“To Belém & Back” reading in são paulo


The author’s first book reading in a foreign country was a success in São Paulo, Brazil. The book, To Belém & Back, about a long trip into Brazil’s backlands, was launched in São Paulo in 2015. As a book reading necessitates using much English, the event was generously attended, with over 20 participants.

Ben was kindly introduced by Ricardo Vitiello, of São Paulo’s Butantâ borough. As people settled in, a 20′ film titled Tiradentes2Bélem was exhibited, followed by the reading of an excerpt, of the author’s encounter with corrupt highway police. Completing the event was an extended Q&A in Portuguese.

One of the author’s favorite footnotes (p.129) was read:

So strong is the Brazilian urge to party that in 1726 the Bishop of Olinda had to decree: “do not consent to the holdings of comedies, conferences, performances, nor dances inside any Church, chapel, or its surroundings,” according to sociologist Gilberto Freyre in his magisterial work Casa-Grande & Senzala, p. 327.

[please hover over images for captions] The author wishes to thank Earthdog Press and the Casa de Cultura do Butantá for so kindly hosting, and especially so many participants who braved an afternoon downpour immediately prior.


About Ben

Ben Batchelder has traveled some of the world's most remote roads. Nothing in his background, from a degree in Visual & Environmental Studies at Harvard to an MBA from Wharton, adequately prepared him for the experiences. Yet he persists, for through such journeys life unfolds. Having published four books that map the inner and exterior geographies of meaningful travel, he is a mountain man in Minas Gerais, Brazil who comes down to the sea at Miami Beach, Florida. His second travel yarn, To Belém & Back, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. For more, visit www.benbatchelder.com.

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