About Us

Walking a pilgrimage path is an unforgettable experience, which, many times, may result in books, since pilgrims feel the need to report their emotions and unique life-changing experiences. With these transformation processes though reading, writing and hiking in mind, and his urge to promote such good habits, Artur Motta, pilgrim and volunteer, has created APL – Academia Peregrina de Letras (Pilgrim Academy of Letters).

According to article 1º of its Statute, ABL´s purpose is to nurture, preserve and disseminate literature, the writing and reading of books that have as their theme the practice of long-distance travel and pilgrimages, on foot, by bicycle or by any other means established in its Internal Regulations. The inaugural solemn session of the Academy brought together pilgrim writers from various pilgrimage paths in Brazil and the world. It took place on July 25^th, a very special date when St James, Writers´ Day, and both Camino do Sol and Águas de São Pedro anniversary are celebrated (Águas de São Pedro is the city where Caminho do Sol´s route ends). 

In the future, ABL will be composed of 40 (forty) active and perpetual members, consisting of the members who signed the Statutes. 

To date, 20 APL seats have already been taken, with representatives from different regions of the country. The rest will be occupied over time, through invitations to pilgrim writers, whose names will be submitted to a secret vote by the Academicians already inducted. Subsequently, a maximum of 20 (twenty) Corresponding Members will be accepted, thus designating those pilgrim writers who are not native Brazilians. 

Each member is responsible for promoting and ensuring the promotion and dissemination of the Academy’s objectives, through seminars, lectures, workshops and other activities of literary and cultural nature. The Academy may also create awards that encourage literary production and the achievement of its objectives, always obeying, in creation, the will of the simple majority of its members. 

The result of a collective creation and effort, ABL will always prioritize collegial, inclusive and participatory activity, seeking to interact with people and integrate ideas in the eternal search for common well-being, keeping its doors and arms always open to those willing to join forces and collaborate to achieve their goals.