Milano's Libreria delle Donne Turns 50: A Feminist Hub's Legacy and Controversies
In 2025, the Libreria delle Donne di Milano will mark its 50th anniversary with a series of events throughout the year. Founded in 1975 by feminists such as Lia Cigarini, Elena Medi, Giordana Masotto, and Luisa Muraro, this bookstore is situated in Milan's Piazza Cinque Giornate. It specializes in books written by women, has an archive, publishes the magazine Via Dogana, and operates the online press review Punto di Vista. Additionally, it hosts political discussions and film screenings. Recently, it has sparked debates due to its support for "femminismo della differenza," which distinguishes gender from biological sex. The 2025 events will include a variety of readings, dialogues, and discussions on its impact on feminist theory.
Key facts
- Libreria delle Donne di Milano founded in 1975 by cooperative Sibilla Aleramo.
- Founders include Lia Cigarini, Elena Medi, Giordana Masotto, and Luisa Muraro.
- Originally located at Via Dogana 2, now at Via Pietro Calvi 29.
- Exclusively sells books by women and maintains an archive.
- Publishes magazine Via Dogana (111 print issues, now online as Via Dogana 3).
- Runs online press review Punto di Vista.
- Associated with Arcilesbica and difference feminism (Carla Lonzi).
- Rejects gender as distinct from biological sex, excludes trans women.
- 2025 program includes Enciclopedia delle donne, Accademia delle Piccole Filosofe, readings on Porete, Weil, Merlin, women-only publishers, Città Vicine conference, new Via Dogana issues, and roundtable on autonomy.
- Celebration event had about 100 attendees in person and 20 online.
Entities
Artists
- Lia Cigarini
- Elena Medi
- Giordana Masotto
- Luisa Muraro
- Carla Lonzi
- Cristina Gramolini
- Laura Colombo
- Giorgia Basch
- Margherita Porete
- Simone Weil
- Lina Merlin
Institutions
- Libreria delle Donne di Milano
- Sibilla Aleramo
- Librairie des Femmes
- Arcilesbica
- Enciclopedia delle donne
- Accademia delle Piccole Filosofe
- Associazione Lucrezia Marinelli
- Circolo della rosa
- Via Dogana
- Via Dogana 3
- Punto di Vista
- Artribune
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Piazza Cinque Giornate
- Via Dogana 2
- Via Pietro Calvi 29
- Paris
- France