One book about talented people from the Abruzzo Region of Italy living abroad would surely be welcomed. Two books on that topic would be enough. And three would definitely be too many!

However, author Dom Serafini, an Abruzzo native who’s lived in New York City for decades, does not want to do a disservice to the additional 58 deserving personalities from Abruzzo who first appeared in his Sunday column in the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, so they will now be the subject of the third volume of the I Messaggeri d'Abruzzo nel Mondo (The Messengers of Abruzzo in the World).

The book, released in July 2022, includes remarks by Giovanna Di Lello, director of the John Fante Festival (devoted to the 1930s Hollywood screenwriter and novelist of –– among other books –– Ask The Dust, who was of Abruzzese origin); Laura Di Russo, head of the Abruzzo Region Emigration Office; and Giovanna Frastalli, asociologist and cultural activist.

The inspiring adventures of the Abruzzesi abroad never end. It is worth reminding readers that the task of the author and that of the publisher, Edizioni Il Viandante, is to make the success of the Abruzzesi abroad known... in Abruzzo. The task of the institutions in Abruzzo, on the other hand, is to make Abruzzo known abroad (so it would no longer be necessary to explain that Abruzzo is on the other side of Rome). These talented Abruzzesi featured in the book are known, popular, and appreciated in their respective overseas communities — but not known in Abruzzo.

One might ask: "What advantages can these talents from far away bring to the Abruzzo people who still residein the region?" This is a question that many politicians also struggle with. After all, Abruzzo citizens abroad cannot vote in regional and local elections, so they tend to be ignored.

It is understandable that local politicians focus their efforts on keeping their posts, but it is not obvious why the business world can ignore the importance of Abruzzesi abroad.

It would be sufficient to consult any economic report to see that the Abruzzesi abroad are the ones who travel the most in Abruzzo, those who consume the most Abruzzo products in their foreign countries of residence, and those who are active in promoting the region. Without the Abruzzesi abroad, Abruzzo would be as poor as the Sahara without oil.

The subtitle of this third volume of I Messaggeri d'Abruzzo nel Mondois "How to be successful abroad." In fact, the book features 58 talents from 36 towns in Abruzzo who achieved success in 12 different countries.

While Abruzzo mainly exported manual labor forces in the past, today it exports brainpower to all sectors, and the book features many examples for those who want ideas on how to explore a good career overseas. Thus, the book should be a must-read, especially for young people.

For the publisher and the author, promoting the Abruzzesi abroad in Abruzzo is quite the project. In fact,the book will be presented in four locations, covering all the provinces in Abruzzo: Pescara, Giulianova (Teramo), Castel Nuovo (L'Aquila), and Montenerodomo (Chieti).