2023-07-30 23:18:48
by MARCO GASPERETTI, our correspondent in Viareggio
In the choices of the jury chaired by Paolo Mieli, the Roman author prevails, awarded for La vita intima (Einaudi Stile libero). He had already won in 2001
Niccol Ammaniti won, the uncomfortable writer, outside the box, far from the literary communities and the power of editorial lobbies. And this triumph, unexpected for many, seems to be reflected in the very essence of the Viareggio-Rpaci Prize, historically the most independent and also the most surprising for the innovations it has managed to create in recent years by renewing itself with respect for tradition. Not Ammaniti’s first time at the prize: he had already won in 2001 with I’m not afraid: More than twenty years have passed since the first victory in Viareggio – said the writer – to come back here now, after a long time, gives me the strength to win another in twenty years.
Intimate life (Einaudi Stile libero) was proclaimed the best novel of the 94th edition of the kermesse on Sunday 30 July. And it happened on a very particular night. Not only because it is dedicated to the proclamation of the winner of the narrative section (the other sections and special prizes had already been announced a few days ago), but because this year the Viareggio-Rpaci had an encore for the first time, with two final evenings instead of the historic final. An initiative that not only had the approval of the public (the spectators literally invaded the insufficient space of Piazza Mazzini, in front of the sea and the liberty promenade), but added a touch of spectacularity (the music of Giorgio Gaber interpreted by Rossana Casale) and presented the winning authors in the best possible way. Which, let us remember, were Vivian Lamarque for poetry with L’amore da vecchia (Mondadori) and Francesco Piccolo for essay writing with La bella confusion (Einaudi). Not an easy decision, that of the jurors, due to the value of the works. Just as it was not easy to assign the special prizes: the international one went to the writer and editor Gian Arturo Ferrari, the journalist to the Georgian journalist Nona Mikhelidze, an expert in international relations and geopolitics, while Pietro Santetti won the first work prize.
Finally, the Premio Citt di Viareggio, established by the Municipality in the province of Lucca, was awarded to the multitalented Stefano Massini, very attached, as he himself recounted on stage, to Versilia. Finally, two other awards went to Giampaolo Simi (Premio Tobino) and to Rossana Casale herself for the extraordinary interpretation of Gaber’s works.
Many emotions during yesterday evening for the announcement of the winning novel arrived during the night. Intimate life was preferred by the jury to the works of Giosu Calaciura, One night (Sellerio), and Sapo Matteucci, For futile reasons (The ship of Theseus).
The public had already savored, on Saturday evening, reading some pages of the novel from the voice of Ammaniti himself, a work that tells the story of the beautiful, rich and perfect Maria Cristina, who seems to flow seemingly serene. And that suddenly, due to one of those strange technological connections that populate today’s liquidity, overwhelmed by obsessions, fears and dormant desires.
a courageous book by a great writer, already awarded by the public – explains Paolo Mieli, columnist of the “Corriere”, historian and president of the Viareggio-Rpaci Award – yet neglected by critics. Niccol Ammaniti, a rare if not unique thing, managed to converse directly with his readers, conquering them without intermediation.
But, in addition to the value of the work and the author’s surprising direct interaction with the public, without critics and power groups, there is also another feature that makes it unique. This is a novel that snubs and bypasses the literary communities – continues Paolo Mieli -. Writers are fed up with circle battles. We have witnessed great authors opposed, turned away from the prizes. Niccol was also awarded for this ability of his: above all a cultural operation that will be an example for other courageous writers.
There is another curiosity in choosing the winners. In non-fiction, a book considered by many to be a novel was awarded. Francesco Piccolo’s beautiful confusion is certainly a work to be archived in the vein of the best narrative, but also an essay on the history of the most beautiful moments of Italian cinema. And Piccolo, an established screenwriter (he signed scripts with directors of the caliber of Marco Bellocchio, Paolo Virz, Nanni Moretti, Francesca Archibugi) describes as a chronicler incredible stories taken from real sources such as letters, notes, films on the often epic exploits of Fellini, Flaiano , Pasolini, Mastroianni, Suso Cecchi D’Amico.
Also unique is L’amore da vecchia by Vivian Lamarque whose verses, Roberto Galaverni wrote in la Lettura, wind through different seasons following a coherent thread: even in the new book the inspiration seems to come from an inner “dark cellar”, from a lack of love, yet it projects itself towards life.
The last evening, that of Sunday 30, hosted by the Tg1 journalist Monia Venturini, was a real cultural event. It takes place in a square, dedicated to Mazzini, once, as the mayor of Viareggio Giorgio Del Ghingaro recalled, a degraded place that has now been resurrected. Sometimes reading can be miraculous.
July 30, 2023 (change July 30, 2023 | 23:17)
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