Mario Stefani
Mario Stefani (1938 – 4 March 2001) was an Italian poet.
Mario Stefani | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1938[1] Venice, Italy |
| Died | 4 March 2001 (aged 62–63) Venice, Italy |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Nationality | Italian |
Stefani was openly gay, and his poetry was some of the first Italian poetry to explore homosexuality.[2] A selection of his poetry was translated into English by Anthony Reid and published in 1982 as No Other Gods.[3]
Alongside his poetry, Stefani taught classes in literature and wrote literary and art reviews. He also presented a popular unscripted television show.[4]
In 2001, graffiti began appearing around Venice, featuring a quote of Stefani's: "Loneliness is not being alone; it's loving others to no avail". A month later, Stefani hanged himself in his kitchen.[4] His $1 million estate was left to a fruit vendor whose young daughter had inspired his work.[5]
Details of his life were retold in John Berendt's 2005 book The City of Falling Angels.[4]
References
- Dynes, Wayne R. (22 March 2016). Encyclopedia of Homosexuality: Volume II. Routledge. p. 1366. ISBN 978-1-317-36812-0. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- Dynes, Wayne R. (22 March 2016). Encyclopedia of Homosexuality: Volume I. Routledge. p. 625. ISBN 978-1-317-36815-1. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- Healey, Robin (January 1998). Twentieth-century Italian Literature in English Translation: An Annotated Bibliography 1929-1997. University of Toronto Press. p. 289. ISBN 978-0-8020-0800-8. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- Farren, Ronan (29 January 2006). "Poets, lovers and rats in a sinking city". Irish Independent. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- Dallas, Sandra (22 September 2005). "Venice secrets come to life". The Denver Post. Retrieved 16 September 2020.