Alejandro H. Rodriguez-Giovo
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About
To misquote Prince Malcolm in Macbeth, as far as Alejandro H. Rodriguez-Giovo is concerned, “Nothing in his life became him like the preserving it”. Indeed, as a small child, he was an insouciant survivor of what has become known in history as the tragic “T-Rex Massacre” during the New York World Fair, when a 65 million-year error of adjustment in Sinclair Oil Company’s “Time Travel” pavilion unexpectedly imported one of these ferocious Cretaceous predators into 1964. (Once the marauding reptile had been neutralized, not without some difficulty, by the collective firepower of NYPD, its body was carefully preserved, using the most advanced taxidermal techniques, and is now on display in the American Museum of Natural History.
Thanks to the generous consent of his relatives, the victim still in the tyrannosaur’s jaws benefitted from the same procedure, adding to the reconstructed scene’s verisimilitude). Rodriguez-Giovo’s sang-froid during the entire episode was the subject of an editorial in The New York Times, which examined a number of possible interpretations, ranging from heroic courage to terminal autism caused by excessive exposure to “The Three Stooges”. Be that as it may, what made Rodriguez-Giovo’s resilience in the face of lethal danger all the more remarkable was that he had already survived the Cuban Missile Crisis two years previously.
Whether Rodriguez-Giovo’s miraculous escapes on these occasions were a blessing for mankind is open to debate. He went on to pursue largely undistinguished studies in the Universities of Buenos Aires (Argentina), York (Great Britain), Geneva (Switzerland) and Bath (Great Britain). As a journalist for the Buenos Aires Herald (where he was hired by the Moors Cabot Prize-winning editor Robert Cox, who may have overestimated Rodriguez-Giovo’s talent), he weathered (once again, whether to anyone’s advantage other than his own is a moot point) the murderous military dictatorship in Argentina during the mid to late 1970s, no doubt because the regime’s henchmen were baffled by his effete and convoluted prose. He was later employed by a number of international organizations and academic institutions, probably by mistake. He is still teaching English Literature and Theory of Knowledge at the International School of Geneva, and just about getting away with it.
Rodriguez-Giovo is the author of several unwritten novels, which are the focus of much critical speculation and potential acclaim.
Enthusiastic mothers frequently thrust their babies into the arms of Rodriguez-Giovo, who kisses them dutifully and endures the ordeal with papal stoicism. Rarely does he get to kiss the mothers, however.
comments
As one who witnessed Rodriguez-Giovo’s academic pursuits at the University of York, I feel moved to correct his description of them as ‘largely undistinguished’. To my mind they were wholly undistinguished and deservedly so. In this respect they were quite unlike his contributions to editing and personal perfumery – both of which were outstanding.
A.J. McIntosh
January 7, 2011
His novels are masterpieces, I have greatly enjoyed not reading every single one and look forward to never seeing the next one either – I mean, too.
I just read your article about Robert Leach with pleasant surprise: I was in his history class on the US side, 1958-59, and was the representative of the USSR at the SUN, Fall 1958. I do remember him as intense, interesting and fun: I think we enjoyed each other as I was not shy myself. I went on to Brandeis, where I got a degree in European history, and Harvard, in the Russian Studies Department, but became a classical musician and had a very satisfying career: I play the cello. I actually came to Ecolint last year in May, invited by Eoghan, and spent time telling the students about my life, my choices, some very counter intuitive to them, such as dropping out of Harvard to do what I loved best, and my career as a muscian. It was great to be back although the school is almost unrecognizable from so long ago. It was very nice and a nostalgic moment for me to read your article, especially remembering all the beautiful girls on whom I had hopeless crushes: thank you!
Michael Haber 1959
Michael Haber
December 19, 2016
You are my model for intellectual – lite who has more values and substance than principles. A C.S. Lewis for the 21st century. Your non-wearing of spectacles is very sans-souci.
My two brothers who also ‘endured’ you (they didn’t read Tess of the d’Urbervilles though… ) found you a little overblown but I however remain grateful for your having lost my teenage missives on required reading in a café in Argentina where they belonged. As archivist you unearth some fascinating histories and you can remember your Shakespeare in shorter time than it takes to brew a cup of tea, and you don’t skip the minor histories which I haven’t read. When my friends hear me open my mouth they say that I learned my English from a book but indeed, I get away with it, too as they usually don’t know their bible! I do not hold it against you if you do not remember me neither did Guy Robertson when I ran into him in the Chavannes Centre – am I a “chavv?”
cordially yours… S.A. currently of Sarasota Florida
I saw your article on Jewish heritage at Ecolint. I attended Mr. Berenson’s funeral service. I aslo was present when Otto Frank visited the school. I was the stage manager for The Diary of Ann Frank. Do you know if there are any photos of Mr. Frank’s visit to the school. I am going to the Ann Frank museum in 6 weeks and if there are any photos I would like to give them to the museum. thanks
Allen Hirons
August 9, 2023
Dear Allen,
Thank you for your message. In my role as Foundation Archivist, I don’t think that I’ve ever come across photos of Mr. Frank’s visit in Ecolint’s historical archives. However, it’s possible that the occasion was recorded in one of the Yearbooks. They have all been scanned and are available for consultation in the school’s Alumni website: https://connect.ecolint.ch/. All you need to do is register as an alumnus (free of charge, of course), if you have not done so already.
I imagine that the Alumni Office would be very interested in your account of how you were involved in staging “The Diary of Anne Frank”, and of Mr. Frank’s visit. Whatever you remember about Mr. Berenson’s funeral would no doubt also be appreciated. Eyewitness accounts of historical occasions are precious, particularly in the light of Ecolint’s imminent Centenary.
Thank you again for getting in touch.
Alejandro
Thanks for your message on Otto Frank. I have looked at the yearbook. Could not find a photo. Ecolint staff is looking for me. I have contacted two of the actors in the play. One has no photos. Have not heard from the other one. Probably Geneva newspapers covered the visit. I don’t know how to contact them.
Many students of all faiths attended Mr. Berenson’s funeral. I think it was the only Jewish funeral I have attended in my 71 years.
Allen
Allen Hirons
August 10, 2023
Do you have a copy of Mr. Knight’s history about Ecolint? I wonder if it has any photos. If there are any copies of the book I would love to read it. Thanks
Alejandro H. Rodriguez-Giovo 