Walden, a New Literary Café and Independent Bookstore, Opens in Milan

Walden, a literary café and independent bookstore, opens in Milan on January 25-26, 2018, at Via Vetere 14, near the Colonne di San Lorenzo. Named after Henry David Thoreau's book, the 80-square-meter space combines a vegetarian bistro, a library of independent publishers, and an event hub. Founders include philosopher Leonardo Caffo (born 1988, Catania), renewable energy entrepreneur Matteo Pitanza (drinks and product selection), former consultant Paolo Augugliaro (manager), and wine and oil producer Antonio Inserra (food and marketing). The interior design features green tones inspired by Thoreau's work. The opening marathon includes a breakfast with Daniela Monti (Corriere della Sera), a cooking show with Marco Cannizzaro, an afternoon with Chiara Ferella Falda (Superstudio) and Mario Coppola, and on January 26, a talk with artist Norma Jean and architects Parasite 2.0, followed by CheFare and Demetrio Paparoni with Bocconi University students. The event closes with a DJ set by ETNA. General coordination is by Maria Donato (Superstudio). Caffo curates the cultural program, planning thematic cycles with institutions like Fondazione Feltrinelli, CheFare, and Studio magazine. He aims to host other Milan literary cafés (Gogol, Colibrì) at Walden and eventually organize a literary café festival. A white wall will host rotating art installations, starting with Laura Cionci's photographs on wilderness.