My newspaper

BRIENZA

I ended the previous chapter with the words “My Journal”, the title I chose for these sketches.
It is a statement of intent, explaining how, here, day by day, I will record my impressions, my most important adventures, and the wandering flights of my soul.

THE EARTHQUAKE (IL TREMUOTO)

It was the night of 16 December, a fateful night that we cannot recall without pain and fear. The sky was completely clear of clouds, and the stars shone bright and pure; yet, as if the atmosphere were heavy with vapors, there was a sense of fatigue and unease that defied description.

CRUCIFIX CELEBRATION

On 3 May, the Christ is carried in procession to the sanctuary, accompanied by the Addolorata, all the way outside the town.
It is the festival of picnics, outdoor lunches, and… let’s be honest, a bit of merrymaking as well.

IN THE PRESENCE OF VERDI

Confident in this—that is, that a parent’s blind enthusiasm had said nothing about me that was not within the bounds of truth—one evening they accompanied me to the Hotel della Vittoria, where Verdi was staying at the time.
It was a reception evening, so we found the illustrious maestro amidst an select company of writers, musicians, nobility, and journalists.

I "VIGGIANESI"

You know that the term “viggianesi” generally refers to wandering musicians, because the first pilgrims came from Viggiano, traveling from place to place and tuning their harps to perform their songs.
In Bordeaux, I met many of them; some travel throughout France, while others have left—or will leave—for America, and of them…