The gallant coffee, as was called by Elsa Morante, owner of the International Bar of Forio, populated especially in the years 1945/1960 by celebrated personalities (Italians and foreigners artists and writers) who used to stay in Ischia. She was inspired by the poet W. Auden for the character of Baba the Turk by Stravinsky, also in a poem entitled The International Bar concludes:Raise your glasses, drink to our Hostless, crying: Viva Maria! (Lift up your glasses and drink to our hostess and say, Long live Mary). Mary had collected in an album signed by all its famous patrons.
