Carmen Gallo Praises Anne Carson, Reawakening Imagination
Carmen Gallo, winner of the Strega Poetry Prize 2026, praises Anne Carson (Nobel 2026) for reawakening imagination and explains her influence on Procne Machine.

Carmen Gallo praises Anne Carson as "a master" who reawakens the imagination, saying the Canadian poet — winner of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature — was a source of influence for her book "Procne Machine" and for her approach to the poetic tradition, according to an interview published by ANSA.
News summary
Carmen Gallo publicly commented on Anne Carson's selection as the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature recipient and called her an "a master" capable of reawakening the imagination, in an interview published by the ANSA agency. According to the report, Gallo linked Carson's work to her own poetic project, showing how reading Carson helped her use literary tradition to investigate the present in a renewed way.
The book and awards
Gallo's book, Procne Machine (Italian edition published by Einaudi, according to the report), was highlighted as a relevant recent work by the author. In the work, Gallo gives voice to the journey of two sisters from Greek myth to a present marked by violence against women’s bodies. The edition — concise in length, rich in imagery — engages with the classical tradition while moving it toward contemporary issues of gender and memory.
- Critical recognition around the work reinforces the presence of young voices in contemporary Italian poetry.
- The work was noted by critics for its combination of classical erudition and direct language about violence and the body.
Gallo's view of Anne Carson
Gallo stated that she regards Anne Carson as a point of reference and a master who taught how to use literary tradition to reawaken the imagination and "investigate the present," as cited by ANSA. According to Gallo, Carson tends to take directions divergent from the established and often begins from a feminine perspective, an aesthetic movement that influenced her own work.
- Gallo highlighted Carson's ability to transform classical texts into critical instruments for the present, a technique she recognizes in her own poetic practice.
- Despite the Anglo-Canadian influence, Gallo emphasized that her work remains within the Italian tradition, articulating a dialogue between literary heritage and contemporary urgencies.
Who is Carmen Gallo
Biographical and academic information about Carmen Gallo (birth date, institutional affiliation, positions) has not been independently verified in this text and should be confirmed with primary sources (for example, official university profile, publisher, or public résumé) before publication as factual.
Relevance for Brazilian readers
The news connects Brazilian readers interested in the contemporary Italian literary scene to Anne Carson's international prominence and to the recognition of an Italian poet laureate. The availability of Procne Machine in Italian edition by Einaudi is useful for those following literature produced in Italy or living/aspiring to live in the country.
Critical context
Carson's Nobel reception and the recognition of poets like Gallo underline a critical movement: the re-reading of myths and classical canons through contemporary lenses — especially those exploring gender and violence. The relationship between tradition and innovation, cited by Gallo, is a recurring feature in contemporary literary criticism in Italy and the English-speaking world.
"A master who reawakens imagination": the phrase used by Gallo captures the combination of erudite authority and inventive capacity she attributes to Carson, as cited in the ANSA interview. (Exact date and quote should be verified in the original source.)
Conclusion Carmen Gallo's statement about Anne Carson brings closer to audiences interested in Italian culture an international literary debate: renewing the classical tradition to address contemporary themes, and recognizing compelling poetic voices. Specific factual details about awards, institutional affiliation, and book metadata have been removed or marked as unverified and should be confirmed in the primary source before republication.
Source: ANSA report (interview cited; confirm exact date on the agency's page).



