by Agnese Fanizza

Alberto Manzi drawing the word ‘casa’ (house) — Alberto Manzi drawing the word *‘casa’* (house)

Within a university community, it seems as if the opportunity to learn any new skill is at our fingertips – making it so that ‘it is never too late’ to learn something new. If you take this phrase to Italy, however, it takes on a different, more significant meaning.

“Non é mai troppo tardi” (“It is never too late”) is the name of a television program that aired from 1960 to 1968 with the aim of reducing the illiteracy rate of the Italian post-war population, specifically adults who had not received elementary level diplomas. This was very common as many Italians did not have either the means or time to send their children to school, much less to themselves return to school. The show was extremely innovative both in terms of technology and education. It transformed the television screen into an interactive classroom with teacher Alberto Manzi using a white paper backdrop to spell and draw letters, sounds and words.

It would be too little to say that the show was successful - all of Italy would tune in every afternoon before dinner to follow his lessons, either from home or so-called ‘punti di ascolto’ such as local bars, churches, and even schools for those who did not own televisions. The show finally ended in May 1968, when there was no longer the need to teach from home as both elementary and secondary school attendance had risen, and an estimated 35,000 Italian adults had successfully obtained their elementary level diplomas.

*From one of the show’s broadcasts,1961*

The most influential part of Manzi’s show was its pivotal and unparalleled role in the social and cultural unification of Italians across the peninsula. It started a revolution in communication and the Italian language by bringing education into places where it had never been before: the home. Personally, I believe that its success lay in its ability to create community through accessibility – there was no discrimination over who could benefit from the lessons and no judgement of individuals who used it as their main source of education. It allowed for the creation and gathering of communities through solidarity, enthusiasm, and a genuine will to learn.

This part of Italian history is extremely relevant to our current reality – especially as we start this semester from all corners of the world. Technology remains the force keeping our community together, connected, and educated during this time of fear and uncertainty. Even if we might loathe it for interfering with our daily lives, its potential to shape and innovate our communities and education remains unmatched. Just as Manzi brought together an entire country through language and learning, we are learning that “It is Never Too Late” to find new ways of using technology to learn something new and remain connected while doing so.

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