Raimundo Jinkings memorial book explores life of Brazilian activist

Isa Jinkings has released ‘Meu Antônio’, a memorial book documenting the life and political struggles of Raimundo Jinkings (1927–1995). The work explores his multifaceted legacy as a bookseller, socialist militant, union leader, and intellectual in Pará, Brazil.

The book is divided into three main sections. The first part details the personal history and four-decade marriage between Isa and Raimundo, highlighting their resilience against political persecution and imprisonment. The second section compiles Jinkings’ journalistic writings regarding the political landscape, his role as a banking leader in the Comando Geral dos Trabalhadores (CGT), and his leadership within the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB).

The final section includes analytical texts by economist Roberto Corrêa, focusing on Jinkings’ union trajectory and the loss of his political rights following the 1964 coup, and contributions from professor Amarílis Tupiassú regarding his intellectual impact. Jinkings, who was named bookseller of the year in 1994, co-founded the Livraria Jinkings in Belém in 1965, which served as a vital cultural and political resistance hub.