"An extraordinary initiative".
Tahar Ben Jelloun thus talks about reading a passage from his book 'Racism explained to my daughter' (La nave di Teseo "made by the young Italian actress, with Senegalese mother, Lorena Cesarini who moved the audience of the second evening, the February 2, of the Sanremo Festival.
"The fact that this young and beautiful actress has chosen this very popular place and festival to spread the message of the fight against racism was very intelligent" explained the Gouncourt Prize writer.
"I was very moved by Lorena Cesarini. Saying 'I will always be black' is a strong and determined way to put racists out of life, away from reality which is different and multiple. It is through initiatives of this type, through this courage, that ideas advance and advance the daily battles against imbecility and the fear of foreigners ", says the writer of the actress who has experienced the hatred of haters.
"'Racism explained to my daughter', published in the first edition in France, was immediately chosen by Elisabetta Sgarbi and together we decided to include it in a series of books created by Elisabetta who saw the immense editorial potential in this work, cultural and sociological "recalled Ben Jelloun.
"In 1998 at the table of a bar in Milan with #TaharBenJelloun we thought about this book, he is a great novelist, winner of the Goncourt Prize, I am editor. It is a book that has accompanied many generations of readers, it has become a manifesto of civilization. Now it is arrived in Sanremo. Thanks Lorena Cesarini, who made it clear that books - and this book in particular - are the most effective and most peaceful weapon against stupidity. And thanks to Amadeus who gave space to Lorena and Tahar Ben Jelloun and to their message. They cannot realize it because Sanremo is overwhelming: but they have done something really important "said Elisabetta Sgarbi, publisher of La nave di Teseo.
Jelloun invites us to reflect on the fact that "racism has always existed, it will not go away by itself. A book plus an event seen by millions of viewers, this was extraordinary. I had all evening yesterday and today, comments coming from from Morocco, the United States, Brazil, France, etc. Social media have spread Lorraine's speech all over the world.
I am proud and happy to have been at the origin of this television success. Proud also of the enormous work that Elisabetta Sgarbi has continued to do since the first publication of this book in 1998 ", explains the writer.
"Today, in France as in Italy, racism has become commonplace. But justice watches over. Eric Zemmour, candidate for the presidency of France, has just been sentenced to 10 thousand euros for inciting racial hatred. The problems posed by migration. they are often analyzed from a racist point of view. Politicians no longer hesitate to point the finger at foreigners whose skin is colored or whose religion is different from Catholicism. Islamophobia and anti-Semitism are on the rise in France. this book remains current and should be adopted in primary schools "is Ben Jelloun's invitation.
(HANDLE).