Illustrated Guide 'Napoli Come Vuoi' Challenges Stereotypes with Collective Authorship

On March 17, the illustrated guide 'Napoli Come Vuoi' was published by SEM libri, featuring contributions from fourteen authors who collectively present a multisensory portrait of Naples. Edited by The Napolitaner, this publication deliberately avoids stereotypical depictions and Instagrammable vistas, instead offering intimate perspectives from creatives who live in and are transformed by the city. The guide's cover, designed by Lorenzo Cipollaro, depicts a walk near the MANN, emphasizing presence over picturesque scenes. This approach aligns with critiques of 'fast tourism' and overtourism, themes also explored in Yasmin Van Dorp's documentary 'The Spectacle', which questions the pursuit of perfect travel photos. The New Yorker highlighted Van Dorp's film, noting its contemplative images of global beauty spots that critique superficial engagement. Anthropologist Marco Aime's writings on travel as transformative movement inform this perspective. The Napolitaner borrows visual and editorial cues from The New Yorker, including its font and weekly cadence, to counter preconceived narratives about Naples. The guide is structured into three chapters exploring identity, contemporary experiences, and rituals through art, architecture, and personal reflection. It aims for emotional participation and cultural dissemination, positioning itself as a potential new form of travelogue at the intersection of geography and spirituality.