La Repubblica Launches Robinson Cultural Insert with Art Director Francesco Franchi

Italian daily La Repubblica will launch Robinson, a new 40-page free cultural insert, on Sunday, November 27. Directed by Mario Calabresi, the insert features art direction by Francesco Franchi, former creative director of IL magazine and multiple international award winner. The project is led by 50-year-old Valentina Desalvo, who recently returned to cultural coverage, with deputy director Gregorio Botta, a 63-year-old journalist and visual artist, playing a key role. The first issue includes contributions from Marco Belpoliti, Antonio Gnoli, Roberto Saviano, Alessandro Baricco, and Melania Mazzucco. Calabresi stated, "The answer to the decline of the old print newspaper can only be beauty," defending the print bet in the digital age. Robinson claims inspiration from the legendary Mercurio, created in 1989 by Scalfari and Nello Ajello. The insert aims to "tell the places of culture, real or imaginary, where to meet people and ideas," serving as a guide for reading, viewing, and listening. It will compete with Corriere della Sera's La Lettura and Sole 24 Ore's Domenicale.