Nua | Letycia Soares

Letycia’s first published work appeared in 2017, a chapbook of poems titled “Maré de Silêncios” (Tide of Silences). The collection juxtaposes the rhythmic cadences of coastal life with the quiet suffering of women whose labor remains invisible. Critics praised the book for its lyrical economy and its capacity to “make the unheard audible.”

In the following years, she contributed short stories to several independent literary journals, most notably Canto das Ondas and Vozes do Sertão. Her stories often foreground protagonists who navigate intersecting identities—race, gender, class—within a rapidly urbanizing Brazil. A recurring motif is the tension between migration (both internal and external) and the yearning for rootedness.

While Letycia Soares Nua’s story is still unfolding, the contours of her legacy are already evident:

Beyond fiction, Letycia has authored a series of essays on cultural policy, particularly the protection of intangible heritage. Her 2022 essay “Memória em Movimento: Quilombos e a Escrita da Resistência” (Memory in Motion: Quilombos and the Writing of Resistance) argues for a decolonized curriculum that integrates oral histories as primary sources. The piece has been widely cited in academic debates on Afro‑Brazilian education reforms. letycia soares nua

Letycia’s artistic practice is inseparable from her activism. She co‑founded the nonprofit organization Raízes Vivas, which works to document and disseminate oral histories of quilombola and indigenous elders through multimedia projects. The organization’s flagship initiative, Vozes do Rio, pairs community storytellers with university students, creating podcasts that are now broadcast on public radio stations across the Northeast.

In addition to her work with Raízes Vivas, Letycia has been a vocal participant in environmental protests, particularly those opposing large‑scale hydroelectric projects that threaten riverine ecosystems. Her public speeches often reference her literary work, emphasizing that narrative can galvanize collective action.

In 2018, Letycia earned a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Environmental Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research examined “The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Coastal Climate Adaptation.” The thesis was later adapted into a policy brief that informed the UNDP’s Coastal Resilience Initiative in Latin America. Letycia’s first published work appeared in 2017, a

During her time at Berkeley, she served as a teaching assistant for the flagship course “Science for Sustainable Development,” where she introduced case studies from Brazil, helping a diverse cohort of students understand the interplay between local contexts and global challenges.

Letycia’s public achievements are complemented by a rich personal life that keeps her grounded. She is an avid samba dancer, a tradition she inherited from her mother, and she often credits the rhythmic discipline of dance for her ability to balance multiple demanding roles.

She is also a mother of two, raising her children, Sofia and Rafael, with a philosophy of “learning by doing.” Weekends are spent in São Joaquim, where she volunteers at her hometown’s community center, teaching basic chemistry experiments to local children. Beyond fiction, Letycia has authored a series of

Her favorite pastime? Stargazing from the rooftop of her Recife apartment, where she reflects on the vastness of the ocean and the cosmos, reminding herself that every small action is a ripple that can reach far beyond the shore.

In 2025, Letycia announced the formation of “Blue Horizons Global,” an independent, non‑profit coalition aimed at scaling the successful coastal resilience models from Brazil to other vulnerable regions in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. The organization’s first initiative will partner with Kenyan coastal communities to co‑design solar‑powered aquaculture systems, replicating the inclusive, data‑driven approach that has become Letycia’s hallmark.

Her vision is clear: “A world where every shoreline is a thriving ecosystem, every community is a steward of its own destiny, and every young person—regardless of gender or geography—has the tools to shape a sustainable future.”