The Mad Poets Blog

Justin Vitiello, Professor Emeritus of Italian at Temple University is an intricate part of the poetry scene in the City of Philadelphia. Vitiello has traveled the globe, published over twenty works of poetry and essays in English, Spanish and Italian. A peace activist, Vitiello was active in the Civil Rights movement and Anti-War movements during the Vietnam era, protested the proliferation of nuclear weapons during the cold war, boldly stood as a non-violent reformer to the Mafia in Sicily and conducted research for the Ghandi Peace Foundation in India. In the midst of this whirlwind of activity Vitiello continues to curate the long running Moonstone Poetry Series at Robins Bookstore in Philadelphia. He has provided a stage for new and established poets, mentored hundreds of poets and provided beautiful works for others to read. A citizen of the globe, Vitiello remains uniquely Philadelphia.

The Interview: 

Q. You recently retired after thirty-three years at Temple University. What are your plans and what can we expect to see from Justin Vitiello? 

 I now have a website: www.justinvitello.net. I’m in the process of including critical comments and bibliography. After 33 years at Temple, I plan to continue living as I have done as a peace and human rights activist, scholar and critic, poet, globe trotter. As I travel I write more and more. Now, after a free year traveling in Mexico, Peru’ and Italy, I have 3 new poetic works in progress:(1) Viajes en espanol/Spanish trips (Odi anarchi/Anarchist odess (3) Ultime poesie familari ed etniche/Last family and ethnic trips…

 Q. I enjoyed reading “poppies and thistles”, (Whirlwind Press). Poet Elizabeth Pallitto describes the book, “It is the precise intersection of these domains of life that the relentless imagination of Justin Vitiello is at its best”. Share with us the inspiration for this volume of work

     What inspired “poppies and thistles”? 40 years of living and traveling in Spain. The reader can get a feel for the experience of being, living and loving in a new land and culture. I went to Spain before I ever visited Italy, but felt very much at home as soon as I got off the USS Constitution at Algecrias. That experience is my inspiration. 

Q. Labyrinths and Volcanoes: Windings through
Sicily, (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1881901165/smarterbooks-20) examines Sicilian realities; please tell us of the journey that inspired the book.

The journey that inspires “Labyrinths and Volcanoes” is expressed, I hope clearly in the chapter of the book “Train South: Journey Through Time”. Significantly I pass Naples, (of my grandparents origins), to go to Sicily to work with Danilo Dolci, (an anti-mafioso and pro-Gandhian). More and more, as I studied the Island and made friends, I stayed and wrote so much scholarly and poetic work about it. By the way, the book is in Italian, winner of a major prize in Sicily.

Q. The Moonstone Poetry Series is woven into the fabric of the Philadelphia Poetry scene. It has provided a forum for established and emerging poets to present their work. To what do you attribute the success of the series and your motivation to continue hosting the series?

As to the Moonstone PoetrySeries, credit is due to the Robin Family and Herschell Baron, (6pm on 9/25 to hear his daughter read). I started reading at the store in 1982, at an open, and Herschell and I just
“Hit it off”. That’s a hint to Robin’s success: Openness to alternative and radical literature, diverse ethnical and sexual movements, independent thinking, however you view it. Larry asked me to organize this series as I was retiring from Temple. I am very happy to be part of this major cultural action in the city. Too bad WHYY ignores it.   

Q. You have authored twenty volumes of work, do you have a favorite? 

My favorite book? The one I just published (”poppies and thistles”). Or the first creative work I got into print? (II carro del pesce di Vanzetti/Vanzetti’s Fish Cart). Or all my kids? I’ve never repeated myself. All my babies are unique.  

 Q. You have been on the poetry scene in Philadelphia for many years. There seems to be a recent outburst of poetic growth in the city. The audiences of many readings are populated by fellow poets. Do you see a time when poetry will extend out once again to lovers of poetry and not just poets?

 As to the poetry scene, I still don’t think we go out to reach the general public or even the public of Border’s and Barnes and Noble. You’re right we reach fellow poets and aspiring ones, and certain ethnic and gender groups who gravitate around the neighborhood. Will we eventually attract more people? Well Shelley said poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world. But I’m not so opitimistic. Many poets die unappreciated.

Q. Please share with us who your favorite poets were as you developed your poetic style.

My favorite poets: that’s easy, (as soon you will be able to read on my webiste in critiques): Lorca, Antonio Machado, Ungaretti, (all of whom I have translated), and Dylan Thomas… At first in my 20’s I was to imitative of them, but I hope now I have my own voice.

Q. What is your greater love, creating new poetry or translating poetry?

Creating my own work in American, Italian, Spanish, transposing my different versions back and forth. But I also love translating the poets I love most, besides those mentioned above: Ciullo d’Alcamo, Michelangelo, Gaspara Stampa, Lope de Vega, Gongora, Quevedo….

Q. You have traveled the globe yet you return home to your adopted City of
Philadelphia. What drew you to this city and what keeps you here?

Yes, I’ve been lucky to travel- and it shows in my poetry-but I lived in Philly because of my job at Temple and my son’s growth here. Now, living in Center City, I don’t put it down in contrast to my birthplace, NYC. It’s very liveable here. I don’t need a car. I can walk and take public transport most places I want to go. So I enjoy the city for what it offers. Before I make another global trot to live in Italy, Spain, whatever for the rest of my life, I’m happy to be doing what I do.

To learn more about Justin Vitiello please visit www.justinvitiello.net and the Moonstone Poetry Series and other events at Robins Bookstore please visit http://www.robinsbookstore.com/events/