Sorry this page is so out-of-date. I always meant to take some license with respect to the age of the items I displayed here-- i.e., it might be news when it gets here, but then it would stay here past what some would consider its "freshness date." Since the heyday of the Little World was half a century ago, two-year-old Guareschi-related notices are news, relatively speaking. That said, I am way behind on posting to this page, and will try to catch up soon.

If you have any Don Camillo/Guareschi news to report, please email me!

Fall, 1999:
Alberto and Carlotta Guareschi say that the publication of The Eyes and Heart of Giovannino, a book of photographs by Guareschi (yes, the multi-talented author/artist did that, too!), will be delayed indefinitely (from its original proposed date of Nov. '99).

June 27, 1999:
A monument to Don Camillo is unveiled in Coenzo de Sorbolo, Italy. Coenzo is a small town located near better-known Brescello, the site of the location shooting for the beloved 1950's series of films starring Fernandel as Don Camillo and Gino Cervi as Peppone. The 2.5-meter-high, forged iron sculpture features the figures of the two characters in the likenesses of the two actors, and it is to stand in front of the small church where the Don Camillo-esque priest Don Learco Paini (who died this year) served for 35 years. In attendance at the unveiling: Giovannino Guareschi's children Alberto and Carlotta, as well as Franck Fernandel and Tonino Cervi, sons of the late actors who became so identified with Don Camillo and Peppone.

Detail of the Coenzo sculpture.

June 14, 1999:
Rev. Michael Counsell announces the publication of Two Thousand Years of Prayer by Canterbury Press. The American edition is slated for October '99 release. Rev. Counsell's book is an anthology of writings on prayer; one of the passages included is an exchange between Don Camillo and the Lord, excepted from one of the stories in English.

Spring, 1999:
Dr. David Willings and the British-based group "Il Cestino Internazionale" release the debut issue of "The Guareschi Review", a self-published journal for friends and fans of Don Camillo's creator. [Update (July 2000): as far as I'm aware, there has not been a second issue yet.]