Luciano Canfora Defends Decision to Allow Far-Right Publisher at Rome book Fair
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Historian Luciano Canfora has defended the decision to allow Passaggio al Bosco (Passage to the Woods), a publishing house known for far-right texts, to exhibit at the Più librissimi liberi literary fair in Rome. His comments came amidst controversy that led cartoonist Zerocalcare to withdraw from the event.Canfora argues that banning such publishers is a form of censorship reminiscent of the Counter-Reformation and ineffective in combating resurgent fascism.
Counter-Reformation Comparisons and “Armchair Anti-Fascism”
Canfora stated that allowing Passaggio al Bosco to participate “was the right decision,” asserting that “we have not returned to the counter-reformation which had the list of prohibited books.” He dismissed criticism of the decision, particularly the open letter signed by 80 writers and public figures calling for the publisher’s exclusion, as performative. he characterized the signatories as suffering from “a kind of mental illness of prima donnas,” suggesting their actions are motivated by self-promotion rather than genuine opposition to extremism.
“You don’t fight against the resurgences or returns of fascism with bans, you do it by creating culture, discussing, winning politically, not with censorship which is very convenient,” Canfora explained.He further suggested that such protests are frequently enough driven by a desire for media attention, stating, “So you don’t agree with Zerocalcare’s decision not to participate? ‘It’s his business, he must have had things to do elsewhere, I don’t know who he really is, but that’s fine. I don’t think we’ll suffer from this lack.'”
Parallels to Adelphi and Louis-Ferdinand Céline
canfora drew a comparison to Adelphi, a respected Italian publishing house, and its publication of Louis-Ferdinand Céline, a French novelist known for his virulent antisemitism.He questioned the consistency of outrage, asking, “when Adelphi prints Celine, a ferocious anti-Semite, is it okay?” This comparison highlights canfora’s argument that publishing controversial or problematic works does not necessarily equate to endorsement of their ideologies.
Context and Ongoing Debate
The controversy surrounding Passaggio al Bosco‘s participation reflects a broader debate about the limits of free speech and the obligation of cultural institutions in addressing the rise of far-right ideologies. The publisher has been criticized for promoting neo-fascist and revisionist historical narratives. Zerocalcare’s withdrawal from the fair underscored the concerns of many who believe that providing a platform for such views normalizes and legitimizes them. https://www.ansa.it/canale_politica/notizie/cronaca/2024/12/04/canfora-decisione-di-ammettere-passaggio-al-bosco-era-giusta_99999999-69999999.html
key Takeaways:
* Luciano Canfora defends the inclusion of passaggio al Bosco at the Rome book fair, arguing against censorship.
* He criticizes those calling for the publisher’s exclusion as self-promoting.
* Canfora draws a parallel to Adelphi’s publication of louis-Ferdinand Céline to question the consistency of outrage.
* The debate highlights broader concerns about free speech and the platforming of far-right ideologies.
This situation continues to spark discussion within Italy’s literary and political spheres, raising notable questions about the role of cultural events in navigating a complex and polarized landscape.