In Soleto, a small town of stone houses and old stories in the heart of Puglia, the municipal library opens its doors to poetry. The occasion is the presentation of Clessidra di copale, a new collection of verse by Prof. Eufemia Attanasi.
It is the kind of event that has no stage lights or big crowds. What it offers instead is attention, words and time.
A title that already sounds like a poem
Two images meet in the name of the collection: the hourglass that measures time and copale, a resin that recalls amber. Together they suggest something precious held in suspension.
What the verses actually say is for the author to reveal. The evening is a chance to hear the poems introduced in her own voice, which is often the best way into a collection.
Voices around the book
Eufemia Attanasi will not be alone. Filippomario Cargagnì takes part in the presentation, and the mayor of Soleto will open the evening with a few words of greeting.
That small civic gesture says a lot about the place. Here a book launch is a community occasion, and the town shows up for its own writers.
- The author's voice, presenting her work in person
- A shared conversation with Filippomario Cargagnì
- Institutional greetings from the mayor, which set a warm, local tone
- The quiet of a library, where poetry is easy to follow
Why a library suits poetry
Reading aloud in a room lined with books is different from any other setting. The sound is close and the silences carry weight.
Poetry rewards slow listening, and a small room helps. Couples, solo visitors and small groups all fit in easily, and no one feels like a spectator at the back.
Make an afternoon of Soleto
Arrive early and walk the historic centre. Soleto is known for the Guglia di Raimondello, the tall, finely worked bell tower that rises above the rooftops, and for its centuries-old ties to the Griko-speaking villages around Lecce.
The church of Santo Stefano, with its medieval frescoes, is another reason to linger. After the presentation, a stroll through the lanes in the evening air is a gentle way to let the verses settle.
Little tips for the evening
- Bring a notebook or a pen. Lines you want to remember tend to appear.
- Check the town's social media page for the latest details before you go.
- Allow time to speak with the author afterwards, as these gatherings are often informal.
- If you read Italian, even at a basic level, you will enjoy the poems more. The atmosphere is welcoming either way.
Entry is free, and the pace is unhurried. It is a small, genuine piece of local culture in Soleto, well away from the busy summer coast.