The Gutenberg Book Fair is preparing to enliven Catanzaro and Calabria with the 21st edition defined as the richest ever. Over 40 participating schools, 60 authors, more than 200 meetings involving more than 17 thousand students from across the region: these are the numbers of the event scheduled from 20 to 25 May – promoted with the participation of the Municipality of Catanzaro – the details of which are were presented at a press conference this morning at the “De Nobili” municipal library.
Authors, teachers and intellectuals of every form of knowledge will discuss one-on-one with the children, including Daniele Mencarelli, Lorenzo Marone, Gianluigi Greco, Pierfranco Bruni, Riccardo Starnotti, Franco Cardini, Francesco Bellusci, Anna Oliverio Ferraris. The section dedicated to children is also very rich with a particular mention for the world of graphic novels and manga, represented by Sara Colaone and Vincenzo Filosa. From the school to the places of the city, Gutenberg will also be characterized by cultural aperitifs in the historic centre, by the literary footsteps and installations created by the Academy of Fine Arts, by the exhibition curated by the DiverCity association, themed shop windows and taste itineraries with menus and special dishes in the city’s restaurants.
The presentation
The Councilor for Culture, Donatella Monteverdi, in highlighting the support of the Fiorita administration for the event, highlighted «the importance that Gutenberg has had and continues to have in training entire generations in reading and knowledge», also underlining the institutional commitment in «building the sense of community through synergistic work with local associations”. A mission that places attention on young people at its centre, as underlined by the councilor for public education, Nunzio Belcaro: «In May of books, the Gutenberg fair has nothing to envy of other major national sector events, because it has the ability to always be able to read one’s time. The protagonists of this challenge, from the beginning, are the children who today, more than adults, frequent physical bookshops and are the best example of reading education.”
Rosetta Falbo, head teacher of the “Galluppi” Classical High School, the lead school, then recalled the «support of the regional school office, Carical Foundation, Banca Centro Calabria, Umg and every single institute of the Gutenberg network in the preparation of a program which, in a transversal manner , involves children and young people on crucial issues such as human rights, the condition of women in Middle Eastern countries, the environment, the Constitution”. Armando Vitale, president of the Gutenberg Calabria Association, regarding the theme Fears/Hopes chosen for this edition, added that «it is necessary to keep attention high on the issues of the present and Gutenberg, due to his critical vocation, can still be an extraordinary force driving force of a free and highly educational school”.
The program
The calendar, with all the updates, will be available on the gutenbergcalabria.it portal and on the social pages of the Gutenberg Calabria association. Listed below, in particular, are the afternoon and evening events open to the entire public.
GUTENBERG OFF
Catanzaro 20/25 May 2024
MONDAY 20 MAY
- 6.00 pm – Former STAC room in Piazza Matteotti
Taurianova Italian book capital 2024: culture as redemption for the territory
Debate meeting with: Pierfranco Bruni, president of the Italian Book Capital 2024 commission of the Ministry of Culture; Maria Fedele, Councilor for Culture and Youth Policies, Municipality of Taurianova; Donatella Monteverdi, Councilor for Culture and Equal Opportunities of the Municipality of Catanzaro; Armando Vitale, president of the Gutenberg Calabria Association; Giovanni Audino, graphic designer – author of the Taurianova Capitale del Libro logo. Moderator: Domenico Iozzo, journalist
- 6.30 pm – Foyer Lounge Bar, via Italia
Supreme aperitif with the poet Dante: Meeting with Riccardo Starnotti (popularizer, Dante tourist guide).
TUESDAY 21 MAY
- 5.00 pm – “De Nobili” municipal library
Meeting with Daniele Mencarelli (poet, writer): Hunger for air
- 6.30 pm – Former STAC room in Piazza Matteotti
Meeting with Dario Muratore (writer, actor, theater producer): Tales between sea and land. Presentation by Daniela Vitale (actress). Exhibition of artists: Testa di Latta, Parole di Latta, Crazy Puppets, Alois curated by the DiverCity Association
WEDNESDAY 22 MAY
- 3.30 pm – Academy of Fine Arts
Meeting with Sara Colaone (teacher at the Bologna Academy of Fine Arts).
- 6.30 pm – Pianicello district
May of Art and Gutenberg in memory of Michela Murgia: “I have lived ten lives”. Nunzio Belcaro (councillor, bookseller) moderates, Daniela Vitale (actress) reads
THURSDAY 23 MAY
- 3.30 pm – Academy of Fine Arts
Workshop with Vincenzo Filosa (author and illustrator of graphic novels, professor at the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria) - 6.00 pm – Palazzo De Nobili Concert Hall
Words and music beyond the finite: meeting with Maestro Antonio Puccio, writer and conductor. Anna Micieli, vice-president of the Castrovillari City of Culture International Award, intervenes. Moderated by Rita Scarfone (Giunti bookshop). During the meeting the Maestro will perform on the piano. - 6.30 pm – Feel Spirits & More, via Jannoni
From the zebra to children, when theater becomes a tool for inclusion and involvement: Meeting with Giorgio Scaramuzzino (actor, writer, director).
- 9.00 pm – Municipal Theatre
Generation
FRIDAY 24 MAY
- 8.30 pm – Casalinuovo Auditorium
Musical evening Voci di luce choir UICI – Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Catanzaro directed by Luciana Loprete.
Songs against fear: musical band Liceo Classico Galluppi Catanzaro.
SATURDAY 25 MAY
- 8.30 pm – Casalinuovo Auditorium
The Trojan Women: between fears and hopes. Free theatrical adaptation by Romina Mazza of Euripides’ work, performed by the students of the Liceo Classico Galluppi Catanzaro.
