Poet Nicola Barbato's Debut Collection 'I cani nel cervello'

Poet Nicola Barbato (born 1996 in Aversa) released his first poetry collection 'I cani nel cervello' on November 25, 2024, with Eretica Edizioni. The book emerges from four years of encounters and oral poetry practice. Barbato holds a degree in modern philology from the University of Naples Federico II, is part of the editorial board of Inverso – Giornale di poesia, and belongs to the collective Diverbio. He was Campania champion of Poetry Slam in the LIPS (Lega Italiana Poetry Slam) for two consecutive years (2023-2024). The collection originated from a poem of over 200 verses given to Mattia Tarantino in 2020 at the Theo bar in Aversa, of which only twelve lines survived. Barbato describes his style as chaotic, a 'barking' method that involves careful observation of the world. He emphasizes poetry's role in building community and protecting a radically different form of sentiment, contrasting with mainstream media's misuse of emotions. The book addresses themes of marginalized people, friends in the piazza, and dust in tile gaps. Barbato expresses contentment that poetry is the least capitalistically exploitable art form and stresses the responsibility of joy and public discourse.