L’ABC di Alberto Manzi, maestro degli italiani
Book Presentation
Author Tania Convertini (Dartmouth College)
in conversation with
Iuri Moscardi (Bryn Mawr) and
Erica Moretti (FIT. NYC)
Imagine transforming the lives of millions of Italians through literacy—not in a traditional classroom, but through the power of television. Imagine delivering lessons so inspiring and accessible that they bridge social divides and resonate across an entire nation. This is exactly what the Italian educator Alberto Manzi (1924–2024) achieved with his groundbreaking television program Non è mai troppo tardi, which aired in Italy from 1960 to 1968 enabling a multitude of Italians to learn how to read and write. Guided by empathy, active participation, humanism, and profound respect for every learner, Manzi’s approach left an indelible mark on Italian society.
The book L’ABC di Alberto Manzi, maestro degli italiani. (Anicia Edizioni, 2024) captures Manzi’s pedagogical vision, offering an “alphabet” of values—citizenship, democracy, freedom, honesty, care for others, and the centrality of the person. These ideals guided Manzi’s work, both in the classroom and on television, and continue to inspire us today rethinking the role of education in shaping society.
Tania Convertini directs the Italian Language Program at Dartmouth College. Her research focuses on digital pedagogy, language pedagogy, cinema and media studies, and intercultural education. She has published essays on the cinematic representation of childhood, the pedagogical use of cinema and technology, and critical analyses of films and literary texts. Her recent book, L’ABC di Alberto Manzi, maestro degli italiani (Edizioni Anicia, 2024), explores the work of educator, humanist, and television host Alberto Manzi, as well as the role of Italian educational television in the 1960s. She is currently working on several projects including fiction and nonfiction works.
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