A new collective coming-of-age novel, "Quando potevamo ancora essere tutto" (When We Could Still Be Everything), has been published in May 2025 by the Giangiacomo Feltrinelli Foundation. This book is the result of a six-year collaboration between adolescents and the Cde Creta center, managed by the social cooperative Azione Solidale.
The Cde Creta center, located in Milan's Inganni, Baggio, and Giambellino-Lorenteggio neighborhoods, has served as a vital hub for young people, fostering relationships and personal development. Writer Nicoletta Bortolotti documented the evolving experiences of these individuals, highlighting the crucial role of consistent adult support within the center's educational philosophy. The novel features the stories of individuals like Ilaria, now a 23-year-old student and mother; Vittoria, an early childhood educator who also graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts; and Fayssal, a 24-year-old IT consultant who credits Cde Creta for his continued education.
The novel's title, "Quando potevamo ancora essere tutto," is inspired by a quote from the late writer Michela Murgia, reflecting on the unique and unrepeatable nature of friendships formed during adolescence. The Cde Creta center has been a cornerstone in its community, providing a safe space for young people to explore their identities and aspirations, offering an alternative to idleness and negative influences, and promoting active citizenship.
Through weekly gatherings, participants at Cde Creta have shaped their own activities, including travel, workshops, and community service, embodying a shared journey of self-discovery and collective creation. The book is now available in bookstores and online, offering readers insight into the universal experience of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood.