At the Spazio Giovani hall, in the Santa Barbara district of Viterbo, Maria Zadro’s book was presented. Moderator of the meeting Anna Maria Stefanini, present: the councilor for social policies Patrizia Notaristefano, the city councilor Paolo Moricoli, Domenico Aruzzolo of Viterbo con Amore, Sergio Insogna, the president of the Tuscia Dialettale association Franco Giuliani, the writer and cultural operator Catia Santoni, the photographer Bruno Maggini, the poet Nadia Pascucci, the photojournalist Giancarlo de Zanet.
Browsing through the pages of these stories set in Tarquinia, you immerse yourself in an emotional journey through the life of an extraordinary woman, who after 42 years of teaching and upon reaching 70 years of age, rediscovered her passion for journalism, photography, writing and continued to collaborate with young people, thanks to the “Grandparents and grandchildren” project, aimed at bringing together people of different generations (young people and grandparents not related by blood) which also leaves room for interculture and is implemented by the Provincial Acli – assisted by the Acli network – in collaboration with the Acli Santi Valentino and Ilario Family Point and the Diocesan Caritas, and many other educational, sporting and didactic projects.
The author, Maria Zadro, known to all as Mariella, captures the essence of her life and of the picturesque town where she was born and its inhabitants, skillfully intertwining memories and values that shape the protagonist.
The book is dedicated to her brother Alberto Zadro, a photographer for many years at the Viterbo editorial office of IL TEMPO. In the book, Tarquinia is revealed not only as a scenic backdrop, but as a true “character” in the story, with its narrow cobbled streets, its sea scent and the ancient traditions that permeate the air. The memories of childhood and adolescence and the crucial moments in the life of the protagonist are intertwined in a series of compelling stories, offering the reader an intimate look into the soul of a woman, in continuous evolution.
From “The sheds of Tarquinia” to the Saturdays and Sundays of the kids of some time ago, among the scents of laundry and the flavors, life is celebrated in its deepest sense. But what makes this biography truly precious are the intrinsic values that emerge from the pages: the importance of family, the strength of resilience, and the power of music as well as the transformative force of love and friendship. Through the vicissitudes and conquests of the protagonist, the reader is led to reflect on their own values and the deeper meaning of their existence. Ultimately, this biography set in Tarquinia is a moving tribute to life and the bonds that define us. With compelling and authentic writing, the author guides us on an unforgettable journey through time and space, leaving us with a profound gratitude for the memories and values that shape her and our existence, among the memories of Easter holidays and holidays of the kids from some time ago, to the characters met, from the emotions linked to the grandparents to their teachings. The music and readings of Leonardo De Angeli, Franco Giuliani, Anna Maria Stefanini and Mariella Zadro herself enchanted the audience present, who expressed appreciation for Mariella’s literary work, a true treasure chest of memories, reflections and shared passions. There is no shortage of dialect expressions and immediate, joking phrases in the stories, which make reading even more pleasant. The illustrations by Paolo Canepa, present at the meeting, make the book even more refined and precious, in the style of the protagonist, a collaborator of local newspapers.
