05.06.2026
On June 2, a meeting with renowned Brazilian translator and writer Rubens Figueiredo was held in the 17th-century Oval Hall of the Library of Foreign Literature. These cultural evenings, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Brazil, are held 2-3 times a month and attract a large number of Portuguese language and music enthusiasts to the library.
Rubens Figueiredo introduced Portuguese-speaking readers to the works of Russian classics: he translated «War and Peace» and «Anna Karenina» into Portuguese, short stories by Leo Tolstoy, as well as works by Nikolai Gogol, Ivan Turgenev, Anton Chekhov, Ivan Goncharov, Viktor Garshin, and others.
As a translator, he also works in other languages. When asked which books are easier to translate, from English or Russian, the master replied:
"Translating from Russian is neither easier nor more difficult, but it's better and much more satisfying. I feel more fulfilled, much more honest, more human, and more truthful."
At the meeting, attendees learned about the intricacies of translating Russian classics, heard reflections on the cultural ties between Brazil and Russia, and asked the master questions. It so happened, the author notes, that the English books he translated were all modern, while the Russian books were from centuries past.
"Although the Russian books I translated are set in the more distant past, they create a historical perspective—that's precisely why they are richer in content."
You have a unique opportunity to watch and hear a conversation with Rubens Figueiredo online. Enjoy the meeting with the master.
https://vkvideo.ru/video-182089731_456239526
