About Casa do Sarau

About

A view of London at dusk through a window, with an open book of poetry on the table — London as the meeting point of the Lusophone literary world — London — the meeting point of the Lusophone literary world

London is home of an enormous Lusophone population, and yet its literature was mostly happening in private: books ordered online, poems shared via text messages, readings in living rooms. Casa do Sarau is the missing centre stage for all those voices.

The format came from the sarau tradition that has existed for generations across the Lusophone world. We changed very little: invited writers, live music, an open microphone, a table of books, and a long conversations afterwards.

“Here, words find voices. Voices find solace and for a few hours, we are all at home.”
Camilla Rodrigues, Founder

Brazil · Portugal · Angola · Cape Verde · Mozambique · Guinea-Bissau · São Tomé and Príncipe · Timor-Leste · London

What we hold to

Four commitments.

Intimacy over scale

We would rather fill a small room completely than half-fill a large one. The number of chairs is a decision, not a limit.

Language as home

Portuguese is the language of the house — in all its accents, from Luanda to Lisbon to São Paulo. Nobody has to change how they sound.

Hospitality first

Every reader is a guest and every guest is a reader. Food and drinks are served before and after the readings, chairs are turned, introductions are made.

Care with the memories

What is read here matters enough to be recorded: programmes, photographs, and the books that passed through the room.

Work with the house

Partners, venues, publishers and translators are always welcome to get in touch.

ola@casadosarau.com Contact the house

Letter from the house

Casa do Sarau began with a simple desire: to hear Portuguese read aloud in London.