OLIMPIA
ANNA: What are the greatest values you’ve received from your family?
OLLI: My mother passed down to me the value of generosity and kindness toward others. I always try to live my life guided by those values.
A: Can you identify any important moments of growth and change in your life?
O: Moving to Paris was definitely a key moment, it was here that I truly discovered what it means to be part of a creative community—a space with no restrictions, where people who push boundaries are celebrated. That was a turning point for me.
Another pivotal moment was when I realized that some “pillars” in my life weren’t actually as solid as I thought. I took control of my life and realized how strong I was on my own, strong enough to decide how to live without depending on anyone.
A: Thinking about your future, would you ever return to live in Italy?
O: At this point, my biggest dream would be to live a life where I don’t necessarily reside in Italy, but it’s still a part of me. There are values like community, tradition, and quality of life that I can’t find anywhere else. I’ll always need an Italian community around me, it’s not just a language; it’s also a way of thinking.
A: What do you think about Italian culture and tradition?
O: For me, Italian culture is a balance between matriarchy and patriarchy. When you think of an Italian family, you imagine a strong and appreciated woman, but on a societal level, Italy remains a patriarchy, especially when it comes to jobs and public services. I wish the admiration for Italian women would translate into respect, professionally and intellectually.
We Italians have a deep love for our culture and our past. I’d like to pass that on in a more innovative way, we’re a uniquely creative people, thanks to the beauty of the country we grew up in.
But socially, Italy is far from progressive, women still face countless challenges, and when it comes to the LGBTQ community, we are extremely closed-minded. Italy is also a racist country, there’s no other way to put it. We’re still full of prejudice, and I hope that’s something we can completely move away from.
A: What’s a life lesson you’ve learned that you want to carry forward?
O: I’ve learned that the greatest tool you can have, and the one thing no one can take away from you, is knowledge. What’s in your mind is yours and yours alone, it’s what makes you truly free.