Andrea Camilleri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrea Camilleri
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Camilleri in 2010
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| Born | Andrea Calogero Camilleri 6 September 1925 Porto Empedocle, Sicily, Italy |
| Died | 17 July 2019 (aged 93) Rome, Italy |
| Resting place | Protestant Cemetery, Rome |
| Occupation | Author, director |
| Education | Collegio Vescovile Pio X (1939–1943) Liceo Ginnasio statale Empedocle (1943) |
| Alma mater | Accademia Nazionale di Arte Drammatica Silvio D'Amico |
| Years active | 1950–2019 |
| Notable works | Inspector Montalbano novels Inspector Montalbano TV series |
| Notable awards | Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2003) |
| Spouse |
Rosetta dello Siesto
(m. 1957) |
| Children | 1 |
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Andrea Camilleri (born September 6, 1925 – died July 17, 2019) was a famous Italian writer. He was best known for his detective novels. These books featured the popular character Inspector Salvo Montalbano. His stories were loved by many readers around the world.
Contents
Life and Early Career
Andrea Camilleri was born in Porto Empedocle, a town in Sicily, Italy. He started studying literature at the University of Palermo. However, he did not finish his degree. During this time, he began writing poems and short stories.
From 1948 to 1950, he studied how to direct plays and films. He attended the Silvio D'Amico Academy of Dramatic Arts. After his studies, he started working as a director and screenwriter. He often directed plays by famous writers like Pirandello and Beckett.
Camilleri also worked with RAI, which is Italy's public broadcasting company. He helped create several TV shows. One famous show he worked on was Le inchieste del commissario Maigret. In 1977, he returned to the Academy of Dramatic Arts. He taught film direction there for 20 years.
Becoming a Novelist
In 1978, Camilleri wrote his first novel, Il Corso Delle Cose. This means "The Way Things Go." He wrote another book, Un Filo di Fumo ("A Thread of Smoke"), in 1980. These early books were not very popular.
After a break of 12 years, Camilleri started writing novels again in 1992. His new book, La Stagione della Caccia ("The Hunting Season"), became a best-seller. This success encouraged him to write more.
The Inspector Montalbano Series
In 1994, Camilleri published La forma dell'Acqua (The Shape of Water). This book introduced Inspector Salvo Montalbano. Montalbano is a clever detective in the police force of Vigàta. Vigàta is a made-up town in Sicily.
The Montalbano series became very popular. The books are written in Italian. However, they also include many Sicilian words and phrases. This unique style became a favorite among his readers.
The TV show based on Montalbano's adventures made Camilleri even more famous. The show stars Luca Zingaretti as Inspector Montalbano. Because of the books and TV show, Camilleri's hometown, Porto Empedocle, changed its official name. It became Porto Empedocle Vigàta to attract tourists.
In 2012, one of his Montalbano novels, The Potter's Field, won an important award. It received the 2012 Crime Writers' Association Duncan Lawrie International Dagger. This award is for the best crime fiction translated into English.
Later Life and Legacy
In his later years, Andrea Camilleri lived in Rome. He continued to work as a TV and theater director. Millions of copies of his novels have been sold worldwide. His books and the TV series became very popular in countries like the UK, Australia, and North America.
Camilleri passed away on July 17, 2019, after a period of health issues. He was buried in the Protestant Cemetery, Rome. His stories continue to entertain readers around the globe.
Recognitions and Awards
Andrea Camilleri received many honors for his writing.
- 1998: He won the Nino Martoglio International Book Award.
- 2003: He was honored as a Grand Officer in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. This is a very high honor in Italy.
- 2008: He received the RBA Prize for Crime Writing. This was for his book La rizzagliata / La muerte de Amalia Sacerdote. It was one of the most valuable crime fiction prizes in the world.
- An asteroid was named after him! Asteroid 204816 Andreacamilleri was discovered in 2007. It was officially named in his honor in 2017.
Honorary Degrees
Camilleri also received several honorary degrees from universities. These degrees recognize his great achievements.
- 2002: IULM University of Milan
- 2005: University of Pisa
- 2007: University of L'Aquila
- 2007: D'Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara
- 2011: University College Dublin
- 2012: Sapienza University of Rome
- 2013: American University of Rome
See also
In Spanish: Andrea Camilleri para niños
