Ernesto Sabato, Argentine writer of Arberesh origin, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was the son of two immigrants originally from Calabria. His mother’s name was Giovanna Maria Ferrari and she was an Arberesh girl born in San Martino di Finita. In contrast, his father, Francesco Sabato, was born in Fuscaldo, both from the province of Cosenza. The writer was the tenth of the eleven children the couple had, and was born after the death of his brother, Ernestito, after whom he was named. After finishing primary school, he attended the second cycle at “Colegio Nacional” in La Plata. In 1929 he enrolled in the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of the National University of La Plata. After completing his doctorate in physics, he attended a philosophy course and moved to Paris, where he stayed for two years. There he followed the courses of the Sorbonne University and at the same time was associated with the surrealist poets of Montparnasse. After returning to Argentina, he continued his research work on relativity. 1940 he began teaching at the University of La Plata until 1945, when he finally abandoned the physical sciences to devote himself entirely to literature and painting. Moved to the outskirts of Pantanillo, in a settlement without water and electricity. It played an important role in Argentina’s post-coup history, mainly during the government of Raúl Alfonsín. In 1999, Sabato received Italian citizenship. He passed away in 2011. (In the photo: Ernesto Sabato)
Text: Center of Studies and Publications for Arbëresh
Photo: © https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/01/ernesto-sabato-obituary
Graphic processing: AHCF
