Giangiacomo Feltrinelli
Encyclopedia
Giangiacomo Feltrinelli (19 June 1926 – 14 March 1972) was an Italian publisher and left-wing political activist. He founded the publishing house Giangiacomo Feltrinelli Editore in 1954. He was also a communist and founded the GAP militant grouping in 1970. GAP would become the second terrorist organization to be formed during the Years of Lead.
, as marquess
of Gargnano. His father Carl served in high positions with numerous companies including jobs in the lumber field. The young Giangiacomo first took an interest in the lives of workers and the poor during discussions with the staff who ran his family's estate. He came to believe that, under capitalism
the vast majority of people could never attain his privileges and were compelled to sell their labour to the industrialists and landowners for a pittance. During the latter stages of World War II, Giangiacomo joined the Gruppo di Combattimento "Legnano"
and at the same time he enrolled in the Italian Communist Party
(PCI), fighting the invading German army and the remnants of Mussolini's regime. Over the next few years, Giangiacomo played a key role in financing the activities of the PCI.
In the post-war period the PCI held a very powerful position amongst the Italian electorate. The country was in economic ruins and the Party's opposition to Mussolini had gained it great poplarity. Given the widespread radicalisation in society, it would have been easily attainabe for the PCI to embark on a struggle to peacefully take power on a number of occasions. The leadership of the Party, however, was firmly under the influence and control of Joseph Stalin
. Under his orders, the PCI involved itself in coalition governments in Italy, which would see them sharing power with progressive capitalist parties. But even this was too much for Italian Anti-Communists, who were afraid that the PCI in office would unleash a revolution from above.
. In the late 1950s Feltrinelli accidentally came across the manuscript of the novel Doctor Zhivago
by the Russian writer Boris Pasternak
. Set in Russia, the novel follows a multitude of characters from 1903 to 1943, the period of revolution, Leninism and Stalinism. At once, Feltrinelli saw a masterpiece. Nikita Khrushchev
and the PCI leaders saw it entirely differently and refused to allow any criticism whatsoever of the Soviet Union
.
Senior Service records the fascinating correspondence between Feltrinelli and Pasternak, as they successfully resisted clumsy attempts by the Soviet regime to halt publication of the novel. However, Doctor Zhivago immediately became an international best seller, to be followed by several popular film adaptations. As a result of his defiance of Moscow, Feltrinelli was expelled from the PCI in disgrace.
Feltrinelli Editore scored another coup in 1958 and became the first to publish The Leopard
, by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
. Described as the greatest novel of the century, The Leopard centres on the Sicilian nobility during the Risorgimento, when the Italian middle class rose violently and formed a united Italy under Guiseppe Garibaldi and the House of Savoy
.
Whatever his own reading tastes, Feltrinelli was always keen to promote the avant-garde
, including the works of the influential Group 63 literary circle. He also took the risk of illegally publishing and distributing novels banned under obscenity laws, such as Henry Miller
's Tropic of Cancer
.
leaders and anti-imperialist and guerrilla movements. In 1964, Feltrinelli met the leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro
, supporter of the main South American and international movements of liberation, with which long friendship was hoped to be established. In 1967, Feltrinelli arrived in Bolivia
and met with Régis Debray
. He published the writings of figures such as Fidel Castro, Che Guevara
, Ho Chi Minh
, and a series of pamphlets on the unfolding revolution in the colonial world and the Middle East.
, near Milan
, apparently killed by his own explosives while on an operation with other GAP members . Like his father's death, the passing of Giangiacomo was immediately viewed suspiciously. Many believed Italian secret services, which had a number of informants in the underground groups, had a part in his death.
Early life
Giangiacomo Feltrinelli was born into one of Italy's wealthiest families descendents of FeltreFeltre
Feltre is a town and comune of the province of Belluno in Veneto, northern Italy. A hill town in the southern reaches of the province, it is located on the Stizzon River, about 4 km from its junction with the Piave, and 20 km southwest from Belluno...
, as marquess
Marquess
A marquess or marquis is a nobleman of hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The term is also used to translate equivalent oriental styles, as in imperial China, Japan, and Vietnam...
of Gargnano. His father Carl served in high positions with numerous companies including jobs in the lumber field. The young Giangiacomo first took an interest in the lives of workers and the poor during discussions with the staff who ran his family's estate. He came to believe that, under capitalism
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
the vast majority of people could never attain his privileges and were compelled to sell their labour to the industrialists and landowners for a pittance. During the latter stages of World War II, Giangiacomo joined the Gruppo di Combattimento "Legnano"
Italian Co-Belligerent Army
The Italian Co-Belligerent Army , or the Army of the South , was the army of the Italian Royalist forces fighting on the side of the Allies during World War II....
and at the same time he enrolled in the Italian Communist Party
Italian Communist Party
The Italian Communist Party was a communist political party in Italy.The PCI was founded as Communist Party of Italy on 21 January 1921 in Livorno, by seceding from the Italian Socialist Party . Amadeo Bordiga and Antonio Gramsci led the split. Outlawed during the Fascist regime, the party played...
(PCI), fighting the invading German army and the remnants of Mussolini's regime. Over the next few years, Giangiacomo played a key role in financing the activities of the PCI.
In the post-war period the PCI held a very powerful position amongst the Italian electorate. The country was in economic ruins and the Party's opposition to Mussolini had gained it great poplarity. Given the widespread radicalisation in society, it would have been easily attainabe for the PCI to embark on a struggle to peacefully take power on a number of occasions. The leadership of the Party, however, was firmly under the influence and control of Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
. Under his orders, the PCI involved itself in coalition governments in Italy, which would see them sharing power with progressive capitalist parties. But even this was too much for Italian Anti-Communists, who were afraid that the PCI in office would unleash a revolution from above.
