The architect and professor Airton Cattani launches on August 1st, in Garibaldi (RS), the novel “The (almost) true diaries of an immigrant couple."Inspired by the story of his great-grandparents, Orsola Callovi and Francesco Cattani, who left Europe for Brazil exactly 150 years ago."
The dates follow the calendar of the crossing itself. The launch marks the 150th anniversary of the couple's embarkation from the French port of Le Havre, bound for the then Conde d'Eu Colony, now Garibaldi. On September 3rd, when the 150th anniversary of their arrival at the port of Rio de Janeiro is celebrated, the author will hold another book signing in Porto Alegre.
Research, memory and fiction
Without any genuine diaries left by her great-grandparents, Cattani created a fictional narrative based on historical documents and family memory. The book imagines what the records never revealed: the fears, dreams, and decisions of a young farming couple who left the small village of Termon, in what was then the Austro-Hungarian Empire. (today province of Trento), without knowing exactly where he was going.
The narrative alternates between the accounts of Orsola and Francesco, showing a daily life marked by poverty, faith, and the uncertainties that preceded their departure, as well as their first year on Brazilian soil. Far from a heroic vision, the work gives voice to characters who represent thousands of anonymous Italian immigrants.
The Supreme Court reaffirmed: citizenship is born with the person.
- New legal front opened
- Processes can still be filed.
- Individual assessment before any decision.
The "Garibaldi Mais História" program, an initiative of the city hall to promote the history and traditions of the municipality, selected this publication.
Who is the author?
Originally from Garibaldi, Airton Cattani is a tenured professor in the Design course at the Faculty of Architecture of UFRGS. He is the author of works such as "40 Experimental Micro-stories," winner of the Jabuti Prize, and "Poem of Four Words," winner of the Açorianos Prize for Graphic Design, in addition to exhibitions that combine design, photography, architecture, and memory, presented in cities throughout Brazil and in Montevideo.
Service
Launch in Garibaldi: August 1st, 2026, Saturday, from 16 PM to 19 PM, at Café Luna Park (Rua Buarque de Macedo, 3113).
Book signing session in Porto Alegre: September 3, 2026, Thursday, at 19 PM, at the UFRGS Cultural Center (Rua Engenheiro Luiz Englert, 333, Farroupilha neighborhood).
