ADA RIZZO INTERVIEW

 

NILAVRONILL TALKING WITH

POET OF THE MONTH

ADA RIZZO

SEPTEMBER 2025

NILAVRONILL: Why do literature and poetry in particular interest you so much? Please give us some idea about your own perception of literature or poetry in general.

ADA RIZZO:  Reading has always been a passion and a joy for me. Since I was a child, I have been captivated by the irresistible charm of written and spoken words. Words dance and caress me; as a little girl, I was enchanted by fairy tales and later by great Italian and international literary masterpieces. I am a curious person, eager to improve myself, to learn, and to engage in dialogue as I walk the path toward becoming the best version of myself something I hope to achieve someday. Literature offers me a wonderful opportunity to continue my journey of self-discovery and to listen to the infinite range of emotions that writing can convey.

NILAVRONILL: Do you believe that your literary self is actually an extension of your soul?  We would like to know the factors and the peoples who have influenced you immensely in the growing phase of your literary life.

ADA RIZZO: Writing for me represents a kind of "emotional urgency," something I simply cannot do without. The prose and poetry I have recently begun to explore mean many things: an atemporal space where I can express myself immersed in an ideal condition, in which I feel no hunger, no thirst, and no passage of time. A dimension where only emotions and the heart speak. Finally, through writing, I can raise awareness about social issues such as human rights, gender violence, and peace, topics I always want to keep at the forefront. I am aware that I am just a small drop in a vast literary and poetic ocean, but I also believe that each of us can do something to change things, and I do so through what I love: writing! I believe that every person I have met, every experience I have lived, both personally and literarily, has influenced and enriched me internally. I do not believe in chance or fate, and therefore I think that what happens to us is not at all random. For better or worse, we always meet the people we need to evolve, grow internally, and develop resilience, so that especially painful or negative events do not occur in vain.

NILAVRONILL: Do you think the primary obligation of a poet should be to communicate with the temporal as well as with the eternal essence of life and the universe? If so, how can one fulfil that particular obligation?

ADA RIZZO: I am convinced that there is a deep connection between the here and now and the ancestral and universal dimension, especially in philosophical and poetic contexts; there is a strong dichotomy between the human being, infinitely small, and the infinite universe. A poet is someone who has not stopped dreaming, feeling, and being moved. A poet manages to express their sensations through verses and metaphors capable of conveying highly evocative images. From my profession as a counselor, I have learned the ability to observe beyond what is intended to be shown and to listen profoundly. Above all, I believe that a poet is in deep connection with their true essence, which is their Inner Child, the magical child, the little one who can deeply appreciate life and look at the world with renewed joy and wonder.

NILAVRONILL: It is an established fact that every poet should create his or her own poetic language as an unique literary signature that would eventually keep him or her alive beyond his or her time. I would like to know your personal experience in this regard, and how can one achieve that unique literary language in his or her lifetime?

ADA RIZZO: I don't believe I possess a unique poetic language, nor do I know if any of my poems will be remembered beyond my era. What I can state with absolute certainty is that everything I write, whether in prose or poetry, is born from emotions permeated by my experiences, sensations from my inner universe that I transform into words and verses. My poetic language could essentially be described as... emotional. How one might achieve a unique literary language over the course of life, I hope to learn by continuing to feel emotions, listening to myself, experimenting with curiosity, perseverance, and patience, engaging with people and other poets, and enriching my personal and emotional baggage so that it becomes the travel allowance, a “viatico” for this wonderful journey called life.

NILAVRONILL: Do you consider particular language, culture and nationality shape up the poet’s literary self? What is your personal experience being an Italian? I would like to understand how much and in what way your language, your culture as well as your nationality paved your literary self.

ADA RIZZO: I believe that the culture of the nation where I was born, Italy, has had a strong influence on my personal and literary identity. From a young age in school, we were educated about the beauty of literature and poetry, studying great Italian poets from Dante to Petrarch, Ungaretti, Quasimodo, Montale, and many others. It is therefore almost natural that many students, after completing their studies, want to deepen their knowledge of the great poets. As a curious person driven by the desire to learn and improve myself, I have read and studied the works of these renowned Italian poets, and later I approached international literature.

