Volna Mare Collective Publishes First Italian Book on Transnistria

The collective volna mare, founded by Martina Napoletano, Marco Carlone, and Simone Benazzo (with recent addition Simone Peyronel), has published 'Il futuro dopo Lenin. Viaggio in Transnistria' with DOTS Edizioni, a new publishing house based in Bari. The book originated unexpectedly after a presentation in Genoa, where Carlotta Susca, future founder of DOTS, proposed they write a book for a yet-nonexistent publisher. The collective, whose members have backgrounds in journalism, research, and photography, aimed to challenge stereotypical and orientalist representations of Eastern Europe. The hybrid work combines travel diary and narrative, written collaboratively using a method inspired by the Wu Ming collective, with each member drafting chapters followed by collective revisions. The book features color photographs and seeks to present Transnistria as a 'normal country,' countering the single story often told by sensationalist reporting. The authors conducted research in six languages, including Russian, and collaborated with outlets like Limes, Eastwest, and Balkan Insight. They report only two errors (a date and a name) have been found so far. The collective plans future projects in Macedonia, Albania, and the Baltic states, and has expanded into video production with Peyronel.