Alessandro Baricco is an Italian writer, director, and performer. Born on January 25, 1958, in Turin, Italy, Baricco has made significant contributions to literature and the arts. His novels have been translated into various languages, reflecting his global appeal.

Baricco is renowned for his novels such as Lands of Glass, Ocean Sea (which won the Viareggio Prize), Silk, City, Emmaus, and Mr. Gwyn. He is also known for his theatrical monologue Novecento and the essays Next: On Globalization and the World to Come and The Game.

Baricco hosted the book program "Pickwick" on Rai Tre, encouraging Italians to rediscover the joy of reading. In 1994, he founded the Holden School in Turin, dedicated to writing techniques, named in tribute to Salinger. This institution has thrived under his direction.