Agenda

A Renaissance version of Lessons in Chemistry, in Bianca’s Cure, a single-minded young woman pursues early chemistry in a world filled with alchemy and superstition, religious dogma, and political treachery—including within her own family. Her cause is curing malaria, known in 16th-century Madrid as calenturas or paludismo or, in Arabic, الحمى الغب;  and in Florence, as febbre terzana or quaterna.

Her tool, artemisia—almost five centuries before the Nobel Prize was awarded to a Chinese woman scientist for discovering a cure with the same bitter herb. Bianca’s quest takes her to whore houses, garden shacks, palaces, and sick houses—colliding with a city’s intensifying illness. Also available in Italian as La Cure di Bianca (Casa Croce).

Gigi Berardi hails from Hollywood, and holds degrees in biology, natural resources, and dance. A Fulbright scholar in Italy and professor at Western Washington University in Bellingham, she also teaches in Florence, Italy. She’s written more than 400 reviews and articles for print media and has been featured on podcasts and broadcast media. Beyond writing, her other passions include dance, cheesemaking, and romance languages.

The Event will start with an interview, there will be readings, and a Q&A. Refreshments will be served and there will be a signing. The event is free, places are limited, and we ask that you buy a 3€ voucher, redeemable at the event.