Giuseppe Culicchia Named New Director of Turin’s Circolo dei Lettori in Historic Appointment
Turin, April 1, 2025 – The Fondazione Circolo dei Lettori, Turin’s premier cultural institution dedicated to literature and reading, has appointed Giuseppe Culicchia as its new director, ushering in a fresh chapter for the organization as it approaches its 20th anniversary next year. The announcement, made today by the foundation’s board, caps a competitive selection process that drew 40 candidates from Italy’s literary and cultural elite. Culicchia, a Turin-born writer, translator, and longtime collaborator with the Circolo, succeeds Elena Loewenthal, whose five-year tenure ended in February, and will steer the institution through the 2025-2028 triennium.
A Literary Homecoming
Culicchia’s appointment is a homecoming of sorts. A fixture at the Circolo dei Lettori since its inception in 2006, he has curated events, led reading groups, and spearheaded the acclaimed Radici festival, bringing global literary giants like Michel Houellebecq and Bret Easton Ellis to Turin. “Torino è casa mia—our home, for all of you who love reading,” Culicchia said in a statement, invoking the title of his 2005 book about the city. “It’s an immense honor to lead this foundation, a place that has become a beating heart for readers, writers, and thinkers.”
The 59-year-old author, known for his debut novel Tutti giù per terra (1994) and translations of works by Mark Twain and Francis Scott Fitzgerald, emerged as the top pick after a rigorous evaluation. The selection process, launched with a public call on February 2, narrowed 40 applicants to a shortlist of five, who presented their visions to the board—chaired by Giulio Biino—on March 31. Culicchia’s blend of local roots and international outlook clinched the role, despite a late controversy over his lack of a university degree, a requirement some argued should have disqualified him.
A Contested Victory
The path to Culicchia’s directorship wasn’t without turbulence. Critics, including regional councilor Alice Ravinale of Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra, questioned the board’s decision to waive the degree stipulation, calling it a “derogation” that undermined the process’s integrity. A rival candidate reportedly threatened a legal challenge via the Regional Administrative Tribunal (TAR), though no action has materialized as of Tuesday morning. The board, backed by Regione Piemonte—the foundation’s sole stakeholder—stood firm, with Biino praising Culicchia as “a man of culture with deep ties to Turin and a vision of broad horizons.”
Loewenthal, the outgoing director and a contender herself, congratulated her successor, as did Annalena Benini, editorial director of the Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino, who called Culicchia’s passion for literature “a guarantee of fruitful collaboration.” The handover comes at a pivotal moment, with the Salone del Libro’s planning underway and the Circolo’s network—spanning Turin, Novara, Verbania, and Rivoli—poised for expansion.
A Vision for the Future
Culicchia inherits an institution that hosts over 100 events monthly, from author talks to festivals like Torino Spiritualità and the Festival del Classico. His tenure begins with a packed agenda: tonight, he’ll introduce a reading of Vampiri a Baker Street at the Turin headquarters in Palazzo Graneri della Roccia, followed by a Wednesday event with Domenico Starnone. Posts on X buzz with anticipation, with users lauding his knack for bridging local identity and global narratives—a hallmark of his Radici festival, now in its third year.
“I’ll start by listening to the team that makes the Circolo a national benchmark,” Culicchia vowed, nodding to staff and festival curators like Armando Buonaiuto and Marco Belpoliti. His past roles at the Salone del Libro—from receptionist in 1988 to Bookstock Village director—equip him with a rare insider’s perspective, though some wonder if his literary focus might overshadow operational demands.
A Cultural Beacon at a Crossroads
The Circolo dei Lettori, founded in 2006 by Antonella Parigi with Regione Piemonte’s backing, has grown into Italy’s foremost space for bibliophiles, hosting luminaries from José Saramago to Jennifer Egan. Culicchia’s leadership arrives as Turin cements its status as a literary capital, with the Salone del Libro drawing global attention. Yet, the N4.6 million annual salary (down from Loewenthal’s N5.5 million) and whispers of budget constraints hint at challenges ahead.
For now, Turin celebrates a native son taking the helm. “Culicchia’s the right choice—no one knows this city’s soul like he does,” one X user posted. As he steps into the role, all eyes are on how he’ll shape the Circolo’s next act—balancing tradition with innovation in a city that lives and breathes its books.
