by InTrieste
The city of Trieste is dedicating three days of events to celebrate the birthday of Italo Svevo, the writer whose work helped shape modern European literature. On Friday, December 19, the program reaches its midpoint with two public events at the LETS Museum of Literature, both held in the museum’s Forum space.
The afternoon begins at 5 p.m. with a lecture by Giuseppe Langella, a professor at the Catholic University of Milan, titled “War Is and Remains a Shameful Thing: Italo Svevo and World Peace.” The talk examines Svevo’s reflections on war and international order, drawing in particular from the final chapter of The Confessions of Zeno and from Svevo’s lesser-known writings on the League of Nations.
Langella will explore how Svevo’s thought might be read in light of today’s global conflicts, addressing questions about the foundations of a more stable and less fragile world order. The lecture focuses on four key concepts central to Svevo’s vocabulary — egoism, optimism, hatred, and competition — and considers his views on borders, tariffs, migration flows, and cultural exchange.
At 6 p.m., the program continues with “Sincere Pupils,” a theatrical performance by Diana Höbel, featuring Höbel and Zoe Pernici. The staged reading imagines a dialogue between Livia Veneziani Svevo, the writer’s wife, and Drusilla Tanzi — known as “Mosca” — who would later marry the poet Eugenio Montale. The setting is the historic Giubbe Rosse café in Florence in 1928.
Through their conversation, the two women reflect on their relationships with men of letters — Ettore Schmitz (Italo Svevo’s real name) and Montale — touching on themes of recognition, affection, and jealousy. The title of the performance alludes to a line Montale wrote for Drusilla, while also evoking the sharp, observant gaze shared by both women.
Both events are free and open to the public, subject to available seating.
Information
Museo LETS – Letteratura Trieste
Tel. +39 040 675 7240
lets.trieste.it
