The Portuguese writer Maria Teresa Horta was included in a list drawn up by the British public broadcaster BBC of the 100 most influential and inspiring women in the world, including artists, activists, lawyers or scientists.
The Portuguese writer and journalist is described as “one of Portugal’s most prominent feminists and the author of many award-winning books” highlighting the New Portuguese Lettersco-authored with Maria Isabel Barreno and Maria Velho da Costa.
The regime banned and censored the book in which the authors criticized the oppression of women, in the context of the dictatorship, the fascist violence, the colonial war, emigration and the poverty that dominated the country.
The ban on that work by the authoritarian government in the year of publication, in 1972, and the trial of the process called “Três Marias”, for an alleged offense of public morality, according to censorship standards, “made headlines and provoked protests around. the world”, writes the BBC.
The international impact of the work occurred shortly after its publication in France by the writer Simone de Beauvoir, and due to public knowledge of the process on which the “Three Marys” were being targeted, with media coverage of the trial international (among them The World, Time, The New York Times, New observer and North American television), feminist performances in several Portuguese embassies abroad and the public defense of the work and its authors by various international figures, such as Marguerite Duras, Doris Lessing, Iris Murdoch and Delphine Seyrig.
Consequently of these actions, the case was voted, in June 1973, at a conference of the National Institution of Women (NOW), in Boston, as the first international feminist cause.
The situation was symbolic of the fall of the regime due to the Revolution of April 25, 1974, which commemorated 50 years this year, the BBC recalls.
This year’s BBC 100 Women list includes better-known names such as American actress Sharon Stone, British artist Tracey Emin, French rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot and Iraqi nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad.
Brazilian Lourdes Barreto, an activist for prostitutes’ rights, and gymnast Rebeca Andrade and biologist Silvana Santos are also on the list, which included impartiality and regional representation.
the BBC points out that women had to ”try very hard” during the year to find new levels of resilience and that there were “deadly conflicts and humanitarian crises” in Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine or Sudan and saw they “polarize societies after each other. the largest number of elections ever in the world.”
The list was drawn up by the BBC 100 Woman team based on names collected through research and suggested by a network of 41 BBC World Service language teams,as well as BBC Media Action,and all female leaders gave their consent to appear,which is not presented in separate order.
The Portuguese writer Maria Teresa Horta has been widely awarded throughout her literary career, highlighting, but in recent years, the Authors’ award 2017, in the category of the best book of poetry, for Advertisementsthe Cultural Merit Medal distinguished by the Ministry of Culture in 2020, the Casino da Póvoa Literary prize, which she won in 2021 for her work Odditiesand the award, in 2022, with the rank of Grand Officer of the order of Liberty.
Maria Teresa Horta was born in Lisbon in 1937, and attended the Faculty of Arts at the University of Lisbon, she was the director of the ABC Cine-Clube, an active activist in women’s liberation movements, a journalist for the newspaper A Capital and a director on the magazine. Mill.
As a writer, she made her debut in the field of poetry in 1960, but began a literary career that also included novels and short stories.
With books published in Brazil, France and Italy, Maria Teresa Horta was the first woman to assume leadership roles in the film society in Portugal and is considered one of the exponents of Lusophony feminism.
What are the key themes addressed in Maria Teresa Horta’s work that contribute to her meaning as a feminist icon?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Maria Teresa Horta’s biographer
Editor: Good afternoon and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have a special guest discussing an inspiring figure in literature and feminism: Maria Teresa Horta. She has recently been recognized in the BBC’s prestigious list of the 100 most influential women in the world. Joining us is Dr. Ana sousa,a biographer and expert in Portuguese literature. ana,thank you for being here.
dr.Sousa: Thank you for having me! It’s an honor to discuss such an impactful figure like Maria Teresa Horta.
Editor: Absolutely! Horta’s inclusion in the BBC list underscores her significance not just in Portugal, but worldwide. Can you give us some background on her journey as a writer and activist?
Dr. Sousa: Certainly! Maria Teresa Horta is one of the defining voices in Portuguese literature and feminism. She co-authored New Portuguese Letters in 1972,a groundbreaking work that challenged the oppressive norms of her time. This book became a symbol of resistance against the dictatorship in Portugal, addressing issues such as the marginalized position of women, the colonial wars, and socio-economic struggles.
Editor: It’s fascinating that this book was banned and led to a trial—the “Três Marias” trial for offending public morality. What impact did this controversy have on her career and on Portuguese society at large?
Dr. Sousa: The ban was both a curse and a blessing. It brought immense attention to Horta and her co-authors, solidifying their status as prominent feminists. The trial ignited public debates about women’s rights and censorship. While the regime sought to silence them, it inadvertently amplified their voices, inspiring a generation of women authors and activists.
Editor: That really illustrates how oppressive regimes frequently enough fail to extinguish the spirit of artistic expression. In what ways do you think horta’s work continues to resonate today?
dr. Sousa: Horta’s themes of gender equality, social justice, and liberation are universal and timeless. in contemporary society, we see echoes of her struggles as many women still fight against systemic inequalities. her courage in confronting injustice continues to inspire not just writers and feminists in Portugal, but globally.
Editor: with her inclusion in the BBC list, what does this recognition mean for the future of feminist literature in Portugal and beyond?
Dr. Sousa: This recognition is monumental! It places Horta’s work on an international stage, encouraging translations and scholarly discussions. It may also inspire new generations of writers and activists to carry forward the legacy of feminist discourse and engagement in literature.
Editor: This brings us to a vital point: Horta is not just a ancient figure; she is a living legacy. What role do you see her playing in the current feminist movements in Portugal?
Dr. Sousa: Horta is a beacon! She actively participates in discussions, sharing her wisdom and experiences. Young feminists ofen cite her as an influence, showing that her work remains relevant. Her commitment to social justice and equality fuels ongoing conversations about women’s rights,both in Portugal and elsewhere.
Editor: Thank you, Ana, for shedding light on Maria Teresa Horta’s profound impact. It’s encouraging to see how her legacy lives on and inspires change. We wish her continued success and recognition in her vital work.
Dr. Sousa: Thank you! It was a pleasure discussing such an inspiring figure. Change is possible, and voices like Horta’s are pivotal in paving the way.
Editor: And that concludes today’s interview. Stay tuned to Time.news for more insights into influential figures shaping our world!
