To conclude the celebrations of the Week of the Italian Language in the World, the Consulate General of Switzerland in Atlanta, the Consulate General of Italy, and the Italian Cultural Institute in Miami are organizing an evening dedicated to Swiss Italian-language literature, featuring writer Fabio Andina.
At the heart of the event is his novel Sixteen Months, a moving family account set along the Italian-Swiss border during World War II. Through the story of the author’s grandfather, who was arrested by the SS and deported to the Mauthausen concentration camp, Andina reconstructs a personal history intertwined with major historical events, bringing to life an experience of war, deportation, separation, and waiting.
Drawing on family memories and personal testimonies, the book offers a glimpse into the historical and personal relationships between Italy and Switzerland during one of the darkest periods in European history. An evocative narrative that invites reflection on the importance of memory, resilience, and the strength of family bonds.
Born in Lugano in 1972, Fabio Andina graduated in film studies in San Francisco, where he met poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, whose influence introduced him to the Beat Generation and encouraged him to write. Following his poetry debut with Ballate dal buio (2005) and his first novel, Uscirne fuori (2016), he published La pozza del Felice in 2018, which earned him the Premio Terra Nova and the Premio Gambrinus. The German translation of the novel, published in 2020, established him as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary fiction. His novels in Italian are published by Rubbettino.
The evening will open with institutional remarks by Michele Mistò, Consul General of Italy, and Rolf Ott, Consul General of Switzerland. This will be followed by readings in Italian, accompanied by an English translation, and a conversation with the author in English, with an opportunity for audience questions.
The event offers an opportunity to explore a shared chapter of history through literature and to celebrate the Italian language as a space for cultural exchange and dialogue. The evening will conclude with a reception featuring Swiss-inspired refreshments.
The event will take place on Tuesday, November 17, at 7:00 PM.
Registration is required through Eventbrite: Reserve your spot.
