Reading with Swiss author Fabio Andina: "16 mesi", a family story from WWII
About this Event
In the framework of the Italian Language Week in the World, the Consulate General of Switzerland in Atlanta, the Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Cultural Institute in Miami invite you to an evening dedicated to Swiss literature, history, and cultural exchange, featuring Swiss Italian-language author Fabio Andina.
The event will focus on the book Sedici Mesi (Sixteen Months), a moving story of a family living on the Italian-Swiss border. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the book recounts the experience of Fabio Andina’s grandfather, who was arrested by the SS and sent to the Mauthausen concentration camp. Through family memories and personal testimonies, the narrative explores topics such as war, deportation, separation, and waiting, while shedding light on the historical and human ties between Italy and Switzerland during this period. A moving reflection on resilience, memory, and the enduring bonds of family.
Fabio Andina (Lugano, 1972) earned a degree in film in San Francisco, where he met Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who introduced him to the world of the Beat Generation and encouraged him to write. In 2005, Andina published the poetry collection Ballate dal buio, and in 2016, he made his fiction debut with the novel Uscirne fuori. In 2018, he published La pozza del Felice, a novel that earned him the Terra Nova Prize and the Gambrinus Prize; its German translation in 2020 established him as one of the year’s breakout authors. His novels in Italian are published by Rubbettino.
The event will open with welcome remarks by Michele Mistò, Consul General of Italy, and Rolf Ott, Consul General of Switzerland. Reading in Italian, with English translation; conversation and Q&A in English.
Join us for an engaging literary evening, followed by a Swiss-inspired aperitivo!
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
