This fall, Chapman University awarded an Honorary Degree to Dacia Maraini, one of the most important and prolific writers in contemporary Italy. During her visit to campus, Italian Studies students had the privilege of meeting Maraini and hearing her read from her most recent book, Caro Pier Paolo (Neri Pozza Editore, 2022), which contains letters to Pier Paolo Pasolini, a renowned intellectual, novelist, poet, and filmmaker who was murdered in 1975. The intimate and thought-provoking evening was moderated by Professor Sara Mattavelli.
Dacia Maraini wrote numerous novels, short stories, and poems, and she also completed significant work in theatre and cinema. Much of her writing focuses on women’s struggles and rights, and she was very involved in Italian Feminism in the 60s and 70s. She traveled extensively and had incredible life experiences with some of the most important and well-known figures in Italian culture. Dacia Maraini has received numerous awards for her work, including the Formentor Prize for L’età del malessere (1963), the Premio Fregene for Isolina (1985), the Premio Campiello, and the Book of the Year Award for La lunga vita di Marianna Ucria (1990), and many more.
Dacia Maraini’s Honorary Degree Ceremony (from left: Consul General of Italy Silvia Chiave, Provost Norma Bouchard, Dacia Maraini, Dr. Mark Axelrod, Dr. Federico Pacchioni).
Dacia Maraini and Dr. Mattavelli in conversation
