Zanichelli launches free word delivery service #ciboperlamente

Italian publisher Zanichelli has launched #ciboperlamente, a free delivery service distributing 400 etymological postcards across seven Italian cities from September to November 2020. The initiative coincides with the release of the new Zingarelli 2021 dictionary. A million postcards will be delivered by bicycle couriers in Milan, Turin, Genoa, Bologna, Florence, Rome, and Cagliari. Each pack contains 21 postcards illustrated by Venezuelan artist Fernando Cobelo, who has worked with the New York Times, the United Nations, Google, and Corriere della Sera. The project aims to promote understanding of word origins, including terms from Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, and Turkish. Words featured include 'attonito' (from Latin 'attŏnitus', meaning stunned by thunder), 'denigrare' (from Latin 'denigrare', to blacken), 'compagno' (from medieval Latin 'companio', sharing bread), and 'profano' (from Latin 'profanus', outside the temple). Non-European words like 'yoga' (Sanskrit for union) and 'tulipano' (from Turkish 'tülbent', turban) are also included. Postcards are printed on recycled materials and can be ordered via ciboperlamente.zanichelli.it, with menu options including traditional, children's, daily, author's, and exotic. The delivery tour runs: Milan (completed September 21), Turin (September 23-28), Genoa (September 30-October 5), Bologna (October 7-12), Florence (October 15-20), Rome (October 22-31), and Cagliari (November 4-10).