My name is Luca Renda, a young Italian man who aspires to open a bookstore and a cultural center in a small town in Sicily. My academic background is in the humanities; I studied at Dams in Pisa and later specialized in screenwriting in Turin. I enjoy telling stories, and a bookstore tells and sells many of them. Living an experience abroad is incredibly rewarding, but above all, it is a challenge to myself and an adventure I have embarked upon.
Barcelona is a surprising city because you can find interesting things even in places you wouldn’t expect; it’s warm because the people are friendly and sociable; and it’s livable because, despite the size of the city, it remains economically accessible. I chose this city because I am confident it will offer me many emotions and experiences. Getting to know Catalan identity up close is helping me better understand myself and my roots.
The start at the bookstore has gone very well. Cecilia, the owner, has made me feel at ease, and by observing her, I am gradually learning how the management of a bookstore works. I am truly happy to have started this adventure; I am meeting many people connected to the bookstore, and the cultural atmosphere is highly stimulating. Getting to know all the activities offered by the bookstore is helping me shape my own project. Understanding how the management system works for introducing new books into the store has been extremely important. In this short time, I am also trying to learn how Cecilia interacts with customers and the types of activities she organizes: from the book club to puppet shows for children, to author presentations. When I return from the bookstore, I imagine what the bookstore I want to open will look like and what kind of activities I could offer.
I hope the next few months will be as intense as this one, and that I can learn as much as possible. I also hope to build a personal toolbox from which I can draw strength during difficult times.
