(June 30, 2016) The Italian Cultural Institute of Hamburg, in collaboration with the Institute of Romance Studies of the University of Hamburg, has organised a discussion with Dacia Maraini, interpreted by Ornella Fendt on July 6th at 19:00 at the Institute. “Essere donna oggi” (Being a woman today) is the title of the conference: “On paper, my country also strives for equality. In reality, masculine culture still prevails” according to the writer talking about Italy. The reality for women in the south and their efforts to achieve more freedoms are central to the work of Dacia Maraini. How do the North and South differ with regards to gender equality? What is the current policy’s impact on literature? Can literature make a real contribution to the cause, not only theorising these sociocultural issues but offering concrete solutions? These are the issues which Dacia Maraini and Ornella Fendt focus on during their discussion. (Red)