Italo Calvino's centenary: a portrait of the writer and his legacy

On the centenary of his birth, Artribune publishes a comprehensive portrait of Italo Calvino (1923–1985), born in Santiago de Las Vegas de La Habana, Cuba, and raised in Sanremo, Italy. The article traces his evolution from a partisan fighter in the 2nd Divisione d'assalto 'Garibaldi' during the Resistance to a major literary figure. His early works, including the trilogy 'I nostri antenati' (1952–1959), explore the human condition post-WWII. Calvino's later works, such as 'Marcovaldo' (1960s) and 'Le città invisibili' (1972), address urban alienation and the chaos of the modern world. His interest in fairy tales led to the curation of 'Fiabe Italiane', preserving Italy's oral heritage. A thirteen-year stay in Paris (1967–1980) brought him into contact with Oulipo members like Raymond Queneau and Georges Perec, influencing his combinatorial experiments. The article also highlights his influences: 'I Malavoglia', 'Conversazione in Sicilia', and 'Paesi tuoi'. Calvino died in Siena in 1985.