Historian, winner of the Enlightener Prize in the Humanities nomination, Sergey Zotov has been doing scientific research in Spain, Germany, and now works in the UK . Despite his rather young age, he has already written three full-fledged books on the Middle Ages, another edition is being prepared for publication.
Welcome to episode eight of Yalla Fekra! Today, we will be talking about magical realism in literature. Magical realism and realism never meet. So, what brought these two together? Let's start from the beginning. Common knowledge suggests that magical realism emerged in literature or is specifically present in literature, but this is incorrect. It is closely linked to Latin America rather than the Arab world. In fact, in the 1920s in Germany, there was an exhibition on the New Objectivity. The term magical realism was coined by Latin American authors, such as Isabel Allende from Chile, Salman Rushdie from India, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez from Colombia. Marquez, in particular, gained fame for his novel "One Hundred Years of Solitude." He even won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. Other notable authors in this style include Haruki Murakami from Japan and Naguib Mahfouz from Egypt. So, what can bring together realism and fantasy in a narrative? A novel that combines elements of both can seem quite ordinary with a touch of imagination or fantasy. It can feel like watching a movie or living an ordinary life suddenly filled with magical occurrences. The debate between critics about magical realism continues. The boundaries of magical realism are not clear, making it difficult to define and categorize. In conclusion, the term magical realism originated in Germany and was later adopted in literature. However, as different authors began using it, the definition became blurry. Magical realism combines realism with elements of fantasy, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. It's a clash where it's hard to distinguish what is real and what is magical. Ultimately, magical realism remains a unique and captivating genre.
Before the episode begins, the host, Letícia Sarturi, requests support for the podcast, emphasizing the effort required to produce weekly content. She encourages listeners to follow, rate, and recommend the podcast to help spread scientific knowledge. Additionally, she mentions ways to support financially through platforms like Apoia.se and PicPay or by making a Pix donation. The episode focuses on the theme of national sovereignty, particularly in the context of the Brazilian scientific landscape. Letícia discusses the importance of scientific autonomy for national sovereignty, highlighting Brazil's dependence on other countries due to low investment in science (approximately 1.2% of GDP compared to over 3% in countries like the U.S. and Germany). She points out historical fluctuations in funding, which have negatively affected research and education. The discussion emphasizes how strengthening Brazilian science can lead to greater independence and sovereignty. Letícia shares personal experiences from her academic journey, illustrating the challenges faced when relying on imported reagents due to insufficient domestic production. She discusses recent government initiatives, such as the inauguration of a pharmaceutical factory in Pernambuco that will produce a key hemophilia treatment, significantly reducing reliance on foreign imports. Furthermore, Letícia highlights Brazil's capability in vaccine production, noting that vaccines for COVID-19 were partially produced domestically, showcasing the potential of Brazilian institutions like Fiocruz and Butantan. Both institutes play critical roles in producing vaccines and other biological products crucial for public health. The episode aims to shed light on how scientific advancements can contribute to Brazil's sovereignty and future development.