a prominent figure in Varazze during the first half of the 20th century, renowned as a man of letters and historian. Although he is not particularly well known today, Garea's work establishes him as a significant figure in the Italian and European cultural scene of the time.
e was a dear friend of Gian Pietro Lucini's, with whom he corresponded about all sorts of themes. Lucini stayed at Garea's house on Punta Aspera, the cape at the western end of the bay in which Varazze lies, almost every winter from 1904 onwards. Garea rented out his house to tourists from northern Italy who wanted to spend the winter by the sea. Thanks to Lucini, Garea's house became the meeting place for a club of academics, men of letters and local politicians, such as Niccolò Sardi, then Mayor of Varazze. Lucini also introduced Garea to Armenian poet Hrand Nazariantz, whom he started collaborating with during the 1920s by writing for the newspaper "Corriere delle Puglie".
As well as renting out homes and doing cultural work, Garea managed one of the Botta family's two bathing establishments in Varazze: the Bagni Letizia. The Botta family also owned a printing house which published the daily newspaper "Il Teiro" as well as some works by Garea and Lucini. The Botta family also founded the Bagni Regina Margherita, Varazze's first bathing establishment, which is still operating today under the name Kursaal Margherita. One of the building's rooms features a wonderful ceiling by Lucio Fontana, the artist known for his slashed canvases.
An interesting fact about Garea is that he wrote his literary works under the pen name Mornor Yadolfe, an anagram of his given name. However, he wrote his historical essays and papers under the latter.
What was he interested in?
Garea's personal library - today preserved in Varazze's "Eugenio Montale" Public Library - includes a plethora of books on different subjects, including literature, history, religion, chemistry and natural science. He was deeply interested in the history and mythology of ancient peoples, and his own poetry often references mythical and legendary tales and characters, such as Jason.
Garea was curious about other cultures and frequently travelled abroad. One of his favourite destinations was Spain: Alfons Maseras, who wrote a commentary on an anthology of Garea's poems, noted that he was a well-known figure in Catalonia. Garea was also interested in travel literature and helped G.B. Cerruti, a renowned Varazze-born explorer, to write his travelogue *Fra i cacciatori di teste dell'isola di Nias* (Among the headhunters of Nias Island), which describes voyages in the Indonesian archipelago and encounters with the indigenous Sakai tribe.
Garea was nevertheless also interested in Italian literature. As well as reviewing the works of his contemporaries, he also wrote commentaries in verse on Ugo Foscolo's *Dei Sepolcri*, entitled *Carme a Foscolo* (Song to Foscolo), on Horace (*Carme a Orazio*), and on Gabriello Chiabrera (*Divagazioni sul Chiabrera*, Digressions on Chiabrera).
What did he write?
Garea worked with the Rome daily *La Ragione* for two years as well as with *Il Teiro. Gazzetta del mandamento di Varazze*, published in Varazze. He mainly wrote articles about cultural themes, particularly literary reviews, including one on his friend Lucini's *Verso libero*.
Garea wrote Symbolist poetry in which his deep interest in other cultures is evident through references to Greek, Roman, Norse and Egyptian mythology, among others. His collections include *Vecchie Rime* (Old Rhymes), *Ricami dell'Ombra* (Embroideries of the Shadow), *I nauti del Sogno, poema simbolico* (The mariners of the Dream, a Symbolist poem) and *Ultimo Poema* (Last Poem). He also wrote and epic poem called *Nel Mar dei Sargassi* (In the Sargasso Sea), whose main character is called Gian Pietro in homage to his dear friend Lucini.
*S.E. Capitano Fanfa. Il mulino del Basci-Buzuk* (H.E. Captain Fanfa. The Basci-Buzuk mill) is perhaps the most unusual of Garea's works. It is a novel set in the future, with an underlying ironic tone. Garea toyed with the idea of writing a sequel, which never materialised.
Why is he an important figure for Varazze?
Garea had a love-hate relationship with his hometown. He loved the town, but not its inhabitants, particularly in the summer when his job at Bagni Letizia meant he had to work late.
His academic and, most prominently, historical works on Varazze, and more broadly about the Ligurian coast provide further knowledge on the history of the town, enriching its cultural heritage.
