graphic violence and the stark reality of individuals living on the margins of society. He has emphasized that his writings are for the youth of the favela, that they feel a sense of pride in reading literature that reflects their reality and experiences.
Life
Ferréz, whose real name is Reginaldo Ferreira da Silva, was born in Favela Valo Velho in the southern outskirts of São Paulo in 1975. His pen name pays homage to two Brazilian folk heroes: the well-known Lampião (actually Virgulino Ferreira) from the north east of Brazil and Zumbi, the legendary slave leader. Ferréz started writing poems and raps from the age of seven. Despite having little chance of a decent education, he became familiar with works of literature. After leaving school his jobs included working as a broom-seller, temporary worker and archivist. He has since come to be considered an important literary representative of the Brazilian slum periphery.Writing Style
Ferréz's writing style and aesthetic is very unique. While he states that he is influenced by classic Brazilian writers such as Carlos Drummond de AndradeCarlos Drummond de Andrade
Carlos Drummond de Andrade was perhaps the most influential Brazilian poet of the 20th century. He has become something of a national poet; his poem "Canção Amiga" was printed on the 50 cruzados note...
, his writing reflects the oral culture of the urban periphery and of hip hop culture which he is heavily involved in currently in São Paulo. Slang is extremely prevalent in his books, even the spelling he uses reflects the colloquial speaking patterns of individuals from the favela.
Fortaleza da Desilusão
Fortress of Disillusionment - 1997His first book, Fortaleza da Desilusão is a collection of concrete poems and was published with the financial backing of his then-employer.
Capão Pecado - 1999
His first novel, the story revolves around the young man Rael who lives in the favela of Capão Redondo attempting to overcome the social stigma of living in the urban periphery.Manual prático do ódio
The Practical Manual of Hate - 2003Ferréz's second novel, the story revolves around a group of criminals or bandits who live in São Paulo. The complexity in the novel is the overlapping and intersecting of each individual criminal's history to the present moment where the reader finds the group involved in activities ranging from robbery, hanging out at the club to intimate relationship with others. It's important to note that several of the main characters are migrants from the Nordeste, or northeastern region of Brazil which is considered on the most impoverished regions of the country. Furthermore, many residents of the favelas, or slums of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are originally from the Nordeste.
Amanhecer Esmeralda - 2005
Ferréz's first children's book, this literary work demonstrates the author's first project into children's literature and education. The story focuses on a little girl named Amanhecer who also lives in the favela. This book's intended audience are children from the urban periphery who are predominately Afro-BrazilianAfro-Brazilian
In Brazil, the term "preto" is one of the five categories used by the Brazilian Census, along with "branco" , "pardo" , "amarelo" and "indígena"...
which is clear since many references to African culture and pride are prevalent throughout the entire book.
Ninguém é inocente em São Paulo
No one is innocent in São Paulo - 2006This book is a collection of short stories and prose written by Ferréz.