Just a teacher: the story of a pedagogical anti-star and his return to the limelight on the centenary of his birth (Mario Lodi, 1922–2022)

Purpose The aim of this work is to demonstrate how – through a public history approach – it was possible to enhance the work and thoughts of Mario Lodi, primary school teacher and educationalist, who became famous in the 1970s in Italy for his battles in defence of democratic education and children’s rights and was gradually forgotten in the following years. At the beginning of the 2000s he was remembered more as a writer for children, with some undying masterpieces such as Cipì (1961) still included in the catalogues of important publishing houses in Italy and abroad, but oblivion began to descend on his engagement to undermine the authoritarian model of schooling still in force in schools and encourage the spread of a democratic and cooperative method between teachers. Design/methodology/approach In 2020 – in view of the centenary of his birth (1922–2022) – a Promoting Committee was spontaneously formed to celebrate this anniversary. In 2022, the Ministry of Culture agreed to officially establish a National Committee for the Celebrations of the Centenary of Mario Lodi’s Birth and grant it funding to organise these celebrations. Between 2022 and 2023, more than 250 events were organised throughout Italy, targeting very diverse audiences. Scientific conferences, exhibitions, book presentations, seminars and training courses for teachers, children’s workshops in schools and university courses for students were organised. Findings In addition to a more specialised audience of researchers, teachers and university students, however, an attempt was also made to reach a broader public also through theatre performances, re-editions of his books, documentary films and TV broadcasts. The effect was to restore great public visibility to Mario Lodi and his school model, placing him at the centre of the pedagogical and cultural debate in Italy and abroad (initiatives were also made in Spain, where Mario Lodi’s pedagogical reflection had exerted a great influence after the end of the Francoist regime). Historians of education have been central to this process. Originality/value The originality of this work is assured by the fact that the scientific results of the educational and cultural activities promoted by the National Committee for the Celebration of the Centenary of Mario Lodi’s Birth and carried out between 2022 and 2023 have not yet been published.