He is not a man of many words. Maybe he never was and preferred to erect dreams the size of cathedrals and draw lines that would become buildings of fascinating beauty. But each word that he says weights, as when he says: "The hunger of the stomach is only satisfied with the bread of justice," or when he adds "The time of the cowards doesn't count. It's the time of those with courage that does."

On one of the walls of the studio, on a white background, he wrote: "When misery multiplies and hope is absent from the human heart, only Revolution is left."

In a certain way that phrase summarizes both the thinking and action of Oscar Niemeyer, a living legend of the 20th Century for his architectural achievements. However, above all, he likes to describe himself as: "someone that is very convinced that only men and women will live to a full life when they conquer real freedom."

It is winter in Rio de Janeiro, but except for the size of the waves at the beaches it doesn't look like winter at all. The sand of Copacabana is full of people sunbathing. On Atlantica Avenue, that dominates the coast of Brazil's most famous beach, at the top of the Ipiranga building is the studio of the master.

Big picture windows fill the space with a pure and blue light, a transparency that mixes airs of joy and melancholy, maybe because very near there, Vinicious and Jobim were mesmerized by the girl from Ipanema.

0In order to reach the attic, from the lower
floor, one must climb about twenty steps.

Everyday at midmorning Niemeyer does it without fatigue. Between blueprints, meetings, and advise sessions his daily work schedule goes by: eight, nine even ten hours , briefly broken by lunch and a little break following it, not a proper nap, but only a time to help digestion.

Small in stature, still with a strapping build, of slow but firm steps, an olive face in a strong and erect head. On December 15 he will be 99-years-old.

"I never thought that I was going to live so long, but I confess that it is still not enough, I don't look much to the past, I prefer to look at what's still left to be done."

Inside the studio, where he shares his work with a group of collaborators in a collective within which a climate of comradeship is prevails, the master fills his office without any luxuries surrounded by his memorabilia. Books and folders worn out by a lot of use. Pencils, drafting pens and photos.

One of them with Luis Carlos Prestes reminds us of the scandal made by the Brazilian bourgeoisie when the already prominent architect Niemeyer had given his studio for Prestes to live in and to install there the headquarters of the Brazilian Communist Party after coming out of prison in 1945.

A couple of hours with Niemeyer, among Cubans and with the helpful mediation of Marilia Guimaraes, President of the Committee in Defense of Humanity of Rio de Janeiro, is far from a courtesy call. We talk about one of his works, a monument, placed in Cuba, about the current situation in Latin America and the rising imperialist escalation on a global scale.

Here are notes of our conversation, pieces of his thoughts:

"On its own, imperialism will never cease to be barbarian. You are watching it in Palestine and the Middle East. The world cannot remain at a standstill about the alliance between the United States and Israel.

"Latin America is living a very special moment. I have faith in the new leadership that is emerging, and in the gains of the social movements. But the human condition has not yet risen to the height that we seek.

"Here in Brazil, Lula continues to be the best option. The people are worried about the outbreaks of violence, crime and impunity.

However, we have to consider the origin of all of this. If you don't look at the roots of the problem, we will not solve anything. As long as inequality, social degradation, and hunger exists, violence will continue.

"I think that Cuba can develop architecture a lot more, place it at the height of the young talent that the Revolution has been cultivating. It is not only a wish, I hope that cooperation between my studio and the Cuban architects and students will be fruitful. I hope to see them.

"Imperialism doesn't forgive Cuba or Fidel, But those measures that Bush and his bunch have approved against you are not going to take sleep away from Cuba or Fidel.

"I ask young people to read, to learn using their own heads, so they can understand the world that surrounds them. If you read, you end up by finding the truth."
As noon approaches, Niemeyer voices some of the secrets of his life:

"Eat little food, drink a cup of red wine, and be aware of everything. Working keeps you healthy. I smoke four or five small cigars a day, but don't absorb the smoke. Montecristi: this girl (pointing at Marilia) knows that it is my favorite brand. Oh, and the company of a
woman."

I am afraid of airplanes as if they were the devil. I love curves, samba, friendship, contact with young people, landscapes.

His favorite personality? Without a doubt: "Fidel Castro. He has done something fantastic, he has opened up the doors to the new man."

When saying goodbye, the light that filters into the studio is much more intense. We embrace and he says "Viva Fidel."