Editorial Staff
MAURO RUGGIERO: Director
Mauro Ruggiero is a journalist, writer, and essayist. He was born in Italy on July 25, 1979. He attended the Liceo Scientifico “Leonardo da Vinci” in Vallo della Lucania, and in 2003 he graduated with honors in Philosophy from the University of Salerno. In 2007 he earned, again with honors, a degree in Italian Language and Culture for Foreigners at the University of Pisa, specializing in Archival Science and Librarianship. In 2017 he obtained a PhD in Modern Philology and Philosophy at Charles IV University in Prague, where he also lectured on Italian literature.
In 2025 he completed a Master’s degree in “Intelligence and Emerging Technologies at the University of Udine” in collaboration with the CASD (Centre for Advanced Defense Studies). He has been a professional journalist since 2005, and he is a member of the Syndikát novinářů ČR and of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). From 2005 to 2007 he served as editor for the online cultural magazine “Vulgo.net”. He has collaborated with several newspapers, news agencies, radio and television broadcasters in Italy and abroad, including “Reporter Associati International”, “RAI Cinema”, “RAI Radio Uno”, “The Voice of Italy”, “Česká televize”, “Český rozhlas”, and “Lidové noviny”. He also writes for “Progetto Repubblica Ceca”, a magazine focused on geopolitics, economics, and culture, for which he has produced interviews, reports, and cultural programs. He lived in Prague for more than twenty years, where—alongside his journalistic work—he was employed in the Administration Department of the Italian Cultural Institute of Prague (Italian Embassy in the Czech Republic), where he also worked as a librarian, lecturer, and organizer of cultural events. He currently teaches Communication and Intelligence and works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
LUIS BATTISTELLA: columnist
Luis Battistella is President of IPSAE (Institute of Political Strategy and Applied Economics), an independent think tank dedicated to governance, strategic insight and complex systems.
Born in Italy, he studied at university in Liverpool and has lived, studied and worked across several countries for more than twenty-five years. Extensive independent travel around the world has further shaped his international outlook and interdisciplinary approach to complex political, economic and societal issues.
His professional career spans healthcare, Fortune 100 corporations, institutional strategy, public affairs and organizational transformation. Throughout the years he has advised businesses, institutions and policymakers on organizational change, innovation, and public policy, with a particular interest in the interaction between technology, governance and society.
Luis Battistella is an author of peer-reviewed research on disruptive business models, a strategist and a public speaker. His current work focuses on institutional dynamics, emerging technologies, psychology and the challenges posed by increasingly complex economic and geopolitical environments.
Giulia Nardová: journalist
Born in Italy to a Czech mother, Giulia Nardová graduated from a Liceo Classico in southern Italy and studied Mathematics at the University of Bologna. She later specialized as a commercial marketing technician for event organization through ISCOM. She managed advertising campaigns for various theater and cultural events in the Emilia region and later became the social media manager for the international Future Film Festival in Bologna.
In 2020, she published a book with Prospero Editore, inspired by a social media page she co-managed with a colleague, which gained a large following. From 2018 to 2022, she lived in Prague, where she transitioned into a different professional field.
She currently resides in Rome, where she completed a master’s degree in Machine Learning and Data Science at the 24h Business School and works as a manager at a Dutch multinational financial company.
A passionate athletics enthusiast, she has never stopped actively following national and international competitions, attending all major athletics events. She is a FIDAL member and writes articles on athletics and sports.
ANDREAS PIERALLI: Managing Editor
Born in 1977 in Florence, his Italian-Czech-Bulgarian roots and his cultural background make out of him, as he likes to define himself, an “European humanist”. Since 2005 he lives in Prague where he works as a publicist, writer, translator, teacher and trainer. He previously worked as a business consultant, then as the editor in chief of a major Czech-Italian magazine. Today, among other things, he is working with Galerie Vernon at the organization of several major cultural and artistic projects. Member of the National Council of the Czech association Friends of Italy, he made of the approach between the Czech world and the Italian one his mission to whom he dedicates with passion. He is a keen promoter of the need for a return to the cultural roots of European Humanism and Renaissance as the only way out of the moral and social decline that the Old Continent is experiencing. With this in mind, then, he participates in the growth of the cultural portal Café Bohème. Among the topics he’s fascinated in most, beyond culture, economy, society, politics, ecology, history and religions. Moreover, he deals with philosophy and, in general, spiritual and existential issues of Life and Man.
DEBORA ZVARDON: columnist
More than three decades ago, born under the dreamy and artistic star sign of Cancer, she first saw the light of day in Brno. Many years ago, fate brought her to Prague, the city of a hundred towers that captivated her with its splendour. It still continues to amaze and inspire her for life, providing a place where she can pursue her versatile interests in culture and history as well as meet interesting people. And here is where she discovered her passion for travel, for exploring foreign cultures, for slow-cooking food, fashion and Italian operas. In her spare time she also loves interior design, visiting galleries and museums, and hanging out with friends and her two cats.
GIACOMO MALAPARTE: reporter
(born May 23, 1982, in Rome) Giacomo is an Italian journalist and political analyst specializing in geopolitics, national security, and intelligence. Malaparte earned his degree in Political Science from Sapienza University of Rome, where he developed a keen interest in international relations and security studies. After completing his education, he embarked on a career in journalism, contributing to major Italian and international publications. His work has covered critical global issues, including counterterrorism strategies, cyber warfare, and diplomatic conflicts. With years of experience in investigative reporting and strategic analysis, Malaparte has served as a consultant for think tanks and government agencies, providing insights on emerging security threats.
ENZO D’AIUTO: Publisher is a prominent figure in the cultural landscape of the Cilento region and an tireless promoter of initiatives that enhance art, philosophy, literature, and local heritage. He is President of the “Lu Vucenanzo” Library, a cultural organization and community space located in the historic center of Cardile, in the heart of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. Through this association, D’Aiuto promotes culture as a tool for social and territorial development, with the aim of strengthening identity and sustainable growth in inland communities. Under his leadership, the “Lu Vucenanzo – Alef” Library conceived and promoted the Alef Cilento Festival, a cultural event that weaves together art, literature, and philosophy (“ALEF”) through participatory activities, workshops, thematic meetings, and moments of collective reflection. The initiative seeks to create spaces for dialogue between the humanities and local communities, while highlighting the historical and natural richness of the Cilento territory. D’Aiuto stands out for his commitment to building cultural networks that bring together artists, scholars, and audiences, fostering projects that combine local sensibility with openness to broader horizons of thought and participation. His work reflects a vision in which culture plays a central role in social cohesion, in countering depopulation, and in creating new opportunities for creative dialogue.