He was inaugurated at the Library of the Architecture Area of the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria on Book Fund named in Demetrio De Stefano, a prominent figure of journalism and southern thought of the twentieth century. The “Demetrio De Stefano” fund today represents a cultural resource of primary importance, not only for the academic world but for the entire community, offering an opportunity for study, reflection and rediscovery of the southern thought and civil commitment of one of his most lucid interpreters.
The ceremony took part, representing the municipal administration, the councilor for education, universities and equal opportunities, Anna Briante, which brought institutional greetings expressing great appreciation for the initiative. Also intervened Consuelo Navadirector of the Department of Architecture and Design, e Angela Quattrocchidelegate Sba for the architecture area. The ceremony also saw the participation of Maria Ambrosio, Sonia Ambrosio and Maria Procopiorepresentatives of the library.
Numerous family members who came from all over Italy to pay homage to Mimì De Stefano, as affectionately called him in the family sector. Each of them wanted to share a memory, an anecdote or an image linked to the figure of a man deeply linked to his land, a passionate supporter of the southern question, the central theme of many of his works.
The book fund was donated to the Mediterranean University on May 30, 1989 by the express will of De Stefano himself, through his sister Flavia De Stefanoand was initially placed at the headquarters of the Department of Environmental and Territorial Sciences in via Diana, 3. Since January 1994, the fund has been consulted by the public and is currently managed by the Architecture Library – Aentral section “Eugenio Battisti”. The cataloging, curated by the library officials, made it possible to detect a heritage of great documentary and scientific value: dozens of volumes and different vintages of periodicals (as many as 76 newspapers), extracts, brochures, personal notes, collections and photocopies of articles. The thematic areas addressed range from sociology to labor law, from economy to architecture, passing through agricultural, philosophy, urban planning, social and southern studies, and particular attention to studies on earthquakes and on the Calabrian territory.
“We are happy that the city has received this donation – said the councilor Anna Briante – Since the library is accessible to everyone, not only to students. This fund testifies to the strong link between the University and the territory, thanks to ancient and contemporary texts through which De Stefano deepened the themes he was dealing with as correspondent of the unity, in an era in which journalism was practiced with passion and great respect for readers “.