NILAVRONILL: No literature can survive without communicating with different languages and cultures, as well as various traditions and heritages. I would like to know your opinion regarding the growth and evolution of Italian literature.

ADA RIZZO: Literature, as a form of human expression, is nourished and enriched through the diversity of languages, cultures, and heritages, fostering creativity, empathy, cultural preservation, and dialogue between different worldviews. The dialogue between diverse realities is essential to maintaining the plurality and depth of literary expression.

NILAVRONILL: Italian literature has a great heritage. I would like to know your viewpoints on the contemporary Italian literature. Where does it stand now in comparison with it’s past glory?

ADA RIZZO: Contemporary Italian literature represents an extremely rich and dynamic landscape, characterized by its ability to constantly renew itself while maintaining strong ties to the cultural traditions of the past. Compared to the great moments of glory in Italian literature, such as the Renaissance with authors like Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarca, and Giovanni Boccaccio, or the 20th century with prominent figures such as Luigi Pirandello, Italo Calvino, and Alberto Moravia, the current scene shows a significant evolution in both diversity and approach to themes.

Currently, Italian literature is characterized by a strong diversity of voices, styles, and genres. Contemporary authors like Elena Ferrante, who achieved international success with works such as "L’amica geniale", have brought attention to Italian narrative worldwide, demonstrating how our literature has opened up to global influences, addressing universal themes with an original, intense, and engaging style. Alongside her, writers like Paolo Cognetti, author of  "Le otto montagne," and Margaret Mazzantini, known for novels such as "Non ti muovere" and "Venuto al Mondo," continue to explore fundamental themes such as identity, memory, social transformations, and the challenges of the modern era, contributing to a rich and complex literary landscape.

Compared to past glory, it can be said that contemporary Italian literature has not yet reached a level of global recognition equal to that of the great classics of the past, but it is establishing itself as one of the most vibrant and innovative in the European scene. The dissemination of literary production through digital media, the organization of prestigious awards like the "Premio Strega," and numerous translations into many languages have helped consolidate the international presence of Italian authors, making their voices increasingly heard and appreciated on a global scale.

Moreover, contemporary Italian literature stands out for its attitude of reflecting on the complexity of current society. It often addresses themes such as immigration, economic crisis, new technologies, and cultural transformations, offering a critical and in-depth view of the contemporary world. Authors like Valeria Lucentini with "L’impero delle donne", provide a clear analysis of the female condition and gender issues, while Clara Sereni, with "Il gioco delle perle di vetro", engages with social transformations and collective memories. Niccolò Ammaniti, known for novels such as "Io sono nessuno" and "Come Dio comanda," bravely tackles identity crises and social tensions, while Giorgio Fontana, author of "Per legge superiore", reflects on ethical and political dilemmas of our time. Melania G. Mazzucco, with works like "Vita" and "Il baco da seta", focuses on history, identity, and profound narratives, creating a bridge between past and present.

These authors, along with many others, contribute to making the landscape of contemporary Italian literature lively, innovative, and increasingly recognized internationally. Their work testifies to a cultural heritage in constant dialogue with the challenges and complexities of today's world, pursuing a literary identity that, while rooted in tradition, looks confidently toward the future.

NILAVRONILL: Literature encompasses every aspect of life, it blends the various shades and textures of human aspirations as well as drawbacks. It also lights up the new horizons and new dimensions of human capabilities relentlessly. I would like to know your particular viewpoints; how do you relate all these in your own writings?

ADA RIZZO: I believe that every human being is the result of the love they have received and given, of the goals achieved and the failures, of their strength and their vulnerabilities. Just like in a Caravaggio painting, where darkness is just as important as light, each person is authentic when they are able to reveal and integrate their own shadow side. This is the message I try to convey through my writings: we should not fear showing our vulnerabilities and our limits, because even these shadows have contributed to helping us appreciate the light that each of us is capable of shining.