Publisher
Near the end of 1954, Giangiacomo Feltrinelli established a reputable publishing company, Feltrinelli Editore. The first published book from the Milan publishing house was the autobiography of the first Indian minister, Jawaharlal NehruJawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru , often referred to with the epithet of Panditji, was an Indian statesman who became the first Prime Minister of independent India and became noted for his “neutralist” policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India’s independence movement in the...
. In the late 1950s Feltrinelli accidentally came across the manuscript of the novel Doctor Zhivago
Doctor Zhivago
-Original creation:*Doctor Zhivago, by Boris Pasternak, published in 1957**Yuri Andreyevich Zhivago, a fictional character and the main protagonist of the book Doctor Zhivago-Adaptations:There are several adaptations based on the Doctor Zhivago book:...
by the Russian writer Boris Pasternak
Boris Pasternak
Boris Leonidovich Pasternak was a Russian language poet, novelist, and literary translator. In his native Russia, Pasternak's anthology My Sister Life, is one of the most influential collections ever published in the Russian language...
. Set in Russia, the novel follows a multitude of characters from 1903 to 1943, the period of revolution, Leninism and Stalinism. At once, Feltrinelli saw a masterpiece. Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev led the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War. He served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, and as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, or Premier, from 1958 to 1964...
and the PCI leaders saw it entirely differently and refused to allow any criticism whatsoever of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
.
Senior Service records the fascinating correspondence between Feltrinelli and Pasternak, as they successfully resisted clumsy attempts by the Soviet regime to halt publication of the novel. However, Doctor Zhivago immediately became an international best seller, to be followed by several popular film adaptations. As a result of his defiance of Moscow, Feltrinelli was expelled from the PCI in disgrace.
Feltrinelli Editore scored another coup in 1958 and became the first to publish The Leopard
The Leopard
The Leopard is a novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa that chronicles the changes in Sicilian life and society during the Risorgimento...
, by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa , was a Sicilian writer. He is most famous for his only novel, Il Gattopardo which is set in Sicily during the Risorgimento...
. Described as the greatest novel of the century, The Leopard centres on the Sicilian nobility during the Risorgimento, when the Italian middle class rose violently and formed a united Italy under Guiseppe Garibaldi and the House of Savoy
House of Savoy
The House of Savoy was formed in the early 11th century in the historical Savoy region. Through gradual expansion, it grew from ruling a small county in that region to eventually rule the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 until the end of World War II, king of Croatia and King of Armenia...
.
Whatever his own reading tastes, Feltrinelli was always keen to promote the avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
, including the works of the influential Group 63 literary circle. He also took the risk of illegally publishing and distributing novels banned under obscenity laws, such as Henry Miller
Henry Miller
Henry Valentine Miller was an American novelist and painter. He was known for breaking with existing literary forms and developing a new sort of 'novel' that is a mixture of novel, autobiography, social criticism, philosophical reflection, surrealist free association, and mysticism, one that is...
's Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Cancer (novel)
Tropic of Cancer is a novel by Henry Miller which has been described as "notorious for its candid sexuality" and as responsible for the "free speech that we now take for granted in literature." It was first published in 1934 by the Obelisk Press in Paris, France, but this edition was banned in the...
.
Activism
Feltrinelli spent the next years travelling the world and making links with various radical Third WorldThird World
The term Third World arose during the Cold War to define countries that remained non-aligned with either capitalism and NATO , or communism and the Soviet Union...
leaders and anti-imperialist and guerrilla movements. In 1964, Feltrinelli met the leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
, supporter of the main South American and international movements of liberation, with which long friendship was hoped to be established. In 1967, Feltrinelli arrived in Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
and met with Régis Debray
Régis Debray
Jules Régis Debray is a French intellectual, journalist, government official and professor. He is known for his theorization of mediology, a critical theory of the long-term transmission of cultural meaning in human society; and for having fought in 1967 with Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara in...
. He published the writings of figures such as Fidel Castro, Che Guevara
Che Guevara
Ernesto "Che" Guevara , commonly known as el Che or simply Che, was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, intellectual, guerrilla leader, diplomat and military theorist...
, Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh
Hồ Chí Minh , born Nguyễn Sinh Cung and also known as Nguyễn Ái Quốc, was a Vietnamese Marxist-Leninist revolutionary leader who was prime minister and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam...
, and a series of pamphlets on the unfolding revolution in the colonial world and the Middle East.
Death
On March 15, 1972, Giangiacomo Feltrinelli was found dead at the foot of a high-voltage power line pylon at SegrateSegrate
Segrate is a town and comune located in the Province of Milan in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. In December 2004 it had some 33,000 inhabitants....
, near Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, apparently killed by his own explosives while on an operation with other GAP members . Like his father's death, the passing of Giangiacomo was immediately viewed suspiciously. Many believed Italian secret services, which had a number of informants in the underground groups, had a part in his death.
Epilogue
The sum contribution of the short-lived GAP to the class struggle, like the Red Brigades, was to disorientate some sections of the working class and to give the state excuses to use repressive measures. Yet 8,000 youth and workers attended Feltrinelli's funeral. Undoubtedly, they were paying homage to a son of the ruling class who had broken ranks and pursued an intransigent goal of revolution, as well as having created a valuable publishing house whose affordable publications both informed and enlightened.Further reading
- Knigge, Jobst C.. Feltrinelli – Sein Weg in den Terrorismus, Humboldt Universitaet Berlin 2010