Mario Lena, poet at Ponte a Serraglio and remarkable previous Mayor of Bagni di Lucca, recently celebrated entering his 90th year. Maura Bertolozzi and Agostino Rieter organised a marble plaque to be hand carved in Pietrasanta with one of Mario’s poems. It was installed at Il Monaco, where Mario likes to have his breakfast in the morning. Our current Mayor, Dr Massimo Betti, officiated the ceremony to unveil the plaque.
Mario Lena was a respected scientist and teacher as well as a very popular mayor for 10 years from 1960.
Friends of poetry and Mario gathered for the unveiling of the poem.
Take the time to read the poem next time you are at Il Monaco and say hello if you see him. He is a very friendly and delightful man.
A few days later a second plaque was unveiled at the edge of Agostino’s property, beside a seat, where visitors are invited to rest a while, enjoy the poem and the magnificent view of Mario’s favourite place, Bagni di Lucca.
Writers from Great Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, Holland and Italy have been drawn to Bagni di Lucca for centuries…Byron, Shelley, the Barrett Brownings and many more have spent time in the beautiful villages, no doubt taking inspiration from their surroundings, just like Mario Lena.
Agostino has had the brilliant idea to establish a “Poetry Path” and connect 17 sites around Ponte a Serraglio, Bagni Caldi, Il Paretaio, Bagno alla Villa and La Villa where famous writers lived or visited. People will be invited to walk to the sites, admire the view and read about the writers.
A proposal has been put to the Foundatione Michel de Montaigne and if approval is given, anyone interested in helping to get the idea off the ground will be invited to get involved.
We are hoping the Mayor and the Council of the Comune will give full cooperation. I will keep you up to date with developments.
I think something that encourages locals and visitors alike to walk around the area and appreciate the spectacular scenery and learn something about our literary residents and visitors is a wonderful idea.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 
makes my heart sad………..to not be able to live in such a wonderful place that in the cafe will remember your name
I think it is wonderful that Mario Lena has be honoured in this way. His poetry will live on.
How wonderful to commemorate this gentleman!! Our last name is monaco so the cafe is also interesting. Maybe we are related!! Love your posts!!!
Mario Lena is a Bagni di Lucca treasure. It is good that he is appreciated. Thank you for your kind comments.
I can imagine how lovely that event would have been. Plus, you did not need to travel very far to enjoy it hey. Your photos are great Deb.
I wasn’t here for the first event at Il Monaco, but luckily, Agostino provided the first photos. I did make it to the second one and it was a gorgeous sunny day.
He is always so well dressed – is he the gent who used to wear the velvet jacket in winter?
Mario is certainly a very well presented gentleman, but I think the man with the velvet jacket is a different one.
Una poesia bellissima.
Mario has written several books and he very kindly presented me with a signed copy of his recent one.
What a fabulous tribute to Mario Lena and his works. Also congratulations to Agostino and everyone else involved, in not only this tribute, but the notion to create a poets trail. It will be another attraction to this beautiful area.
I think the poets’ trail is a great idea. I really hope it happens.
How very lovely to hold an unveiling for the poem – and if my guess is correct – how lovely to be able to call that place “Il Mio Paese”.
Mario is a proud resident of Ponte a Serraglio and we are lucky to have him. I am also happy to call it “my country, or my home town” too, even though I am only a part time resident.
We have known Mario for many years and he is truly a great man and poet. We have most of his poetry collections.
In case your Italian wasn’t brilliant here is my translation of the first poem mentioned in this post:
My Town
In this square
by the river
is my town.
Leaves from trees
fall
like the words of men.
Girls
stretch their legs
in the sun’s rectangles
which tinge the asphalt.
The river carries in itself
the long centuries
of our lives.
Mario Lena
Thank you for the translation. I could work it out, but I’m sure many of the readers will appreciate it.
I appreciate the translation of Mario’s poem – thank you, Francis. Can imagine Mario reading his poem from his heart, with passion. I especially love the last stanza – very true about the Lima River. If only, the river could share its centuries-old stories in the whisperings of the water. Lovely, also, to see Agostino giving his speech in honour of Mario. Thank you, Debra, for sharing this auspicious day – I feel part of the celebrations, even though on the other side of the world.
It was a lovely little ceremony and it was good to chat with Mario.
You mention the seat by his property.
Where exactly is that? I would love to take a look and take a rest there when I return in October.
Thank you
Take the road from Ponte a Serraglio towards Bagni Caldi (where the terme is), go past Bernabo Hotel and follow the road around the sharp bend. Walk on to the next bend and you will see a road leading off the main road. Follow that until you come to the seat, which is on your left.
Paul printed the poems as a dolce for one of my italian get-togethers. Nice, to try and translate it in something flowing in English.
And then I read Francis’ PROPER translation, ah well, we live and learn. Thanks Debra!
And Francis
Luckily we have Francis.
Hi Debra, It was lovely to see you again in Ponte a few weeks ago. Thank you so much for your very informative blog. I am especially interested in the proposal for a ‘Poetry Path’ and would welcome being kept up to date with developments . I have a great interest in this since I teach art history as well as the subject area of famous nineteenth and twentieth century Anglo-Americains in Tuscany .I have included writers and poets in Bagni in my teaching .
Best Wishes
Dawn and Richard ( Granaiola)
We definately want to make Bagni a place associated with famous poets and poetry – see my post at https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2015/08/18/a-romantic-evening-of-poetry-along-bagni-di-luccas-river/
Or more on Mario see https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2015/05/15/poetical-science/