Closing out the week dedicated to publications focusing on women in architecture, as well as the week marking the posthumous recognition of Lina Bo Bardi with the Special Golden Lion from the Venice Biennale, the Virginia and Vilanova Artigas Institute shared with us a brief and touching letter sent by the Italian-Brazilian architect to Artigas on August 21, 1978.
In this brief note, Lina thanks the architect for inviting her to a lunch held that Saturday, which aimed to raise funds for democratic movements during the final years of the military regime. Read the full letter below:
Dear Artigas,
Saturday was lovely: seeing friends again, seeing you again, seeing your house that I didn't know. How Brazilian architecture has changed! And for the worse. So many forgotten details: a human personality, simple and at the same time autonomous and important.
It was good for me on Saturday, I returned to your houses in Sumaré, to old architect friends from São Paulo and Rio, to wandering through the city, discovering things, talking about Brazilian architecture – which moved me deeply; to me, arriving from the war and the resistance – was (sic) welcomed with great affection here in Brazil by all of you. This is my country.
We need to start over; on Saturday I felt great hope.
I had to leave your house early because mama (elderly), who now lives with me, was without the nurse.
I asked (Joaquim) Guedes to take me home. I left a message with Julinho.
A warm, friendly embrace from Lina
With information from the Virginia and Vilanova Artigas Institute.
This article was written by Romullo Baratto. The translation is powered by AI.
