Fernando Pessoa and the invasion of Abyssinia by fascist Italy

Abstract

Shortly before his death (November 30, 1935), Fernando Pessoa wrote two articles on the Italian invasion of Ethiopia that the censorship of the Salazar regime would not let pass. These writings help to illuminate the political ideas of the great Portuguese writer in his later years, including on such topics as fascism and colonialism. Pessoa’s position is seen in the context of the Portuguese reactions to the Ethiopian conflict.