by InTrieste
This October, Trieste invites visitors to explore a unique blend of visual art and poetry through “SABA: Capital Letter À. Illuminated Poems,” an exhibition opening on October 29 at the recently inaugurated LETS – Trieste Literature Museum. In a tribute to Umberto Saba, Trieste’s celebrated poet and bookseller, the show seeks to bridge literature and visual art, honoring Saba’s enduring legacy alongside Italy’s own Renaissance icon, Francesco Petrarca.
The “SABA: Capital Letter À. Illuminated Poems” exhibition will be housed within the museum’s new “Spazio Forum,” located in Piazza Hortis. Conceived by Riccardo Cepach, director of the LETS, the exhibition is the first to emerge from the newly established Museo Saba. Cepach has meticulously curated an experience that highlights the connection between poetry and fine art, turning to contemporary artists to capture the spirit of Saba’s work.
For many, Saba’s poetic anthology, Il Canzoniere, stands as a defining work of 20th-century Italian poetry. His verses, known for their simplicity and emotional depth, have inspired generations of readers. The exhibition offers visitors an intimate view of Saba’s words through an intriguing format: each poem’s initial letter is brought to life by ten contemporary illustrators, who use the art of “illuminated initials” in homage to the ancient manuscript tradition. These visual interpretations include contributions from artists such as Alflef-Iva Androic, Max Calò, and Guglielmo Manenti, whose styles vary from bold and graphic to subtly intricate.
This focus on illuminated lettering is not accidental. Saba, who ran an antiquarian bookstore in Trieste for decades, was particularly drawn to rare and ancient editions, including prized copies of Petrarch’s Canzoniere. The exhibit evokes these classic tomes, enhancing the visitor experience by tying Saba’s works to the rich history of Italian literature.
To celebrate Petrarch’s influence on Italian letters, the exhibition aligns with “For a Petrarch Anniversary (1374-2024): Francesco Petrarca in the Work of Umberto Saba,” a citywide initiative marking the 650th anniversary of Petrarch’s death. Supported by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region’s Humanities Outreach Program and organized by Alessandra Sirugo of the Hortis Civic Library, the event celebrates Petrarch and Saba as cultural icons whose works transcend time. As Trieste commemorates 100 years since the opening of Saba’s Antiquarian Bookstore, this project sheds light on the literary synergy between two poets separated by centuries but united in spirit.
The exhibition will run until January 26, 2025, and includes an array of events and discussions. Admission is free. The museum is open Monday, Wednesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (closed Tuesdays).
For more information, visit https://lets.trieste.it/ita/ or contact the museum at (040) 6757240, lets@comune.trieste.it.
