Conversation with poet Rosanna Bazzano – By P. Reeti
Rosanna Bazzano, a poet born in Sicily and now residing in Naples, has gained recognition for her evocative and captivating poetry. She has been both a winner and finalist in prestigious national and international competitions, earning a place in numerous anthologies. Her debut in 2009 with “L’Olivo Saraceno” (Saracen Olive Tree) marked the beginning of a successful literary journey.
In 2012, her collection entitled “Lune d’Agosto” (August Moons) garnered critical acclaim, receiving praise from the major national news programs and newspapers, and featured twice in the major national magazine Poesia, published by Crocetti. This recognition solidified her reputation as a talented poet with a unique voice.
Rosanna’s works have been published in English translation in the Indian literary magazine Torkito Tarijoni and on sector websites in Arabic language, showcasing her international appeal. Her poetry reflects her deep roots in Sicilian and Neapolitan culture, blending tradition with innovation in a captivating manner.
During the interview her deep connection to Syracuse and Naples emerges. She tells about her writing process, and her approach to poetry. Her words resonate with a profound love for language and a keen insight into the human experience, making her a poet to watch in the literary world.
Rosanna as a woman originally from the sunny coasts of Sicily and who now finds comfort in the crowded streets of Naples, delves through poetry into her roots and the profound impact of her heritage on her artistic journey. To her, the land where one’s roots are sown remains an eternal part of their being. Born from a Sicilian father and a Neapolitan mother, Rosanna embodies a cultural tapestry woven from the rich threads of both lands, a tapestry that continues to shape her identity and her poetry.
Naples, with its ancient charm and vibrant energy, it is more than a home to Rosanna—it is a muse, a lover, and a confidant. The city’s fusion of tradition and modernity, of chaos and beauty, has seeped into her soul and spilled onto the pages of her work.The Neapolitan language, with its colorful expressions and emotional cadence, has become the language of the heart for this extraordinary artist, adding a lyrical depth to her poetry capable of giving substance to every moment, to every experience of life.
“You cannot write without considering your life experience. Even those who write about alien worlds will, for example, have given the spaceship commander the name or characteristics of their cat, neighbor or friend. Situations, smells, emotions are the imaginative baggage of the writer. When you write poetry, everything becomes much more intimate, it is in this case that talent and culture become the foundation on which to build the story of yourself, otherwise you run the risk of your writing becoming a mere message to the psychotherapist. Even the language clearly has its role, the carnality of the Neapolitan language is enveloping and overwhelming, so writing in Neapolitan, or at least contaminating one’s writing with Neapolitan, is almost an obligatory step for a writer who lives in Naples“
Life, for the lyricist, is a canvas painted with experiences—real, imagined, and everything in between. She believes that a writer’s pen is fueled by the ink of their own story, and in her case, this story is a vibrant mosaic of Sicilian sunsets and Neapolitan nights. Poetry, to Rosanna, is not just a form of expression; it is an intimate dance with one’s innermost self, a dance where talent and culture twirl hand in hand to the rhythm of the heart.
When Rosanna writes, she does not adhere to rigid structures or predefined paths. For her, prose may demand discipline, but poetry is a wild, untamed beast that must be captured in a moment of raw emotion and released onto the page with unbridled passion. Each word is carefully chosen, not just for its meaning, but for its melody—for her, poetry is as much about the sound of the words as it is about their sense.
“Words, I believe, must follow the rule of the two “S”: Sense and Sound. Sometimes, I confess, I also happen to write a poem to use a word that I feel infatuated with if not actually in love with, it happened with the verb “scommettere” (bet), used in the sense of breaking up, with the word “afrore” (stench), “petricore”(earthy smell), and many others… I fall in love with their sound, their singularity, especially if unusual, I can’t help but nail them to paper, a sort of loving crucifixion, which leads them to a resurrection.”
In her poetry, Rosanna seeks not to provide answers, but to evoke a sense of closeness, a shared understanding of the human experience. According to her poetry is a bridge that connects us all, a reminder that beneath our individual stories lies a common thread of humanity. Through her words, she invites readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery, to find solace in the knowledge that they are not alone in their struggles and triumphs. When she is captured by inspiration she writes, wherever she is and with any means.
“...It also happened that I used a lip pencil… An incredible mess that I couldn’t decipher afterwards! I prefer my old PC, we have known each other for a long time, I like to think that it accompanies me as I press the buttons. If I’m out and about I use my cell phone. But if I’m really in the mood to write, if the desire comes from the heart, then pen and paper. I always have a notebook with me, from head to hands, to the tip of the pen, the story unfolds better.”
While technology has its place in the world, Rosanna remains a firm believer in the power of human emotion and experience in art. She views poetry as a deeply personal form of expression that cannot be replicated by machines. In a world that increasingly values speed and efficiency, Rosanna sees poetry as a beacon of authenticity, a testament to the enduring power of human creativity.
As the world hurtles towards an uncertain future, here is the poetry coming as a glimmer of light, a reminder of our shared humanity in a world that often seeks to divide us. In fact she claims that poetry has the power to transcend barriers, unite us in our joys and sorrows, and remind us of the beauty of the human experience.
“It saddens me a lot, I understand that tools such as Artificial Intelligence can be revolutionary for many applications and allow humanity to make enormous strides forward, however I believe that certain things to reach the heart of another person must be passed through a another heart, a human heart. Poetry can try to shout louder, it has the duty to shout louder, even when it becomes “the voice of those who cries in the desert”. Perhaps even more so in this case. We must never give up, it would be like a loser, I am not, poets (writers) must not be, because if they have chosen the role of those who stop ideas and emotions, so that they remain, then they have resistance within them , giving up is not an option.”
For some years, in Naples, the poet ran a literary cafe, a point of reference for many artists, which recently closed. However her literary journey is far from over. She envisions expanding her literary café to new horizons, bringing the magic of words to new audiences an exploring new culinary and literary ventures.
“Il tempo del Vino e delle Rose” (The time of wine and roses) is not closed as an activity, in fact I would like to make a format to replicate it. Furthermore, in collaboration with the poet Bruno Galluccio, I opened a restaurant serving contaminated Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisine, whose name, Pessoa, already suggests that the literary fire is anything but extinguished or suffocated, soon this place too will have its moments of literary sharing, for now we are starting with a creative writing course. What we love can never be abandoned!
Rosanna Bazzano is more than a poet—she is a storyteller, a dreamer, and a guardian of the human spirit. Her poetry is a testament to the enduring power of words to inspire, heal, and unite us all in our shared journey through life.
