Top philosopher to give local lecture

Portuguese philosopher José Gil will be in Macau on September 21 to conduct a lecture on the “Desire and Fear of Existence.” Organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the lecture will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Macau Science Center.
In a list compiled by the French magazine “Le Nouvel Observateur,” Gil was named one of the twenty-five greatest minds in the world. He will assess the contemporary aspects of Portugal’s cultural and social scenes, drawing on numerous perspectives. Insights will also be shared on how the desire to live shall prevail, thus helping an individual avoid fearing its own existence, the Cultural Affairs Bureau revealed in a statement.
Gil has written several books, some focusing on one of the most acclaimed Portuguese poets, Fernando Pessoa.
In 2004, he published “Portugal, Hoje: O Medo de Existir” (Portugal Today: The Fear of Existence), a book which philosophically analyses the characteristics of Portuguese people. The book has had a profound impact on several academic areas.
The Cultural Affairs Bureau is seeking to enhance residents’ knowledge and conscience on Portugal’s philosophy and culture.
The lecture will be delivered in Portuguese with a Mandarin translation provided. Entrance is free, and places available will be provided upon order of arrival.
The seminar is included on a series of “Masters of Culture Lectures,” launched last year by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, aiming at bringing renowned literature, arts or culture personalities to Macau.