Femicide
“A pharmacist is stabbed to death by her husband in front of her daughter in Santo André (SP)” (Daily Life, 8/12). Powers must dialogue to urgently combat this type of crime. Being a woman in Brazil has become very dangerous.
Jane Medeiros (Rio de Janeiro, RJ)
Femicide will always take place. Even with the death penalty, the bad character panics and kills.
Eduardo Galvão (Brasilia, DF)
The Maria da Penha law represents a historic step in the fight against domestic violence in Brazil, but it has been weakened by institutional complacency. As more and more women are raped and killed by men, the powers that be maintain silence and inaction. Legal toughening is urgent: it is not enough to recognize violence, we must guarantee severe and effective sanctions, in addition to protection mechanisms that work in practice. The law only fulfills its role when it is accompanied by political courage and firm action. Without this, institutional silence will continue to kill.
Oswaldo Motta (Rio de Janeiro, RJ)
2026 elections
“Datafolha: 35% see Bolsonaro as the greatest leader on the right, and 56% consider Lula as the greatest on the left” (Politics, 8/12). Many people are closed to Bolsonaro.
Paulo Afonso Pacheco (São Paulo, SP)
Since redemocratization, the left has joined the PT, still with Lula as leader. The right, on the other hand, was burned by the memory of the dictatorship, half disguised, and opened a space for social democracy. The PSDB has been sinking since he left the presidency at the turn of the century. Nearly 25 years have passed during which fake aliens have attempted to occupy this space. Do you remember the internal party struggles, where no one decided who led the party? Nothing has changed.
Rodrigo Andrade (Curitiba, PR)
(“Bolsonaro humiliates Tarcísio by making Flávio president, say leaders; governor remains silent”, Mônica Bergamo, 8/12). Tarcísio is a decoy. A character created by Bolsonaro, and whom they are now trying to transform into a center-right candidate to defeat Lula. His ideology is far-right. Don’t be fooled.
Beatriz R. Alvares (Campinas, SP)
Brazilian cinema
“’The Secret Agent’ is nominated for the Golden Globe for best film” (Ilustrada, 8/12). The film is really excellent, a throwback to the 1970s.
Gustavo Moreira (Rio de Janeiro, RJ)
Deserves to win all the awards. I took the risk of watching the film with my family, early in the afternoon, after a trip and a night of little sleep. I thought I was going to sleep, but I’ve barely blinked since the first scene. And look, the film is almost three hours long!
Enir Antonio Carradore (Criciuma, SC)
Brazilian cinema is excellent. We have good actors and directors. Let’s win something at the Golden Globes too.
Ana Paula Martins de Souza Carvalho (São Paulo, SP)
Death and life
“Denise Fraga tells how she relearned to live in 2025” (Ilustríssima, 6/12). Amazing woman! Pure inspiration: beautiful, dignified, proud, conscious, human. Congratulations on that, Denise!
Mayara Pereira Gonçalves Cardozo (São Gonçalo, RJ)
Beautiful text! It is always a pleasure to understand Denise’s extraordinary and vibrant nature. As she likes to say: it’s to make us feel less alone, not just to suffer. It’s even better when there is art born from the long journey of life. An artist like no other.
Allan Soares Nascimento (Mamanguapé, PB)
Matisse and Portinari
“Police identify suspect involved in the theft of works by Matisse and Portinari in SP” (Cotidiano, 8/12). Congratulations to the police! Town hall buildings must be monitored where valuable works are located.
Néli Faria (São Paulo, SP)
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