The author Sarah Burdelak about the book "Prospettive Mira Lago":

 

I am in love. My immortal love is for the Italian part of Lake Maggiore. It was therefore natural that in 2012 I devoted to it a photo exhibit entitled “Prospettive Lago Maggiore”, which took place in Hanover. At the time I was already working on my first book "Lauter Linden - ein Bildband" (All sorts of Linden - an illustrated book) about Hanover-Linden, which was released later in 2013. It was a hybrid between a photographic book and a tour guide, offering an abundance of historical facts and relevant points of interest.

 

As I had already collected a great amount of photos of the tourist attractions of the lake, I had envisioned a similar concept for this book when I started to work on it in early 2014. For instance, I gathered information on Isola Bella - whose name, by the way, wasn’t intended to mean “beautiful island”, but as an homage to the wife of Carlo III Borromeo, Isabella D’Adda. I also know that in 1971 the population of Isola Superiore dei Pescatori had reached twohundred and eight inhabitants. I learned the year in which the Curia of Novara had given away Isola Madre to the Count Lancillotto Borromeo, that is 1501. I knew about the Rocca in Angera and I had seen the San Carlone in Arona. I thought this was a promising start so I decided it was time to rally my team. It took a while for the team’s formation to take its ultimate shape - so it is inevitable at this point that I should talk about these three women.

 

Marianna from Turin was introduced to me by a common friend and she took the role of managing part of the correspondence and translating from German into Italian the texts that I would write. Maria bumped into us online and has been focusing on researching. Mickey from Lesa completed our team. She initially offered to show me around Arona but then grabbed the chance to interpret from Italian into English during an on-site visit. She then decided to stay and complete the task.

 

It is especially worth mentioning that all these women have always kept their word and have been reliable and dependable. Until now each of them has worked well beyond their official duties - alleviating the workload of the others whenever possible. This team is one of the reasons why this project has come to be by far the most enjoyable working experience I have had until now. I cannot wait to gather them all together for the first time out of the virtual world for the presentation of the book.

 

And so began my research about the attractions of Lake Maggiore - and it soon became clear that there were more than enough tour guides talking about it in detail. This realisation turned the initial plan on its head. On my first official work assignment for Prospettive Mira Lago, in the summer of 2014, I did not have the slightest idea how the final result would turn out. I took my pictures, I noted down facts, but for a long time ahead I could not see the book take shape in my mind.   

 

It took me another whole year and two more trips to have a clear picture of its final structure. If I wanted to erect an authentic monument to my beloved lake and its amazing people, I needed to go beyond the surface, reaching deep into myself. Abandoning the idea of what was absolutely necessary to show and providing instead my personal and subjective account. Telling my own stories.

 

I finally decided to write a love letter. Addressed to a part of Italy whose inhabitants have always been nice towards me and welcomed me with open arms. Being such a heart-felt display of love, I was understandably afraid of revealing the full depth of my love, allowing every reader to have a privileged access to my deepest feelings and realise, perhaps, that my love was unrequited. It was Italians themselves, however, who unintentionally made me realise that I was on the right track. 

 

Once I had a clear picture of the book in my mind, I spoke about it to several people from the lake - all the reactions I received, without exception, were amazing and touching.

 

This is my way of showing my gratitude. For the genuinity, generosity, humbleness and warmth that I encountered on Lake Maggiore. For all the exciting moments which I will forever treasure in my memories. For the laughter, the singing and the tears of joy.

 

Until next time, my beloved lake. Thank you, dear Italians. I take my hat off to you.