Of him, Gennaro Avellino, Stefano Benni, writer, humorist, screenwriter, poet and playwright said a few years ago: «That man is a poet because he gives weight to words».
This was remembered by Marina Spinetti, professor of Literature at the Giuseppe Garibaldi Institute of Higher Education and president of the University of the Third Age of La Maddalena during the recent presentation of the latest book by Gennaro Avellino "The window on the world, poems and aphorisms ”, edited by Paolo Sorba. «I was struck by this interest, this judgment of Stefano Benni towards Gennaro Avellino, of which he saw the depth».
In fact, Spinetti continued, "when I met Gennaro about twenty years ago, I was struck not only by his sensitivity but also and precisely by his attention to words, to focusing on them".
Born in 1936, master's studies, retired employee of the state for years, Gennaro Avellino has already published some poetry books and has participated in various regional and national competitions.
«Poets, both ancient and modern, have the ability to speak of the particular in a universal way; one's sensations, one's emotions are universal; For me, this is the secret of poetry», continued Spinetti.
"Only if poetry detaches itself from the author, can it live", and this is what makes it "not evanescent, not evaporable", but "eternal".
During the evening, various readings of the book alternated between poems and aphorisms, according to the sensitivity and perception of different "interpreters", interspersed with an interesting and at times particularly brilliant dialogue between the poet, the presenter and the audience present.
«Poetry is an antidote to reality», said Gennaro Avellino. Adding: «It is like a lens through which we, with the spirit, manage to sublimate life, existence; it is a catharsis!». Are we still able to perceive the beauty of poetry in our age, "characterized by the illiteracy of reflection?" asked Marina Spinetti. «The answer is absolutely yes; poetry is necessary, it is the antidote».
