A modern take on the Decameron
In 1348, a group of 10 young Italians secluded themselves in a remote villa to escape the spread of the Black Death in the city of Florence. The lived in a commune of sorts, and established a set of rules by which each person would share one story per night on a given theme. Out of this seclusion came a collection of 100 stories published under Giovanni Boccaccio’s name.
The stories, we can interpret, were for entertainment purposes: a way to conjure up memories, invent narratives and generate emotional responses: joy, sadness, grief, shame, excitement.
Almost 700 years after the original Decameron, each of us are enduring the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic as best we can.
While the 2020 pandemic comes with a set of previously unavailable assets, such as the Internet and Netflix, we posit that there should be space and time to create, to share and to collect stories of our own times.
We have taken the original themes and adapted them slightly. Some of us will attempt to share one story per week, with the knowledge that our set of rules is quite flexible. Barring any unforeseen illness or personal challenges, as such are the realities of the times we live in, this site will exist to compile and share our stories.
This is a project of the Citizens’ Press. Contributions are encouraged and can be sent to whatsleft@cpress.org.
2020 COVID-19 Decameron Themes
First week, starting April 12: where each shares a story of what is most enjoyable to them.
Second week, starting April 19: where each shares a story of those who make it through against all odds.
Third week, starting April 26: where each shares a story of those who achieve what they wanted or find what they had lost.
Fourth week, starting May 3: where each shares a story of tragic love.
Fifth week, starting May 10: where each shares a story where a happy ending follows a tragic love.
Sixth week, starting May 17: where each shares a story of those who avoid harm, danger or shame through wit.
Seventh week, starting May 24: where each shares a story of trickery played on friends or foes.
Eighth week, starting May 31: where each shares a story of amicable or vengeful trickery between lovers.
Ninth week, starting June 7: where each shares a story of what is most enjoyable to them.
Tenth week, starting June 14: where each shares a story of those who acted in love or in other circumstances with liberality and magnificence.