Zélia Fernandes: A Decade of Dedication and Competence as President of ADABL

At the helm of the Association of Graduates of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2016, Zélia Fernandes has brought a distinctive personal touch to the institution, combining dedicated leadership with a commitment to its members, the advancement of women and the preservation of Brazil’s literary heritage.

Some leaders stand out not only for the work they accomplish, but also for the way they welcome people, encourage initiatives and make every member feel that they have an important place within an institution. At the Association of Graduates of the Brazilian Academy of Letters (ADABL), Zélia Fernandes’s presidency has been marked by precisely this human touch, alongside her commitment to sustaining the organisation’s cultural life.

Over the past decade, Zélia has built a record of leadership distinguished by the strength with which she carries out her responsibilities and the competence with which she keeps the institution moving forward. Her work extends beyond organising activities: her approach to the presidency reflects a special care for people, a willingness to listen and a determination to create opportunities for members to participate and feel valued.

It is a style of leadership revealed in the details: the dedication she brings to preparing events, the attention she gives to participants and the genuine affection with which she works to keep together those who share a passion for literature and Brazilian culture.

A Presidency That Welcomes People and Opens Doors

In cultural institutions, preserving tradition is essential. But just as important as honouring history is ensuring that it continues to be shaped by new voices, different experiences and people eager to contribute.

Zélia Fernandes understands the value of this continuity. Her presidency has focused on keeping the Association active, organising gatherings that bring together writers, poets, members, family and friends around a shared passion: literature.

Her particular attention to women deserves special recognition. By encouraging their participation and creating opportunities for them to present their work, share their experiences and gain greater visibility in the cultural sphere, she helps foster an environment in which talent can flourish. Making space for women means more than simply opening up an agenda or handing someone a microphone. It means recognising talent, nurturing confidence and giving people the opportunity to demonstrate what they have to offer.

This approach gives institutional life a special quality. When a president welcomes, listens to and encourages others, she helps ensure that the Association is not merely a place of representation, but also an environment of belonging and personal fulfilment.

Zélia’s strength is also evident in the perseverance required to lead an institution over time. Keeping a cultural organisation active demands sustained commitment, the ability to bring people together and the willingness to shoulder responsibilities that do not always attract public attention. It is work that requires energy and dedication, even when its results are expressed through quiet gestures, member participation and the continuity of a cultural programme.

A Literary Morning at the Home of Machado de Assis

This vision of an engaged and welcoming association will be reflected in ADABL’s October gathering, scheduled for 21 October, from 10 a.m. to noon, in the José de Alencar Room at the Brazilian Academy of Letters, at the Home of Machado de Assis, inside the Austregésilo de Athayde Palace, at 203 Avenida Presidente Wilson, in Rio de Janeiro’s Castelo district.

The event invites members, relatives and friends to enjoy a morning of literary exchange and celebration of the written word in a setting deeply connected to the history of Brazilian literature.

The programme brings together poetry, book presentations and audience participation, demonstrating how Zélia’s presidency values face-to-face encounters and the opportunity to make culture a shared experience.

One of the highlights will be the participation of writer and poet Eloise Gomes, a candidate for membership in the Association, who will read one of her poems. Her presence offers an opportunity to welcome a new literary voice and broaden the dialogue within the cultural community.

Writer Angela Guerra will also take part, presenting books from her new series for children and young adults. In recognition of Children’s Day, the initiative highlights the importance of literature in shaping young readers and the role writers play in inspiring new generations.

By making room for these contributions, the programme embraces different literary experiences and demonstrates how literature can bring together authors at various stages of their careers, encouraging exchange and the circulation of ideas.

Drummond Brings Participants Together Through Poetry

The gathering will also feature a poetry recital dedicated to the work of Carlos Drummond de Andrade, with everyone in attendance invited to participate.

The choice of Drummond adds the enduring power of a poet whose work spans generations and remains deeply embedded in Brazil’s cultural memory. Rather than simply listening to poetry, guests will be encouraged to take part, sharing verses and turning the gathering into a collective experience.

This format reflects an important feature of Zélia Fernandes’s presidency: her emphasis on participation. Instead of limiting the programme to formal presentations, the event invites attendees to become part of the proceedings, creating opportunities for culture to be experienced together.

The initiative also reinforces the Association’s welcoming character. In a poetry recital, every voice contributes to the atmosphere, and poetry becomes more than a printed work: it becomes something spoken, heard and shared.

By bringing together such a varied programme, ADABL reaffirms its literary mission and its commitment to encouraging participation among members and guests.

The Personal Touch That Makes a Difference

Leading a cultural association involves far more than calendars, meetings and administrative responsibilities. There is a less visible but equally important dimension: the ability to make people feel welcome, respected and encouraged to contribute.

This is where Zélia Fernandes’s leadership deserves particular recognition. The care she brings to the Association and the attention she seeks to give its members lend her presidency a personal dimension that goes beyond the formal duties of the role.

Her willingness to champion women, encourage participation and welcome new contributions helps create an environment in which different voices can find room to flourish. This is especially significant in institutions with a long history, where continuity also depends on renewing relationships and inspiring the interest of those who join along the way.

Administrative competence takes on even greater meaning when accompanied by such sensitivity. Organising a cultural programme is important; creating the conditions for it to bring people together, reveal talent and strengthen a sense of belonging is what gives it lasting significance.

Throughout her presidency, Zélia has combined her commitment to the institution with a genuine attentiveness to the people who make it what it is, demonstrating that leadership is also built through availability, dialogue and respect.

Ten Years of Commitment to ADABL

Zélia Fernandes has served as president of the Association of Graduates of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2016. A decade of leadership offers an opportunity to recognise not only the continuity of her work, but also the dedication required to sustain an institution devoted to literature and culture.

The enduring legacy of Austregésilo de Athayde, co-founder of ADABL, serves as an important reference point for the Association’s identity. Preserving that legacy means recognising the contribution of those who helped build the organisation. At the same time, the current programme, featuring writers, book presentations and a poetry recital dedicated to Drummond, demonstrates how that heritage can continue to inspire new activities.

Zélia’s presidency is defined by this meeting of memory and continuity. Her work seeks to keep the Association moving forward without losing sight of the human relationships that sustain institutional life.

There is something particularly meaningful about a leader who does not simply occupy a position, but works to ensure that others also have opportunities to express themselves. By recognising women’s contributions, welcoming new voices and encouraging members to participate, Zélia helps make ADABL a place of cultural exchange and appreciation.

The October gathering brings this spirit to life through a morning of books, poetry and companionship. It also offers a fitting opportunity to recognise the work of a president who, over the past decade, has devoted her energy and attention to sustaining the Association.

More than fulfilling a programme of events, ADABL celebrates the power of literature to bring people together. Under Zélia Fernandes’s presidency, the gathering reaffirms the value of an institution that draws its roots from tradition, finds its vitality in the participation of its members and honours its history through the care it shows for people.