Tag Archive: Biblioteca Malatestiana


Alice_biblio“In a Wonderland they lie, Dreaming as the days go by, Dreaming as the summers die: Ever drifting down the stream, Lingering in the golden gleam. Life, what is it but a dream?”

La Biblioteca Malatestiana in Cesena  are celebrating the 150th anniversary of  Alice In Wonderland with a small exhibition (curated by Giulia Quintabà & Maria Luisa Pieri).

This consists of book illustrations from a range of editions of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson’s timeless classic,  together with photographs, objects and brief biographical information.

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One of the illustrations for the Treviso Comic Book festival

34 designs are by artists in collaboration with the Treviso Comic Book Festival and these are far preferable to the sappy Disney style illustrations  in some of the books on display.

These do not top the original drawings by Sir John Tenniel (1820-1914) which are still the ones that best stand the test of time.

The surrealism and wonderful strangeness of Lewis Carroll’s work means that it’s a work that never really goes out of fashion and remains as popular with adults as with children. Continue reading

felice“Vietato non toccare” is on a notice publicising a small exhibition of the work of sculptor, Felice Tagliaferri at the Malatestiana Library in Cesena, Italy.

‘It is forbidden NOT to touch’ is an unusual sign to attach to art works. Normally security personnel are close at hand to prevent any curious hands from exploring objects. Tagliaferri’s pieces are different because even he has never seen them.

He has been blind since the age of 14 and so for all his work, mainly in marble, he depends entirely on his hands to know what they look like.

He is present to enthusiastically explain his work to visitors. “Do you want to see the work the way I see it?” he asks. Yes, I reply. Should I close my eyes?, I wonder, but he says this isn’t necessary. It’s enough that you get the tactile experience. Continue reading

malatestianaWith so much of life in Italy blighted by news of economic depression and under the shadow of endless governmental crises,  it was good to be part of an event in my adopted home town of Cesena in Emilia-Romagna that gave cause for optimism and pride.

After many decades of careful planning and patient work, the new central library – La Biblioteca Malatestiana – was finally opened yesterday.

Within the same complex, a 15th century humanist library has been listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register and justifiably celebrated. Now the needs of 21st century scholars are addressed with the beautifully restored and redesigned building. Continue reading