Dear friends,
Autumn has arrived in Spain, the season in which the leaves fall to make way for the new, while in Brazil spring announces the blossoming of so many flowers. How fascinating it is to realise that different places live similar cycles, yet at different times.
And the truth is that this carries great poetic and symbolic strength: they are predestined cycles, but their development depends on the investment each of us makes along the way. As the Cuban singer Gloria Estefan reminds us in her latest album Raíces: “For a good harvest, you need to know how to sow.” And look… this is not an easy task at all. But it is also true that it is not impossible. It may take a little more effort for some and a little less for others, but that does not matter in the slightest, because every person is a unique being in the universe.
This writer believes that, in the end, it all comes down to each of us seeking our own balance and being able to climb one more step in this endless staircase that is our process of evolution, without failing to extend a friendly hand to those who cross our path with difficulties. Meanwhile, may we enjoy the journey to the fullest.
It is with great joy that I now share with you the fruits of my labour this season. I hope you enjoy them.
With warmest regards,
Alan Leites
🍁🍂 🌻
Coming soon: Presentation of the book “Raji, My Family” at Casa do Brasil (Madrid, Spain) 28/11 🇪🇸
On Friday, 28 November 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Casa do Brasil (Madrid) will open its doors to host the presentation of Raji, My Family: A story of immigration, resistance, courage and love, the most recent work by Alan Leites. With free admission until full capacity is reached, the event will offer the public the opportunity to engage with an intimate and moving narrative that explores immigration, LGBTIQ+ life in Brazil, multispecies family structures, animal rights, social and economic intersectionalities, resilience, and the bonds that unite us beyond cultural and species boundaries.
The event will feature the participation of Sergio Ojeda (The Vegan Eater) and Jaime Posan (Anima Naturalis), who will interview the author to delve deeper into the themes developed in the book. At the end, there will be a book signing session followed by a tasting of vegan food and wine.
Free entry until full capacity is reached!
Event: Presentation of the book “Raji, My Family” at Casa do Brasil (Madrid) 🇪🇸
Date: Friday, 28 November 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Venue: Colegio Mayor Casa do Brasil
Address: Av. de la Memoria, 3, Moncloa – Aravaca, 28040 Madrid
Admission: Free until full capacity is reached
Event webpage:
Coming soon: Launch of the book “Foco na Poesia 4” (various poets). Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 22/11 🇧🇷
This November, I have the honour of taking part in the publication of the book Foco na Poesia, which celebrates its fourth edition with a unique project combining poetry and photography by various authors, published by Dowsley Editorial.
With great pride, I present a poem and a photograph of my own creation, both titled (Me), in which I transform my experience of forced migration into poetry. This is my first work published in Portuguese — a space in which I share an intimate and profound account of love, resilience, courage, and overcoming adversity.
A couple of months ago, the work was showcased as an exhibition in an art gallery, and now the book will be launched in print format on 22 November at Leitura Bookshop, located in the beautiful historic centre of Rio de Janeiro.
I am deeply grateful to my dear friend and project curator, poet, journalist, and actress Lucilia Dowsley, for inviting me to be part of this celebration of poetry and visual art.
It will be an honour for my work to find a place among so many poetic voices and to reach those who wish to engage with this experience of introspection and sensitivity.
Book Launch: “Foco na Poesia 4” 🇧🇷
Date: Saturday, 22 November
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Venue: Leitura Bookshop
Address: Rua do Ouvidor, 98 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro – Brazil
Admission: Free until full capacity is reached
It happened: Exciting ceremony of my graduation from the Master’s in LGBTIQ+ Studies at the Complutense University of Madrid 🇪🇸
Master’s degree obtained with a thesis evaluated with the highest grade (10) and an honorary recommendation for publication
"Miracles happen when we give it our all!" (O Teatro Mágico)
It feels like only yesterday that I saw Madrid through the airplane window! I arrived alone, through a process of forced migration, without documents, without friends, without family, and without anyone to call or hug. I carried with me two suitcases full of hope and the desire to start over, with the goal of studying.
A month later, the pandemic confined the planet and, defying what the “gurus” said, I decided to stick to my plans and not give up. It’s true it took a little longer than expected; after all, carrying multiple intersectionalities often places you at the back of many queues… but here is the result! And, to paraphrase Ludmilla, Persona and Henrique (2022): “THE GAY TRIUMPHS.”
The “queer macumbeiro” of the family, kicked out of the house and excluded for life, who went to live next door to a drug dealer (no victimhood, please… this is real life, baby), studied and became a journalist (with diploma) at Universidade Estácio de Sá, completed a postgraduate degree in Image and Communication at PUC-Rio, became a university professor with an academic merit award from Universidade Anhanguera, emigrated alone after turning 40, published his first book in a foreign language, and achieved an Official Master’s degree from the Complutense University of Madrid (studying in a foreign language), earning a 10 and an honorary recommendation for publication for all three submitted theses.
For all this, it is impossible to be alone… it was made possible “With a Little Help from My Friends” (The Beatles, 1967)… and while some might think it was easy, I can only hum: “Você precisa saber da piscina, da margarina, da Carolina, da gasolina, você precisa saber de mim” (“You need to know about the pool, the margarine, Carolina, the petrol, you need to know about me”) (Veloso, 1968).
When I look back, I see the journey that brought me here… and I realise that yes, “Eles eram muitos Cavalos” (They were many horses) (Ruffato, 2001)… and they still are… but giving up was never an option.
Hug and give thanks! (Gerônimo & Calazans, 2015)
Alan Leites 🌻
🍁 Madrid, Autumn 2025 🍂
An unforgettable memory!
Photo of the examination panel for my Master’s thesis in LGBTIQ+ Studies at the Complutense University of Madrid. The panel awarded me a grade of 10 and an honorary recommendation for publication.
I am deeply grateful (from right to left in the photo) to my supervisor and professor, Dr Giulia Quaggio, and to the esteemed professors Dr Melani Penna and Dr Laura Martínez, for their support, guidance, and intellectual generosity throughout this journey.
It happened: Murcia Book Fair 🇪🇸
On 3 October, I had the immense joy of presenting my book “Raji, My Family: A Story of Immigration, Resistance, Courage and Love” at the Murcia Book Fair, its beloved Feria Bonica.
There are no words to describe how special this moment was. Being able to share my story, my words, and my emotions with readers who came with such enthusiasm was an enormous gift. Every conversation, every smile, every glance… reminded me why we write: to connect, to move, and above all, to share our humanity.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who came along, to those who accompanied me on this adventure, and to my publisher, Círculo Rojo, for making this dream a reality.
Events like this fill me with energy and remind me that literature has an incredible power: the power to bring people together and create moments that remain in our memory.
Until the next fair, Murcia!
Exclamation Mark!
I invite you to discover Exclamation Mark (Ponto de Exclamação), my space on YouTube where I share my poetry with all my heart. Each poem is recited in Portuguese and comes with Spanish subtitles, so you can enjoy the musicality of the language and connect with the meaning of every verse.
If you enjoy poetry and those small moments of beauty, I look forward to seeing you on my channel:
Besides YouTube, you can now also listen to my poetry on Spotify (Portuguese only)!
Just click the icon below.
Copyright Alan Leites © 2025. All rights reserved.
