The Famous Italian Actress and Me

Whew, yesterday was a whirlwind of a day, and very, very fun. First things first: Lella Costa is NOT the person I linked to the other day, and thank goodness for that. I had spelled her name wrong: Leila instead of Lella. The Lella I met was far more interesting and beautiful, in my mind, than the young model I thought might be her (no offense to that Leila Costa, maybe she’s much more than a pretty face).

The day started at nine thirty with coffee and an interview with Annarita Briganti from La Republica. She was so interesting and engaging; as well as writing for La Republica (Italy’s largest daily) she’s also written two novels, the second one coming out in October.

Afterward it was to the press office to be interviewed by Laura, a lovely young woman from Vanity Fair. Yes. Vanity Fair. The Italian Vanity Fair, but still. I giggled with delight when I realized where she was from. She, too, was delightful – we found out we were both hugely influenced by the same book when we were kids, “Harriet the Spy” by Louise Fitzhugh. We both spied on our neighbors. Except Laura took it one step further; she actually snuck into a neighbor’s apartment and snooped around.

Lastly I was interviewed by Virginia, a wonderful librarian who writes a popular blog, GiGi.We had a great visit. By this time I finally realized I looked like a tired old bag lady so I wore my sunglasses for the photo.

I had a bit of time away from my posse so I rode around the town, exploring without a map. I have a terrible sense of direction but I’ve finally figured out the town (it is small. For a normal person with normal abilities it would not take this long to figure out!). I LOVE riding the bike around. I discovered an outdoor vintage/craft market and took the posse there later. I wound up buying a spectacular wool coat, handmade by an Italian-Vietnamese woman who uses origami as her inspiration. It’s too hot right now to model it but maybe later. Her company name is BettyConcept and you can see her designs through the link.

Then it was on to lunch at the canteen. This canteen is amazing. All of the food is made by the students who go to the school (the canteen is set up in the courtyard of a large school). It’s delicious, plentiful and varied. I ate with an Italian author (I’m afraid I only got his first name) and people from my publisher, and my posse of course!

After lunch it was time to go to my event. It was in Casa del Mantegna, in the courtyard, a beautiful outdoor space. I also realized it was the same space where Kazuo Ishiguro would be speaking that night. Heh. Susin Nielsen and Kazuo Ishiguro, in the same venue. Yes, I giggled at that too. And then I met Lella Costa.

I have to explain that every time someone mentioned her, it was with such love and reverence. She is adored in Italy not just because she’s a fine actress but because she speaks up for a lot of causes, particularly women’s rights and women’s issues. You know how sometimes you meet someone and you get the vibe right away that they are exceptional, and warm. Well that’s how I felt when I met Lella.

Look at that ridiculous grin on my face! Honestly, Susin. And look how stunning she is. She was a fantastic interviewer. She’d read all of my books and asked really smart questions. We had a very good rapport. In fact I kept forgetting I couldn’t understand her during the interview and would lean toward her while she asked a question, then remember I couldn’t speak Italian, and lean back toward my equally amazing translator, Chiara (who translated my first event).

The event was full of teens and adults (and a couple of big teen book clubs, one from Rimini). Here are some more photos.The kids (and adults) asked some great questions. Afterward I signed a poop-load of books.

It was so gratifying to meet some of my Italian readers – no, to know I even HAD Italian readers. They seem so passionate about books and reading in Europe; I met two big book clubs, both run by women who are not affiliated with the schools, and full of kids who are there because they want to be there; it’s an extracurricular activity.

Rimini has its own literary festival in June, and I spoke with these kids about Allan Stratton and Shane Peacock, two fellow Canadian authors who were at their festival this past June.

It was really a fantastic afternoon. We had a debrief at a little bar down the road, then Mom, Aunt and I went for an early dinner (7 pm being early in Italy) before going to see Kazuo Ishiguro at nine.

(Actually Kazuo sat directly beside us while we ate here. That gave me a little bit of a thrill). Here is a bad photo from the event:

Today (Saturday) is entirely free. Mom, Aunt and I are going to ride our bikes around the lakes and do a bit of last minute shopping. I’m taking them to Ochina Bianca for dinner, where hopefully we’ll have another encounter with Roberto. The lovely young woman who met me at the airport, Aline, will join us.

The people who organize Festiveletturatura do an exceptional job. They have made not just me, but my mom and my aunt, feel so welcome and cared for. I will be sad to leave. And particularly sad to leave my mint green bike.