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Antonio Gramsci - Biography

Gramsci, full name Piero Gramsci (Antonio Pietro Gramsci), was an Italian philosopher, writer and political activist whose ideas had a huge impact on world politics and philosophy. His biography is the story of a passionate activist for social justice and education. Let's immerse ourselves in his life and creativity.

Antonio was born on January 22, 1891 in the city of Alessandria, in the family of a small employee. His childhood and youth were not easy, but he showed an early interest in literature and philosophy. Thanks to a scholarship, he entered the University of Turin, where he began to study philosophy and political science.

In the early 1920s, he became an activist in the left-wing political movements of Italy. He joined the Socialist Party and became editor of its newspaper "L'Avantgardia." His articles and publications quickly attracted attention and became known for their analytical depth and clarity.

One of the key concepts developed by Gramsci was the idea of a "cultural hero" ("intellettuale organico"), which would be associated with scientific and intellectual education and work for the benefit of society. He believed that intellectuals could become a driving force in the struggle for social justice and the change of social structures.

Gramsci developed and adapted Marxist theory to Italian conditions. His works on culture and the state became important to Marxist thought and political philosophy. He analyzed the role of culture and education in the formation of the consciousness of the masses and attached special importance to them.

In 1926, after the Nazis came to power in Italy, he was arrested and sentenced to imprisonment. He spent almost 11 years in prison, but it was during this period that he wrote his famous "Notebooks from Prison" ("Quaderni del carcere"). These records became the foundation of his philosophy and political ideas.