Corigliano-Rossano celebrates the 100th anniversary of the poet Franco Costabile

Francesco Antonio Costabile was a poet. Born on August 27, 1924 in the then Sambiase, today Lamezia Terme. On April 14, 1965 he took his own life, he was only 41 years old. His work, loved by Ungaretti, tells of one Calabria always in the balance between changes and immobility, a beautiful and poignant land, between chiaroscuro and contradictions. In his verses he recounts the passion and resignation of a suffering humanity, the aspirations and desires of the people of the South.

On the centenary of his birth in Corigliano-Rossano, organized by the cultural association Aglaiaunder the direction of Anna Lauriaand the patronage of the Municipality of Corigliano-Rossano, on Sunday 21 April, a tribute to the poet and the inauguration of a photographic exhibition “Steps in solitude” by Luca Policastri who in 2009 was awarded the Franco Costabile Prize for the “Visual Arts” section.

The Committee for celebratory events was formed in Lamezia Terme, the coordinator and artistic director, Giovanni Mazzei, invited a series of associations and entities relating not only to the city area but active at a regional and national level. The Aglaia Cultural Association of Corigliano-Rossano also responded to the appeal, hence the decision for an important initiative to be held in our city.

The first event “With this heart too much of a storyteller”, took place last January at the Franco Costabile Theater in Lamezia Terme. Costabile’s poems were entrusted to the voice of the poet Anna Lauria, accompanied by the music and notes of the maestro Donato Parente.

The event scheduled for Sunday 21 April, at 6pm, will be a tribute to the poet through a debate at the Emporium Café, in the historic center of Rossanoin the presence of the mayor Flavio Stasiof the Councilor for Culture, Alessia Alboresiof the artistic director of the Costabile Committee, Giovanni Mazzeiof the philosopher and essayist, Raffaele Gaetanoof the photographer Luca Policastri and the president of the Aglaia association, Anna Lauria.

This will be followed by the inauguration of the photographic exhibition “Steps in solitude” by Luca Policastri in the premises of the former Pescheria. In addition to the exhibition, you can admire audiovideos, installations and poems. The exhibition will remain open until May 1st from 6/8 pm, free entry. The event was included in the wider program linked to the Fires of San Marco.

“A too often forgotten figure is that of Franco Costabile and his Calabria, mother and stepmother, immersed in a nature that with its overwhelming beauty sublimates every oppression, every pain – declares the Councilor for Culture, Alessia Alboresi – I am proud that our city pays homage to this poet and his verses in the year of the centenary of his birth with an initiative of great cultural value for which I thank Anna Lauria and the Aglaia association”.