This week, we had the pleasure of hosting in the editorial staff of italiani.it, the writer Mariangela Cutrone. Her book “celders for chosen souls“, was much appreciated by the readers and Mariangela talked about it with us, dedicating herself to this interview, with a nice chat.
Interview with Mariangela Cutrone
1. Mariangela, where do you get the inspiration to write your poetic verses?
I have always had the habit of carrying a notebook with me in which to jot down verses, reflections and quotes, all creative material that allows me to best express my authentic self. Every moment for me can be useful to "put down on paper" the emotions and sensations that stir inside me and that if I don't express it is like feeling half dead. Everything can be a source of inspiration in my opinion, which is why I never stop having my antennas up on the world around me and on my inner world. My verses are inspired by Pure Life, the one lived fully "without ifs and buts" in which you never stop looking at the world with the eyes of a child who observes for the first time the wonder that surrounds him, that is there but that often escapes the ordinary.
2. Who are the “chosen souls” to whom your new collection of poems is dedicated?
I believe in those encounters dictated by Destiny, the memorable ones that leave an indelible mark on the mind and soul. Chosen souls are those people who cannot help but seek each other out to share passions, emotions and significant experiences based on reciprocity, suspension of judgment and empathy. They are rare but special encounters that contribute to enriching us humanly speaking.
3. Love is a central theme in “Songs for Chosen Souls.” What role does it play in an individual’s life?
Love is a noble and powerful feeling that can elevate the soul and make it more vital. In my collection of poems I talk about love in all its facets and nuances. We talk about romantic love, passionate love, parental love, love for a passion and love for oneself. It was not easy to deal with this topic because there is a risk of not being exhaustive or obvious. Love gives us the driving force to connect to the authentic part of our being to fully bring out the childish part that is raring to go and that should never be forgotten, but listened to and supported. Every time we fall in love we inevitably feel more creative, perhaps a little reckless, and we observe the world with colored lenses, rediscovering Beauty where before we only saw Shadows.
4. In your collection we find illustrations that contribute to enriching the poems giving them full expression and meaning. How did the collaboration with the artist Davide De Brita come about?
I have always believed in the fusion of different artistic forms. As in my previous book, also for Canzoni per anime elette, I asked Davide De Brita, artist and my life partner, to translate into images some key words of the book that remain impressed in the reader's mind so much so as to become a source of reflection and creative input. Once again he was sensitive and talented in being able to effectively and creatively express different emblematic concepts in the form of suggestive images that capture the attention of the reader who remains enchanted and intrigued.
5. In the appendix of this collection we also find a playlist of selected songs to listen to while reading the book. What is your relationship with music?
I won't deny that I feel like a failed musician. Music is vital to me. It's the soundtrack of my days. I can't help but write, work, live with a musical background. The songs you find in the playlist were great sources of inspiration during the writing of this creative project. Many of my poems are born after listening to a certain piece. Music allows me to best express my emotions and bare my soul.
6. In recent years poetry has been a highly revalued literary genre in Italy. Why do you think this is?
Never before have we needed this literary genre as much as in this historical period, which allows us to dig deep into the human soul to bring out purity and authenticity in contrast to what is expressed daily. Poetry allows us to empathize with ourselves to acquire new awareness. It allows us to explore our fragilities, face our own ghosts and cracks to make us feel more human.
7. Future projects…
At the moment I am very busy writing my first novel. It is a story of love and friendship in which two of my passions merge fully, that of journalism and that of music. And then I always have my notebook with me in which I can't help but write down what I call "words translated into verse".
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