As part of the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of Scotellaro’s birth, we are pleased to present, in collaboration with Chora Media, the podcast A Blade of Grass, a profound exploration of the life and works of the Lucanian poet, written and narrated by Franco Arminio.

Over the course of two episodes, each about 30 minutes long, the podcast guides the listener through the many facets of Scotellaro’s life: from his humble beginnings to his studies in the cities of northern Italy, so different from his homeland; from his literary work to his friendship with distinguished intellectuals such as Carlo Levi; from his election as mayor of Tricarico to his unjust imprisonment, until his sudden death at the age of just thirty.

Franco Arminio, poet, regional scholar, and author of numerous critically acclaimed books, brings his experience and deep understanding of the Italian landscape to this podcast. With his engaging and passionate style, Arminio offers a unique perspective on Scotellaro’s life, seeking to shed light on even its lesser-known aspects.

Enjoy the listen!

Episode 1 – Poet of Struggle

Scotellaro’s political commitment was the common thread running through his life: the ideas he shared with the great intellectuals of the time, his dedication to the farming community, his tenure as mayor of Tricarico, right up to his arrest because his social criticism was seen as a nuisance. Telling his story today means passing on his extraordinary civic passion to new generations.

Episode 2 – Poet of Love

In Rocco Scotellaro’s works, the faces of the people around him emerge vividly. And his bond with his fellow villagers, with his mother, and with the poetess Amelia Rosselli is as strong as his bond with his land and his roots. We recount his personal life and the passions that ignited his brief existence.

Credits

Un filo d’erba is a podcast by Fondazione Matera Basilicata 2019 produced by Chora Media.
Written and narrated by Franco Arminio.
Editorial supervision: Marco Villa.
Writing and editing: Francesca Abruzzese.
Executive producer: Ilaria Celeghin.
Sound and music supervision: Luca Micheli.
Post-production and editing: Guido Bertolotti, Cosma Castellucci, Mattia Liciotti.
Field sound engineer: Livio Arminio.
Post-producer: Matteo Scelsa.
Special thanks to Fondazione Matera Basilicata 2019: Giovanni Padula, Rita Orlando, Rosa Carbone, Rita Scalcione.