In common they had the name of baptism, a faithful audience who loves their books and a dose of humility that resisted the extraordinary success they enjoy: they are Andrea Vitali and Andrea Camilleri, two writers who have had the opportunity to get to know each other and appreciate each other, p, per establish a bond of affection and friendship. On the occasion of the centenary of the birth of Andrea Camilleri (September 26, 1925-17 July 2019) L The family of the great Sicilian author, thanks to the Foundation that bears his name, gave birth to the first edition of the Andrea Camilleri new storytellers, calling a collection, as jurors, well -known names of Italian literature, including that of Andrea VitaliBellanese doctor and prolific author.
«When the grandson of Andrea Camilleri, Arianna Mortelliti, also writer, of which I also presented her first book, among other things, invited me to join the jury I have gladly accepted. I am pleased to make my little contribution to making the memory of this great Italian writer alive and keeping his name alive. I believe that he barks reopened the way for the great Italian narrative after a somewhat dark period ».
How had he discovered him as an author?
«It was 1995 opens me, and at the Erba book fair I came across his book, The hunting seasonpublished by Sellerio. I still did not know his name, but I trusted the Sellerio catalog, of which I practically bought everything in the box closed even for the beauty of the covers. I discovered that writing in dialect so particular and fun and I could not stop reading it and laughing so that my wife read that evening, who at the time was pregnant, thus feeling hilarious to prevent her from sleeping, asked me what she had so much special That book. Well, I made it read to her too, and in love with it we were two. From there I read all his books, the historical ones, those of Montalbano … practically I had to buy a piece of new bookcase dedicated to his production ».
There are also those who called it the north Camilleri …
«These labels leave the time they find, I honor me that they can think of it but there is a big difference between our books. Moreover, my books are not even yellow, p.lipu … yellowish! ».
Instead when did you meet?
«In all we saw each other on three occasions: in two Andrea Camilleri presented one of my books (one of which was Miss Tecla Manziin Rome, with Nico Orengo). He was a myth for me, it was already a pillar, but I discovered that humanly they were simple and helpful, without a pushing. And once I spent a morning at his house, between cigarettes and coffee, to chat. Or rather, he talked almost always him, but it was a pleasure to listen to him. He was working on The nephew of the Negusand showed me the result of all the historical research, the books that had made itself sent from Sicily, a true storyteller ».
Have you ever written?
“No, I wrote the only letter after her death to her daughter Andreina with the sole purpose of bringing her my affection and memory to her.”
Another thing that will unite you shortly is the fact that your books have been transformed into a television series. Montalbano With Luca Zingaretti it is already legend, while the filming of the miniseries taken from some of his novels starring the Marshal Maccadò have just been started. But, as already happened for the books of Camilleri, set in Porto Empedocle and turned instead in the Ragusanoi, his stories – rigorously Bellanesi – will be shot on Lake Orta, which has already been the scenario of other television productions. Will readers not feel a little betrayed?
«We authors cannot do anything in this. In my case it was the production that decided that location, for various reasons: Bellano, like the whole Lake Como, is literally invaded by tourists and it would become very complicated to block the long lake for filming; Furthermore, since it is stories to set in the 1920s, Bellano’s appearance has changed a lot, while many glimpses of the countries on Lake Orta remained more similar to the time ».
Was she on set?
«Not yet, also because so far they have shot in Cernobbio. But I realize to take a tip with the publisher on the set, perhaps the mayor of Bellano will also come ».
A special memory?
«A couple of years ago I was in via Asiago for a program and going out I met by chance Mrs. Mariolina, Camilleri’s wife, they live nearby, and it was she who recognized me first. We greeted each other dearly, sincerely, and it was really exciting. This was the confirmation of an affection that bound us, not motivated by shops of shop as writers. I really loved him ».
