In a series of events celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Ischia, a new book titled Torri, Fortezze e Dimore (Towers, Fortresses, and Residences) will be officially presented. The first of four presentations is set for Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 18:30 in Forio d’Ischia, at the Sala Consiliare located on the upper floor of the Chiostro del convento dei frati francescani. This volume, published by Graus Edizioni and curated by Valerio D’Ambra and Mikela Monti, is the result of meticulous research conducted in the family library and features a rich photographic apparatus that captures the best "points of view" of the highlighted architectures.
Each photograph is thoughtfully crafted to intertwine visual storytelling with historical memory, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the monuments described. The preface is penned by Prof. Francesca Capano, a prominent figure in the field of architecture at the University of Naples Federico II, while the presentation has been prepared by Prof. Francesco Rispoli, a full professor of Architectural Composition at the same university.
During the opening event, discussions will feature notable speakers including Prof. Alfredo Buccaro, who serves as the Director of the CIRICE – Interdepartmental Research Center for the Iconography of the European City, and Prof. Marina Nardone, a history and philosophy teacher at the Liceo Statale “Giorgio Buchner” in Ischia. They will engage in a dialogue about the cultural, symbolic, and identity value of the analyzed architectures, inviting the audience to participate in this enriching conversation.
Institutional greetings will be delivered by Stani Verde, the Mayor of Forio, and Jessica Lavista, the Culture Councillor of the Municipality of Forio. Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the book, and a small refreshment will be provided as a gesture of gratitude for all participants.
This book presentation is part of a broader initiative, with three additional events scheduled at significant locations throughout Ischia. The next presentation will occur on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Casamicciola Terme at the Antiche Terme Belliazzi; the following one on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Castello Aragonese in Ischia; and finally, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Barano d’Ischia at the Sala Consiliare of the Municipality of Barano.
In a related cultural endeavor, a new book titled La Resistenza in periferia (The Resistance in the Periphery) was presented on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Palazzetto Baviera in Senigallia. This volume, published by 1797 Edizioni, commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Liberation and is a collaborative effort by historians from the Association of Contemporary History, curated by Marco Severini. With a price tag of 20 euros, the book spans 142 pages and includes contributions from seven authors.
Half of the book is dedicated to the contributions of men to the liberation movement, while the other half highlights the significant roles played by women—an often overlooked aspect of history. As the authors explained during the presentation, "There has long been a need for a publication that synthesizes and researches the events that saw our territory as a protagonist between September 1943 and September 1944, a year that decisively changed the course of historical events." This presentation was the first of its kind, with a follow-up event scheduled for Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 18:00 at the library of San Filippo sul Cesano. The book will also be featured in May at the Salone del Libro in Turin.
In another significant literary contribution, Elvira Landò has requested the publication of the concluding chapter of her book Il Clero e la Resistenza in Chiavari e dintorni (The Clergy and the Resistance in Chiavari and Surroundings), which was released in 2023 by Internòs. This chapter serves as a reflection on culture and civil conscience, addressing the choices made by many priests during the Resistance. Landò emphasizes that these decisions were not merely political but stemmed from a broader vision of respecting and defending human values.
The chapter recalls the 20th anniversary of the Resistance, celebrated in the diocese of Novara, where Don Giovanni Battista Costa Nando represented the clergy of Chiavari. During this commemoration, Bishop Mons. Cambiaghi honored the 729 priests who died, 279 of whom were killed or died from abuse. According to historian Mimmo Franzinelli, it is now believed that 425 priests lost their lives between 1943 and 1945, with 191 killed by fascists, 125 by Germans, and 109 by partisans.
Landò's chapter also resonates with the sentiments expressed by writer Elena Bono, who lamented the failure of generations to educate their children about freedom. In her poignant words, "It is essential to express and manifest once again, with renewed and strong determination, the lament that writer Elena Bono expressed towards generations that did not teach their children to live freely." This call for reflection on the historical period of the Resistance underscores the importance of understanding the sacrifices made during that time and the need for ongoing dialogue about freedom and human rights.
As these cultural events unfold, they not only honor the past but also encourage a deeper engagement with the principles of democracy, freedom, and the collective memory of those who fought for liberation. The intertwining narratives of architecture, resistance, and cultural identity serve as a reminder of the enduring significance of these themes in contemporary society.
