The Department of Library Services celebrated a significant addition to its collection yesterday with the acquisition of 24 new Portuguese-language books, made possible through generous funding from the Brazilian Embassy. Minister-Counselor Murilo Komniski, accompanied by Geórgenes Marçal Neves, Head of the Cultural Department of the Brazilian Embassy, and other esteemed Brazilian delegates, graced the Department of Library Services (DLS) auditorium for the official handover ceremony.

Ms. Anna Siwela, Deputy Director for Academic Support at the Department of Library Services, extended a warm welcome to the Brazilian delegation, expressing profound gratitude for their invaluable contribution. Ms. Siwela emphasized the profound impact of the Brazilian donation to the University of Pretoria library, stating, "This is a great initiative to expand the reading and knowledge of our students in Ancient & Modern Languages & Cultures. We feel honored, as the student success within this department will undoubtedly be enriched by this generous book donation."

Minister-Counselor Komniski expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to foster a rich cultural partnership between Brazil and South Africa. He highlighted Brazil's diverse society, influenced not only by European countries such as Italy, Germany, Spain, and Portugal but also by African cultures and languages. Drawing attention to Brazil's indigenous heritage, Mr. Komniski referenced iconic figures like Pelé and celebrated the recent election of locally born poet Ailton Krenak to the Brazilian Academy of Letters, a body that is charged with preserving and promoting the Portuguese language in Brazil.

Sharing a personal connection to libraries, Minister-Counselor Murilo expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating, "I am personally touched because my mother was a librarian, and I was raised in the library. This is where the heart of knowledge is guaranteed." He extended sincere appreciation to the University of Pretoria for the partnership, acknowledging the significance of collaboration in fostering intellectual growth.

The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Professor Innocent Pikirayi, Deputy Dean of the Humanities Faculty, Professor Stephan Mühr, Acting Head of Ancient and Modern Languages and Cultures (AMLC), representatives from UP Human Resources, and students of Portuguese. The event showcased a selection of the donated titles, carefully curated by lecturer Cintia Antao, offering a diverse range of fiction, literature, history, children's books, and works addressing social issues.

Following the speeches and photographs, guests indulged in Coxinhas, traditional Brazilian chicken croquettes, and Guaraná, a beloved Brazilian soft drink. The event concluded with optimism for future collaborative ventures between the University of Pretoria and Brazilian institutions, paving the way for enriching academic and cultural exchanges.

Explore the list of donated titles here, and join us in celebrating this milestone in cultural exchange and knowledge enrichment.

View our Instagram reel here. More photographs can be viewed here.