“Because all of us are so ready to talk about the world we live in. We are ready to have a publishing industry that is of that world.”
― Mira Jacob
There is a serious lack of contemporary Italian short stories and poetry translated into English, but luckily someone is looking to change that. A new crowdfunding campaign has been launched by an English-language news magazine based in Florence, The Florentine together with Italian professor, author and scholar Alessandro Raveggi, aimed at covering production costs for a new bilingual literary review, called TheFLR (The Florentine Literary Review).
Not only will this give contemporary Italian authors a new "Renaissance" platform that they wouldn't ordinarily have, as The Florentine editor Helen Farrell stated "It will help promote Italian culture around the world, Florence has always been a hotspot for cultural exchange and we are looking to kick off a new sort of Renaissance."
Alessandro who also acts as a professor of Modern Italian literature at New York University noted "at times, it has been difficult to assign contemporary readings to students, as there is very little translated into English, TheFLR will help us provide those readings"
The format of the magazine will be stylish and a work of art in itself, featuring an up-and-coming illustrator each issue. Inside, collectors can expect 64 pages in full color, six short stories in Italian and six translations in English, along with two poems. You can check out this essay, translated from Italian by Helen titled "Another Florence" by author Vanni Santoni.
The first issue this October will focus on the theme of "invasion", something which us who live in popular tourist cities in Italy know well. It is simultaneous with the 60th anniversary of the 1966 devestating flood in Florence, which brought together action from all over the world to help preserve damaged cultural heritage.
They are looking to raise €4,300 by June 5th, in just four days of the launch, they've raised 11% of the funds needed, you can donate as little as 5€ to help them reach their goal.
To help support this noble cause, you can view The FLR indiegogo campaign here and contribute, it will run until June 5th, 2016 so it's important to act now!
PS.There are various prizes for donors donated by local partners, which include an invitation to a FLaunchR launch party this October, a Dante-themed tour in Florence by Context Travel and a two-night stay at the Hotel Lungarno and dinner for 2 at Michelin-starred restaurant Borgo San Jacopo (drinks excluded). More info can also be found here.
