Italian writer, essayist and poet who became a naturalized Argentinian.
Syria Poletti (1917-1991), was born in Pieve di Cadore but spent her childhood and youth in Sacile, before migrating to Argentina in 1938. Sacile stayed in her heart, to the point that her works often quote her memories and the places where she spent her childhood, turning them into short stories for adults or children. Her works have been translated and re-published in many languages including English, Russian and German, but have never been published in Italy. In Argentina, she became an affirmed and appreciated writer, praised even by Jorge Luis Borges who wrote about her:“Are there real female writers in Argentina? Yes, there is one, but she is Italian”.
She was awarded with many prizes and acknowledgments for her literary works and essays, including Premio Internacional Losada (1962) for Genteconmigo (People with me), the only novel for adults published in Italy, edited by Claudia Razza for Marsilio Editori. She also received IBBY Award by UNESCO (1972 and 1985) and a Platinum Konexaward for Children Literature (1982). Some of her works have been adapted for theatre and radio, while her novel Genteconmigo has also been turned into versions for TV and cinema (director Jorge Darnell, 1967).
In 2007, Sacile city council decided to publish a collection of short stories “La linea del fuoco” (The Fire Line), printed by Biblioteca dell’Immagine, and the tales for children: “Le marionette di Ninin”(Ninin’s Puppets) by Composit Editrice, now followed by “Un fidanzato per Inambù” (A Fiancé for Inambù) by Falzea Editore.
In 2016, Rayuela Edizione published the translation of “Lo strano mestiere. Cronaca di un’ossessione”(The Strange Job. Chronicles of an Obsession), edited by Milton Férnandez.
Syria came back to Italy many times, visiting also her native area. In 1968 in Sacile, Natale Borsetti, president of the City Cultural Association, invited Syria to a night in her honour. Syria was still livingwith the recent popularity brought by “People with me”, and reached the event smartly dressed and well-groomed, like a girl at her first date. She overcame the emotion of speaking to her former fellow citizens in a language that was no longer her own and dedicated wonderful words to Sacile. These words are a poetic seal of her deep love for the city.
Syria stated: “… the great Argentinian writer Ernesto Sàbato wrote these words about me … Syria Poletti is the symbol of the people who suffered the tragedy of emigration on their own skin, and managed to donate the most precious element mankind can create: the work of art. I wish to tell you that Sacile is always present in my works, as this city gave me the spirit, strength, will and even the joy to be able to create them”.
That night, almost forty years ago, Syria told the local public about the hope to be back where she had started as a famous writer whose works had been translated into Italian. Just like she had written on the notes left behind her when fleeing away as a rebel young girl: “I will be back when I am famous”.
She led a popular radio programme dedicated to Italian emigrates who could contact their families in Italy through the radio. This allowed her to discover dozens of stories made of nostalgia, hope and disorientation, which she then transferred in her books with strength and sweetness.
