Erri De Luca

Erri De Luca (born May 20, 1950, in Naples) is a renowned Italian writer, poet, translator, and screenwriter. Raised in an affluent family, he developed an early passion for literature and languages. In the 1970s, he was active in the political movement Lotta Continua, an experience that deeply influenced his literary works.
After leaving political life, he worked various manual jobs in Italy and abroad, such as laborer and truck driver, enriching his writing with a realistic and human touch. A self-taught scholar of ancient and modern languages, including Hebrew, Russian, and Yiddish, he has translated numerous biblical texts.
He debuted in 1989 with Non ora, non qui (Not Now, Not Here). Among his most famous works are Aceto, arcobaleno (Vinegar and Rainbow), Montedidio (God’s Mountain), Il giorno prima della felicità (The Day Before Happiness), Il peso della farfalla (The Weight of the Butterfly), La natura esposta (Nature Exposed), and Il torto del soldato (The Soldier’s Wrong). His writings explore themes such as politics, spirituality, nature, and the human condition, marked by a poetic and reflective style. His books are published worldwide.
Together with Paola Porrini, he founded the Erri De Luca Foundation, which promotes culture, solidarity, and civic engagement. The foundation digitizes archives, organizes cultural events, and offers scholarships. De Luca is known for his activism in the No TAV movement against the Turin-Lyon high-speed railway. He frequently expresses his views on current issues through articles and interviews, demonstrating a strong commitment to social and environmental justice.