Ilse Losa and Maria da Graça Amado da Cunha: Connected by the train that carries letters and rumors

Abstract

Ilse Losa (1913–2006), a writer who came to Oporto to escape the Nazi regime, and Maria da Graça Amado da Cunha (1919–2001), a pianist and fundamental figure in Lisbon's cultural milieu, created a friendship based, to a large extent, in epistolary communication. Filling the silence between their meetings with letters, for forty years, these two women remained bonded by the train connecting these two cities and carrying their “letters and rumors” (Cunha, 1953). The writer and the pianist built their friendship over political and intellectual affinities, aware of the marginal position they occupied in the artistic and literary world. The letters and mutual expressions of support helped to legitimize and validate each other’s artistic ambitions and talents. Maria da Graça established ties between Losa and the Lisbon writers who were part of her inner circle. She also employed her literary skills in the critical reading of Losa’s books, in order to help the German-born writer improve her writing and her use of the Portuguese language. Ilse, in turn, knowing the difficulties faced by her friend trying to establish a career as a pianist, hoped to counter the (perhaps) inevitable closing of the piano by Maria da Graça.