Carmen Gallo Discusses Procne Machine, Strega Poetry Prize Finalist, in Interview
Carmen Gallo, who hails from Naples and was born in 1983, released her poetry collection titled Procne Machine in January 2026 through Giulio Einaudi Editore. This work was a contender for the Premio Strega Poesia. In her discussion, Gallo explored the chilling elements of the Greek myth involving Procne and Philomela, sharing her own ornithophobia. She perceives birds as a stark representation of natural laws, rejecting their romanticized views. Gallo also pointed out the urban conflicts faced by birds due to climate change and migration, framing it as a matter of survival. Influenced by T.S. Eliot, she referenced modern poets and her translation of The Waste Land, while also commending Jolanda Insana and addressing the hurdles faced by southern poets. The interview features a poem by Maria Oppo.
Key facts
- Carmen Gallo was born in Naples in 1983.
- Her poetry collection Procne Machine was published in January 2026 by Giulio Einaudi Editore in the white series.
- Procne Machine was a finalist for the Premio Strega Poesia.
- In 2024 Gallo published the phototext Tecniche di nascondimento per adulti with Italo Svevo.
- In 2025 she collected her poetry in Stanze per una fuga with La Vita Felice, including Le fuggitive (Aragno, winner of the Premio Napoli, 2021).
- Gallo teaches English literature at Sapienza Università di Roma and has written on John Donne's metaphysical poetry.
- She has curated and translated works by William Shakespeare, T.S. Eliot, Caryl Churchill, and Hannah Sullivan.
- Her translation of The Waste Land was published by Il Saggiatore.
Entities
Artists
- Carmen Gallo
- Valerio Magrelli
- John Donne
- William Shakespeare
- T.S. Eliot
- Caryl Churchill
- Hannah Sullivan
- Amelia Rosselli
- Elio Pagliarani
- Edoardo Sanguineti
- Andrea Zanzotto
- Sara Ventroni
- Guido Mazzoni
- Francesco Maria Tipaldi
- Maria Oppo
- Jolanda Insana
- Alessandro Leogrande
- Carmine Conelli
- Bernardo De Luca
- Marco Gatto
- Fabio Moliterni
- Anedda
- Carson
Institutions
- Giulio Einaudi Editore
- Premio Strega Poesia
- Italo Svevo
- La Vita Felice
- Aragno
- Premio Napoli
- Sapienza Università di Roma
- Il Saggiatore
- Artribune
Locations
- Naples
- Italy
- Rome