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by Dino Levante

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It has well and truly reached the age of majority, the “Città del Libro” (Book City), the exposition of authors and publishers now in its 22nd edition. It was started 23 years ago by the mayor of Campi Salentina (just north of Lecce), Egidio Zacheo, who, in an area devastated by the mafia, took a gamble on culture and books for the social renewal of the whole of North Salento.

The gamble paid off and the “Città del Libro” became a permanent fixture, changing into a non-profit Foundation, and is today among the main events of the sector at the Italian level.

In 2016, the first exposition organized by the Foundation president, Cosimo Durante, and by the new management, took place in the Old Centre of the town that was the birthplace of Carmelo Bene, the eclectic actor of world renown, to whom the local municipal theater is dedicated. Today Durante, one of the most significant figures on the political scene in Salento, after filling various roles (assessor of Lecce Provincial authority, mayor of Leverano, vice-president of the National association of Italian municipalities for Puglia), is president of the ‘Terra d’Arneo’, Local Action Group and head of the administrative office of the undersecretary for Infrastrucure and Transport, Umberto Del Basso De Caro.

Will the 2017 edition of “Città del Libro” of Campi Salentina be held in Lecce? Is that what was announced at the last “Salone del Libro” in Turin?

The event will take place in the last week of November in Campi Salentina, while the title “Città del Libro 2017” has been assigned to Lecce, probably as a recognition of the whole area of Salento. The chief town, in fact, has not yet issued any guidelines and therefore, with other associations from the territory, we are getting organized to honor this important award by holding  “Maggio dei libri” (May book fair) and other initiatives. These include, “Un libro ponte di pace” (A book as bridge to peace), which will involve touring around Puglia and Italy (contacts with Matera and the Turin Book Show are underway) with the late 16th century gospel (Vangelo) from the Medici printing press, preserved in Campi Salentina’s Calasanziana library, written in Arabic with Latin translation between the lines.

The theme has already been chosen: “The paths of man”. Why?

The general aim, linked to this year’s theme, is to try to understand, with the help of the contributions of well-known guests and of the public, to what extent we can still improve our knowledge through “books”, their teachings and their guidance, in hard copy or digital form. This is in order to create projects for a future of civil, social, economic, and religious coexistence for all peoples. So, through book presentations, round tables, workshops, conferences and shows, we will retrace the history of ancient culture, right up to modern times, with distinguished historical, philosophical, literary and psychological input.

The program is divided into three sectors: “The path of history”, “The inner path” and “The paths of food”. What brings them together and why?

They are the three facets of this year’s program, linked together by man and his aptitudes, his abilities, his history and his spirituality. The reason is found in the history, or histories, of man and of peoples who over the centuries have built great civilizations.

Does it make sense to hold a national exhibition of authors and publishers in Puglia when there is a growing crisis of printed books in favor of e-books? What prospects does the future hold?

In its printed form a book is unique and irreplaceable and the crisis is not caused by the advent of e-books, because they help to bring the younger generations closer to books and reading. The problem of reading, rather than of books as such, in Italy, especially in the South, is due to poor training for reading, which starts with the crisis of the family and the school system. Events like the “Città del Libro” must serve to get books to be perceived as a positive factor, bringing people together and giving joy. During the event, the students who come to visit the Città del Libro or take part in educational workshops or book presentations, go away with the awareness of having learned something and at the same time feel they have been protagonists in a festival.

You have the opportunity to reach readers in Puglia, Italy and the United States, both Italian and American. What would you like to suggest as far as reading is concerned?

On coming into Campi Salentina you can see electronic banners with the following message from the Foundation: “Take care of yourself, read a book”. This is a universal message which today an institution like ours must promote, everywhere.