Italy is in the blood at Oratia. Our media director Alessandra Zecchini is Italian and we volunteer and work closely with the Dante Alighieri Society in Auckland. The name for our first book imprint, Libro International, derived from the Italian word for book.
So after Florence city councillor Stefano Fusi and his Kiwi wife Jill Gabriel hosted Alessandra, Peter and kids at Liberation Day commemorations in Tuscany in 2010 (on 25 April, the same day as Anzac Day), we knew we must publish an English edition of their fine book about how New Zealand troops helped liberate this part of Italy from German occupation during the Second World War.
To the Gateways of Florence: New Zealand Forces in Tuscany, 1944 follows the structure and layout of the original book I Giorni della Liberazione, first published by Editore NTE, edited by Stefano and translated by Jill. It collects writing by Italian and New Zealand historians, the latter represented by Christopher Pugsley, Monty Soutar and Jeffrey Plowman.
Stefano, Jill and family visited New Zealand along with regional mayor Sestilio Dirindelli and his wife in September 2011. Together we launched the book in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland at some memorable gatherings of old soldiers, the Italian community and supporters.
We’re down to some of the last copies of this book, so get in now to secure yours.
Enter on our Fb Page to be in to win a copy of To the Gateways of Florence. Prize available to New Zealand residents only.
Competition closes on Monday 17 June, and winner announced on Tuesday 18 June.
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