NILAVRONILL: We cannot live immune to the sociopolitical disturbances of our surroundings. How much these disturbances make substantial impacts upon your literary self? Do you actually respond to all these factors through your words? I mean in your poetry, especially.

ADA RIZZO: It is clear that the sociopolitical upheavals that occurred at the national and international levels have had a profound impact on me both as a citizen and as a woman engaged in prose, poetry, and cultural promotion. In my books, I have addressed social issues such as diversity in "Volevo il tacco dodici?", eating disorders in "Iris ali di vetro," organ donation in "Novanta battiti al minuto," and gender violence in "Ventiquattro carati." 

My collection "L’ Incanto emozioni e riflessioni" is a crossover that, through personal meditations and poems, aims to raise awareness on topics such as gender violence, the loneliness of the elderly, children's rights, youth conditions, peace, water emergency, poverty in the Global South, injustice, the African continent, and immigration. 

These themes reflect some of the changes that have taken place in our society and represent a mirror of the current times, on which I wish to focus a beacon to raise awareness and suggest reflection through my prose and poetry writings. Words matter; they are the transformation of mental images and can translate into actions and behaviors that influence our perception of subjective reality and change the way we think. 

Culture, therefore, is a bridge upon which to advance together, promoting human rights, justice, and peace. Poetry and writing are the pillars of this bridge between different civilizations, traditions, cultures, and geographical and mental borders.

NILAVRONILL: Is it possible to put into the words everything that as a poet you wish to express literarily? If not, why?

ADA RIZZO: I often find it difficult to verbally explain what I wish to express in writing because poetry is not about rationality; it communicates through the language of emotions, where the heart speaks rather than the mind. It is the voice of a colorful, multifaceted inner universe, made up of a thousand emotional nuances that should not be commented on or clarified, but simply… listened to and internalized.

NILAVRONILL: How would you evaluate your contemporaries and what are your aspirations for or expectation from the younger generation?

ADA RIZZO: My generation, the baby boomers, is characterized by a good amount of self-confidence and optimism about the future, despite the fact that the global economic and social situation is increasingly trending downward. I hope that the new generations, who live in such uncertain times and often find themselves forgotten by politics, will have more trust in their own abilities, ideals, and values to believe in. I trust that the new generations will be able to demonstrate their worth despite everything and everyone. They are our social fabric. They will be the ones to represent our future.

NILAVRONILL: We are almost at the end of the interview. I remain obliged to you for your participation. Now, personally I would like to know your honest opinion about Our Poetry Archive. Since April 2015 we are publishing and archiving contemporary world poetry each and every month. Thank you for sharing your views and spending much time with us.

ADA RIZZO: I am the one who should thank you, NilavroNill Shoovro, for this interview, which allowed me to emphasize my passion for writing and my great desire to continue promoting human rights and Peace through my works. I admire your constant commitment and the passion you dedicate to cultural promotion and your extraordinary project OUR POETRY ARCHIVE di Poesia. Creating a sort of "contemporary poetic database" represents a great opportunity for visibility for all of us poets, a chance to engage with different poetic voices and souls from various parts of the world, and a document to consult in order to discover and appreciate other contemporary poets from diverse cultures and traditions.

 

 

ADA RIZZO, born in Sicily in 1960, she published several novels and poems, tackling profound themes such as gender violence, eating disorders, and heart transplantation. Among her books are "Volevo il tacco dodici?", "Iris Ali di Vetro", "Novanta battiti al minuto", and "Ventiquattro Carati," works that have received numerous international awards. In addition to her literary activities, Ada Rizzo participates in cultural projects and international anthologies for peace and human rights advocacy. Her poetry has received wide recognition at an international level, and her texts have been translated into various languages. Due to the subjects covered in her books and poems the author has received several recognitions in Italy, America, Europe, Asia.