Tempo Presente: The Left-Wing Voice of the Cultural Cold War
Established in 1956, Tempo Presente emerged as a sophisticated intellectual platform during one of the most polarized eras of the 20th century. Published monthly in Rome, the magazine served as the voice of the Italian Association for Cultural Freedom, which functioned as the Italian division of the broader Congress for Cultural Freedom. From its first issue in April 1956, the publication positioned itself as an international magazine, bridging the gap between global political discourse and local Italian sensibilities.
Editorial Vision and Political Stance
Under the leadership of editors Ignazio Silone and Nicola Chiaromonte, Tempo Presente sought to champion the superiority of Western-style democracy over alternative forms of government. To achieve this, the magazine curated and republished articles from other prestigious Congress publications, such as Cuadernos, Encounter, Der Monat, and Preuves.
While these sister publications shared a general pro-democratic goal, they often differed in their specific political leanings. Tempo Presente was distinct for its left-wing approach. Unlike many of its counterparts, it attempted to adapt the transnational dynamics of the cultural Cold War—the ideological struggle for influence between Western and Eastern blocs—to the specific social and political conditions of Italy.
A Hub for Non-Communist Leftist Intellectuals
The magazine became a sanctuary for writers and thinkers who identified with the left but rejected Communism. This intellectual diversity provided Tempo Presente with a rich array of contributors who shaped the cultural landscape of the time.
Prominent Italian Contributors
The monthly featured a roster of esteemed Italian literary and political figures, including:
- Italo Calvino
- Alberto Moravia
- Leonardo Sciascia
- Elsa Morante
- Vasco Pratolini
- Libero de Libero, Enzo Forcella, Nelo Risi, Altiero Spinelli, Giulio Guderzo, Giuliano Piccoli, and Luciano Codignola.
International Influence
Beyond Italy, the magazine attracted world-renowned thinkers and writers, such as Hannah Arendt, Albert Camus, Dwight Macdonald, Melvin J. Lasky, Richard Löwenthal, Mary McCarty, Daniel Bell, Lewis A. Coser, Joseph Buttinger, Michael Harrington, Irving Howe, and Theodore Draper.
The magazine's commitment to dissident voices was highlighted in 1961 when it published a short story titled The War by Milovan Djilas, a Yugoslav dissident. This act of publication resulted in Tempo Presente being banned in Yugoslavia.
Isolation and Decline
Despite its high-caliber contributors, Tempo Presente struggled to integrate into the broader Italian media landscape. It failed to establish strong relationships with other domestic publications, leading to a state of cultural and political isolation.
The magazine frequently clashed with other leading periodicals of the era, most notably Il Ponte, Il Mulino, and Il Mondo. These tensions, combined with low circulation numbers, eventually made the publication unsustainable. Tempo Presente ceased publication in 1967.
Key Facts
- Founded: April 1956 in Rome.
- Affiliation: Italian Association for Cultural Freedom (division of the Congress for Cultural Freedom).
- Editors: Ignazio Silone and Nicola Chiaromonte.
- Political Leanings: Left-wing, pro-Western democracy, and anti-Communist.
- Notable Event: Banned in Yugoslavia in 1961 for publishing Milovan Djilas.
- Closure: Folded in 1967 due to low circulation.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication Frequency | Monthly |
| Primary Location | Rome, Italy |
| Core Objective | Promoting Western democracy via a left-wing perspective |
| Key Sister Magazines | Encounter, Der Monat, Preuves, Cuadernos |
| Operational Years | 1956–1967 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary purpose of Tempo Presente?
Tempo Presente was an international magazine designed to showcase the superiority of Western-style democracy over other government alternatives, specifically utilizing a left-wing intellectual perspective.
Who were the editors of the magazine?
The magazine was edited by Ignazio Silone and Nicola Chiaromonte.
Why was Tempo Presente banned in Yugoslavia?
The magazine was banned in Yugoslavia in 1961 after it featured a short story titled "The War" written by the Yugoslav dissident Milovan Djilas.
How did Tempo Presente differ from other Congress for Cultural Freedom magazines?
While it shared the broader goal of promoting Western democracy, Tempo Presente adopted a specific left-wing approach and attempted to adapt transnational Cold War themes to the local Italian context.
Why did the magazine eventually close?
Tempo Presente folded in 1967 primarily due to low circulation levels and its isolation from other major Italian political and cultural publications.