Luigino Bottega, Author of 'IO - How to win at the game of life'

  • 28 Dec 2020 1:29 PM
Luigino Bottega, Author of 'IO - How to win at the game of life'
An Italian enamoured with the Paris of the East, Budapest, where he has lived for many years as a well known expat.

During his first 50 years, he expressed his creative and entrepreneurial abilities both nationally and internationally, in different areas: mentoring and personal growth, event  management, political strategy and communication, online trend and community development, graphics, photography and marketing.

Luigino is now an author, of the book: "IO - How to win at the game of life" - which he describes as the map to finding and fulfilling our inner prophecy to give meaning to our existence.


1. Where did you grow up? 

I was born and raised in the smiling city of Conegliano, home of Prosecco wine. A historic small-town north of Venice, between the hills that delineate the border between the plain and the Dolomites mountains.

The dominant colour is the green of the meadows and vineyards. My reference point has always been the city castle located on the highest hill, an observation point built by the Romans to control the territory. My creative spirit was stimulated by the works of the painter Cima da Conegliano and the architecture of the ancient villas that can be visited in the city's areas.

2. If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose

Budapest or San Francisco. These two cities remind me of my hometown feeling: the hills with a view towards a horizon discovered.  When I was a child, my best memory was the possibility of seeing in the distance from the window of my room on a clear sunny day, the bell tower of the   cathedral of San Marco in Venice.

3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?

Without a doubt, my friends, and the feeling of tranquillity that a walk to the Buda castle hill can offer when you are on the top.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?

The city offers a lot of options for different tastes of people. A unique summer experience is probably a nice dinner on a boat on the Danube. The lights of the parliament, the castle, and the bridges are an unforgettable experience.

5. What is your favourite food?

I am quite attached to Italian cuisine. So, everything related to the Mediterranean diet. We can consider ourselves lucky because you can find excellent Italian chefs active in the Centre’s restaurants.

6. What is your favourite sport / form of exercise?

At the moment, to keep me healthy, I run. I am a lover of the outdoors. In the past, the favourite place for my training was the Margaret Island circuit. Now, living in the first district, I prefer to run uphill towards Buda Castle and the Fishermen's Bastion.

7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?

In Budapest, the Várkert area and the Buda Castle. Outside the capital, the town of Szentendre. I prefer places where I can breathe the feeling of history, art, and architecture.

8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

Considering myself a free thinker and always following what I felt was attractive to my fulfilment, I always did what I wanted to do. I merged today my experiences in communication and event organization with the author of personal growth books. The next step will be to intensify mentoring and supporting those who want to undertake a path in awareness.

9. What’s a job you would definitely never want?

Being a creative person, any job that does not allow me to express my nature freely.

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?

I am not a big fan of holidays because doing what I like to do in the city where I have chosen to live in, I feel like every day on vacation. Probably my last vacation was a trip to Barcelona. Lovely city, but I prefer Budapest.

11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?

At the moment, I don't have specific plans. In general, I choose places that can make me grow, that can creatively inspire me.

12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Band: The Pink Floyd. Film: Matrix. Hobby: taking photos or drawing with the computer or with hands.

13. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?

Learn the wisdom and share it with friends. When I have time, I like to study and then share what I have learned with others.

14. Red wine or white?

I have no preferences. Until a few years ago, when I was still drinking wine, I liked the right combination of wine with the right dish. For example, Prosecco is perfect with fish.

15. Book or movie?

I am a fan of documentaries, lectures, and everything that can help me understand life better. Regarding books, I discovered the beauty of writing them as well as reading them.

16. Morning person or night person?

I'm a morning person. In fact, in my daily protocol, I dedicate the morning to conceiving and creating new things. I feel that I can get into flow more easily with my mind free from the day's noise, and my mind is more rested.

17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

I believe that we can increase our life quality as human beings if: we feel the importance of finding out who we are, what we want, what our inner prophecy is, why we exist, and our meaning of life. The realization of this comes through increasing our awareness. It is the theme of my latest book, "IO - How to win the game of life." And it is because I feel it is essential that I have written it. I feel the importance of this mission, and I am committed to spreading the message through various communication activities.

18. Buda or Pest side?

I chose to live in Buda because I prefer calmer, less confusion, and closer to my childhood memories, with a hilly territory.

19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about?

Being able to give the best of myself every day, at any time. I am a supporter of the "now."

20. What would you say is your personal motto?

My motto is the phrase that introduces my book: "Life is the biggest match we will ever play: we can win or lose depending on the quality of our game."

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