Libero Bigiaretti
Libero Bigiaretti was an Italian writer known for his deep connection to his hometown of Matelica, which served as a rich source of inspiration for his literary works. His notable contributions include the novels "La controfigura" (1868), "Il villino" (1946), and "Disamore" (1956). In recognition of his lasting impact on the region, a biennial prize bearing his name was established in Matelica. Bigiaretti was also involved in translating classic English literature into Italian, notably works by Robert Louis Stevenson and Jonathan Swift. His novel "Il congresso," published in 1963, has been preserved in various editions, including a bilingual version that features both Italian and English texts. The collection "Checkpoint: Poems of Death and Old Age," released by Edwin Mellen Press in 1992, showcases his poetry alongside illustrations and photographs of the author. Throughout his writing, Bigiaretti delves into themes such as the psychological interplay between culture and industry, new realism, and political disenchantment, marking him as a significant figure in 20th-century Italian literature.
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Libero Bigiaretti
Fiction Writer and Poet
- Born: May 16, 1906
- Birthplace: Matelica, Italy
- Died: May 3, 1993
- Place of death: Rome, Italy
Biography
Libero Bigiaretti was an Italian writer greatly attached to his native Matelica, and he drew inspiration from the town to write his novels and poetry. A biennial prize in his name was instituted in Matelica in appreciation of the strong relationship the writer had with the area. His best-known works are the novels La controfigura (1868), Il villino (1946), and Disamore (1956). Scholars at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas have collected notebooks, manuscripts and the first Italian and American editions of Bigiaretti’s novel Il congresso, dating from 1960 to 1963; the book was published in 1963, and an English translation, The Business Convention, was released in 1965.
In addition to his own writing, Bigiaretti translated some English classics into Italian, including Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, and Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. In 1992, Edwin Mellen Press published a bilingual edition of Posto di blocco, entitled Checkpoint: Poems of Death and Old Age. The volume contains text in both English and Italian, fourteen drawings by Bigiaretti, and photographs of Bigiaretti with other authors. In much of his work, Bigiaretti explores the psychological aspects of the interplay of culture and industry, of a new realism, and of disenchantment with politics.