If places are made of stories, a book often manages to give us the stories that animate (or have animated) a place.
Reflecting on the fate of books is proposed, then, as a gesture of protection towards the fate of those stories.
The FAI Giovani Matera, in collaboration with the Italian Association of Classical Culture – Delegation of Matera, returns to question the osmotic relationship between the city and bookswith a conversation with the prof. Massimo Pinto (University of Bari Aldo Moro), dedicated to “Books and readers in ancient Athens“.
Carmelo Nicolò Benvenuto, FAI Youth Matera Group Leader, will introduce the conversation.
The appointment is at Matera, at Palazzo Zicari (Via S. Giacomo, 39), on 7 June 2024, at 6.30 pm.
The book has a very long history and our relationship with books has been very different over the centuries.
An interesting chapter of this story is his progressive affirmation in ancient Athens, in the transition from a predominantly oral and poetic culture to a society that requests and appreciates texts written in prose for the many needs, not only “literary”, of the polis.
With the help of some testimonies from authors of the time, we will try to understand better the place the book had in the mentality of the Athenians of the 5th and 4th centuries BC and the relationship that readers of the time had with this innovative object.
The meeting is part of the activities of the Prin PNRR 2022 project of the University of Bari entitled “MetaLibraries. Living Libraries for a Better Living” (directed by Professor Rosa Otranto), which promotes the dissemination and sharing of discussions on books and libraries among citizens.
The conversation will take place in Matera, in the splendid setting of the terrace of Palazzo Zicari and will be opportunity to appreciate the recent and skilful restoration of the ancient Matera residence; the conversation will in fact be preceded by one unprecedented visit to Palazzo Zicari with testimonies and narrations by professor Antonella Guida and the architect. Vito Porcari (University of Basilicata, Department of European and Mediterranean Cultures).
Participation is free, without reservation, with the possibility of registering for the FAI on site.
Below is the poster with the details.
