2012

Stefano Benni, is one of Italy’s most renowned authors. Wandering among the different genres—novel, poetry, science fiction, drama—and using a range of different languages, Benni has succeeded in elevating tragic-comic fiction from a structural and thematic element to a gesture of social criticism. His books include: Il bar sotto il mare (1987), La compagnia dei Celestini (1992), Bar Sport (1997), Le Beatrici (2011) published by Feltrinelli; La traccia dell’angelo (Sellerio, 2011).

Virginio Colmegna, is a Catholic priest. In 1993 he was appointed by the then archbishop of Milan, Card. C. M. Martini, to head the Milan branch. He held the post until 2004, when he became president of the ‘Casa della carità’ Foundation. His books include: Cristiano di parola (with S. Landra, 2005), È bello per noi stare qui (with M. Mapelli, 2006), published by Centro Ambrosiano; Non per me solo (2011), and Parole nuove per la politica (edited by him and M.G. Guida, 2011) published by il Saggiatore.

Enzo Bianchi is the founder of the ecumenical Bose monastic community. He taught Biblical Theology at the Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele in Milan and was awarded a honoris causa degree in Political Science from the University of Turin and in Gastronomic Science from the University of Pollenzo. He collaborates with newspapers and publications including La Stampa, la Repubblica, Avvenire and Jesus. He participated at the Synods discussing The Word of God (2008) and New Evangelisation (2012).