The measure of the world is the theme of PIU’ LIBRI PIU’ LIBERI, the small and medium publishing fair now in its 23rd edition, which every year confirms itself as a leading editorial and cultural event. Measuring the world with words, numbers, steps, smiles, distances, colors, clouds, dreams. Measure it with books. The numbers at the event are impressive and are always growing. This year 597 exhibitors, coming from all over the country, will present their new products and their catalog to the public. Five days and more than 700 events in which to listen to authors, attend readings, discussions, debates and meet professional operators.
Among the multitude of news I have chosen some relevant news, some positive, and others that make you think. Let’s abolish the term “worrying”, because we have learned that for every phenomenon, it corresponds to another equally significant one. It is therefore better to understand the trends to strengthen the cultural tools available to young and old, readers and not yet readers.
Let’s start with some thought-provoking news: the number of readers in Italy is decreasing compared to last year, as is the quality of reading, which is becoming more limited and fragmented. On the other hand, two well-known phenomena are advancing, but their potential is still unknown, that of reading groups and programs in podcast format.
READING GROUPS ARE COMMUNITIES
There are at least two events dedicated to Reading Groups. The first Reading Groups in Italy, a quantitative and qualitative survey, presentation of the research in collaboration with ADEI (Association of Independent Publishers) and La Sapienza University of Rome and with the contribution of Cepell, with the intervention of Chiara Faggiolani, Luciano Lanna, Andrea Palombi and Della Passarelli.
“Structured research on reading groups had not yet been done, the phenomenon of reading groups is constantly evolving and tells of the reading that is coming. Two research studies will be activated: one quantitative and one qualitative which will go into depth on the phenomenon thanks to a questionnaire that will investigate a lot of data including the identity and objectives of the groups, the criteria for choosing the readings, the impact of participation on the quality of life of readers”
Chiara Faggiolani
The second appointment at the Arena Repubblica – Robinson hosted the writer Paolo di Paolo and Emilio Portelli of PDE (Promozione Distribuzione Editoriale) for the Arcipelago Gruppi di Lettura meeting where the ongoing census by Pde on Reading Groups was debated reading in Italy. The phenomenon, although ancient, still needs to be studied, especially in response to the decline in readers. From the first reflections on it, it is clear that it is a practice that cuts across ages and themes. From this point of view, small centers are richer in terms of offer than large cities, 70% versus 23%. All groups are animated, in presence or remotely, by a strong community spirit. Perhaps the pandemic with its forced isolation has strengthened the need to share thoughts, emotions, and reflections. So, groups satisfy the need to meet, to create community. It is a democratic practice, which opens the doors to any type of reader, even non-readers. For the little ones, however, the role of school remains central, where both the culture of individual and shared reading is nurtured.
A meeting dedicated to groups is also scheduled for Saturday 7th: United we read. The reading groups at the Robinson Arena.
MORE PODCASTS FOR EVERYONE
If we consider the entire history of man, the book is a relatively young medium. Until a few hundred years ago, oral transmission was the only tool for cultural transmission. Today the “oral roots” are once again the protagonists with audiobooks, podcasts, reading aloud and reading groups, which are their greatest expression. The good news is that those under 24 are at the forefront of strong readers, those who appreciate reading in various forms. In addition to reading, they also follow those who talk about books on social media, such as Booktokers, and willingly experiment with podcasts.
Here is the second good news. If you love listening, search among the rich range of podcasts that the network offers. One above all Taccuini su Internazionale, podcast in four episodes on Tiziano Terzani, a reflection of his human and professional phases, edited by Annalisa Camilli and Manuela Iannetti. A scrupulous and in-depth work by Terzani, journalist, writer, man, thanks to the study of the archive created by Terzani himself with 6,200 volumes, a unique heritage of its kind.
A small discovery was instead Pink Freud, psychoanalysis of music and songs, edited by Betti Cianchini and the psychoanalyst and refined musicologist Angelo Villa on Rai Radio 2. Six episodes dedicated to six great artists (including The Police, Amy Winehouse and Capo Plaza). The triangulation between the song, the singer, and the listener comes to life, which you can find on Rai Play Sound and Spotify.
Pink Freud is a podcast-style therapeutic session, in which for the first time lying on the sofa there is not a patient but a song. The connection between songs by some well-known contemporary authors or bands and the great themes of psychoanalysis create an unprecedented interpretation and listening key.
THE RIGHT VALUE OF WORDS
It is also a pleasure to find time for reflection at the fair. Finally, we can stop and literally weigh the words. Vera Gheno and Francesca Mannocchi dedicated a meeting to the words of war. It is enlightening to weigh the difference between “war” or “special military operation”, “concentration” or “devastation”, “migrants” or “migrant people”. The nuances make the difference and fight against indifference and addiction. When can the term genocide be used? Does a court define it or do the facts speak for themselves? Does it depend on the number of deaths or devastated homes? The debate did not exhaust the reflections, but it certainly offered interesting food for thought. This topic was dear to Michela Murgia, who invited you to pay attention to the terms with which people address you, to avoid an implicit, unsolicited and often discriminatory judgement.
In another meeting Stefania Auci, Vanessa Roghi, and Raimo, through a remote message, debated the school’s words. The topics were hot. The key words such as critical thinking, depersonalization, school and territorial communities, finally, morality and boredom were at the center of the debate. The final question left the minds and hearts of those who value school and its social, as well as cultural, role open. What education should be given to today’s children and young people to face a complex present? Everyone felt the desire for a school more open to the many current languages, but speakers and the audience agreed that this can only be achieved with medium and long-term investments and projects in the school institution, otherwise it remains an unequal game.
This edition of PIU’ LIBRI PIU’ LIBERI has demonstrated with facts that the word is the key to measuring the world. The written, spoken and listened word. Paradoxically also the silent word, which generates omission and gives way to the shouted word, for which one is sometimes forced to pay a very high price.
Elena Cattaneo was born in Cremona and lives in Rome. As a teacher, editor and web reporter she looks at this city, even also many years, like a curious turist.
After a Foreign Language University Degree she specialized in Communication Science. She fully dedicated to Business Communication, her most relevant interest.
She cultivated several cultural hobbies, fond of art and human being expression.