In many references to Abruzzo, you’ll often hear the phrase forte e gentile—strong and kind—used to describe its people and spirit. But what is the origin of this phrase, and why does it still resonate today?
Primo Levi (1853-1917), a journalist and diplomat coined the term (not to be confused with the Italian writer and Holocaust survivor of the same name).
Levi wrote about his travels to Abruzzo in a book published in 1882 titled ‘Abruzzo forte e gentile: Impressioni d’Occhio e di Cuore” (Abruzzo Strong & Kind: Impressions of the Eye and the Heart). 1
The book’s cover is also noteworthy as it was illustrated by the renowned Abruzzese painter, Francesco Paolo Michetti (born in Tocco da Casauria).
Primo LeviAfter having seen and known Abruzzo, I say:
Abruzzo strong and kind.
Epperò, dopo aver visto e conosciuto l’Abruzzo, dico io:
Abruzzo Forte e Gentile.
The phrase becomes a motto
After Levi’s book was published in 1882, the phrase ‘forte e gentile’ resonated immediately, capturing the soul of Abruzzo and soon became its unofficial motto appearing in tourism campaigns, cultural events, and even on liquor bottles. By 1904, it had already been included in a dictionary of famous sayings, cementing its place in Italy’s literary history 2.
Levi’s book was reissued in 2024, a testament to its importance in capturing a point in time in Abruzzo’s history – post-unification and at the cusp of transformation, leaving the past behind and embracing progress.
“In a few years, everything will have already changed from what it is today.”
“Fra qualche anno, tutto già sarà mutato di quel che oggi è.”
Levi was one of the first writers to predict the crucial role coastal communities would play in shaping the resurgence of the region. At this time, coastal communities had been neglected in favour of the the mystical and romantic pastoral and mountain communities. Levi portrayed coastal communities as quietly industrious whilst carrying the seeds of change.
His observations remind us that historical memory isn’t just about the past—it’s about understanding the present and shaping the future.
And forte e gentile is more than a slogan. It’s a reflection of a people shaped by adversity and generosity.
Strength in adversity, Kindness in generosity
Strength in adversity— against famine, earthquakes, and harsh mountain life, best evidenced in the rebuilding of L’Aquila after the 2009 earthquake.
Kindness in generosity— indicating the soul of a people that provided hospitality to strangers witnessed during WWII when locals gave aid to POWs escaping German occupation .
Levi’s book and ultimately famous phrase, reinforces the importance of historical memory in shaping the soul of a people and land.
Whether in the strength of communities rebuilding, or the kindness etched in everyday gestures, the phrase still rings true today.
I see this spirit in my own family. My parents, migrants from Abruzzo, carried that strength and kindness with them to Australia throughout their resettlement into a new and foreign country. Their resilience and generosity shaping my own understanding of what it means to live in community.
Forte e gentile isn’t just a motto—it’s a way of being.
Below is an excerpt from the book that introduces the term ‘forte e gentile’ which is now the unofficial motto of the Abruzzo region.
There in our language, in its entirety, in itself, simplicity and effectiveness, a word consecrated by the intention of the honest to create many good things, many necessary things: and the word is Strength. And yet it has been said and is said – the strong Abruzzo. There in our language, in its entirety, in itself, comprehensive elegance, a word that can be used to define all the beauties, all the nobilities is the word Gentle.
And yet, after having seen and known Abruzzo, I say: Abruzzo Forte and Gentile.
“V’a nella nostra lingua, tutta, in sé stessa, semplicità ed efficacia, una parola consacrata dalla intenzione degli onesti a designare molte cose buone, molte cose necessarie: e la parola Forza. Epperò, s’è detto e si dice il forte Abruzzo. V’a nella nostra lingua, tutta, in sé stessa, comprensiva eleganza, una parola che vale a comprendere definendole, tutte le bellezze, tutte le nobiltà è la parola Gentilezza.
Primo Levi
Epperò, dopo aver visto e conosciuto l’Abruzzo, dico io: Abruzzo Forte e Gentile.”
‘Abruzzo forte e gentile: Impressioni d’Occhio e di Cuore”
(Abruzzo Strong & Kind: Impressions of the Eye and the Heart)
