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Gianni RodaryChildren's writer
Date of Birth: 23.10.1920
Country:  Italy |
Biography of Gianni Rodari
Early Life and Education
Gianni Rodari was born on October 23, 1920, in the municipality of Omegna, Italy. His father, Giuseppe Rodari, worked as a baker, while his mother, Maddalena Ariocchi, was a housewife. Gianni had two brothers, Mario and Cesare. When Gianni was 10 years old, his father passed away, and his mother moved the family to her hometown of Gavirate. Here, his mother worked as a domestic worker for wealthy families, while Gianni and his brothers attended school.
Gianni, who inherited his father's weak health, grew up as a sickly child and preferred spending time indoors reading books, drawing, and learning music. During difficult times, Gianni studied at a seminary in Seveso, where children from poor families were fed and clothed. After completing school, Gianni, who was always an excellent student, became a teacher for primary school students. He found great joy in working with children, as he had a special talent for connecting with them and explaining complex topics in a way that even the weakest students could understand. Although he considered himself an average teacher, he was certainly not a boring one.
Involvement in Politics
In 1939, Gianni became a student at the Faculty of Philology at the Catholic University of Milan. However, his plans were interrupted by the war. He wanted to join the front lines but was rejected due to his weak health. Staying at home in politically turbulent Italy, Rodari joined the youth organization "Italian Fascist Youth" which promoted fascism, and later, Mussolini's party. However, he soon realized the destructive nature of this regime. In 1943, after losing two close friends in the war and seeing his brother Cesare sent to a concentration camp, Rodari completely changed his political views and became involved in the Resistance movement. In 1944, the future writer joined the Italian Communist Party. He studied the works of Marx, Lenin, and Trotsky while simultaneously writing his own materials. He wrote leaflets, articles, and essays, which eventually led him to editorial work.
Writing Career
Starting in 1948, Rodari published his poems about the children of modern Italy's workforce in the newspaper "Unità." Often resembling children's folklore in form, Rodari's poems (collected in works such as "A Book of Jolly Verses," 1951; "Verses in the Sky and on the Earth," 1960; "The Poetry Train," etc.) showcased his ability to unveil the complexity and significance of the world in familiar and small phenomena. His poetry combined healthy humor and melodicity, social satire, and optimism.
Rodari was also the author of fairy tales, including the fantastic adventures of "Cipollino" (1951), a story about an onion boy, written in the traditions of "Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi. Additionally, he wrote "Telephone Tales" (1962), a collection of stories for children. Rodari was extensively involved in publishing and journalism. The best translations of Rodari's poems were made by Samuil Marshak. Gianni Rodari's name became popular primarily due to numerous translations of his works into Russian. However, in his homeland, Rodari remained relatively unknown for a long time.
Personal Life and Legacy
Rodari did not think much about his personal and family life and got married quite late, at the age of 33, to Maria Teresa Ferretti. Four years later, they welcomed their daughter Paola. The author often took his daughter on trips and even visited the Soviet Union with her.
By the late 1970s, Gianni Rodari's health had deteriorated. He suffered from poor blood circulation due to vascular disease in his legs. Doctors recommended surgery, but he did not survive the operation and passed away on April 14, 1980, on the operating table in Rome.
