Nobel Words and Thoughts

SVETLANA ALEKSIEVIC, 2015 NOBEL LAUREATE FOR LITERATURE, WILL BE AT BOCCONI ON 27 APRIL

Awarded “for her polyphonic writings, a monument to suffering and courage in our time.” These words were used to explain the Nobel for Literature she was given in 2015 and contain the essence of the work by Svetlana Aleksievic, a Belorussian writer with a Ukrainian father. She will be a guest at the salon organized by the literary association Bocconi d’Inchiostro in collaboration with Bocconi Arts Campus, at 6pm on 27 April in Aula Manfredini, Bocconi University.
“Svetlana Aleksievic is an extraordinary observer of her time,” explains Gerardo Masuccio, a law student and president of Bocconi d’Inchiostro. “She is an essayist, or rather a writer as she loves to be defined, who lived as an activist within the Soviet regime and then the Belorussian regime, enduring accusations and trials for her criticism. Stories about ordinary people, children, men but also women who fought in wars during their best years and, after returning, are treated as pariahs in society. She wrote about the delusions and disappointments of a people in contact first with Communism and then with the perestroika.”

Participants in the event will include Sergio Rapetti, the writer’s historic translator in Italy, Paola Dubini (Bocconi University), Gerardo Masuccio and Gianluigi de Lucia (Bocconi d’Inchiostro). Svetlana Aleksievic’s entire biographical and bibliographical experience will be retraced and the Nobel and events related to the accusations she endured will be discussed. “In particular,” says Masuccio, “we will try to understand when, and why, the truth can become the subject of criticism by public opinion.” During the event, Svetlana Aleksievic will be presented with the Dante d’Oro, the award that Bocconi d’Inchiostro reserves to guests of its literary salons.

Registration is required to attend:
https://eventi.unibocconi.it/form/home.php?key=ev2017020228
 
 

by Davide Ripamonti
Translated by Jenna Walker