That left by Subway and FILA with Tratto Pen, that celebrated its thirtieth anniversary two years ago (age when a man becomes a man and a pen a pen) is a rather large wake. And the ripples seem to be increasing. Not just because fans are growing in numbers and awareness. And this is already a sign - ops! - a mark. But in the end, the two words go hand in hand like lovers. Tratto is a mark left in the ground of imagination.

It has participated in Workshop for two years. Which, moreover, it created, promoted and sponsored. And whose depth is measured by the popularity of the initiative. Aren't the marks left by narrative literature and, especially, by poetry deep by definition? Are they not, perhaps, worthy of the most commendable tasks undertaken, if not by all, at least by most publishers, to promote what people write? Don't all these things grow under the marks of intelligence, open-mindedness, inventiveness, imagination and creativity?

These were the lofty ambitions of the Tratto Pen 2007 creative writing and publishing Workshop. And let's not forget that Subway will distribute 3,750,000 copies of the booklets in the same year! An impressive amount. And they will be distributed at the main subway stops in Milan, Rome and Naples and at the ferry docks in Venice and at selected subway stops in Palermo.

The joy of participating in the Workshop was felt in every aspect of the event. The joy of listening to expert speakers, noting the shared passions of professors and pupils, personally feeling the intensity that animated the meetings.

Famous and emerging authors and publishers meet, representing the cruellest approach to the art of writing and criticism. And the Workshop has demonstrated that this art is something that you can learn. With a good imagination, application and effort. And it's an art that may need encouragement. And the meeting also demonstrated that publishers are not worthy of all the criticism thrown at them.

As winners of the contest held during the last initiative sponsored by Subway and Tratto Pen, the 18 young authors, all under the age of 35, were awarded with the participation at this year's Workshop. And with the publication. Many people in Italy read their works here and there, commuting from their homes to the office and back or meeting with friends or just wandering around the city.

In the rooms of Milan's Mediateca di Santa Teresa, once a Baroque church built for the Barefooted Carmelite Order - just so you know - the austerity of the original rooms persist albeit softened by later architects and designers. We met most of the speakers at the previous Workshop edition. Like Davide Franzini, Subway Literature organiser and author, and Alessandro Zaccuri, literary critic who concluded this year's Workshop meetings. And others, who will be mentioned soon. It began with an opening session held by Davide Franzini, Piero Frova, FILA marketing manager, and Alessandra Casella, actress, presenter, book lover and, finally, writer. It was held on the ground floor of a large, vaulted room with stucco and frescoes with a large window overlooking the entry courtyard. The plenary meetings were held here, where everyone participated, poets and narrators alike, practically the only ones previously organised.

But unlike the last additions, several specific sessions were added. From poetry to prose. On the first floor, in an intimate room, six people sat attentive and silent, entertained by a seventh. Listening to the genuine sincerity with which Davide Rondoni referred to poetic verse (Rondoni's poems were translated in France, Spain, Russia and the U.S.A:), the concentration was total. A "vivid£ word, rather a language, said the author from Forlì, born in that city in the heart of the Romagna region. It is the central area, as described by a certain Dante in "De Vulgari eloquentia". And it would seem that even him, that Dante, if only he'd known what a workshop is, would have elbowed his way in. Perhaps even as a speaker.

Descending to the basement, the narrative session was held at the same time as the poetic one. Once again, Raul Montanari, who we met at the last edition and who has already published a stack of books and knows a thing or two about literature, spoke. The prose atmosphere had a different vibe than the poetry one. Almost as if the two depths took on their own life, starting from the atmosphere in the rooms and the participants' dispositions. Raul Montanari made us understand what writing means. What it means to invent stories, create intrigues or plots, architect themes, develop tales.

Then it was the turn for creative exercises. The first day following the assigned instructions, the second presenting work. And after the exercises, people ate in a convivial atmosphere. A so-called light lunch.

Returning to the plenary session hall, participants renewed their pleasure in meeting Davide Longo who we met at Tratto's thirtieth anniversary (considering Davide Franzini's attendance, the meetings gathered an unusual amount of Davids. Almost a clan). Also with him was Marzia Corraini, publisher. With his subtle voice, from around Turin, where he teaches at the Holden school, Davide Longo bestowed us with his appreciable realism - you must know your limits, which is not, and may even lead to painful disappointment, modelling yourself after the top of the tops. Perhaps it is not even having too many models. With publisher Marzia Corraini, the author narrated the birth of the publishing project we already encountered: "La vita a un tratto. Storia di Piero", written as we know by four hands, by Davide Longo and Tratto Pen.

On the second day, which was Sunday, Alberto Rollo, Feltrinelli editor in chief and publisher, spoke. The editor is usually in the background, or his name doesn't appear on cover pages, but he is of vital assistance in ensuring that drafts legitimately become books. This is how Rollo spoke of the famous case of Federico Moccia with his "Tre metri sopra il cielo". Afterwards, professors and pupils signed to confirm their participation. The meeting concluded with cordial good-byes, people wandered in small groups through the former Baroque church courtyard. And Via della Moscova, with its rare Sunday drivers, sweetly accompanied Tratto Pen's creativity and poetry, the feel for narration and numerous talents. Discreetly placed in everyone's pockets.