Croce e il centenario dantesco del 1921

The sixth centenary of the death of Dante provides an unparalleled opportunity to observe the fate of the Divine Comedy in 20th century Italy. These observations are based on the various intersections between politics and literature that were established in the years following the end of the First World War. Starting with the foundational work of Dionisotti read in the light of recent historical and literary scholarship it is possible to trace the progression of the various initiatives, vociferous debates and diverse readings that emerged out of the celebrations of 1921. The analysis, furthermore, of a number of overlooked and unpublished documents drawn from the archives of the press of the time and Benedetto Croce’s private archive provides invaluable insights into the panorama of Dante’s reception in 20th century Italy and Europe