Rubbettino: balancing tradition and innovation
From established publishing house to innovative cultural hub.
The story of Rubbettino Editore is a fascinating example of a passionate entrepreneurship that created a successful publishing venture and cultural hub, founded on principles of quality, tradition, and innovation.
In 1972, Rosario Rubbettino, then a young man of 25, had a dream to publish books in Soveria Mannelli, a town in the Calabrian province of Catanzaro. Surrounded by mountains, this town is a far cry from the region’s main cities, not to mention Milan, Rome, and Bologna, which not only host the world’s major publishing companies but also have the largest concentration of publishing houses.
Despite the challenges of isolation and limited resources, Rosario, with determination and ingenuity, decided to open a small printing press in the backroom of one of the town’s bookstores. With the help of some young locals, he learned how to use the printing press and started producing his first printed materials, including posters, cards, and pocket-sized books. It wasn't long before Rosario decided to quit his job as a school administrative secretary to dedicate himself fully to his dream, thus beginning his adventure in the world of publishing.
Rosario began publishing his first books under the Rubbettino brand from having built connections with the university communities. Driven by a passion for culture and publishing, Rubbettino Editore has grown to national prominence, and is revered for its commitment to promoting an open and inclusive society. It collaborates with prominent figures of the academic and cultural worlds, such as Dario Antiseri, Lorenzo Infantino, Massimo Baldini, and Sergio Ricossa. Under their direction, the renowned series "Biblioteca Austriaca" was inaugurated, introducing Italian readers, often for the first time, to the classics of Austrian liberal thought. This series aims to deepen and disseminate the themes and policies of economic liberalism founded by Carl Menger at the University of Vienna in the late 19th century.
Rubbettino’s offerings of publications that stimulate debate reflect a civic commitment to understanding and illustrating social phenomena in the region.
After Rosario’s passing in 2000, his sons Florindo and Marco took the reins of the company, carrying on their father's legacy with new ideas and facing new challenges. With a team of managers and professional collaborators, the next generation invested substantially in digital transformation and environmental sustainability, anticipating trends that are now predominant in the publishing and paper industry.
Despite the growth of the digital market, Rubbettino continues to believe in the value of the printed book, recognizing its unique role in creating a physical and emotional bond with the reader. However, the publishing house did not overlook the e-book and was not timid in using technology to expand the dissemination of content and experiment with new forms of consumption.
Florindo and Marco lead the company with passion and competence, maintaining the family spirit and promoting a corporate culture grounded in responsibility and innovation. With a catalogue of over 5,000 titles, Rubbettino offers readers a rich and stimulating experience through printed books and e-books, as well as other digital platforms.
Integrating digital transformation and the advent of AI into Rubbettino's story highlights how the company has embraced technological advancements to streamline its operations, enhance its offerings, and reach a wider audience.
Furthermore, the company is dedicated to enhancing the local community through cultural and social initiatives. This includes the creation of a Printing Museum and a Contemporary Art Park, both located around the Rubbettino headquarters. These initiatives promote a commingling of tradition and innovation while providing spaces for creativity and experimentation.
The Printing Museum stands as a testament to Rubbettino's reverence for heritage and tradition in publishing. Visitors can explore the history of printing techniques, from antiquated presses to modern technologies. Through curated exhibitions and interactive displays, the museum preserves the legacy of printing and sparks dialogue about its evolution in the digital age, highlighting the dynamic interplay between past and present.
Similarly, the Contemporary Art Park reflects Rubbettino's commitment to nurturing artistic expression and experimentation. Positioned at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, this space serves as a canvas for emerging artists to push boundaries and explore new horizons. By providing a platform for creative discourse and collaboration, the Art Park fosters a vibrant ecosystem where diverse perspectives converge, promoting the cross-pollination of ideas and groundbreaking artistic endeavours.
Through these initiatives, Rubbettino not only enriches the local community but also fosters a dynamic cultural milieu that reverberates far beyond its borders.
Rubbettino Editore is much more than a publishing house; it is a reference point for culture and innovation in the Calabrian and Italian publishing landscape. It is a place where a passion for books merges with a desire to build a sustainable and inclusive future for generations to come.
Cover: Florindo and Marco Rubbettino
Images provided by Rubbettino Editore
