Foggia, 18 June 2024 – The city of Foggia mourns the passing of Matteo Tatarella, dean of Foggia journalists, far-sighted editor and former National President of the “Local Newspapers”. Tatarella was editor of the Foggia and Bari newspaper, and the news of his death deeply shocked friends, colleagues and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
This afternoon, at 4 pm, the funeral will be held in the Carmine Nuovo church in Foggia. Many will gather to say their final goodbyes to a man who has profoundly influenced the world of local publishing.
One of the most touching memories is that of Giuseppe Saldotto, a photojournalist who owes his professional and journalistic training to Tatarella. Saldotto says: “It was 1991, the beginning of 1992. I remember showing up to the editorial office of the Foggia newspaper on a bicycle. I was young, I had just finished my studies. Tatarella asked me: ‘Do you have a VAT number?’ I replied no. The next day I returned with the registration at the Chamber of Commerce and with the VAT number, which I still have after more than three decades, thanks to Matteo Tatarella. For me he was a master of journalism and life, but above all a great friend.”
Saldotto continues: “I too, like Tatarella, was and am far right. We toured all of Italy together, and I was proud to be at his side as a trusted person and photojournalist. I remember every moment of that beautiful period of my youth. Once he sent me to Bari to document the visit of Berlusconi and Gianni Agnelli; the photo was published on the cover of the Foggia newspaper. How many beautiful memories linked to Matteo Tatarella and the Quotidiano di Foggia!”
Saldotto continues with a significant anecdote: “One day he called me to the editorial office saying ‘Come immediately, the correspondents from the weekly EPOCA are here’. I ran straight away and they wanted to talk about Padre Pio, the new church designed by Renzo Piano and the scandal of the 9 billion lire that disappeared into thin air. It was my first national crime publication. From there followed cover after cover for the weekly Cronaca Vera, and then for the famous weeklies Gente, Oggi, Di Più, up to publications in the USA and Spain”.
Saldotto concludes with gratitude: “Until a few days ago I published, as an author, ‘Padre Pio is with us’, the first national newspaper entirely dedicated to the stigmatized Saint. I have already publicly thanked Matteo Tatarella, but today I feel the duty to leave this historical trace. Thank you, Matteo Tatarella, my mentor. I still remember when he was sitting in Corso Vittorio Emanuele in Foggia and I, as a ‘newsboy’, delivered the Foggia newspaper by hand. I was proud then and still am today of Matteo Tatarella’s story, which was intertwined with mine. Hi Matteo, I love you. I will want you forever. Thank you.”
On this day of pain, Foggia pays homage to a man who dedicated his life to publishing and the professional growth of many young journalists. Matteo Tatarella leaves an indelible legacy in the hearts of those who knew and respected him.
