Why I refused to accept the Laurels of Dante

Why I refused to accept the Laurels of Dante

Dante’s Beach, Ravenna I have just refused to accept the local equivalent of an Oscar, which was to have been presented later this month in the Basilica di San Francesco next to the tomb of Dante Alighieri. I have done so because I believe I am not worthy. To accept would be unbecoming. It would dishonor both the award and me. They want to crown me with the “Alloro di Dante” – the Laurels of Dante – which each year they do to a tiny number of pe…