"A Rebellious Thought": The story of Maria Bakunin, a pioneer of science and emancipation, at Villa San Michele.

On Thursday the 31st at 7 pm, on the panoramic terrace of Billy's Bar in Villa San Michele , the book “A Rebel Thought. Maria Bakunin, the Lady of Naples” (Solferino publisher) by Mirella Armiero will be presented.

They meet the author, Vittoria Fiorelli , professor at the Suor Orsola Benincasa University and Kristina Kappelin , superintendent of the house museum.

Mirella Armiero recounts with passion and historical acumen the timely story of the woman Naples learned to call the Lady: a proud and independent woman who nevertheless contributed fully to the institutions and progress of her time. A romantic life in a splendor, when the South flourished with ideas, science, and projects and, amidst a thousand difficulties, people dreamed and attempted to build a better future.

"A text that was missing. Precious, crafted with passion and careful historical research. The figure of Marussia Bakunin is a star that sheds light on one of the most interesting historical periods of Naples and Italy, when, amidst a thousand contradictions and battles, the connection between Science and Humanism was still fervent. Read it, it's worth it. The writing is admirable and rivets to the last word." Wanda Marasco

“Read avidly: a biography with all the rules, a piece of social and Neapolitan history, and also of the anarchist movement.” Goffredo Fofi

Maria studied passionately and, on June 18, 1895, she graduated with an experimental thesis, supervised by her future husband. There were very few female chemistry students in Europe; she was the first in Italy to graduate. And she did so naturally; ultimately, she found nothing unusual about it. She was talented, well-prepared, intuitive, serious, and ambitious. Throughout her life, she demonstrated that she knew precisely what she wanted, constantly pushing herself forward. Hers were not dreams, but concrete goals.

Mirella Armiero edits the culture pages of "Il Corriere del Mezzogiorno," the Neapolitan editorial office of "Corriere della Sera." She is a member of the jury for the Premio Napoli. She writes a weekly literary review column. For Solferino, she edited the anthology Napoli stanca (2023). For e/o, she edited Modi per suscitato , an anthology of Fabrizia Ramondino's political writings.

The season of events at Villa San Michele, directed by Kristina Kappelin , made possible thanks to the contribution of Progetto Piano and the patronage of the Swedish Embassy , continues with the series “A Summer to Dream About” on Friday 1 August.

To attend the book presentation—admission is free, subject to availability—reservations are recommended. Those coming from Naples can return on the last ferry crossing. For information: tel. 081.8371401 www.villasanmichele.eu