Where Angels Come to Earth: An Evocation of the Italian Piazza is a stunning visual and lyrical journey through Italy’s piazzas, and a celebration of the richness and diversity of Italian culture. The piazzas featured in this book – some famous, some lesser-known – are still used today by local residents as gathering spaces, reflecting both the grit and beauty of daily life in Italy. The combined creative voices of photographer Vincenzo Pietropaolo and writer Mark Frutkin come together to present a poetic and thought-provoking look at the Italian worldview reflected in the humanity and social integrity of the Italian piazza.

Vincenzo Pietropaolo is an award-winning photographer whose work has been widely published in Canada and abroad. An Italian-Canadian, he and his family immigrated to Canada in 1959. He is the author of Celebration of Resistance: Ontario's Days of Action (1999), Not Paved With Gold: Italian-Canadian Immigrants in the 1970s (2006), and Harvest Pilgrims: (2010), as well as many other books. In 2010 he was awarded the Cesar E. Chavez Black Eagle Award (Cultural) by the UFCW for his work photographing migrant workers and recording their stories. This work is the basis of Harvest Pilgrims.

Vincenzo Pietropaolo's profile page

Mark Frutkin has published two previous volumes of poetry, Acts of Light and The Alchemy of Clouds. The Governor General's Award nominee has also published six novels, including Slow Lightning, The Lion of Venice, Atmospheres Apollinaire, and Invading Tibet. His newest work is Iron Mountain (Fall 21). His work has appeared in the United States, England, Holland, and India, as well as Canada. He lives in Ottawa, Ontario.

Mark Frutkin's profile page

Ken Greenberg is an urban designer, teacher, writer, former Director of Urban Design and Architecture for the City of Toronto and Principal of Greenberg Consultants. He is the author of Walking Home: The Life and Lessons of a City Builder and Toronto Reborn; Design Successes and Challenges. He was selected as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2019 and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Toronto.

Ken Greenberg's profile page

“This book is an enchantment, a beautiful combination of photographs and poetry that makes you long to have a piazza in your own life.” – Elizabeth Hay