by EH
Trieste is buzzing with excitement as it gears up for the “Buon Compleanno Svevo” festival, a grand celebration set to kick off from December 18 to 22 across the city center. The icing on the cake? The much-anticipated sneak peek into the brand-new LETS-Letteratura Trieste Museum, revealed today at a lively press conference held at Palazzo Gopcevich’s “Bobi Blazen” Hall.
In the spotlight were heavyweights like Maurizio De Blasio, the Councilor for Education and Family Policies; Dr. Cristina Fenu, representing the Municipal Museums and Libraries Service; Professors Elisabetta Vezzosi and Paolo Quazzolo from the University of Trieste; Francesco Granbassi, President of the “Il Rossetti” Stable Theater in Friuli Venezia Giulia; and Giuliano Polo, Superintendent of the “Giuseppe Verdi” Lyrical Theater.
De Blasio exclaimed, “Thanks to the groundbreaking collaboration initiated earlier this year among the Municipality of Trieste, Units, Teatri Verdi, and Rossetti, to celebrate the centennial of ‘La coscienza di Zeno,’ we’ve pulled off an extraordinary feat throughout 2023. Now, this monumental festival, coinciding with Italo Svevo’s birth anniversary, is set to showcase the distinctiveness of our region and champion literature as a driving force for societal progress. The cherry on top? The exclusive preview of the Literature Museum, a jewel we’re proud to present ahead of its official opening.”
Backdrop
Born on a Thursday, December 19, 1861, Aron Hector Schmitz adopted the pen name Italo Svevo—a moniker reflecting the Italian and German cultural blend that shaped this iconic Triestine writer. Fast forward to 2023, marking a century since the release of “La coscienza di Zeno” in 1923, and Trieste is pulling out all the stops to honor Svevo’s birthday with an extravaganza that now spans several days.
LETS Museum Preview (Tuesday, December 19, Biserini Palace, Attilio Hortis Square)
On Svevo’s birthday, the Municipality of Trieste is unwrapping the preview of the LETS Museum – Literature Trieste at Biserini Palace in Hortis Square. The day kicks off with an exclusive session for the press at 10:30 AM, followed by three public sessions at 2 PM, 3:30 PM, and 5 PM, all by reservation. Want in? Head over to www.museosveviano.it and official social media channels to reserve your spot.
The museum promises to be the go-to spot where Trieste’s diverse cultural and linguistic vibes converge in the name of literature. Visitors can expect to delve into the city’s history through the words of its literary maestros like James Joyce, Umberto Saba, and, of course, Italo Svevo, who takes center stage in the preview. Beyond a showcase, the museum is slated to become a bustling hub for all things literary in the city.
“I Mondi di Zeno” Conference (December 19-21, 2023, Revoltella Museum Auditorium, via Diaz 27)
Dubbed “I Mondi di Zeno,” the international conference is a brainchild of the Municipality of Trieste-Svevo Museum in cahoots with the Universities of Trieste, Oxford, Bologna, and Udine. A stellar lineup of scholars will lead discussions exploring specific research tracks, dissecting everything from Svevo’s lexicon to his impact on literature and the arts.
“Buon Compleanno Italo Svevo!” More Goodies
The festival’s extravaganza includes a variety of events:
- December 18, 5 PM, Jewish Museum Carlo and Vera Wagner (via del Monte 5): Dive into Alberto Cavaglion’s work “L’astuto imbecille e altri scritti sveviani,” challenging norms and sparking fresh perspectives.
- December 18, 8:30 PM, Revoltella Museum (via Diaz 27): Tullio Kezich’s play “Italo Svevo genero letterario” takes the stage, offering an imaginary conference shedding light on Svevo’s literary escapades.
- December 19, 9 PM, Revoltella Museum: Movie night! Catch the screening of Davide Ludovisi’s documentary “Quell’incosciente di Zeno,” where writer Mauro Covacich, lit professor Maria Cristina Benussi, and Svevo Museum director Riccardo Cepach explore the continued allure of Zeno’s conscience.
- December 19: Calling all high school students! The University of Trieste’s meme contest, “Ti racconto La coscienza di Zeno con un meme” concludes, with winners bagging a trip to Trieste for public readings.
- December 20, 7:30 PM, Antico Caffè San Marco (via Battisti 18): Enrico Terrinoni unveils his book “La vita dell’altro. Svevo, Joyce: un’amicizia geniale,” narrating the unique friendship between Joyce and Svevo.
- December 21, 8:30 PM, Revoltella Museum: The play “Le voci della Coscienza” by Gioia Battista takes center stage, offering a theatrical journey through the dialogue between Svevo, Zeno, and the wily Dr. S.
- December 22, 7:30 PM, Teatro Verdi: Closing with a bang! “Musica per Italo Svevo,” the 8th Concert of the 2023 Symphony Season, conducted by maestro Enrico Calesso, featuring the Orchestra of the Giuseppe Verdi Lyrical Theater of Trieste, with pianist Massino Gon.
Trieste is on the brink of a literary and cultural explosion, and “Buon Compleanno Svevo” promises to be the talk of the town, celebrating the enduring legacy of Italo Svevo and his profound impact on literature. Get ready for a spectacle like no other!
