Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., the cultural center LAC Lugano Art and Culture will host an event that combines literature and social commitment; the protagonist of the evening will be Daria Bignardi, who will present his latest book Our loneliness in a dialogue moderated by journalist Sandra Sain, head of Rete Due.
The initiative is promoted by Mission Bambini Switzerland Foundation and is part of the LAC edu program, with the support of UBS. The event aims not only to be a cultural opportunity but also to raise awareness about vulnerable children.
A tale of loneliness between private life and international scenarios
In his new work, Bignardi addresses the theme of loneliness with a style that alternates introspection and world observation. The book moves between personal experiences and international contexts marked by conflict and inequality: from the West Bank to Hebron, from At-Tuwani to Jerusalem, to countries like Vietnam and Uganda.
The narrative unfolds through episodes that connect individual experiences with global dynamics, painting a picture of fragility and resilience coexisting. There are also more intimate passages, linked to everyday affections and the relationship with animals, which help to delineate a complex and multi-layered human journey.
The experience in Uganda and the connection with Mission Bambini
One chapter of the book is dedicated to the author's firsthand experience in Uganda, where she visited Mulago Hospital in Kampala and St. Clelia School in Kitanga. Here, she was able to observe firsthand the activities supported by Mission Bambini, documenting interventions related to health and education.
During the evening in Lugano, the public will have the opportunity to connect live with two figures working in the field: Dr. Stefano Marianeschi, scientific director of the "Cuore di Bimbi" project, and Stefano Oltolini, general director of Mission Bambini Italia. Both are currently in Uganda on a surgical mission and will provide real-time updates.
An evening of culture and solidarity
The meeting offers an opportunity to learn more about the foundation's projects, which support vulnerable children. Mission Bambini Switzerland, founded in 2015 by Goffredo Modena, works in synergy with the Italian organization, which has been active for over twenty-five years.
Overall, the organization has reached approximately 1,4 million children through more than 2.000 projects in 77 countries, primarily focusing on health—with a particular focus on childhood heart disease—and education, combating educational poverty and promoting access to education.
An author's journey between fiction and nonfiction
Born in Ferrara and residing in Milan, Daria Bignardi has built an internationally recognized literary career over the years. Her best-known works include I will not leave you orphans, awarded with prizes such as Rapallo, Elsa Morante and City of Padua, Books that ruined my life (Einaudi, 2022) e Every prison is an island (Mondadori, 2024), winner of the Rapallo Nonfiction Award.
His books, translated into several languages, are distinguished by a direct style and the ability to intertwine personal experiences and broader reflections on contemporary issues.
