The month of March has brought us Spring, and the 100th birthday of a legend, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, celebrated poet and San Francisco’s first Poet Laureate. He is also a painter, social activist, and the co-founder of City Lights Booksellers & Publishers located in San Francisco’s North Beach district. 

On the occasion of this historic month, L’Italo-Americano was fortunate to speak with Mauro Aprile Zanetti, Ferlinghetti’s assistant and public relations representative. Recently speaking with Italy’s main newspaper, Il Corriere della Sera, Ferlinghetti defined him as «Un folletto con le ali ai piedi, tutto cuore e primavera: per questo si chiama Aprile» / A spirit with wings at his feet. A pure mix of heart and spring: that’s why his name is Aprile.