21 Comments
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Jillian Hess's avatar

Where is this term been my whole life? I needed it!

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Gulsun Uluer's avatar

That's what I felt when I found it. I knew I wasn't alone :) Thank you, Jillian.

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Pedro Sette-Câmara's avatar

I don’t know if there’s a Borgian intent here, but... I’d love to see a Portuguese dictionary about this. On Houaiss, moledro is just a bunch of rocks. :-)

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Gulsun Uluer's avatar

I don't know the origin of the word, but it means quite a lot to me. I'm glad it exists, and I'm grateful to everyone who made it :)

Thank you!

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Inês Carrières's avatar

As a Portuguese speaker having consulted a few dictionaries, I am still wondering where the word "moledro" was used with this particular meaning!

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Gulsun Uluer's avatar

I'm not a Portuguese speaker, so I can't claim to be an expert, but we also have some unknown or hidden words or concepts in my native language. I suppose moledro is such a word for Portuguese. If you come across new findings about it, I would be glad to learn them.

Thank you for your time and contribution :)

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Elfin Waters's avatar

Beautiful word moledro is and yes, in this case, I'm friends with quite a few writers. What you said about Milan Kundera resonated. I was very young when I read The Unbearable Lightness of Being and I didn't really understand all of it because I hadn't seen much of life. But, yet, the book stayed with me for reasons unknown to me. I went on to read all his books. I wonder how it would affect me now, thirty years later?

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Gulsun Uluer's avatar

Kundera is without a doubt one of the best novelists. When I read The Unbearable Lightness of Being when I was very young, I thought to myself, 'Yes, this is a good novel, and this man is a good author.' He was unique and brave, which seemed to be the two most important characteristics of a good artist. I'll read his novels again and I'm curious what I will feel this time.

Thank you :)

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Lew A (Lincoln) Welge's avatar

Wow! Ty!

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Gulsun Uluer's avatar

Thank you!

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Sean Sakamoto's avatar

I love this. I remember a few years ago there was a story going around about the 'science of falling in love.' The theory, apparently backed by evidence, was that there are practices that can deepen or instigate feelings of love between two people. One of these practices was sitting and staring into each others' eyes for ten minutes.

I believe that for myself, and probably anyone who really loves art, engaging seriously and openly with a creative work is the spiritual equivalent of gazing into the eyes of its creator. We fall in love with the work and the maker of the work and feel a friendship blossom. Though it's not an actual friendship. The sane among us realize that. The crazy among us start to stalk celebrities. That connection is real, but it's not between two souls, it's a connection to the sublime and the work is a conduit. We confuse the map for the territory, we substitute the artist for the greater thing. There's a Buddhist story about confusing the finger pointing at the moon with the moon itself. I think that when I fall into a sense of intimacy with an artist through their work, perhaps I'm merely confusing the finger with the moon.

Maybe that's why they say, "Don't ever meet your heroes." A meeting in person can only dispel the illusion.

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Gulsun Uluer's avatar

How true! We can often confuse the artist with the value they produce. A good composer doesn't have to be a good person—maybe even not. Or, if we met the author of our favorite novel, we wouldn't even find them sympathetic, let alone make friends. But I think, on the one hand, we have admiration for the character, soul, and talent that are capable of creating such great works. This provides us with a way to form a tangible bond between that admirable product and also a kind of privilege of being able to approach that heaven-like creative process.

Overall, I am very happy that there has been enough awareness to give at least a special word for this in one language.

Thank you so much for your time and contribution :)

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Sean Sakamoto's avatar

Thank you for a great post. I liked it so much that I feel like your friend.

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Gulsun Uluer's avatar

Thank you so much :)

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Alicia M. Rodriguez's avatar

I live in Portugal but have never heard of this word, Moledro. How wonderful to have a new word that I can relate to. So are my favorite Portuguese word is Saudade, a longing for something liminal, not attainable but simply deeply felt by the heart. I certainly relate to that as a writer and poet. Thank you for my new word!

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Gulsun Uluer's avatar

Sometimes I come across words in my own language that I haven't seen before. Learning a new word is always enjoyable, no matter which language it is in.

Saudade is thoughtful and intensive, full of emotions. I had written about it in previous editions. Nefelibata is also another Portuguese word I once wrote about. It means someone who lives in their own imagination or dreams or who does not follow society's generally accepted rules. I hope to learn new ones in the future.

Thank you for your time and contribution :)

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Anju & Preethi's avatar

A glorious word for the fascinating feeling we all readers have for the authors whom we love. I am awestruck that there is a word for this feeling, thank you for finding and sharing.

I observed that your 'moledro' towards specific authors,is quite akin to mine. Although am yet to discover Milan Kundera. Perhaps it's time for me to start with your suggested book.

One singular post with so many things to assimilate. Bravo! 👏👏👏👏

Cheers :)

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Gulsun Uluer's avatar

I was also struck at the moment I learned moledro. I'm so glad that you also share this feeling.

I would recommend Kundera, he's a great novelist, no doubt. I will also re-read his books in my library. RIP Kundera!

Thank you so much.

Cheers :)

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Anju & Preethi's avatar

The book will be arriving soon, they say. An inspired purchase, although made on an impulse. 😆Thank you for inspiring :)

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Gulsun Uluer's avatar

So happy! Have a good read :)

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Jul 16, 2023
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Gulsun Uluer's avatar

This is exactly what I felt when I first heard it!

Thank you :)

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