The exhibition “Italia Rand Tour”, organized by the Italian Cultural Institute of Hamburg, will conclude on Friday, February 28, at 7 PM, with a finissage event. The event will feature comic artist and journalist Pietro Scarnera, who will present his graphic novel “Viaggio in Italia” in a conversation with Francesca Bravi at the Institute’s venue.

Goethe, Stendhal, Lord Byron, Percy and Mary Shelley—countless artists have traveled through Italy, captivated by its breathtaking landscapes, untamed nature, and the remnants of a mythical past long idealized. Others, however, were deeply unsettled by the widespread poverty and the stark contrast in Italian customs. In his graphic novel (“Viaggio in Italia”, Coconino Press 2024), illustrator Pietro Scarnera intertwines these historical journeys with contemporary narratives, blending past and present to explore the profound meaning of cultural and emotional belonging. His work aligns diverse perspectives in a remarkable journey through Italy.

Scarnera, who has retraced these iconic travels through quotes from literary works, diaries, and letters of distinguished voyagers, also contributed to the catalog of the Italia Rand Tour exhibition—an exploration of Italy that is both contemporary and peripheral.