Gianni Rodari devoted most of his adult life to writing books for children. The whole world knows about the adventures of the cheerful and fearless Cipollino. The Italian writer also gave the world a story about the noble Gelsomino, who bravely fought against lies. The fairy tale became for the writer the key that opened the doors to reality for children.
From the biography of Gianni Rodari
The future journalist and children's writer was born on October 23, 1920 in the Italian commune of Omegna. His father was a baker. Means for a living were constantly not enough, the mother had to earn extra money as a servant in wealthy families. When Gianni was 10 years old, his father was gone. The three Rodari brothers grew up in the village, in their mother's homeland.
Gianni from a young age was a weak and sickly child. He was fond of music, learned to play the violin. Rodari devoted a lot of time to reading. Among the books he read were the works of Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Trotsky and Lenin.
For some time Rodari studied at the seminary, and at the age of 17 he began to teach in a rural school. Subsequently, the writer admitted that he was a mediocre teacher. But his charges did not have to be bored in the classroom. For some time, Gianni attended classes at the Faculty of Philology of the Catholic University of Milan. When the war broke out, Rodari was released from service due to poor health. Subsequently, Gianni joined the Resistance Movement. In 1944 Rodari became a member of the Italian Communist Party.
The creative path of Gianni Rodari
After the war, Gianni worked for the communist newspaper Unita. Then he began to write books for children. In 1951 he published his first collection of poems. Around the same time, the book The Adventures of Cipollino appeared. This composition made the writer famous. The adventures of the restless Cipollino received special recognition in the Soviet Union. Cartoons and a fairy tale film were shot based on the book.
In the early 50s, Rodari visited the USSR. And subsequently he visited the homeland of socialism more than once. In 1953, the writer got married. Maria Teresa Ferretti became his wife. Four years later, a daughter, Paola, was born in the family.
Since 1957, Rodari has become a professional journalist. He conducted children's programs on the radio, traveled a lot in Italy, took part in anti-war actions. In the mid-60s, Rodari did not publish books, focusing on working with the younger generation. He taught the children to overcome injustice and grief, to believe in goodness and light in any situation.
In 1970 Rodari was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Prize. World fame came to the writer.
Rodari is the author of many poems, many of which were translated into Russian by Samuil Marshak. The books of the Italian author teach children and adults not only to learn about the environment and the world, but also to transform it, making it better. Rodari's works are read with interest not only by schoolchildren, but also by people of respectable age.
Gianni Rodari passed away in Rome on April 14, 1980. The cause of death was a serious illness.
