Camilleri was born 100 years ago, Mattarella: "He represented the complexity of his land."

Today, September 6th, Andrea Camilleri would have turned 100. "The centenary of Andrea Camilleri's birth allows us to remember a leading figure in the Italian and international cultural scene. Many of his works will continue to be a source of inspiration for generations of readers and writers," said the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella.

"Andrea Camilleri," the Head of State added, "was a multifaceted author who made significant contributions in the many fields in which he worked, from theater to television to fiction. He successfully combined detective stories with refined humor, and his complex language (particularly the dialect of his native Sicily) allowed him to convey the richness and complexity of his native land's ethnographic heritage to a growing group of enthusiasts." "Camilleri," he continued, "stood out for his creativity, depicting characters and settings, sometimes imaginary, that simultaneously sketched glimpses of different eras. Camilleri's cultural legacy is a precious treasure."

Schifani: "He transformed Sicily."

Sicily Regional President Renato Schifani also remembered the Agrigento-born writer, who died in Rome in 2019. "Today Andrea Camilleri would have turned one hundred. An anniversary that is not only a literary recurrence, but a moment of collective remembrance for Italy as a whole, and Sicily in particular," Schifani wrote on Facebook. "Camilleri transformed our land into a universal narrative space: the landscapes, dialects, contradictions, and beauty of this island have become the living material of a new language, capable of moving millions of readers and viewers around the world."

"His Inspector Montalbano," he continues, "is not just a character on paper or on television, but a traveling companion who has helped tell the story of Sicily with its lights and shadows. Thanks to Camilleri, Vigata has become a legend, a meeting point between imagination and reality, and the locations chosen as filming locations for the famous series have experienced an extraordinary season of cultural and tourist growth. Ragusa Ibla, Scicli, Punta Secca, Modica, and many other Baroque towns have seen an increase in visitors over the years, drawn by the desire to tread the same paths as Italy's most beloved inspector. The Sicilian Region has chosen to accompany this centenary with initiatives that pay homage to the master and, at the same time, strengthen the link between literature, identity, and promotion of the region. In collaboration with the Camilleri 100 National Committee, we have supported the events scheduled at the Ancient Theater in Taormina. The goal is to ensure that Camilleri's memory is not confined to the pages of his books or television images, but continues to live on as a driver of development and awareness. identity".

"Camilleri loved to define himself as a Sicilian from Porto Empedocle and a citizen of the world," adds the Governor of Sicily. "This dual identity is the secret of his success: he was able to describe Sicily without stereotypes, with affection but also with irony and critical spirit, making it recognizable and at the same time universal. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth, we remember not only the brilliant writer, but the man who, with his unmistakable voice, taught millions to see Sicily with new eyes. Our Region is proud to preserve his legacy and pass it on to future generations so that the name Andrea Camilleri continues to be synonymous with culture, freedom, and Sicilian identity."

Zingaretti: "I miss his books, his 'civil' voice, and my friend."

Luca Zingaretti, a longtime television personality for Inspector Montalbano , also remembers Andrea Camilleri on social media. "I miss three things about him," he writes on social media. " I miss the books he would have written, so funny and so profound. I especially miss the ones about Salvo Montalbano, which allowed me to visit my old friend from Vigata to find out how he was doing. And then I believe that Andrea, despite his great success worldwide, is an author yet to be fully discovered. This will be the fun and the task of the new generations when, rereading him in a few years, they will have a broader understanding, allowing themselves perspectives that only the distance of time can grant."

But it's not just his books that are missing, the actor and director continues: " I miss his 'civil' voice . Andrea was one of those few authoritative intellectuals one looked to when one needed direction, a suggestion. When, rarely, he expressed himself on something, he took stock of the situation and put things back in order. Like all intellectuals of this type, I can say that he is already missed."

The memory finally becomes more personal and intimate: “ And then, above all, I miss my friend. The one you see or call , maybe rarely, but the one you need when you need advice or comfort. Those older, more experienced, and wiser friends who light the way. I miss Andrea because—and I've never told anyone this—he was a good man, capable of listening, and fair. And forgive me if that seems like a small thing. Happy birthday, dear Andrea! We continue to love you so much here!”