“I will try to read them”: this is how Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano Geppi Cucciari replies during the live broadcast of the Strega Prize, when asked to comment on the books that have made it to the final of the prestigious literary prize. And that he is called to vote.
“Ah, you haven’t read them?” the moderator replies icily. “Yes, I read them because I voted, but I kind of want to delve into these volumes,” explains Sangiuliano. “That’s in addition to the cover?” Geppi Cucciari replies sarcastically, live on Raitre.
The minister’s faux pas did not go unnoticed and was immediately revisited on social media.
“I understood why Minister Sangiuliano decided to abolish App No. 18: he doesn’t read books. He writes them, judges them, but does not read them. This scene happened yesterday at the Strega Prize. Minister, make it up to you: give 18-year-olds back their cultural consumption card. Reading is required!» comments Matteo Renzi.
Then, on Friday evening, a statement was released from Minister Sangiuliano’s press office: “I’m sorry that my words have been misinterpreted.” Of course, I read the Strega prize books, but not with the calm they deserved, since I , as you can understand, had a very busy schedule. I meant to say that I will come back to deepen them. I think everyone who loves culture has picked up a book to re-read a few passages that caught their eye.”
This year Strega went to Ada d’Adamo for his Come d’aria (Elliot). To accept the posthumous recognition – the author died on April 1st at the age of just 55, two days after the announcement of her inclusion in the dozen semi-finalists – her husband Alfredo Favi entered the courtyard of the National Etruscan Museum, set up by the Bellonci Foundation the Villa Giulia in Rome.
The evening was attended by Mario Desiati, winner of the last edition, Giovanni Solimine and Stefano Petrocchi, President and Director respectively of the Bellonci Foundation and Valentino Nizzo, Director of the National Etruscan Museum.
Geppi Cucciari then exchanged a few jokes between the tables in the audience, also with the director Mario Martone, the writer Ester Viola and with Viola Patalano, winner of the first edition of TotoStrega.
“It would be ridiculous and even hearty if the fact itself weren’t deeply depressing. What level is expressed by a culture minister who, at the Strega Prize, Italy’s most important literary prize, claims that he has not read the books he voted for? Such a faux pas describes the very low level of those who – unfortunately for the Italians – represent the world of culture in institutions. Poor home », comments the group leader of the Movimento 5 position in the culture commission, Anna Laura Orrico.