L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 24 L'Italo-Americano HERITAGE HISTORY IDENTITY TRADITIONS PEOPLE O n November 4 t h , w e m a r k t h e 5 8 t h anniversary of the devastating 1966 Flo- rence Flood, a tragedy that also highlighted extraordi- nary resilience. In recogni- tion of this milestone, L'Ita- l o A m e r i c a n o h a d t h e p l e a s u r e o f i n t e r v i e w i n g K a r e n M . G r e e n w a l d , author of The Mud Angels (Albert Whitman & Compa- ny) which tells the remark- able story of the angel del fango (the "mud angels")— y o u n g v o l u n t e e r s f r o m around the world who rushed to Florence to save priceless artifacts and historical docu- m e n t s s u b m e r g e d b y t h e f l o o d w a t e r s . G r e e n w a l d ' s work explores their courage, camaraderie, and the lasting impact of their efforts, offer- ing readers a unique glimpse into this inspiring episode of international solidarity and cultural preservation. H o w d i d y o u c o m e across the story of the M u d A n g e l s a n d w h a t i n s p i r e d y o u t o w r i t e about them and the 1966 Arno flood? I first learned about the Arno flood from my college roommate. She's who I turn to for blunt and honest man- u s c r i p t c r i t i q u e s ! W h e n I mentioned looking for a non- fiction topic combining sev- eral of my passions—interna- t i o n a l c o o p e r a t i o n , community-building, envi- ronmental issues, and, of course, art—she quickly men- t i o n e d t h e f l o o d . T h e moment I read about Mud Angels I knew! Their bravery, selflessness, and ability to t r a v e r s e d a n g e r , e x t r e m e odors, and ignore language and culture barriers moved me. Also, I love writing about t h e u n e x p e c t e d . W h o w o u l d ' v e p r e d i c t e d t h a t young people from around t h e w o r l d w o u l d f o r m a n a l m o s t e n d l e s s a n d impromptu rescue communi- ty? Why did you choose to write this story for chil- d r e n a n d h o w d i d y o u ensure historical accura- cy while making the story engaging? Today, chaos and negativi- ty are accessible to children within the click of a key. Kids need examples of everyday heroes. We are accustomed to seeing teams sent in when countries suffer disasters. But in 1966, before the age of c e l l p h o n e s a n d i n s t a n t information, untold numbers of youth voluntarily—and initially, spontaneously—left safety and comfort behind to help save fragile pieces of Italy's past. (As a bibliophile, I e s p e c i a l l y a d m i r e t h e depths to which Mud Angels went to save books). It also surprised me that this global youth reaction and movement had never been written about (in Eng- lish) for children. Specifically focusing on the Biblioteca Nazionale di Firenze (BNCF) f e l t s y m b o l i c , a s i t i s a guardian of Italian written h i s t o r y a n d c u l t u r e . T o ensure historical accuracy, I spent three years communi- cating with a BNCF conser- vator and the then head of Università degli Studi di Firenze CEDAF (Florence flood documentation center). I watched Italian documen- taries and media clips (trans- lating frame by frame), read international newspapers, searched through thousands of images, and connected with 1966 head conservator Peter Waters's widow. These endeavors gave me a fasci- nating framework. Then, I began interviews with Flo- rentines who remembered the flood, and sixteen of the original Mud Angels. To make picture books engaging, word choice is key! Kids relate to slime and goo, stinky odors, fearing dark- ness…mud. But I also want- ed the sounds of my words to reflect the textures and nois- es of the aftermath. Finally, given the age range of my main audience, I chose to depict much of what the Flo- rentines (and other commu- nities along the river) faced, w i t h o u t d e l v i n g i n t o t h e most traumatic aspects. Out of the tragedy, young people f l o o d e d F l o r e n c e w i t h a s p a r k o f h o p e , e n o r m o u s help, and waves of inspira- tion. That's what I want kids to remember. You interviewed some o f t h e o r i g i n a l M u d Angels: what was it like? As a nonfiction author, getting primary information is a gift! I had incredible, meaningful, lengthy phone interviews (and follow-ups, galore) with sixteen of the original Mud Angels who lived through the flood. I learned about their pre-flood Florence adventures, like dancing to Italian covers of English songs (to which I am now addicted!), first visits to the Uffizi Gallery, and a sto- rybook Mud Angel wedding. B u t t h e m o s t r i v e t i n g details? Hearing about tak- ing on the mud mere hours after the Arno receded. Abroad students living in Florence and locals found themselves working together at the BNCF hours after the flood. There, sixteenth and seventeenth century books were in peril in the base- ment. Initially, volunteers lacked gloves, boots, cover- alls, and other protective gear. Yet, surrounded by an u n t e n a b l e s t e n c h , t h e s e y o u n g p e o p l e s e a r c h e d through the dark, cold pool for endless hours. Because of school dress codes, many of t h e w o m e n I s p o k e w i t h faced the mud clad in skirts and dress shoes. Imagine how hideous it must have felt being submerged in that sludge…in a dress! As days passed, supplies and access to Florence became avail- able. Waves of youth kept arriving from around the world. Tell us two good rea- s o n s t o p i c k u p y o u r book! I love this question! While the flood happened almost 60 years ago, it has contem- porary importance. CEDAF holds conferences about it, Mud Angels still return for f l o o d a n n i v e r s a r i e s , a n d many say that the mud smell still wafts through grates on e s p e c i a l l y h o t d a y s . T h e flood lasted eighteen hours, b u t l e s s o n s l e a r n e d a n d restoration needs persist. Even now, children treat vis- i t i n g M u d A n g e l s l i k e celebrities. They are a sym- bol of what's possible. As the American Library Associa- tion's Booklist review said, t h e b o o k s h a r e s a " t r u e episode worth commemorat- ing." Secondly, I recently had the honor of seeing a video of a visiting parent reading my book to a third-grade class. At the story's end, a child on camera found out that her grandmother was o n e o f t h e o r i g i n a l M u d Angels. She hugged the book (and I teared up)! The parent asked the class: "How can we be inspired by this book?" A n o t h e r c h i l d a n s w e r e d , " T h e y w e r e teenagers and that proves that kids and teenagers can change the world!" I could not have asked for a better answer to the reader's ques- tion or to yours! Mud Angels is available on Amazon and in indepen- dent bookstores. FRANCESCA BEZZONE A beautiful spread from Greenwald's The Mud Angels (Photo courtesy of Karen M. Greenwald) Rescuing Florence: Karen M. Greenwald tribute to the Mud Angels

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