celebrities have contributed to making the venue a reference point for left-wing culture and progressive politics. Fidel Castro’s granddaughter and Che Guevara's daughter visited the restaurant, for example. And being friends of the Italy-Cuba Association, Rudy and Elia always invite personalities arriving from Cuba to the restaurant to share a meal. Most recently, on May 19th of this year, the Inti-Illimani, the instrumental and vocal Latin American folk music ensemble from Chile that produced the anthem of the Popular Unity government of Salvador Allende, were invited to have lunch at the restaurant before giving a concert in Milan that evening.
How refreshing, in a world dominated by
restaurant chains focused on speed and limited
service in pursuit of profit, to have learned of and experienced a place focused on people and place, on the history and dignity of people in space, where ideas and promise can be shared and explored across a table of fine and
affordable food amongst friends. It’s a model that needs to be revisited, and we owe Rudy, Patrizia, and Elia a debt for reminding people what is important and what is possible. Hopefully, some of our readers might find themselves in Milan and be able to share in the music and events planned for the 10th anniversary celebration of Cooperative La Liberazione’s opening. Without doubt, they will feel welcome and well fed – both physically and intellectually.
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