Entertainment · Books & Arts · 2 hrs ago
Giovanna Botteri’s first book tells stories of women who resist
Giovanna Botteri has published her first book, “Soffiando nel vento.
Donne che non si arrendono,” with Solferino.
The journalist says she began the project after returning to Italy following 25 years abroad and wanting to understand the country better.
She uses women’s lives to explore Italy’s present and past, including stories of work, hardship, resistance and care for others.
The women include former partisan Mirella Alloisio, who fought in the resistance in Genoa, and Aya, a refugee who became a researcher at the University of Siena.
The book also looks beyond Italy, discussing Iranian women’s resistance and the story of Mahsa Amini.
Botteri says women often protect the possibility of change and pass on the value of freedom.
The book focuses on dignity and civil rights, drawing attention to experiences that may be overlooked.
It is presented as a personal investigation rather than only a record of events.
Giovanna Botteri’s first book, *Soffiando nel vento. Donne che non si arrendono*, tells stories of women who resist hardship and defend dignity and civil rights.
Published by Solferino, the book explores contemporary Italy through women’s lives and experiences.
The stories include former partisan Mirella Alloisio, aid donor Dalia, worker Silvia and researcher Aya.
Botteri says women preserve the flame of resistance and pass the value of freedom between generations.
She says she turned to women’s stories to better understand Italy after returning from 25 years abroad.
- Who
- Journalist Giovanna Botteri, whose first book tells stories of women who resist.
- What
- She has published *Soffiando nel vento. Donne che non si arrendono*, a book about women’s lives, resilience and struggles.
- When
- It was published on 19 October 2026, according to La Stampa.
- Where
- The book focuses on Italy and includes stories from places such as Genoa and Siena.
- Why
- Botteri says listening to women’s stories was a way to understand Italy after returning from 25 years abroad.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mirella Alloisio witnessed German soldiers being paraded disarmed in Genoa.
Botteri returned to live in Italy and sought to understand the country through women’s stories.
La Stampa reported that *Soffiando nel vento* was in bookshops.
Il Messaggero and Vanity Fair Italia published articles about Botteri’s first book.
- Author
- Giovanna Botteri
- Book
- *Soffiando nel vento. Donne che non si arrendono*
- Publisher
- Solferino
- Publication date
- 19 October 2026, according to La Stampa
- Mirella Alloisio
- Partisan known as “Olga”; witnessed German soldiers disarmed in Genoa in 1945
- Aya
- Refugee who arrived through humanitarian corridors and became a researcher at the University of Siena
3 sources
Giovanna Botteri: «Le donne fermano il vento»: ecco il libro della giornalista, “Soffiando nel vento”
Giovanna Botteri: «Silvia ha due lavori, passa 12 ore fuori casa e ha sette euro sul conto, e si considera fortunata. Silvia è l’Italia»
Giovanna Botteri: “Le donne non appiccano incendi: tengono vivo il fuoco delle rivolte”
What people are saying
The greatness and immense importance of women in History is not in starting fires, which they rarely do: they are the ones who save the little flame and manage to protect it despite everything so that it does not go out.
We must explain, not agree.
I wanted to listen to her tell the story of those days of the partisan battle for the liberation of Genoa, imagining her not yet twenty and wondering how the girls of my generation or today would have faced them.
Women stop the wind. They give life and defend it. They resist in silence and fight, shouting loudly. They are freedom. Listen to their voices, and you will understand your own too.