How Rome Has Helped Writers Find Their Creative Self
A brief love story of three writers.
The loud chattering of people outside woke me up. It’s a warm mid-July morning. The sun is bright and for a moment I forget where I am.
I’m in Rome. It´s 2015.
I stretch open the windows and look down to see two nuns chatting with a man. They are clearly heading in opposite directions (on way to work, perhaps?) but decided to spend some leisure moments. They don’t notice me observing from up above. I don’t mean to gape, but watching them go about their day gives me enjoyment.
The city has already awaken; there is a gentle bustle as city workers make their way to work, some shops are opening and a few tourists are out and about with their camera. The rays of the summer sun on the buildings are quite dramatic, too, bringing to light: the vivid colors of the Roman buildings and their ancient statues.
The heat of the sun is stronger now as I sit in a small caffé sipping cappuccino and nibbling on freshly-made pastry. Two starlings have flown on the table next to me and are eating the leftover bread from previous customers. Just like earlier, I watch the people around me, and feel a sense of happiness just sitting there.
The bliss! I feel so content and invigorated- at the same time! I want to take it all in: the colors, scents, noises and the history of this very old city!
For twenty years, Ole Høeg lived in Rome writing numerous crime novels. For most of his books his protagonist Amadeo Bergamasco solves mysteries and crimes. He also wrote travel books on Rome and was a head tour guide.
I can imagine him easily using the city itself as the backdrop for his novels. And how realistic his characters must be because he had everyday to study the local Romans; their demeanor and ways of thinking. Reading his books, you come very close to living in Italy and solving crimes!
“What is it really about Rome?”
This is the question he asks in one of his travel books from1984. He goes on asking, why this city despite being: overpriced, a city of strikes, having dirty streets and air pollution, a chaotic traffic- still people flock in huge numbers, hotels are full of bookings and the city is alive with energy!
And I ask myself this very same question. How Rome has captivated me I do not understand completely.
In 1833, Hans Christian Andersen arrived in Rome for the first time and lived there for four months. In 1846 on his third trip and stay in Rome, he expressed his love for The Eternal City,
“I felt so happy, so penetrated with thankfulness and joy; how much more God had given me than a thousand others-nay, than to many thousands! And even in this very feeling there is a blessing- where joy is very great, as in the deepest grief, there is only God on whom one can learn! The first impression was- I can find no other word for it- adoration.”
And he continues to describe his current adventure to his first one,
“When I was here thirteen years ago, all knelt; now reason had conquered faith. Ten years later, when the railways will have brought cities nearer to each other, Rome will be yet more changed. But in all that happens, everything is for the best; one always must love Rome; it’s like a story book, one is always discovering new wonders, and one lives in imagination and reality.”
It´s safe to say that the Danish author really did love Rome. I wonder if his fairytales are inspired by old Roman inhabitants and the empire’s colossal history? I´d like to think that Roman emperors and princesses made an impact on his stories.
Lately, I have been thinking of traveling to Rome- when it will be okay to travel again, that is. I have made some online friends who live in Italy, and throughout their lockdown period I’ve seen their desire to see their country heal. As things are slowly returning back to normal (or a new type of normal!), I feel a sense of love for Italy’s people. I would love to visit sometime soon. Rome seems to endlessly give back to people and that is why it is the city I delight in the most.
