"Engaging in literature holds political implications"
In the heart of Berlin lies Bebelplatz, a square with a dark past. Thousands of books were burned here by the Nazis, a chilling reminder of the power that can be wielded against the written word. This historical event has inspired Italian author Fabio Stassi to pen a thought-provoking work, "Bebelplatz. La notte dei libri bruciati" (Bebelplatz: The Night of Burning Books).
Published by Sellerio, this 290-page narrative essay delves into the theme of book burnings, questioning what is lost when literature is destroyed. Stassi, the author of the critically acclaimed "L'ultimo ballo di Charlot" which was translated into nineteen languages, explores the fires of the past and the very meaning of writing and reading in Bebelplatz.
The book is not a work of fiction but a travel reportage in yesterday's and today's Europe, an existential as well as historical investigation. It is a symbolic place, renewed every time a book is censored or burned, every time the voice of a poet or a human being is silenced.
Stassi, a finalist for the Campiello Prize, felt the need to write Bebelplatz during the pandemic and recent years, as he witnessed the burning of affections, an idea of literature, an idea of reality, and the word "peace". He sees reading as a political act, a responsibility, and a way of taking a stand.
In Bebelplatz, Stassi presents the book as a praise of reading that no power will ever be able to subjugate. He argues that readers are dangerous because they think for themselves, and reading is a right that needs to be defended, as it's not a guaranteed right everywhere.
The book retails for €16 and is a unique blend of a literary biography, a reader's notebook, and a narrative essay. For those who appreciate the written word and its importance in shaping our understanding of the world, Bebelplatz is a must-read. It serves as a poignant reminder of the power of literature and the dangers of censorship, urging us to cherish and protect the books that shape our minds and our society.
Read also:
- Setting Up and Expanding Operations at a Soil Blending Facility
- Surveying the Scene: Legality, Drones, and American Anti-Terror Strategy
- Regional University's healthcare system strengthened through collaborative partnership with Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill
- Catastrophic wildfire smoke is projected to claim numerous lives by the year 2050, predicts new study
