Presentation of the book “The Scent of Freedom” by the author Giovanna Giordano

Giovanna Giordano’s writing is like a firefly: it shines before our eyes and enchants us, compelling us to follow it, like the intermittent light of a lighthouse guiding us to a distant land. It took years—her last book, Il mistero di Lithian, was published in 2004—countless articles, and a Nobel Prize in Literature nomination since 2020, to finally hold a new novel by this unique Italian author in our hands.

The Scent of Freedom marks her return to storytelling and will be translated into Hebrew, Greek, English, Dutch, Spanish, Catalan, and Portuguese. Mondadori will also reissue all her previous works. With the story of the gentle hero Antonio Grillo and his journey to America, Giovanna Giordano revisits themes dear to her heart, transporting readers into her magical world. Family memories and the scents of Sicily come alive through her vivid imagination, becoming characters, places, and fairy-tale worlds, always in new and unexpected forms. Entering this world of wonders, readers find themselves reflecting lightly, almost unconsciously, on serious themes: freedom, youth, diversity, and the search for meaning in our existence. It is a kaleidoscopic journey, during which each reader will discover a detail, a phrase, an image that seems written just for them. As the narrator of The Scent of Freedom says: dreams are always different. Each mind has its own dream. And it will manage to see even what is not there.

Not having fantasies is a tragedy.

The Book
A young gentle hero travels by ship. His name is Antonio Grillo, and in 1923, at the age of twenty, he leaves Sicily for the United States. He loves Gesso, his hometown, but the call of the unknown is too strong, urging him to take flight toward freedom. In his suitcase, he carries pieces of his island: pumice stone for lightness, sulfur for energy, and a pillowcase embroidered with the words “always be happy.” Along the turbulent sea voyage, Antonio encounters many illusions and meetings, everywhere seeking and finding wisdom stronger than armies marching across the world. He shows tenderness toward men and animals, always loyal companions of heroes. Between volcanoes emerging from the depths of the ocean, pirate women and brigands, many islands, and moons crossing the sea, page by page the gentle hero sharpens the tools to face his young life. “Will I be twenty forever?” he asks himself. Perhaps yes, if he can maintain his pure vision.

The Author
Giovanna Giordano was born in Milan and lives in Catania. A journalist and globe-trotter, she has published three novels: Trentaseimila giorni (Racalmare Sciascia Prize, 1997), Un volo magico, and Il mistero di Lithian (Sciascia Prize, 2005). With The Scent of Freedom—which will be translated into Hebrew, Greek, English, Dutch, Spanish, Catalan, and Portuguese—Giordano returns to the novel after many years dedicated to journalism, art, and photography. She also cultivates her countryside in front of the Aeolian Islands.

Catania Cruise Port
Catania Cruise Port (Catania Cruise Terminal srl) has managed the cruise terminal of Catania since 2011, offering transit, inter-porting, and homeporting operations. Since November 2016, it has been part of the Global Ports Holding family, the world’s largest independent cruise terminal operator. Always committed to promoting events that open the port to new development opportunities and interaction with the city of Catania, Catania Cruise Port kindly hosted this event at its premises on the Molo Sporgente Centrale. As the company’s General Manager, Antonio Di Monte, stated: “For centuries, ports have been places of arrival and transit for stories and legends from all over the world. Catania Cruise Port aims to reconnect with these celebrated origins, bringing culture, in its most excellent and noble form, to the gates of the sea.