A book produced to commemorate an Italian poet is raising funds for Cats Protection Wellington – and it includes a picture of Jeremy! He's also featured in a poem which dedicates the book to him and another cat in Rome.

Each year, the Italian Embassy in New Zealand marks Italian Language Week with a range of activities and initiatives, including a fund for products which celebrate Italy and/or Italian language.

In October 2022, Victoria University teacher and director Dr Marco Sonzogni received a grant to produce 150 boutique miniature books inspired by Italian poet Pier Paolo Pasolini.

Marco chose an extract from one of Pasolini’s poems featuring a “Colosseum cat”, and translated it into more than 20 languages as a little book.

The book is a community effort, with the poem translated by students and friends of Victoria University’s language department, and support from local publisher The Cuba Press. It was launched at Unity Books in October.

CPW President Iona Anderson thanked Dr Sonzogni for their “extraordinary generosity” in donating the proceeds of book sales to Cats Protection Wellington.

“We are very pleased to accept this gift, and will use the funds to care for the cats in our shelter,” she said.

“We are very aware of the excellent work the Torre Argentina do to look after cats like Nerina, and two of our committee members have visited the sanctuary. We are in awe of their dedicated work for the cats of Rome.

“It’s important to us that we link our work together wherever we can, to support each other’s love for cats.”

Pasolini’s Cat is for sale at the CPW shelter for $20 each. All proceeds go towards caring for cats in the CPW shelter.