Home

‘Mi casa es donde está mi mujer.’ Mexicans have a much clearer concept of home than we do: home is where my wife is. This is my first thought. Then there’s also the house. I have lived in a few places, in Florence and Rome, but this one I’m writing in has always been mine. When I walked in, it greeted me as if to say, ‘How nice that you’ve finally arrived, I’ve been waiting for you.’ Some houses ward you off, but home should be your refuge and tranquillity. Mine has this weird charm to it that is hard to break away from. It’s affectionate and it has everything a home should have. Feeling at home isn’t easy, but that’s what a home should be: a place of happiness. Since 1962, it has expanded over the years and so has the family. It is made up of several apartments and one of my sons lives next door. I like close families, that know each other well and help each other. For me, home is family, and like family it has to be a place that welcomes you. 

Edra

My wife Paola had a major crush on Edra, so we have almost all of their furniture here. I’m happy with this crush, because Edra has improved this feeling of welcome and tranquillity. The main problem is we don’t have any more room to put furniture in. Pack has become my refuge, where I rest, read, write and look at all the objects that fill my room and don’t leave an inch of space. Objects are memories. Friends, even those who have passed away, are all represented here. 

Desire

When someone asks me, ‘What do you desire?’, I reply that I have no wishes, that what I have is what I wanted. Full stop. I’m happy as I am. 

Beauty

There’s one thing I care about in particular: beauty. Life should involve at least the illusion of seeking beauty. Beauty is such an important thing. If it didn’t exist, I wouldn’t see the point in this world. 

Gino Paoli Auteur-compositeur-interprète, musicien et ancien homme politique italien, il commence à travailler dans le domaine du graphisme puis se consacre à la musique. Avec Luigi Tenco, Bruno Lauzi, Fabrizio De André et Umberto Bindi, il donne vie à l'école dite génoise. Depuis le début des années 60, il écrit et interprète des chansons très populaires, comme Il cielo in una stanza, La gatta, Che cosa c'è, Senza fine, Sapore di sale, Una longa storia d'amore, Quattro amici. (Le ciel dans une chambre, Le chat, Qu'y a-t-il, Sans fin, Goût du sel, Une longue histoire d'amour, Quatre amis). Il a participé à 7 éditions du Festival de Sanremo ; il a collaboré avec de nombreux collègues à la création d'albums et de singles à succès ; il a composé de la musique pour des bandes originales de films.