EU-Views: José Eduardo Agualusa
Name: José Eduardo Agualusa
Nationality: Angolan, Portuguese
Occupation(s): Writer; Journalist
Connection to Europe: Studied agronomy and silviculture in Lisbon; Lives and works between Portugal, Angola, Brazil; his books have been translated into twenty-five languages
Date of interview: April 12, 2016
In this brief episode Angolan-Portuguese writer José Eduardo Agualusa shares his vision of the future of Europe. He expresses a desire for greater participation of citizens, in particular, young citizens, in EU decision-making as well as the role of literature in the “conscientization” of citizens. He talks about how new immigration is enriching European culture and describes Portugal’s unique history in integrating diverse cultures, making it a role model for the rest of Europe. The interview is in Portuguese – a treat for our Portuguese listeners. Please forgive the background noise towards the end of the conversation (~11:30).