thesilkroadtoday
Prepared by the International Cultural Section of 100 Libri d’Autore
Good morning, Gioia. “100 Libri d’Autore” is a name that is increasingly making the rounds, but there is often a misunderstanding: it is neither a publishing house nor simply a book series. Could you explain, in your own words, what exactly “100 Libri d’Autore” is and what gap in today’s cultural landscape it aims to fill?
Exactly. We are not a publishing entity; we are authors ourselves. “100 Libri d’Autore” is an international cultural project born out of the need to slow down and restore value to the figure of the Author and their Work. In a publishing landscape dominated by rapid consumption and standardisation, we aim to fill the void of “time” and “dedicated curatorship.” We offer authors and artists a place within an artistic journey, a historical and literary archive where the story of every Author and Artist is treated with respect and uniqueness. We want to preserve the imprint of our contemporary age.
The number “100” is evocative and powerful. Does it represent a limit, a milestone, or a rigorous selection process?
It represents all three, but its essence lies in rigorous selection aimed at achieving a milestone. Our goal is not to accumulate an endless number of works, but to select 100 voices and 100 journeys that deserve to be preserved. It is a limit we impose on ourselves to guarantee a high standard of curatorship: we cannot take care of everyone, but we can take exceptional care of 100. Once completed, it will constitute a unique corpus, a snapshot of our time.
In presenting the project, you often speak of “restoring value to the word.” What does this mean to you in practical terms, in an age dominated by rapid communication, social media and artificial intelligence?
It means defending authenticity and human intention. Speed consumes words before they have a chance to leave a lasting mark. For us, restoring value means slowing down. It means in-depth editing and an aesthetic presentation of the project in PDF format, but above all, it means building a context around the Work. Multimedia is not merely a promotional tool; it serves to bring the written word to life, allowing the Author to share the reasons behind their writing, their thoughts and emotions—things that AI cannot replicate.
One distinctive feature of the project is the combination of established authors and emerging talents. How do you bring these two realities together, and what added value does this mixture bring to the project’s “cultural home”?
There is no hierarchy in our “cultural home,” only dialogue. Established authors bring experience, credibility and a solid legacy, while emerging talents bring freshness, boldness and new perspectives. Their coexistence comes naturally because they are united by the same artistic seriousness. The added value is creative cross-pollination: a vibrant community emerges in which everyone learns from everyone else. This combination offers readers both familiar voices and exciting discoveries, ensuring the vitality and quality of the entire collection.
You are not only the project’s founder but also its active curator. What is the greatest challenge in curating a project of this scale while managing so many different creative personalities?
The main challenge is balance. We must respect each Author’s unique voice, creative personality and vision, while ensuring that their Work fits harmoniously into the overall vision of “100 Libri d’Autore.” This requires great listening skills, empathy and the firmness needed to guide the process towards its qualitative objectives, while maintaining the project’s stylistic coherence and prestige.
An international cultural project like this cannot be accomplished alone. You rely on a network of collaborators. Could you tell us about the key figures and partners who support you, and explain how their contributions are essential to the initiative’s success?
This is a crucial point: “100 Libri d’Autore” is a collective effort involving many authors. I am honoured to share this journey with exceptional collaborators. My deepest thanks go to Emanuele Marcuccio (Pro Letteratura e Cultura) and Ashraf Aboul-Yazid Ashraf-Dali, who is responsible for the international selection.
A significant recognition for “100 Libri d’Autore” is the international cultural patronage granted by WikiPoesia. What does this recognition mean to you, and how does it fit into your philosophy and objectives?
For us, the patronage of WikiPoesia (the Encyclopaedia of Poetry) is not merely an honour; it is a validation. WikiPoesia selects outstanding achievements in poetry and literature in order to preserve them. Receiving its patronage means that “100 Libri d’Autore” is recognised as a serious cultural initiative of international value, one that operates not according to market logic but in the interest of safeguarding contemporary culture. This recognition fits perfectly with our philosophy because WikiPoesia aims to map and preserve poetry, while our selection of these 100 journeys provides a living, carefully curated map of the voices of our time.
The cultural landscape is constantly changing. How do you envision the evolution of “100 Libri d’Autore” over the coming years? Are there new horizons or related projects already taking shape?
In the coming years, I see the rigorous completion of the collection of 100 volumes. However, the project is alive and evolving. We are working to expand its multimedia dimension through new formats, developed from ideas shared with the project’s Authors. One horizon that particularly fascinates us is the integration of other art forms.
If you had to choose just one word to summarise the essence of “100 Libri d’Autore,” what would it be, and why?
I would choose “Passion.” It may sound obvious, but it is not. It is the passion of authors who write out of an inner necessity rather than for the market; our passion for curating every detail, from editing to aesthetics; the passion of the collaborators who stand beside us; and the passion of readers who are still searching for stories that leave a lasting impression. Without this authentic, collective passion, “100 Libri d’Autore” would be nothing more than a list. We want it to be an experience and a meaningful record of our contemporary age.
Finally, what message would you like to share with a reader approaching a Work participating in your cultural project for the first time?
I would tell them: You are entering the cultural home of a voice that has been selected and curated with respect and love. Allow yourself to be carried away by its story and by the context we have created around it, because this is a story that has been selected to endure.
This project unfolds across numerous online platforms and cultural spaces, all of which we sincerely thank for their continued support. We hope to leave a lasting mark through our shared dream of writing.
Our gratitude goes to all the authors and to the many emotions we have shared.
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