A Sicilian-born poet and cultural ambassador dedicated to peace and humanity.
The Multicultural Press is proud to introduce Concetta La Placa—a Sicilian-born poet, writer, cultural manager, and social activist whose life’s work bridges literature, social justice, and intercultural dialogue.
Born in Caltanissetta, Sicily in 1960, La Placa grew up in a family deeply rooted in creativity, tradition, and civic responsibility. These values shaped her lifelong commitment to both art and community. After completing her studies at the University of Trieste in Administration and Management of Social Policies, she dedicated her career to social work, advocating for human rights and supporting vulnerable communities across Italy. Today, her role as a registered social worker and cultural ambassador complements her literary journey, reminding us that words and actions are both forms of service to humanity.
Her poetry, translated into Arabic, Spanish, English, Albanian, Nepalese, and Persian, crosses linguistic and cultural boundaries. Collections such as Amore Cosmico (Cosmic Love), Tracimi del Cuore, Emozioni Fluttuanti, Emozioni, Amore, Ricordi in Sicilia in Versi, and the recent Versi di Pace, Amore, Fede e Libertà speak to themes of love, faith, freedom, and human dignity. Through verse, she explores universal emotions while grounding them in the landscapes of Sicily, the rhythms of Italian life, and the timeless search for peace.
Her voice has been recognized worldwide. La Placa has been honored with awards from Bangladesh, Morocco, Italy, and Latin America, among others. She serves as Ambassador for Culture and Peace with the International Forum for Creativity and Humanity (IFCH, UN Global), and her work has been included in international anthologies, magazines, and festivals dedicated to intercultural exchange. Certificates of excellence, recognition in global poetry competitions, and invitations to contribute to anthologies from Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia affirm her global presence.
Beyond her poetry, La Placa contributes as an editor and cultural promoter, writing for Alessandria Today and Alessandria Online Blog, where she highlights art, literature, and intercultural collaboration. She is also an active member of Renaissance Millennium III, a European cultural council committed to fostering creative dialogue across nations.
Concetta La Placa’s literary journey reminds us that poetry is more than an individual expression—it is a collective voice, a bridge between cultures, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Her work is not only read but lived, echoing in communities, festivals, and dialogues where peace, diversity, and creativity converge.
As she herself often affirms through her poems: poetry is a universal language—one that honors difference, heals divisions, and affirms the shared humanity that unites us all. The Multicultural Press celebrates Concetta La Placa as an author whose voice belongs to Sicily, to Italy, and to the world.
Recently, Cettina La Placa Tumminelli extends her sincere gratitude to the entire organizing team of CIESART for nominating her for this distinguished award, such a prestigious recognition in the field of literary poetry. She feels deeply honoured, excited, and grateful. Special thanks are also offered to Global President Lily Baylon Escritora for her valued support. With humility, Cettina La Placa Tumminelli warmly acknowledges and thanks all who contributed to her nomination.
THE VALUE OF LIFE
© Concetta La Placa Cettina
I feel like there is,
around the world,
in this historical period,
a desire for peace and serenity.
The desire to meet, as in the past, smiling, hopeful faces
and to live ordinary days, but joyful and full of hope.
To get lost in the gaze of people, humble, serene, simple
but so true that it projects the light of love to defeat evil.
To praise the little things,
those that are truly valuable in this existence
and which are creation, nature, life and all the love of God.
LOVE IS AN APPRECIATION OF LIFE
© Concetta La Placa Cettina
Love is an appreciation of life through what surrounds us.
It’s sublime to listen outside,
while on early summer evenings,
you hear the cicadas’ song wafting around you
and the scent of the Mediterranean scrub wafting all around,
reaching our sense of smell after a summer downpour.
It’s wonderful to hear the sound of rain falling
on one of those autumn days
that smell of moss and a melancholy grips the soul.
It’s amazing to see bunches of grapes
hanging from the vines
at the golden sunset of a September day.
It’s magical to approach the window and see that,
on a day like any other,
everything outside is covered in snow
and the muffled silence is interrupted
only by the silvery laughter of children playing snowballs.
It’s wonderful to look around and discover that
nature is awakening and that soon
the cherry trees will blossom again
like a hope that never dies.
These are the indelible marks
that remain in our hearts
and make the cosmos our true love nest.
EVENING COMES
© Concetta La Placa Cettina
Here comes the evening, like every sunset.
I am here, searching for myself.
Sitting on the chair, I let my gaze wander into nothingness.
I abandon my head, like a part of my body in flight.
It hangs suspended, on the hand of my arm,
leaning on this large table, in a sign of surrender.
And, the evening passes and dreams and desires slowly fade.
I stand there, in silence, the world strategically outside.
It is far from me and I remain immersed in the sound that is not there.
I reflect intensely on this strange restlessness that invades me.
I meditate on the meaning of life
and of an existence that flows away.
It goes on the infinite tracks of time, stopping only at a single station.
It is always that terminus that welcomes everyone equally.
And it matters little when, what time, or how we get there.
A few rays of dim light pierce my heart.
It is filled with a strange
and poignant melancholy.
Now I know with certainty that what has been will never be again.
So, I let sweet nostalgia invade my entire being…
to rediscover the memory of my youth.
