Abstract

This article reconstructs the genesis of the formulation and writing of Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire, his most important and best known work. It also reconstructs, historically, the trajectory of the editions, with emphasis on the first ones, especially the one held in Brazil, due to its prohibition imposed by the military dictatorship that had been installed in April 1964 and that had banned Paulo Freire from the country. Even after his death in May 1997, there are people – fortunately few and registered in the universe of fascist neoconservatism – who continue to attack Paulo Freire's work, evidently demonstrating that they do not know it. In the celebrations of the centenary of the birth of the Brazilian educator, already in 2020, manifestations and events are taking place on all continents, not only in a clear demonstration of the reaction against displeasure to the author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed, but also revealing the relevance of the Freirian legacy, therefore, its actuality for contemporary education, in all its modalities and degrees.