Divagando

Divagando, rivista settimanale in lingua italiana, was a renowned Italian American weekly magazine published in New York from 1943 to 1963. Founded by Andrea Stefano Luotto (also known as Andre Luotto), Francesco Vito Liotta (also known as Frank V. Liotta), and Frank Gatti, the magazine was initially headquartered at the historic 30 Rockefeller Plaza building.

Serving as a weekly literary and cultural review, Divagando covered contemporary Italian culture while fostering the development of a unique Italian American identity among its audience. This identity was built on post-war prosperity and modernity, as suggested by the magazine's visual aesthetic. Over 1,000 issues were published, with its peak circulation occurring in the 1950s, making it the most widely-read Italian American magazine of its time.

Divagando primarily featured short stories and serialized narratives, showcasing the works of popular Italian and international literary authors. Although not all authors were contemporary, the magazine often employed canonical texts to establish a sophisticated middle-brow popular culture, rooted in European bourgeois traditions, within Italian American communities. Notably, the magazine often included works by female authors, reflecting its modern visual aesthetic that portrayed a fresh image of femininity. The opinion pieces of its editors, often struck a delicate balance between defending post-war order and celebrating Italian pride.

In 1949, Pietro Novasio and Franco Lalli, a contributor to the magazine and a member of VOW, an FM radio station also managed by Luotto, took over the magazine. During their tenure, the magazine supported the emigration policies of De Gasperi and subsequent governments. In 1954, it launched a column titled “L’Italia ha nulla da offrire all’America?” ("Does Italy have anything to offer America?"), promoting the initiatives of the American Committee on Italian Migration (ACIM) to foster an educational campaign benefiting both Italy and the United States.

Alberto Viviani served as the final editor of Divagando, from 1952 (following Novasio's sudden death) until its cessation in 1963. Under Viviani's leadership, the magazine took a more conservative approach, with a stronger focus on canonical Italian culture and identity; yet, it also provided a platform for new post-war voices, including Marcello Marchesi and Carlo Coccioli.
 

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