Books with an Italian Connecting Brought to Life

Books with an Italian Connecting Brought to Life

Dramatized Reading by Tricolore at Casa Italiana

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Bruno&OliveSmall On Saturday 8th December the Casa Italiana San Vincenzo Palotti in Clerkenwell hosted a gathering in the Sala Rossa to hear a reading and book signing organised by Tricolore Theatre Company. The reading highlighted books by two authors with connections to the London Italian community: Melanie Hughes and Olive Besagni, who was represented by her brotherin-law, John Besagni.

The books featured were War Changes Everything and Midnight’s Legacy by Melanie Hughes and A Better Life and Changing Lives by the late Olive Besagni.

Tricolore’s company director, Nadia Ostacchini, together with actress and the book’s author, Melanie Hughes, brought extracts from the novel, War Changes Everything, to life by dramatizing the story and giving the audience a glimpse of the main character Juanita’s and her best friend Yolanda’s lives in pre-war and wartime London, Yolanda coming from a large, chaotic, yet passionate and loveable Italian family. Yolanda’s circle of family and friends reflects the vibrant spectrum of life and ideas of the Italian community during this period. Based on true stories, Melanie’s books are available from Amazon and Waterstones.

After some delicious Italian snacks and a glass of Prosecco, John Besagni told stories of prominent London Italians, including his own brother, Crystal Palace footballer Remo (Ray) Besagni. Then actress Liz Felton and Nadia Ostacchini read extracts from Olivemelanie and 1st book
Besagni’s books which highlighted the history of Italians in London, and particularly Little Italy or the Back Hill and Saffron Hill areas of Clerkenwell from the early 19th century onwards. Once again, the Second World War featured prominently and the internment and deportation of many Italians during that period, including the tragic story of the Arandora Star, caught the interest and sympathy of the audience. Olive’s books are available from Amazon or the Camden History Society. The evening ended with the opportunity for the audience to meet the authors and buy signed copies of the books.