Paolo Giordano in Carpi at the Storytelling Festival: The Pitfalls of Writing

Carpi (Modena), October 3, 2025 – He is among the most anticipated guests at the 20th edition of the Festa del Racconto , which from today until Sunday will feature literary events, readings, performances, meetings, and public discussions in the main community spaces of Carpi , Campogalliano , Novi , and Soliera , paying homage to the various forms of storytelling, from oral to written. Today at 6:00 pm in Carpi, in the tent in Piazzale Re Astolfo, writer Paolo Giordano presents "The Insidious Charm of the Story." Admission is free, no reservations required, while seats last.

Paolo, how will your 'lectio' be structured?

"I generally shy away from the term 'lectio.' It will be a series of reflections aimed at raising questions. When they contacted me and asked me to talk about the importance of storytelling, which I've always celebrated, I accepted on one condition: to do something that had storytelling at its core."

Why storytelling?

The golden age of storytelling is beginning to reveal its pitfalls. The alternative facts, the constant manipulation of reality, the countless forms of propaganda we're exposed to. Personally, I'm against this art of communication, which has dominated writing schools, conveying the idea of ​​a world where everything can become a narrative about itself. Everything is susceptible to storytelling, which carries with it a negative self-advertising connotation and the degradation of the narrative. Furthermore, we've all become so adept at using this tool that it's the first form of hybrid warfare: it's worrying.

Hybrid warfare?

Wars begin even before they begin on the ground, with this 'manipulation' of narrative, which causes problems on various fronts, including the war front. Every current armed conflict has been preceded by a narrative on the ground. Russia invading Ukraine, Gaza, and Israel: wars that explode across the world with deliberate narratives. And also problems on the domestic front: we're so good at 'stitching' stories but not at deciphering what's being presented to us.

And so the 'pitfalls' arise...

"Exactly. Delving into stories is difficult. What do writers become? How do they navigate this colonized and violent narrative environment? In this altered architecture of reality? I reflect on these aspects and open myself to questions."

So, is the author responsible?

"The writer is the one who truly knows the potential of the medium he uses: he can decide not to use it for cynical purposes."

What do you think about the use of artificial intelligence in writing?

"We actually already use it every day through internet searches. Artificial intelligence as an enhanced search engine is a significant leap in quality compared to traditional search engines. When used to produce writing, it's pervasive: if it's for technical things, that's fine, it makes things easier, but for ingenuity, for artistic works, then it's worrying and even disappointing."

These days, everyone's obsessed with sharing their experiences, no matter what, on social media. What do you think lies behind this?

"It's been an absolute moral imperative for at least 15 years. 'Express yourself.' Social media asks, 'What are you thinking?' Who asked us this before? Suddenly, society is giving importance to the thoughts of strangers, but it's all an illusion."

Many of your colleagues use literature to talk about themselves. You have an Instagram account that you rarely update: is it right to maintain this confidentiality?

"It's a personal choice. I don't feel comfortable, it doesn't represent me, and it doesn't reflect what I can and want to express. I admire those who are spontaneous on social media, but they are the most dangerous traps of the new millennium."

In your latest book, 'Tasmania,' the most dramatic change coincided with the Apocalypse. What is the Apocalypse for you?

"The loss of someone close to me."

When faced with pain, do you think writing could have therapeutic value?

"It might help you understand a pain, but not manage it."