The Paper Garden

Inside the paper garden,

among colored books and scent of incense

beneath wind, clouds and starry skies.

To Vito, forever young,

A tribute by a timid girl,

who wanted to understand, know and dream.

Vito, a master, pupil, funny goblin,

inside his paper garden.

Mingling with the scent of knowledge and musty,

Memories of magic moments sealed by time.

Forio enjoys a period of glory between the 1950s and 1970s. It was considered a welcoming and peaceful place, where small details made the difference.

When you arrived at the entrance of the square San Gaetano, you could soon admire the Vito Mattera's bookshop, an ample store. In a corner there were wicker chairs, carpets and wild flowers on a table. A wooden stairs connected a loft. A pleasant and quiet atmosphere, suitable for shows and entertainment settings.

Very intelligent and sociable person, my friend Vito created something special, a meeting place, a marvelous opportunity to met local artists foreigners.

This literary salon has risen up spontaneously thanks to daily participation of personalities from all countries, having in common will of organizing cultural events or simply to get to know one another.

In short time, the bookshop has been becoming a reference point for many people. If you went to the bookshop, it was probably to met sensible people to talk with for hours and end. The background music was enriched with Puccini, Verdi and Rossini works. All around, scent of incense.

The appointment was there also during winter and cold evenings, in that salon's corner where we talked about the New Year's party, the Carnival costumes dances in cellars or rural houses. We had spirit of enterprise, joie de vivre, therefore Winter spent faster.

Unfortunately some years ago the Mattera bookshop closed.

But my friend Franco Iacono has re-brought prestige to that way celebrating political and cultural events, art exhibitions and meetings inspired by the famous motto: luminous stars renew themselves but don't die.

The Ancient Mattera bookshop is a wonderful place where past and future mingle in a magic spiral.