The Calabrian writer Carmine Abate wins the Navicella d’Oro Literature Award for his narrative voice deeply linked to the South of his origins but capable of broadening to a universal perspective, for the testimony of a plural identity, for living by “addition” of roots and landings – which is the strongest and most recognizable feature of his now vast literary production (the latest novel, from last year, is “A happy country”: the little-known story of Erava, the Calabrian town “sacrificed” to a progress that never came) –, souls and cultures, experiences and encounters, belongings and movements.
Established in 2008 by the Italian Geographic Society on the occasion of the Travel Literature Festival, the Prize has been awarded over the years, in various categories, to writers such as Claudio Magris, Tahar Ben Jelloun, Luis Sepúlveda, to directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci and Giuseppe Tornatore. All authors who with great strength and originality have described places and cultures, and given voice to people and individuals, changing our gaze.
The Golden Navicella for literature will be awarded to the writer from Carfizzi – Campiello winner with «La hill del vento» (Mondadori 2012), and whose works are translated in many countries – on Sunday in Rome, at Villa Celimontana (6.30 pm). During the ceremony, evocatively titled «Words to say the world», the Golden Navicella for poetry will be awarded to Antonella Anedda. Massimiliano Tabusi, vice-president of the Italian Geographical Society, will be awarded the prize. Tommaso Giartosio will coordinate.
Today in his Calabria – in Zumpano – Abate will receive the Castello Svevo «Giuseppe Spizzirri Marzo» award, awarded by the Lions Club Cosenza Castello Svevo, will introduce Rosalba Baldino; the writer will talk Pino Sassano.
On Thursday, at 5.30 pm at the Palazzo Ducale, Council Hall of Verzino (KR), the presentation of the novel «The white olive tree» (Aboca, in the evocative series «The woods of writers») will be held. After the greetings of the mayor Francesco Levato and the introduction of Virginia Bruno, prof. Maria Cianciarruso will dialogue with Carmine Abate on the themes of the work and the link between memory, identity and territory.