Federica Manzon's Novel 'Alma' Explores Triest's Cultural Identity and Yugoslav History

Italian author Federica Manzon's novel 'Alma' examines the complex cultural identity of Triest through the life of its protagonist. The story follows Alma, a woman in her fifties who returns to her hometown during Easter, reflecting on her youth in the 1970s. Alma has both Yugoslav and Austrian ancestry, reflecting Triest's historical position as part of the Habsburg monarchy, often called 'Vienna by the Sea.' Her father worked for Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito, possibly as a speechwriter, while her mother was employed at a psychiatric hospital known for reformer Franco Basaglia. The narrative shifts between Alma's childhood memories and her adult experiences, including her relationship with Vili, a foster child who becomes her lover. Much of the plot unfolds in Belgrade during the Yugoslav Wars, where Alma works as a journalist and confronts accusations of spreading Western propaganda. The novel also includes scenes set on the Brijuni Islands, Tito's private archipelago. Published in Italy by Feltrinelli, 'Alma' won the 2024 Premio Campiello award. The German translation, released by the new Berlin imprint Pfaueninsel, marks Manzon's first work available in German. The book explores themes of family, ethnicity, and national identity against the backdrop of Yugoslavia's dissolution.