The Italian Cultural Institute London is delighted to welcome Venanzio Postiglione, author of The Ten Betrayed Words, in conversation with the Director of the Institute, Francesco Bongarrà.
Some words lie at the very foundations of our civilisation and shape the way we understand ourselves and the world. In his latest book, Postiglione retraces the history of ten fundamental concepts, exploring their origins—from their etymology and the great myths to their original meanings and the transformations they have undergone over the centuries.
Published by Solferino in 2026, Le dieci parole tradite. Come abbiamo smarrito le radici della nostra civiltà: dalla democrazia al talento (The Ten Betrayed Words. How We Lost the Roots of Our Civilisation: From Democracy to Talent) follows the journey of ten key words—democracy, happiness, fraternity, freedom, moderation, peace, equality, planet, talent and truth—through history, philosophy and literature, right up to the challenges of the present day. From the Iliad, where strength appears to prevail above all other virtues, to Donald Trump’s America, the book invites readers to reflect on how the meaning of these concepts has changed and what those changes reveal about contemporary society.
During the event, the author will guide the audience through these ten words that have helped shape Western thought. Words we once believed to be firmly established and universally shared, yet which today call for renewed reflection if we are to imagine a future grounded in the values they represent.
Event in Italian.
Thursday 17 September, 6.30 pm
At the new home of the Italian Cultural Institute London (4–5 Buckingham Gate, SW1E 6JP)
Book your free place HERE
Venanzio Postiglione is Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Corriere della Sera and Editor of 7, the newspaper’s weekly magazine. He is the founder and director of the Walter Tobagi School of Journalism at the University of Milan.