Amazonian author Milton Hatoum elected to the Brazilian Academy of Letters
15 de August de 2025
By Lucas Thiago – From Cenarium
MANAUS (AM) – Amazonian writer Milton Hatoum was elected this Thursday, 14, to occupy Chair No. 6 of the Brazilian Academy of Letters (ABL), succeeding journalist Cícero Sandroni, who died in July 2025. The vote ended with 33 out of 34 possible votes in favor of the author, confirming his status as the frontrunner. Hatoum, who had been reluctant to run because he did not see himself fitting the ABL profile, was convinced after encouragement from friends and academic Ana Maria Machado.
Hatoum is the first Amazonian to occupy a seat at the ABL. In a statement, the Government of Amazonas congratulated the writer and said that his appointment as an “immortal” of the academy “represents a historic milestone for the state and is a source of pride for the culture and literature of Amazonas”.
Recognized as one of the greatest names in contemporary Brazilian literature, Hatoum is a novelist, short story writer, essayist, translator, and university professor. With eight published titles, surpassing 500,000 copies sold, his works have been translated into 16 languages. Among his main books are Relato de um certo Oriente (1989), winner of the Jabuti Award for Best Novel; Dois Irmãos (2000), adapted for TV Globo in 2017; and Cinzas do Norte (2005), awarded several national and international prizes.
The writer, born in Manaus (AM), confirmed his favoritism in the contest by receiving 33 out of 34 possible votes. The son of a Lebanese father and a Brazilian mother, Hatoum graduated in Architecture from the University of São Paulo (USP).
The election of Hatoum reinforces the role of the ABL as guardian of national culture and literature. In a post on social media, the academy announced the official election result, greeting and welcoming the Amazonian writer. “We are pleased to announce that Milton Hatoum is the newest member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters. Welcome to the House of Machado de Assis, Milton Hatoum”, reads part of the statement.
‘Pride of Amazonas’
Following the announcement of Hatoum’s election to Chair No. 6 of the ABL, the Governor of Amazonas, Wilson Lima (União), made a post on his social media highlighting the manauara writer as “Pride of Amazonas”. Lima also emphasized that it is unprecedented for a seat to be occupied by an Amazonian.
“Pride of Amazonas! Writer Milton Assi Hatoum is the first Amazonian to occupy a seat in the Brazilian Academy of Letters. I congratulate the writer, now an ‘immortal,’ for the recognition of his work and legacy”, wrote Lima.
Election at the ABL
Elections at the ABL are held by secret ballot, a fundamental condition of the academy. Currently, there are three voting methods: by letter, in person, and online. All votes are guaranteed absolute secrecy.
To be elected, a candidate must receive half of the votes plus one. The electoral body currently consists of 34 possible voters, as one member is unable to vote. The time between the election and the inauguration ceremony depends on an agreement between the elected member and the ABL presidency.
The ceremony that elected the Amazonian maintained tradition, with ballots being burned in the cauldron after being counted by the ABL election committee, headed by President Merval Pereira.