Odonomy The study of street names from a historical and linguistic point of view.

Have you ever wondered why the street you live in was given its name? That street name, even if we sometimes take it for granted and think of it as unchangeable, has probably changed several times over the course of history, at the whim of governments, ruling powers and public opinion, not unlike a ship in the sea. And this year, Festivaletteratura is trying to navigate the immense ocean of streets, through a series of events that will try - on an international, local and literary level - to shed light on the social and anthropological implications of naming a street, square or lane.

We will learn how “giving an address is not a neutral act” through the reflections of the lawyer and writer Deirdre Mask (see 141) and we will engage the public directly, with a series of itineraries and activities more strictly linked to the city of Mantua. Walking along city streets (see 39, 122 and 157), we will consider the value that a name, a simple name on a plaque we walk under every day, can have for the local community. This walk will also be made virtual: a navigable map will be available on the website 2021.festivaletteratura.it which - starting from the documentary material found in the Mantua City Archives - will give an overview of some of the changes that involved the city's street names in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Last but not least, the public will also be able to follow this route along the paths they have come across through the pages of books or song lyrics they have loved, pointing out for themselves which paths, this time made from ink and not macadam, have indelibly marked their experience as readers and working together to create a “Written City” where Paul Street intersects with Baker Street and then leads onto Piazza Grande.. You can send your own suggestions through this form.

Project developed thanks to the support of archiui