A quick trip to tell those currently in Italy about Kenya.
Very few events are scheduled throughout Italy to present my latest book, Ti immagini l'Africa (Can you imagine Africa?), three months after its preview in Milan last March.
On Tuesday 8 July, I will be in Milan, in a bar on the Navigli that apparently has nothing to do with the white beaches and savannah of Kenya, but which takes us straight there with the heart and friendship that binds me to the two owners, Mirko and Colomba, whom many will remember from a legendary season at Paparemo Beach and as the emotional driving force behind those holiday days on the coast.
The event will take place at 6.30 pm at ZOG, in Ripa di Porta Ticinese.
Not only Mirko, Colomba and myself will be there, but it will certainly be an opportunity to meet other Italians (temporarily) outside Kenya and to get to know people who have something in common, as has always been the case since my first shows and presentations back in 2008.
 And who knows, there may even be a surprise musical appearance...

A completely different atmosphere, but no less engaging, will be found the following evening, Wednesday 9 July, in the splendid setting of Villa Ferranti in Figino Serenza, in the province of Como, where a three-voice show entitled “Determigrazione” will be staged. It is a meeting between myself, an Italian who has embraced Africa, Michele De Mauro, a professor who went to teach in the United States, and a great American songwriter, Jono Manson, who fell in love with Italy and lived for years in Lerici, on the Ligurian Sea, and cannot help but return to the Belpaese every so often, bringing his daughter, a musician like him, with him.
Songs, stories, poetry and reflections explain the good fortune and determination needed to decide to emigrate (hence the title) rather than being forced to do so and not having the time or means to decide what and how to do it, or even worse, being forced to “remigrate” after having managed to find your place, or not being accepted as a citizen of the country you have chosen as your adopted homeland.

On Thursday 10th, the presentation will move to the Modena area, in Sassuolo or its surroundings, for an evening of sharing and solidarity, thanks to cultural and literary animator Claudia Nicolini, a great friend of Kenya and an engaging enthusiast who for two years has been bringing the “Notte dei racconti” (Night of Stories) initiative to Nairobi, bringing together many compatriots with the aim of sharing stories and life experiences to get to know each other better. “Ti racconto il Kenya” will stop off in the beautiful garden of Casa Mariani, in Via Vandelli 19. Admission is £15, which includes tigelle and Lambrusco wine, all proceeds going to Caritas in Sassuolo. Participation is by reservation only. To register, send an email with your telephone number by Monday 7th to info@malindikenya.net

Finally, after a few private events in Romagna, between Imola and Rimini, the grand finale will take place in the south on Sunday 13th in Mesagne, in the province of Brindisi, where “Ti immagini l'Africa” will be presented in its complete form, accompanied by an exhibition of photographs by Leni Frau, which embellish the book and whose writings themselves spring from those images, followed by a concert. The evening is organised by the La Manovella Association.