The Price of Courage: Roberto Saviano and the Cage of Protection
Roberto Saviano resides under protective measures, akin to confinement.
By Andrea Affaticati, MilanMore InfoFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailPrintCopy Link
Roberto Saviano, the Neapolitan author, lives in a world of constant danger, a prisoner in his own life. In an interview with an Italian newspaper, he opens up about the emotional torment, loneliness, and guilt that come with his life under police protection.
"Yes, I've often contemplated suicide," Saviano admits to the Italian daily "Corriere della Sera." The threat from the Neapolitan mafia that he exposes in his works has cast a shadow over his life for the past 20 years.
At the age of 26, Saviano gained international fame with his book "Gomorrah." In it, he fearlessly documented the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia, and placed himself firmly in their crosshairs. The trial against the Camorra boss has been ongoing for 16 years.
Camorra's Ruthless Memory
Apart from the Camorristi who want him dead, there are also ordinary Neapolitans who cannot forgive Saviano for his unflinching portrayal of Naples in "Gomorrah." Though his book drew attention to the criminal underworld and sparked positive changes for some Neapolitan neighborhoods, the focus often remains on his perceived attack on the city's image.
Being embraced by the political left and loathed by the right, Saviano finds himself a pawn in Italy's political games. Matteo Salvini, deputy prime minister and Lega chief, wants to revoke Saviano's police protection. However, Saviano remains unbowed. "I am going to continue to stand up for what I believe in," he states.
Living in the Shadow of a Fatwa
In the interview, Saviano refers to Salman Rushdie, his long-time friend, who faced a similar ordeal. Rushdie's book "The Satanic Verses," published in 1988, earned him a fatwa and made him a target for Muslims worldwide. Despite the danger, Rushdie eventually decided to live freely again, even if only for a short while. Unfortunately, that freedom was short-lived. In the summer of 2022, Rushdie was seriously injured in a stabbing attack and lost an eye. "The ironic thing is that Rushdie now feels relieved," Saviano points out. "No one can claim that the fatwa is just a spectacle anymore."
Serving as a reminder of the ever-present threat of violence, Rushdie's story offers a glimpse into Saviano's reality. Living under protection means constantly questioning the value of his sacrifices and wrestling with the question of how to break free from the shackles of fear.
The Toll of Isolation
Asked if he suffers from panic attacks, Saviano confirms that he struggles with them, particularly during the early hours. The weight of his potentially deadly existence often feels unbearable. "I can't breathe. I ask myself, 'And now? Where do I go?' I am crushed by two burdens. One, because I'm risking my life. The other, because I'm still alive," he admits.
Loneliness also weaves itself into this daily struggle. During the last Easter holiday, Saviano spent the evening with family and friends until 7 pm, but they left him alone afterwards. "I'm happy for them. They had a fun night in Naples. But I had to stay home," he says.
Intimate relationships are also affected by his limitations. "Especially when it comes to love," Saviano admits. "If I like someone, and they like me, the relationship is sabotaged from the start." Essentially, freedom is the cornerstone of love, and as Saviano remains confined, that freedom escapes him.
Jealousy and Regret
Saviano's life, ruled by fear, pains, and isolation, might prompt some to question his choices. However, Saviano is aware of his situation and has even heard that sentiment expressed. "One time, I took a selfie with Philip Roth, and he said to me, 'I would never be jealous of a shitty life like yours,'" Saviano recalls.
Despite understanding the sentiment, Saviano cannot escape the feeling that things could have been different. "I wish I could have had a different life, one without the constant sense of dread," he admits. "I wish I hadn't felt so guilty about the danger I've put my loved ones in."
But the truth is, Saviano cannot escape the consequences of his courage. The threats from the mafia, the isolation, the constant questions about the value of his sacrifice—all are part of his reality, a reality all too real for those bravely standing against the forces of darkness.
Sources:- ntv.de
- Italy
- Mafia
- Italian Mafia
- Roberto Saviano, living under constant danger due to his exposure of the Neapolitan mafia, shares his emotional turmoil, loneliness, and self-blame in an interview, questioning the value of his sacrifices.
- The Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia, has targeted Saviano since the publication of his book "Gomorrah" at the age of 26, placing him in a protective custody for the past 20 years.
- In addition to the Camorristi wanting him dead, Saviano also faces backlash from ordinary Neapolitans for his unflinching portrayal of Naples in "Gomorrah."
- Matteo Salvini, deputy prime minister, has advocated for the revocation of Saviano's police protection, embroiling him in Italy's political games.
- Salman Rushdie, a long-time friend of Saviano, faced a similar ordeal after his book "The Satanic Verses" earned him a fatwa, making him a target for Muslims worldwide.
- The science of health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, personal-growth, books, education-and-self-development, and lifelong-learning can offer insights and strategies for managing the mental and emotional challenges faced by individuals like Saviano.
- In the realm of celebrity, entertainment, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice, Saviano's story serves as a stark reminder of the risks and rewards of courage and truth-telling.
- The concept of career-development can provide potential pathways for individuals who, like Saviano, find themselves confined by circumstances but determined to make a positive impact.
- Roberto Saviano's anecdote mirrors the experiences of other courageous individuals, much like Malala Yousafzai or John Lewis, who risk their well-being for the greater good.
- The rise of social media platforms such as Whatsapp has made it easier for communities to share information, support one another, and advocate for policy changes, such as community policy and employment policy, that prioritize the safety and well-being of individuals like Saviano.
- Saviano's courage and resilience serve as inspiration for those navigating their own journey of personal growth, overcoming adversity, and seeking to make a difference in the world, whether in the arena of war-and-conflicts, politics, or the pursuit of lifelong-learning and skills-training.
