D’Annunzio was not initiated into Freemasonry, ‘there is no trace of affiliation in the archives’

There are several mysteries and myths that revolve around the figure of Gabriele d’Annunzio (1863-1938): does Masonic initiation also fall into the ‘fairytale’ of Vate? The poet is not officially affiliated with Freemasonry. At least according to the archive papers, where there is no trace of his adhesion to any lodge. This was revealed by the historian Raffaella Canovi, D’Annunzio scholar, author of the book “The Initiate. D’Annunzio and Freemasonry” published by the Ianieri publishing house (preface by Aldo A. Mola, pp. 370, illustrated, € 22.00). In the archive of the Grande Oriente there is no ‘brother’ d’Annunzio, just as there are no hints of a Masonic affiliation to the Vittoriale degli Italiani, the Central Archives of the State of Rome, nor in the Domizio Torrigiani Fund at the Tuscan Historical Institute of the Resistance and of the Contemporary Age of Florence. “Searching among the archive papers, documents and registers there is no evidence of a real initiation of the poet, although there are certainly links present throughout a good part of his life “, explains to Adnkronos Raffaella Canovi, former author of” D’Annunzio and fascism. Euthanasia of an icon “(Bibliotheka Edizioni, 2019). : his appointment as honorary brother with the 33rd degree of the Grand Loggia of Italy of the Alam and the alleged delivery of the white scarf to Fiume by the Grand Master Raul Palermi – says Canovi – “are to be considered honors r known and granted by the Grand Loggia of Italy to the famous poet-soldier and Commander of Fiume in an attempt to include the mythical figure of D’Annunzio “. cities were present both obediences, although the Grand Orient of Italy-Palazzo Giustiniani was pre-eminent. The two national Masonic communities came to contend with the alleged initiate d’Annunzio: being able to boast the poet-hero among their affiliates would have given enormous prestige to one of the two Masonic families. “D’Annunzio was not a true Freemason as he was not a true politician, he probably also enjoyed wearing the mask of the initiate – argues Canovi – The brilliant experimenter, capable of absorbing and transforming everything, was undoubtedly attracted by esotericism, occultism and at the same time by freemasonry only to the extent that they approached his indefinable being. Too many rites, too many limits, too much obedience Freemasonry demanded: the poet was too free and independent, too individualistic and anarchic at heart “. Creator and absolute master of his cosmos, d’Annunzio he went through life curiously, attentive to everything that affected his sensitivity. Hence his interest in spiritism, esotericism, martinism and freemasonry. “However, it can be affirmed with sufficient certainty – on the basis of the documents available today – that Freemasonry did not influence the political or life choices of the poet”, says Canovi. Being of him above all and everyone, d’Annunzio was able to ‘exploit’ Masonic power by bending this relationship – indefinite – to his own ends. “D’Annunzio leaned on and in a certain sense took advantage of the free masonry to force the annexation of Fiume and to easily obtain supplies for the city, nevertheless it is impossible to say that he followed its rules and dictates”, continues Canovi. ( by Paolo Martini)