Page 426 - Lanzarotto Malocello from Italy to the Canary Islands

426 from Italy to the Canary Islands

Lanzarotto Malocello: who was this man?

ntil now, it has not been easy to answer this question, not even
resorting to the consultation of encyclopaedias or historical and
biographical works, for the simple fact that there were no works
or treaties that would illustrate adequately the figure and work of this dis-
tinguished man.
Now, thanks to the efforts of the Associazione Italiani Amici di Lan-
zarote (Association of Italian Friends of Lanzarote), and especially its
Chairman, Dr. Alfonso Licata, in collaboration with the Canarian Institu-
tions, we have the “Promotion Committee for the celebration of the seventh
centenary of the discovery of the Island of Lanzarote and the Canary Is-
lands by the Italian navigator Lanzarotto Malocello (1312-2012)”, which,
as part of its many laudable cultural celebratory initiatives of the event,
has promoted the development and publication of this much needed book
that illustrates the figure of Lanzarotto Malocello, thereby filling the un-
acceptable history gap that has regrettably occurred regarding the events
related to the discovery of the Island of Lanzarote and the Canary Islands.
The validity of this initiative has already received recognition by many
Italian and Spanish institutions; but the most important thing is that from
now on, if you want to have detailed information on the discovery of the ar-
chipelago of the Canary Islands by our brave navigator Lanzarotto Malo-
cello, all you have to do is consult this book.
This way, we can become aware of the historical, cultural and econom-
ic background that led Lanzarotto to set the flag of Genoa on the Island of
Lanzarote, to which he gave his name.
On this year 2012, which marks the seven hundredth anniversary of
the discovery, the commitment of the Promoting Committees of Italy and
Spain to make known the historical value, essence, and significance of the
event has taken on the international relevance it deserves. We all wish for
this celebration to revive scholarly attention, because it commemorates the
first major discovery event, anticipating further discoveries and giving im-
petus to other famous explorers who, in the wake of Lanzarotto Malocello,
achieved further important results and the crucial geographical knowl-
edge of the modern era.

Prof. Gerlando Calogero Rizzo, Esq.
P.A. General Manager, journalist, writer