the first fifty years of ‘Il Biscegliese’. The oldest independent local monthly in Puglia – BisceglieLive.it – ​​turns half a century

Local news periodicals constitute a very important element of the general media system. Finding an independent monthly magazine still on newsstands after so many years is a rarity in Italy. Local and community journalistic information is an irreplaceable asset for a city. The archives of local newspapers, precisely because of their continuous and widespread territorial presence, constitute an inexhaustible source of news, as well as an asset of great interest from a social, economic, cultural and historiographical point of view. Furthermore, the publishing enterprise represents an important commitment and effort, also in economic terms, which translates into a significant resource for the entire community.

The certainty of the value of this heritage is the assumption from which the celebration of Il Bisceglieseone of the longest-running independent monthly magazines in Italy, the oldest in Puglia, founded by Pietro Rana in 1974, which is preparing to celebrate half a century of history on Sunday 19 May, at 10.30 am, at the “Politeama Italia” theatre, in via Montello 2 in Bisceglie (BT).

An event promoted by the director of the monthly magazine, Doctor Tommaso Fontana, with the patronage of the City of Bisceglie, for which the Red Shoes Women Orchestra, directed by Maestro Dominga Damato with the extraordinary participation of soprano Enza Carenza. During the event, presented by the journalist Annamaria Natalicchio, In addition to the city authorities, the President of the Order of Journalists of Puglia Piero Ricci, the publisher Diego Romano Rana and important personalities.

The tribute in notes by the musicians, directed by the pink baton Damato, will celebrate some of the pillars of Italian songwriting as well as great classics of the international repertoire such as “Back to black” and “New York, New York”, passing through the medleys dedicated to Edith Piaf and the unforgettable film music of Oscar winner Ennio Morricone.

Furthermore, at the Politeama Italia Theatre, a philatelic postmark dedicated to “Il Biscegliese” and prepared by the Italian Post Office which will be present with their postal service, available to those who request it.

For the occasion, the publication, edited by Tommaso Fontana, will be availableon the history of the newspaper and containing the contributions of numerous editors of the monthly, entitled: “50 years with Il Biscegliese. Snewspaper story”, BASIT editions srl.

«The Biscegliese area represents a pillar of the history and culture of Bisceglie – underlines Tommaso Fontana, editor of the book -, testifying to half a century of events, changes and developments at both a local and global level. In 1974 we remember that the Christian Democrats governed stably, that NATO and the USSR faced each other in the Cold War and our newspaper was already on newsstands. Many things have changed, but its ability to remain relevant in an era of digital transformation is remarkable, maintaining a tangible connection with readers through its physical presence on newsstands. The commitment of the publisher, engineer Diego Romano Rana, who continues to support the newspaper despite economic challenges, reflects a deep attachment to the community and a desire to preserve a legacy of impartiality and professionalism. Readers’ support will be crucial to ensuring that “Il Biscegliese” can continue to be an authoritative voice and a faithful reporter for future generations, keeping alive the tradition of quality journalism in the city of Bisceglie.”

Local journalism plays a crucial role in keeping the community informed, offering a unique, in-depth perspective often not found in mainstream media. The dedication of a newspaper to its city, as evidenced by the passion and commitment of the publisher and editorial staff of Il Biscegliese, is fundamental to preserving local history and stimulating civic dialogue. Providing quality content every month, enriched with details and images that capture the essence of local life, is an invaluable service for the city of Bisceglie and its inhabitants. As technology advances and times change, the value of a detailed and timely story remains invaluable, as well as a tangible and precious means for the preservation of collective memory, providing readers not only with news, but also with a sense of belonging and continuity with the past. Community pride and support are the true strength of a newspaper, allowing it to thrive and continue its informative mission, continuing to be an authoritative voice and cultural reference point for future generations.