Alba de Céspedes: Journalism, Literature and Women's Emancipation with The London Library Italian Reading Group
The London Library Italian Reading Group is delighted to host this talk with Olga Campofreda about journalist, activist, novelist and screenwriter Alba de Céspedes. Using archival material, articles and personal letters, Campofreda, who is the curator of the volume Vorrei trascorrere una domenica da uomo (Oscar Mondadori Cult 2026), considers de Céspedes’ extraordinary life and literary production. From journalism throughout the 30s in various Italian publications, to bestselling novels, two of which were banned by the Fascist regime, to her time in Paris and her part in the feminist revolution, this is the story of a woman who drove and bore witness to the path of female emancipation in Italian culture.
Olga Campofreda is an Italian writer, curator and honorary research fellow at University College London. She is the author of Ragazze perbene (NNE, 2023) and Camerette: Un racconto sulla giovinezza dalle pareti delle nostre stanze ai social media (Quanti Einaudi, 2023). Her articles have appeared in D - la Repubblica delle donne and Domani editoriale.
NB This is an event organised by The London Library Italian Reading Group but is open to all Library members and will take place in the New Room.
This event is free to attend but space is limited, so booking is essential. Please let us know if you are unable to attend so that we can reallocate your ticket, by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
