Page 16 - Lanzarotto Malocello from Italy to the Canary Islands

16 from Italy to the Canary Islands

earning, understanding, delving, valuing, divulging. These con-
cepts fully express the institutional duties of the Italian Committee
for Military History, which promotes with enthusiasm and convic-
tion the edition of this volume. The present editorial project is part of the
celebrations for the seventh centennial of the discovery of Lanzarote and
the Canary Island by the Italian navigator Lanzarotto Malocello. The vol-
ume is intended to take this historically salient event out of oblivion, back
into contemporary culture and historical awareness.
The book highlights the importance of the transoceanic voyage towards
the unknown undertaken by Malocello, a fearless navigator belonging
to an old and noble Ligurian family of captains, admirals, mayors, and
bishops. Malocello is the precursor of the Atlantic navigators who short-
ly later would reach equally unknown destinations, while finding greater
recognition in the history of geographic explorations.
The Canary Islands’ present position at the intersection of transocean-
ic journeys suggests the importance of the discovery of Malocello, a brave
navigator who was unfairly neglected by history books, or at most rele-
gated to the status of minor character. Alfonso Licata’s painstaking, ex-
haustive, and fruitful historical research will seize international attention
by shedding light on a landmark of human progress, placing Lanzarotto
Malocello among the greatest humans of all times.
Malocello’s achievement was recently celebrated by the Italian Royal
Military Navy’s decision to name an Explorer’s ship after him. The publi-
cation of this volume adds to the commemorations by paying a long over-
due tribute to the historical memory of this eminent voyager.
Col. Matteo Paesano

President of the Italian Committee for Military History