Maria Benedetta Collini has a long history in studying the role of fables, mythology and syncretism in French poetry of the XIX century and in Francophone literature of sub-saharian Africa. She published numerous essays in the field, especially on Arthur Rimbaud, Stéphane Mallarmé, Adolphe Retté. She co-directed, along with other specialists, Syncrétismes, mythes et littératures (2014) and“La grâce de montrer son âme dans le vêtement”. Scrivere di tessuti, abiti, accessori. Studi in onore di Liana Nissim (2015).