Lusophone writer Djaimilia Pereira de Almeida, 43, has been distinguished with the Prémio Literário Fernando Namora, one of Portugal’s most prestigious awards for fiction, for her novel Livro da Doença.
The prize recognizes outstanding works of narrative prose published in Portuguese during the previous year. Almeida’s win marks a significant moment in contemporary Lusophone literature, further cementing her role as one of the most influential voices of her generation.
Livro da Doença was praised by the jury for its bold structure, emotional intensity, and the author’s masterful ability to connect intimate psychological landscapes with broader social histories, confronting enduring legacies of colonial violence, displacement, and racial identity. The jury highlighted the work’s “aesthetic sophistication and narrative urgency,” underscoring Almeida’s exceptional contribution to Portuguese letters.
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Born in Luanda and raised between Angola and Portugal, Djaimilia Pereira de Almeida has become a central figure in the evolving canon of contemporary Portuguese literature. Her earlier novels, including Esse Cabelo [That Hair], Luanda, Lisboa, Paraíso, and A Visão das Plantas, brought widespread acclaim, earning multiple awards and translation into several languages, including English.
This year’s recognition, particularly meaningful within the broader framework of Lusophone cultural production, reflects a continued shift toward acknowledging the plurality of Portuguese-language narratives and the voices of writers shaped by postcolonial experiences. She is widely recognized for her unique literary voice within the Lusophone world for her unique literary voice.
Her novels have received the Prémio Oceanos, Prémio Fundação Inês de Castro, Prémio Literário Eça de Queirós, Prémio Romance e Novela by Associação Portuguesa de Escritores (APE), and multiple shortlistings for major Portuguese awards.
The Prémio Literário Fernando Namora was created in 1999, in honor of the celebrated Portuguese writer Fernando Namora. In its 28th edition, the prize is awarded annually to a distinguished work of fiction published in Portuguese. It remains one of Portugal’s most respected literary honors, celebrating authors whose work demonstrates narrative excellence and cultural relevance.
Carolina Matos/Editor
