During the 2025 Italian Festival in Adelaide, Australia Donna in collaboration with the Ascolta Women Association held an afternoon of reading of poetry and writings entitled ‘Di sogni e di speranze – Of hopes and dreams’.
The Ascolta Women Association is a collective of creative women of Italian-Australian origin and from different generations. The Ascolta Women Association was established in 2020 with the aim of giving voice to their stories and to the stories of women who would otherwise remain unheard or untold. Since its foundation, the Association has held events and published various anthologies, including Stories from the Inside and Stories from The Other Side.
The programme began with readings by five writers who are part of Ascolta Women: Laura de Martino, Dr Maria Pallotta Chiarolli, Carla Caruso, Claudia Callisto and Pina Marino Leyland. This was followed by readings by Elena Castrechini, Angela de Ionno, Jordana Ubaldi and Marco Fantasia.
In the packed hall of the SA Migration Museum we were transported through an evocative journey of images, memories and stories. It was a time of shared affects, reflections and conviviality.
Daniela Costa
Australia Donna Editor
November 2025