Intervista a Meir Shalev

Dear Mr Shalev, I'm Alessandra Bonetti, journalist for cultural magazine CARNET. I'm working about an article on the project of Antonio Presti, Sicily seen through writers. About this matter, I send you some questions, that they are a sort of starting point to understand your felling and emotionns during these days. Thank you very much for all, best regards Alessandra Bonetti

1.WHAT INDUCED YOU TO ACCEPT THE ANTONIO PRESTI'S INVITATION AND DO THIS TRAVEL IN SICILY?

I wanted to meet Antonio, and see the S. Agatha festival.

2.HAD YOU BEEN IN SICILY BEFORE? AND WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE OR IDEA ABOUT THIS REGION?

It's my first visit to Sicily. I knew Sicily only from reading "Gattopardo" by Tomasi di Lampedusa and greek mithology.

3.WHAT IS MOST SURPRISED YOU?

Nothing really surprised me. I believe people are much the same everywhere, and I feel at home everywhere in the mediterannean.

4.COULD YOU TELL US ANY TOUCHING MEETING, OR FAC OR CURIOSITY, DURING YOUR TRAVEL?

I was impressed by the expression on the faces of the men carrying the candles for S. Agatha.

5.IF YOU WERE WRITE AN INCIPIT ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE, WHAT SENTENCE YOU WRITE?

I did not I was born to a Sicilian family, but in Israel.

6.SPEAKING ABOUT SANT'AGATA, THREE DAY OF RELIGION AND TRADITION: WHAT YOUR EMOTIONS WERE? IN YOUR OPINION, WHICH IS THE RULE OF RELIGION TODAY? AND WHY THESE KIND OF RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS ARE SO POPULAR?
S.Agatha for me represent not only a christian idea but also a man-woman issue, from ancient time till today.
I believe religion should go back to more moral and modest ways. There is too much wealth in the hands of religious establishement.

7.THE PRESTI'S IDEA IS ALSO ABOUT "SUBURBS", AS GEOGRAFICAL PLACE, BUT ALSO AS WAY OF LIFE. WHAT DO YOU THINK, AFTER THIS EXPERIECE? WHAT DOES IT MEAN LIVING ON THE OUTSKIRTS? AND WHERE ITS INCONVENIENCE CAME FROM?

I think new economical policies push poor people aside and ignore them. Poor people and suburbs should be and feel a part of society.

8.ABOUT THIS MATTER, WHAT'S THE RULE OF LITTERATURE?

I do not write a political or educatinal literature. Art should be a personal process. I do not want to use my literature to promote politics and viceversa, but I use my ability to help political and social issues.

10. WHAT ABOUT YOUR NEXT PROJECT? AND ABOUT THE GABRIELE SALVATORES MOVIE, INSPIRED BY YOUR BOOK?

I write another novel. The script for the movie is being written now and I hope will be ready soon