Jonathan Ball Publishers and Bokmakiri invite you to the Swellendam launch of Prisoners of Jan Smuts: Italian Prisoners of War in South Africa in WWII by Karen Horn.

Prisoners of Jan Smuts recounts the stories of survival and shenanigans of the Italian POWs in the Union through the eyes of five prisoners who had documented their experiences in memoirs and letters.

While many POWs seemed to appreciate the opportunities to gain new skills, others clung to the Fascist ideas they had grown up with and refused to work. Many opted to remain in South Africa once the war had ended, forging quite a legacy.

These included sculptor Edoardo Villa, who left an important mark in the local and international art world, and businessman Aurelio Gatti, who built an ice-cream empire whose gelato was to delight generations of South Africans.

Horn will be in conversation with Nicholas Myburgh, ex-mayor of Swellendam and now member of the National Assembly, at the event.

Event details

Date: Friday 17 May 2024
Time: 17:30
Venue: 5 Swellengrebel St, Swellendam
RSVP: bokmakiribooks@gmail.com
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Categories Non-fiction South Africa

Tags Bokmakiri Jonathan Ball Publishers Karen Horn Prisoners of Jan Smuts Swellendam