Elisabetta Dami, David Nel·lo

Paolo Volponi, born in Urbino in 1924, was an Italian writer, poet, and politician. His early life included participation in the Italian partisans and a law degree from Urbino University. A pivotal influence on his literary career was his association with Adriano Olivetti, for whom he worked in social services at the Ivrea factory.

Volponi's career also extended into politics; he moved to Fiat in Turin in 1972 and later served as president of the Fondazione Agnelli. His political leanings, particularly his support for the Italian Communist Party, led to his resignation from the Fondazione. He was elected to the Italian Senate in 1983. Volponi passed away in 1994. His literary output, spanning poetry and novels, often delved into the complexities of industrial society, alienation, and philosophical questions, earning him significant literary awards.

Volponi's novels frequently examine the negative impacts of Italy's post-war industrial expansion on society, set against a backdrop of visionary, fictional worlds. His debut novel, 'Memoriale' (1962), depicted the escalating violence within factories and society, seen through the eyes of a worker whose alienation leads to madness. 'La macchina mondiale' (1965) featured a peasant-philosopher character, noted for his pathetic portrayal. In 'Corporale' (1974), an intellectual obsessed with nuclear war builds a shelter, seeking a return to a more primitive, animalistic existence. 'Il pianeta irritabile' (1978) is an allegorical tale of survivors seeking refuge in a bleak, unending world, drawing comparisons to Samuel Beckett's existential themes. His work 'Il lanciatore di giavellotto' (1981) includes a memorable portrayal of an adolescent, likened to J.D. Salinger's Holden Caulfield.

Volponi's life was marked by a deep engagement with both social issues and political life. His formative years included service with the Italian partisans in 1943. His association with industrialist Adriano Olivetti from 1950 profoundly shaped his perspective, leading him to work in social services within the Olivetti factory system. This experience likely informed his later literary explorations of industrial society's impact. His political trajectory saw him join Fiat in Turin in 1972 and subsequently lead the Fondazione Agnelli. However, his open affiliation with the Italian Communist Party resulted in his forced resignation from the Fondazione. He was eventually elected to the Italian Senate in 1983, demonstrating a consistent involvement in public service and political discourse.