Luigi Di Ruscio: The Worker-Poet Who Won Quasimodo's Praise
Luigi Di Ruscio (Fermo, 1930 – Oslo, 2011) was an Italian poet and laborer, whom Salvatore Quasimodo characterized as an "avant-garde man." Coming from a modest background, he struggled academically, repeating fifth grade, and juggled multiple jobs while nurturing his passion for literature. His debut collection, "Non possiamo abituarci a morire," was published in 1953 with a preface by Franco Fortini. In 1957, he relocated to Oslo, where he worked as a metalworker and composed poetry after his shifts. Married to Norwegian Mary Sandberg, they had four children. His oeuvre includes contributions to various magazines and works such as "Palmiro" (1986) and "La neve nera di Oslo" (2010). A reassessment of his work took place in 2014 with "Romanzi," followed by "Poesie scelte (1953-2010)" in 2019.
Key facts
- Luigi Di Ruscio was born in Fermo, Italy in 1930 and died in Oslo, Norway in 2011.
- He failed fifth grade and was self-taught in literature.
- Salvatore Quasimodo called him an 'avant-garde man' and awarded him the Unità prize.
- His first poetry collection 'Non possiamo abituarci a morire' was published in 1953 with a preface by Franco Fortini.
- He moved to Oslo in 1957 and worked as a metalworker in a factory.
- He wrote on his Olivetti after work each day.
- His prose works include 'Palmiro' (1986), 'L'Allucinazione' (2008), 'Cristi polverizzati' (2009), and 'La neve nera di Oslo' (2010).
- A critical reappraisal occurred in 2014 with Feltrinelli's 'Romanzi' and in 2019 with Marcos y Marcos' 'Poesie scelte (1953-2010).'
Entities
Artists
- Luigi Di Ruscio
- Salvatore Quasimodo
- Franco Fortini
- Massimo Raffaeli
- Andrea Cortellessa
- Angelo Ferracuti
- Massimo Gezzi
Institutions
- Schwarz
- Feltrinelli
- Marcos y Marcos
- Momenti
- Il Contemporaneo
- Realismo lirico
- Ombre rosse
- Alfabeta
- il manifesto
- Azimuth
Locations
- Fermo
- Italy
- Oslo
- Norway