The Lehmkuhl bookstore in Schwabing is now dedicating an area of its store to Italian-language books. This was initiated by the bookseller Anna Lisa Bertolo, 54, who works there. How it came about.
SZ: Ms. Bertolo, the shelves at Lehmkuhl are currently filling up with Italian books that you ordered. Are there any initial reactions yet?
Just yesterday there was a young woman here who grew up bilingual and lives in Munich. She told me that she lacked Italian books, especially when she was a child, and that she wanted to read Italian poetry. She really had some catching up to do.
What does the range look like??
Almost all categories are represented: children’s books, fiction, poetry, non-fiction books on different topics.
German authors such as Benedict Wells or Caroline Wahl and Juli Zeh are also there.
When selecting the titles, I paid attention to which books were already in high demand here and ordered them in Italian.
How did you come to set up an Italian corner?
I actually work on the first floor. Where there are children’s books, travel guides and books on health and psychology. Upstairs there were already a few books in Italian for children that I had selected. In Italy I had my own children’s bookstore. A few months ago I had to represent a colleague on the ground floor in fiction.
A new subject area.
That was a challenge because I’m more of a children’s book expert. But that’s how I saw what the hot bestsellers were right now. And there was only a tiny selection of Italian literature. My bosses gave me free rein and said I was welcome to order more.
Around 28,000 Italians currently live in Munich. Germans often long for Italy. Who do you want to reach?
On the one hand, of course, the Italians in Munich. Those who may not have lived here for long and are happy to be able to get Italian reading material in the city at a fair price. Even those who live here in the second or third generation. On the other hand, of course, all people who are interested in Italy and who speak the language.
There are many Italophiles in Munich.
Munich is so close to Italy, and the people of Munich are known to love the country. There is a great openness here to everything that has to do with the Italian language and culture.
You are Italian and have lived in Berlin for several years. You now live in Munich. What did you notice?
The red carpet is rolled out for us Italians. Italian is a popular language. When people hear that I’m from Italy, they get happy, start to say a few words in Italian, talk about their last vacation. It wasn’t always this way, and I think other groups and languages have a harder time.
Will there be readings in Italian?
The idea is there. Our customers already appreciate the bookstore for the readings that have been held regularly in German. We love the idea of offering events in Italian. We won’t reveal any more yet. (laughs)
The Italian corner is now even larger than the area with English-language literature. Which book from Italy do you recommend?
What I often recommend is “L’arte della gioia” by Goliarda Sapienza. We also have the novel available in German: “The Art of Joy”.
A novel that the author completed in the mid-70s. Why this book?
It is a special novel. The story takes place in Sicily at the beginning of the 20th century, and the protagonist Modesta is ahead of her time with the way she lives and thinks. She is rebellious, politically active, has sexual relationships with men and women, and strives for financial independence.
A woman who doesn’t adhere to role models and morals?
The publishers therefore rejected the manuscript at the time. It was almost boycotted.
And one for children?
There are so many that I think are great. But one that exists in both Italian and German is “Speranza” by Gianni Rodari. The German title is “Hoffnung”, and it is based on the poem of the same name by Rodari with beautiful illustrations by Francesca Ballarini. I just ordered it.