Roberto Saviano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roberto Saviano
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Saviano in 2019
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| Born | 22 September 1979 Naples, Italy |
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| Period | 2000–present |
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Roberto Saviano (Italian: [roˈbɛrto saˈvjaːno]; born 22 September 1979) is an Italian writer, journalist, and screenwriter. He is known for his books and articles that explore the world of organized crime. He especially focuses on the Camorra crime group in Italy.
After writing about the Camorra, Saviano received threats in 2006. Because of these threats, he has lived under police protection since October 13, 2006.
Saviano has worked with many important newspapers around the world. In Italy, he writes for l'Espresso and la Repubblica. Internationally, his work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Time, El País, Die Zeit, Der Spiegel, Expressen, The Times, and The Guardian.
Many famous writers, like Umberto Eco, have praised his work. Saviano identifies as an atheist.
Contents
About Roberto Saviano
Early Life and Education
Roberto Saviano was born in Naples, Italy. His father, Luigi Saviano, was a doctor. His mother, Miriam Haftar, had Jewish roots. Roberto finished high school at Armando Diaz State Scientific High School. He then studied philosophy at the University of Naples Federico II.
He started his journalism career in 2002. He wrote for many magazines and newspapers. His articles often focused on organized crime.
His Famous Book: Gomorrah
In March 2006, Saviano published his first book, Gomorrah. This book is based on real events about the Camorra. It describes how this crime group operates in Naples and the surrounding areas. Saviano grew up there, so he knew the area well. The book shows how crime bosses lived in fancy villas. It also talks about lands filled with toxic waste. It explains how some people in the area lived alongside and even supported organized crime.
Gomorrah became very popular. By August 2009, it had sold 2.5 million copies in Italy. About 2 million more copies were sold worldwide. It was a bestseller in many countries.
The book was also turned into a play and a movie. The movie, also called Gomorrah, won a big award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008. Later, a TV show called Gomorrah - La serie was made. It ran for five seasons from 2014 to 2021.
ZeroZeroZero and Other Works
Saviano's book, ZeroZeroZero, came out in 2013. ..... A TV series based on this book, also called ZeroZeroZero, started in 2019.
In 2015, Saviano worked on a play called Sanghenapule – Vita straordinaria di San Gennaro. He also hosted TV shows like Vieni via con me and Quello che (non) ho. These shows discussed important topics like organized crime and social issues in Italy. In 2017, he hosted Kings of Crime, where he talked about major crime bosses.
Threats and Police Protection
The success of Gomorrah brought many problems for Saviano. He started receiving threats. Police investigations confirmed that the Casalesi clan of the Camorra planned to harm him.
In September 2006, Saviano spoke out against the Casalesi clan leaders. He urged people to stand up against them. Because of these threats, the Italian government gave him police protection. Since October 2006, he has had bodyguards with him all the time.
In 2008, an informant told authorities about a plan to kill Saviano and his police escort. This plan involved a bomb on a highway. Saviano decided to leave Italy for a while because of these threats. He wanted to live a normal life again. He said he wanted to "drink a beer in public" and "meet people without fear."
Support from Nobel Prize Winners
In October 2008, six Nobel Prize winners showed their support for Roberto Saviano. They included Dario Fo, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Desmond Tutu. They asked the Italian government to protect him. They also said that organized crime is a problem for everyone, not just for the police or Saviano. They believed that no one should lose their freedom or safety for speaking the truth.
Many other famous writers also signed this appeal. Newspapers and radio stations around the world spread the message. In Italy, many cities made Saviano an honorary citizen. Schools also supported the appeal. Over 250,000 regular citizens signed the appeal online.
Plagiarism Discussion
In 2013, there was a legal case about Gomorrah. A court found that a very small part of the book (0.6%) was similar to parts of two local newspaper articles. Saviano and his publisher had to pay some money. However, the court later said the amount was too high.
In 2015, a journalist accused Saviano of using parts of text without citing sources in his book ZeroZeroZero. Saviano explained that he is a writer, not just a reporter. He said that facts belong to everyone, and his job is to tell real stories. Many people, including the editor of La Repubblica newspaper, supported Saviano. They said he was being criticized because of his great success.
Awards and Recognition
Roberto Saviano has received many awards for his work:
- 2010 European Book Prize
- 2011 PEN/Pinter Prize
- 2011 Olof Palme Prize
- He received an honorary law degree from the University of Genoa in 2011.
- In 2012, he became an honorary citizen of Milan.
- An asteroid, 278447 Saviano, was named after him in 2012.
- In 2013, he became an honorary citizen of Florence.
- 2019 Oxfam Novib/PEN Award for Freedom of Expression
Music Inspired by Saviano
Many musicians have been inspired by Roberto Saviano's story and his book Gomorrah.
- The British group Massive Attack wrote a song called "Herculaneum" for the Gomorrah film soundtrack.
- Neapolitan rapper Lucariello wrote "Cappotto di legno" (Wooden Coat) about a killer planning to harm Saviano.
- The group Subsonica dedicated their song "Piombo" to him.
- Rapper Fabri Fibra included part of an interview with Saviano in his song "In Italia". He also mentioned Saviano in other songs.
- The rap group 'A 67 dedicated their song "TammorrAntiCamorra" to a priest killed by the Camorra. Saviano reads a part of his book in this song.
- At a U2 concert in Rome in 2010, Bono mentioned Roberto Saviano and dedicated the song "Sunday Bloody Sunday" to him.
Film and Television Work
Creator
- Gomorrah (since 2014)
Screenwriter
- Gomorrah (2008)
- Gomorrah (since 2014)
- Piranhas (2019)
Adaptations of His Work
- Tatanka (2011)
- ZeroZeroZero (since 2019)
Video Games
- Gomorrah (Microsoft Windows, Android, iOS, 2023)
See also
In Spanish: Roberto Saviano para niños
