On 26th December 1956, Giuseppe “Beppe” Severgnini, a celebrated journalist, author, and commentator, was born in Crema, Lombardy. Known for his keen observations of politics, society, and culture, Severgnini offers sharp and humorous insights into Italy.
The son of a notary, Beppe Severgnini graduated in law at the University of Pavia. After a brief stint working at the European Community headquarters in Brussels, he entered journalism at 27, joining Il Giornale under the legendary editor Indro Montanelli. Severgnini’s talent soon elevated him to the position of London correspondent.
In the early 1990s, he became La Voce’s Washington correspondent before returning to Italy to join Corriere della Sera. For decades, his association with Corriere has included writing opinion pieces and moderating the highly popular “Italians” forum on the newspaper’s website, originally aimed at expatriates.
Author and International Success
Severgnini’s books have resonated globally, blending humour with cultural critique. Titles like An Italian in America and La Bella Figura: An Insider’s Guide to the Italian Mind explore Italian identity through the lens of international experiences. His witty yet poignant portrayals of Italian life have won fans in Italy, the UK, and the United States.
His works also include Mamma Mia! Berlusconi’s Italy Explained for Posterity and Friends Abroad and An Italian in Britain. One of his books, Signori, si cambia: In viaggio sui treni della vita, was adapted into a stage play, Life is a Journey, where Severgnini takes to the stage.
Teaching, Television, and Honours
Beyond journalism, Severgnini has taught at the Walter Tobagi Graduate School of Journalism at the University of Milan. He was also a visiting fellow at MIT and Ca’ Foscari Venezia. On television, he hosts The Grass is Greener on RAI TRE, comparing Italy to other countries with his trademark wit.
Severgnini’s contributions have earned him prestigious accolades, including being named an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in 2001 and a Commendatore of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2011.
Recommended Read
Beppe Severgnini’s An Italian in Britain is a witty exploration of British life through the eyes of an Italian observer.
With his trademark humour, Severgnini dissects the quirks, habits, and idiosyncrasies of the British, from their love of tea and weather obsessions to their peculiar sense of politeness and tradition.
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