an academically based cultural institution of great importance, the academia brasileira de letras - abl, or brazilian academy of letters, is  made up of some of the top brazilian writers from many different literary genres, the abl is rio de janeiro's base of the written word, whilst also granting awards and organizing cultural events, in the pursuit of stimulating literature in the city.

the institution has 40 permanent members, who each have a patron from brazilian literature and culture, as well as 20 foreign partners. the membership of the abl is lifelong - when, upon the event of a member passing away, the seat is declared vacant, and a new scholar is elected by secret ballot.