Alessandro Baricco

Alessandro Baricco was one of the first Italian authors after Italo Calvino and Umberto Eco to achieve a truly global readership. He broke through internationally in 1997 with Silk, and since then his work has never disappeared from the international spotlight. Silk was adapted into the film Silk. His theatrical monologue Novecento was also adapted for the screen as The Legend of 1900. In the Netherlands, for example, his novel This Story was recently staged successfully as the theatre production Ultimo, starring Ariane Schluter and Porgy Franssen.

Meanwhile, Baricco has remained active in many other fields in Italy. He adapted both the Iliad and Moby-Dick for the stage and hosted a popular literary television programme. In 2008, he also made his debut as a film director with Lecture 21. As far as the Netherlands is concerned, 2010 is shaping up to be an excellent Baricco year. Last January saw the publication of The Barbarians, a long essay on the gradual decline of our cultural awareness, originally written in serial form for the newspaper La Repubblica in 2006. Now, at the end of September, comes his long-awaited new novel: Emmaus.

In Emmaus, four strictly Catholic boys are forced to explore the uncharted territory between damnation and redemption when they become fascinated by Andre, a worldly and atheistic young woman. The result is a beautiful portrait of the uncertainties of youth.

On the occasion of Emmaus, Alessandro Baricco will be a guest at BorderKitchen. He will be interviewed by Wim Brands (VPRO).

Location: Weimarstraat 36, The Hague. Start time: 8:00 PM.