Salvator Gotta
Encyclopedia
Salvator Gotta (18 May 1887 – 7 June 1980) was an Italian writer. He was best known as a prolific novelist, but he was also a biographer, playwright, screenplay writer, and writer of children's books.
, Piedmont
, Italy. He graduated from the University of Turin
, and his literary career started with the publication of Pia in 1912. Other novels followed, and in 1917 he started on the trilogy La saga dei Vela, which was to become his best known work. During the first world war
he served in the Alpini
Corps, and from this experience in 1926 he wrote the children's novel Il piccolo Alpino (The little Alpino
), which was very successful and inspired the 1986 Italian TV mini-series Mino
.
Gotta joined the Fascist party
at an early stage, and in 1925 he wrote the words of the official Fascist anthem Giovinezza
("Youth"). He praised the fascists in several of his works, such as Mistica Patria (Mystic Country), of 1932.
He wrote film screenplays and stage plays, such as Mille lire (1923) and La damigella di Bard (1936). He continued to write novels after the second world war, but his works from this period are now little remembered, and many of his works were allowed to go out of print because of his Fascist associations. However, he had some popularity among teenagers in the 1960s and 1970s for his historical novels and a column he wrote in the magazine Topolino.
Gotta was influenced by the realists, and by Antonio Fogazzaro
. Gotta and Fogazzaro were both published by Baldini Castoldi.
Gotta wrote his autobiography, L'almanacco di Gotta ("Gotta's Almanac"). He died on the 7 June 1980 at Rapallo
in the province of Genoa
, Liguria
, Italy.
Life and work
Gotta was born on the 18 May 1887 in Montalto DoraMontalto Dora
Montalto Dora is a comune in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 50 km northeast of Turin. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 3,461 and an area of 7.5 km².-Main sights:...
, Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
, Italy. He graduated from the University of Turin
University of Turin
The University of Turin is a university in the city of Turin in the Piedmont region of north-western Italy...
, and his literary career started with the publication of Pia in 1912. Other novels followed, and in 1917 he started on the trilogy La saga dei Vela, which was to become his best known work. During the first world war
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
he served in the Alpini
Alpini
The Alpini, , are the elite mountain warfare soldiers of the Italian Army. They are currently organized in two operational brigades, which are subordinated to the Alpini Corps Command. The singular is Alpino ....
Corps, and from this experience in 1926 he wrote the children's novel Il piccolo Alpino (The little Alpino
Alpini
The Alpini, , are the elite mountain warfare soldiers of the Italian Army. They are currently organized in two operational brigades, which are subordinated to the Alpini Corps Command. The singular is Alpino ....
), which was very successful and inspired the 1986 Italian TV mini-series Mino
Mino (TV series)
Mino was the eighth ZDF-Weihnachtsserie , and aired in 1986. The series was broadcast in Germany on ZDF, and consisted of 6 episodes. Broadcasting in Germany began on December 25, 1986. The series was also broadcast in Italy, and consisted of 4 episodes. Broadcasting in Italy began on December 28,...
.
Gotta joined the Fascist party
National Fascist Party
The National Fascist Party was an Italian political party, created by Benito Mussolini as the political expression of fascism...
at an early stage, and in 1925 he wrote the words of the official Fascist anthem Giovinezza
Giovinezza
"Giovinezza" is the official hymn of the Italian National Fascist Party, regime, and army, and was the unofficial national anthem of Italy between 1924 and 1943...
("Youth"). He praised the fascists in several of his works, such as Mistica Patria (Mystic Country), of 1932.
He wrote film screenplays and stage plays, such as Mille lire (1923) and La damigella di Bard (1936). He continued to write novels after the second world war, but his works from this period are now little remembered, and many of his works were allowed to go out of print because of his Fascist associations. However, he had some popularity among teenagers in the 1960s and 1970s for his historical novels and a column he wrote in the magazine Topolino.
Gotta was influenced by the realists, and by Antonio Fogazzaro
Antonio Fogazzaro
Antonio Fogazzaro was an Italian novelist.-Biography:Fogazzaro was born in Vicenza to a rich family.In 1864 he got a law degree in Turin...
. Gotta and Fogazzaro were both published by Baldini Castoldi.
Gotta wrote his autobiography, L'almanacco di Gotta ("Gotta's Almanac"). He died on the 7 June 1980 at Rapallo
Rapallo
Rapallo is a municipality in the province of Genoa, in Liguria, northern Italy. As of 2007 it counts approximately 34,000 inhabitants, it is part of the Tigullio Gulf and is located in between Portofino and Chiavari....
in the province of Genoa
Province of Genoa
The Province of Genoa is a province in the Liguria region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Genoa.It has an area of 1,838 km², and a total population of about 900,000...
, Liguria
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
, Italy.