It's a business, but its main objective is not profit, guarantees Manuel Brito, the founder of the publishing house «Sul, Sol e Sal». What is really important, he says, is that works relevant to the Algarve are released, regardless of their commercial potential, so that the region does not forget some of its literary landmarks from the past and, on the other hand, thinks about its future.
«Our goal is to edit works that value the Algarve's culture and heritage and make the view outside the Algarve stronger and stop being as negative as I think it is, after having lived in Lisbon for over 35 years» , revealed Manuel Brito in conversation with the Sul Informação.
Since it was founded, about a year ago, the young publisher has released several works, including «Evolução Urbana de Olhão», by Sandra Romba, «Francisco Fernandes Lopes: historian of Olhão», by Andreia Fidalgo, the children's book «Farol a dolphin in trouble”, by Sofia Quaresma, and, more recently, a reprint of António Rosa Mendes' work “Olhão did itself”.
"So far, we've released books that we find interesting and that draw attention to aspects of the Algarve's culture and heritage that we think should be made known, not only to the Algarveans who don't know them yet, but to those who visit us," explained the Oyenne editor. And the books already released were just a whetting of appetite for what is to come, taking into account the plans of «Sul, Sol e Sal».
«We have now launched two larger projects, which we consider essential for the Algarve. One is a collection that we will call “Algarviana”, in reference to the work of Mário Lyster Franco, where we will re-edit the essential titles to understand the Algarve. It will be a historical retrospective, which begins with the chronicle of the reconquest of the Algarve and goes on to more recent books», he announced.
To choose the works that will be part of the «Algarviana» collection, which will have «10 to 12 books», the publisher will have «the scientific support of Professor Joaquim Romero de Magalhães and the University of Algarve».
Another major project of «Sul, Sol e Sal» is a collection of books about the region that will be commissioned from thinkers in different areas. «This is what we think will be the fantastic collection (laughs) that the Algarve deserves. Let's call it “Rethinking the Algarve” and invite several people to write about the future of the region, in its various aspects. Basically, we want to have here almost a program of what the Algarve should be”, explained Manuel Brito.
Here, national figures, not necessarily from the Algarve, will be invited to participate. The challenge was launched to several people and the challenge was already accepted by the former minister Guilherme d' Oliveira Martins. Also invited were, for example, António Rebelo de Sousa, professor of economics and brother of the President of the Republic, and Lídia Jorge, among others.
"This is a collection that will take time to come out, as we are asking people to write a book from scratch and to reflect deeply on the Algarve," he added. The areas to be addressed range from the economy to the environment, through culture, agriculture and rural development.
Born in Olhão, the now businessman lived most of his life in Lisbon, where he made a career in the area of financial auditing. Recently, he decided to go back to his origins, as Manuel Brito explained.
«At this stage of my life, I thought I should return to the Algarve and give back for everything I learned and lived here. The projects I have do not comply with financial profitability criteria. I live off what I've worked and with the comfort I consider adequate. What I'm looking for are projects that serve and enhance the Algarve. In other words, I'm not looking for activities that can make me richer, but rather that can give examples to younger people of what a new and sustainable economy is,” he guaranteed.
That's why he invested in «Sul, Sol e Sal», but also in Sun Concept, a shipbuilding company from Olhano that builds boats powered by solar energy, one hundred percent electric.
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