Famous Italians: Italo Calvino – Writer, visionary, innovator

October 15, 2023 marked the centenary of the birth of one of the most distinguished Italian writers of the 20th century, Italo Calvino. To commemorate this extraordinary anniversary, Italy united in an exceptional celebration, with performances, concerts, exhibitions, readings, publications, and meetings organized across the country. These commemorative events will continue into early next year, honoring the literary legacy of a visionary who enchanted generations of readers. 

The life and education of Italo Calvino.

The son of two distinguished scientists (his father an agronomist, his mother a botanist and the first woman in Italy to hold a university professorship), Italo Calvino was born on October 15, 1923 in Cuba, where his parents ran the botanical garden near Havana. Returning to Italy with his family, Calvino initially undertook studies in agriculture but soon revealed his true talent: writing. After participating in the Italian Resistance during World War II, Calvino began his literary career, producing a total of 12 novels, more than 200 short stories and more than 20 essays. Cuba, San Remo, Turin, Rome, Paris and even the United States served as the backdrop for his life, influencing his style and works. His sudden death on September 19, 1985, interrupted the writing of a series of lectures intended for Harvard, which were published posthumously along with his last two novels.
Italo Calvino was and continues to be one of the pillars of twentieth-century literature, still illuminating the Italian and international literary scene. His works challenge conventions, explore new narrative dimensions, and do so with innovative prose that draws readers into fantastic and surreal worlds. His career has been characterized by a relentless spirit of evolution and experimentation with style.

The periods of Italo Calvino’s literary production.

Calvino’s literary production can be divided into three distinct phases. His early works can be traced to the neorealist movement: the narrative is simple and straightforward, but deep interpretation is reserved for more experienced readers. His literature is lightly interwoven with political engagement.

In the second period, Calvino embraces fantasy and fairy tale fiction, skillfully mixing reality and imagination. Political engagement wanes, and instead themes related to nature and urban life emerge. His scientific training is clearly reflected in these works, which often focus on the relationship between humanity and nature. Many consider him an ecologist writer, long before ecology became a fashionable topic.

In his final phase, Calvino devoted himself to the so-called “combinatorial period.” His narrative approach becomes totally innovative, challenging the reader’s expectations and dismantling traditional conventions. The writing process becomes the focus of the narrative, and linguistic analysis and exploration of possible word combinations dominate the scene.

Italo Calvino, multifaceted artist.

Italo Calvino’s versatility is not limited to prose writing. Throughout his life, he experimented with various art forms, from drawing to music.
At the age of only 17, he published satirical cartoons in a Milanese weekly under the pseudonym “Jago“. Some critics believe that his extraordinary imagination was influenced by his drawing background, giving a predominant visual aspect to his works. According to Calvino, “looking” at an object means distancing oneself from it, analyzing it and paving the way for the abstraction and fantastic transfiguration that characterize his works, where writing becomes an authentic form of “freehand drawing”.

In 1957, Calvino joined the project “Cantacronache“, a collaboration between intellectuals and musicians aimed at composing songs of social and political criticism. Calvino contributed as a lyricist for about three years, creating songs of different styles, but all with a melancholic narrative about society and life. Through this project, Calvino experiments with the versatility of language, seeking to engage not only committed readers but also a wider and culturally diverse audience.
Many famous Italian singers and music groups have proposed new versions of these songs in the past and continue to do so today, and some of Italy’s most famous songwriters have been inspired by the original lyrics to compose their pieces.

In addition, Calvino edited the adaptation of his works for middle school, ironically signing himself as Tonio Cavilla (an anagram of his real name). Under that pseudonym, he signed many commentaries, notes, and introductions to his novels. This choice was aimed at maintaining an objective and critical distance from his works.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE IN ITALIAN