Based in Portugal since the Civil War, Delmar Maia Gonçalves has built a life between two worlds, always maintaining a strong connection to Mozambique. A writer, poet, and cultural activist, he has become a reference for Mozambicans both at home and abroad. Delmar was born in Quelimane, in the Zambézia province of central Mozambique, on July 5, 1969.
Childhood in Quelimane and Early Influences
Growing up in the coastal city had a profound impact on his identity. “Quelimane is the crucial center of my Mozambican identity. It’s where it all began, where I made lifelong friends and companions,” he recalls.
Delmar attended the 25 de Setembro school and played football for local clubs such as Palmeiras de Quelimane. “Those experiences, my friends, the family I lived with—all of that shaped me, and I still cherish those memories,” he told E&M.
The Civil War between 1977–1992 also left deep marks on Delmar’s family. Several uncles, cousins, and his own brother were forcibly recruited: “My brother eventually died after returning from there.”
“Many family members did not receive adequate healthcare,” Gonçalves laments. Even as a young man, he followed the political life of the time. “I attended Samora Machel’s rallies. Everything was very new to us, but it began to shape my views on democracy and justice,” the writer explains.
Moving to Portugal and Adapting to the Diaspora
The decision to move to Portugal was aimed at avoiding compulsory military service. “My father decided to send us far from Mozambique so that we could study. South Africa was not an option because of apartheid,” he explains.
The first years were difficult. “I wanted to return to Mozambique at any cost. It took at least three or four years of persistence until my youth and my life in Portugal took root,” Gonçalves admits.
In Portugal, Delmar continued his career as a student leader and teacher, while also engaging with the Movimento de Encontro de Jovens da comunidade Shalom, a Catholic initiative for youth evangelization.
“I want to build bridges between those in Mozambique and those living abroad. We are all Mozambicans.”
Recently, he founded the Movimento Juvenil Moçambicano para a Intervenção Cultural, which brings together young Mozambicans committed to promoting, rescuing, and strengthening cultural identity.
He also became president of the Círculo de Escritores Moçambicanos na Diáspora, aiming to unite Mozambican authors both inside and outside the country.
“I want to build bridges between those in Mozambique and those living abroad. We are all Mozambicans,” Delmar Maia Gonçalves declares.
Recognition, Projects, and Literary Legacy
Delmar’s literary works include titles such as Moçambique Novo, o Enigma, Moçambiquizando, and Entre Dois Rios, com Margens, exploring themes of identity, diaspora, miscegenation, and utopia.
Despite receiving recognition at events such as the Quelimane International Book Fair (2024) and from the Associação de Escritores de Moçambique (AEMO, 2021), Delmar believes many Mozambican writers remain in the shadows. “Books need to circulate, not only in Mozambique but also abroad,” he argues. For him, circulation should include translations into other languages: “It’s not just in Portuguese. We need Mozambican authors to be known beyond the Lusophone world,” he adds.
Among his current projects, Delmar is working on three individual works—an essay, a play, and a poetry collection—as well as a collective trilogy titled Constellatio, bringing together authors from Mozambique, Portugal, Brazil, Angola, and Guinea-Bissau.
Answering the Call of His Roots
Delmar has started visiting Mozambique more frequently to stay informed about the country’s reality and keep in touch with his family scattered across the territory. “It’s important to stay informed and close to my homeland, to my roots.”
This connection is reflected in his writing. He believes literature is a tool to unite and celebrate Mozambican identity. “All Mozambicans should be known and recognized, not only in Mozambique but worldwide,” he emphasizes.
Delmar’s legacy is also an example of perseverance. Despite challenges in the diaspora, he has built networks of writers and literary projects that strengthen Mozambican culture abroad.
Throughout his career, he has received awards including the Prémio de Literatura Juvenil Ferreira de Castro (1987), the Prémio de Literatura África Hoje, the Prémio Kanimambo from the Casa de Moçambique (2008), and the Prémio Lusofonia (2017). More than titles or recognition, he views literature as a mission: to bring Mozambicans closer together, dignify the country, and strengthen the identity of those living abroad.
“Believe in your dreams and fight for them. No one will do it for you. Don’t give up, because giving up now is forbidden,” Delmar urges young writers.
Text: Germano Ndlovo • Photography: D.R.
