Al grido di “In English, please!” condivido l’intervista che Alessandra Ressa mi ha fatto per tutti i lettori del blog che hanno problemi con l’italiano: si parla del libro “Trieste senza bora” che viene presentato venerdì 1 ottobre al Caffè San Marco di Trieste alle ore 18.

Alessandra Ressa

TRIESTE WITHOUT BORA: AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR AND JOURNALIST CORRADO PREMUDA

In Trieste, 13 settembre 2021

Can you imagine Trieste without Bora wind? Author Corrado Premuda can. “Trieste senza bora” is the provocative title of his new book, a collection of three original and captivating stories intertwined by the complete, and somehow unsettling lack of Bora. The wind breaks in the lives of the three main characters metaphorically create a static, muffled wait for something to happen, giving them the chance to think about their lives.

The author, born and raised in Trieste, makes no secret of his passionate relationship with the windy city, where he also works as a journalist in the cultural pages of the newspaper Il Piccolo and as a dramatist. The book “Trieste senza bora” will be presented at Antico Caffè San Marco on Friday, October 1^st at 6 p.m.

What is the thing that you love best about Trieste?

Trieste is unique for its light, its magnetic Bora wind that I always welcome with a spurt of joy as soon as I hear its first gush. But, especially, I love it for its sudden, unexpected, stunning views. Any time you go around a corner, or climb a hill, you will be caught by hypnotic glimpses of the sea and beautiful buildings. Trieste never ceases to amaze me.

Do you ever look at Trieste’s past with nostalgia?

Every time I walk in today’s trendy area of Cavana I think of my childhood in the 1970s and 1980s and remember how this used to be a no-go zone for Triestini. Mothers forbade you from entering Cavana, a mysterious, dark, unsanitary place were prostitutes and drug addicts lurked in its dark corners while you slowly drove through its main road, now pedestrian, to catch a glimpse of the forbidden. I can’t really say I look back with nostalgia and I admit I’m glad the old town has been entirely requalified, but it’s definitely something I think about. On the other hand, if I could go back in time, I would choose to live at the turn of the 20^th century, when Trieste was truly international, when fashion had not suffered the flattening of globalization but was greatly influenced by the different ethnic groups, nationalities and religions.

How would you like Trieste to be in the future?

I would like it to be more internationally oriented as it used to be, hosting more world events related to science, art and culture, business.

Do you think that intellectual life in Trieste, such as when Joyce and Svevo among many others were part of the city’s cultural elite, still exists?

I think it still does. You can see it from the great number of cultural associations, book presentations, the number of theaters and season ticket holders. You can still feel Trieste’s cultural vitality.

Some people believe that today anyone, with or without talent and ideass, can become a writer and publish a book. Do you find that true?

Although it is true that today you don’t necessarily need the publisher’s critical scrutiny to publish a book (you can pay and have your book published or create a blog and post it online), your work still needs to be bought and read by the public. There is no way out, sooner or later you will have to go through the selection of either being read or being ignored.

What would you say about the city to a foreigner who decided to move to Trieste?

Trieste is physically spectacular, it will never disappoint you. It’s not a big city, and that means you can conveniently reach every corner of town in a short amount of time. Theaters, cinemas, restaurants and cafès are within easy distance no matter where you live. It’s like a tiny, great fortress filled with treasures.

How would you describe Triestini to a foreigner who decided to move to town?

(Nervous laugh….) They can initially seem abrupt, wich I think is a typical feature of sea trade people, but with time they will be conquered and will soon become eager to share with non-Triestini their unique culture.

What’s in your agenda for the future?

Of course more writing. I’m currently working on a novel. The setting, naturally, is Trieste.

Corrado Premuda is also author of several books for young readers, such as “Un pittore di nome Leonor” (a reconstruction of the life of Trieste’s painter Leonor Fini), “La Barcolana dei bambini”, and “Trieste”. One of his novels, still unpublished in Italy, has been translated and published in Croatia. His blog is motivipersonali.home.blog