ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI CULTURA

Winter Events 2014

82 Nicolson Street, EH8 9EW tel: 0131-668 2232 fax: 0131-668 2777 [email protected] www.iicedimburgo.esteri.it Cinema / Cinema

Italian Cinema Italian Cultural Institute, 82 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh

I soliti ignoti (Big Deal on Madonna Street) Mario Monicelli, 1958, 106 mins Thursday 16 January 2014, 6.30pm La ragazza con la valigia (The Girl with the Suitcase) Valerio Zurlini, 1961, 121 mins Thursday 30 January 2014, 6.30pm Quattro mosche di velluto grigio (Four Flies on Grey Velvet) Dario Argento, 1971,100 mins Thursday 13 February 2014, 6.30pm E la nave va... (And the Ship Sails on…) Federico Fellini, 1983,132 mins Thursday 27 February 2014, 6.30pm

The first in a regular programme of specially-curated films showcasing the brilliant diversity of Italian cinema. Stretching across twenty-five years, this first programme includes a hugely influential heist comedy, a tender romantic drama, a dazzlingly inventive giallo and an underrated late classic from il maestro Fellini.

All screenings will be introduced by season curator Dr. Pasquale Iannone.

For more information please visit: www.iicedimburgo.esteri.it

Left: E la nave va… (And the Ship Sails on…)

2 3 Art / Arte

Ravenna Mosaico: a contemporary craft rooted in history Joanna Kessel MA RCA of Edinburgh Mosaic Studio and Dr Claudia Bolgia, Lecturer in History of Art at the

Thursday 6 February 2014, 6 – 8pm Italian Cultural Institute, 82 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh

Joanna Kessel MA RCA will present an illustrated talk celebrating contemporary mosaic inspired by Ravenna Mosaico – the international mosaic biennale held in Ravenna. She will be joined by Dr Claudia Bolgia who will set an historic context with a talk about Light, colour and “eternity”: the success of mosaic in Rome

and Ravenna. Joanna exhibited her work ‘Dialogue’ at Ravenna Mosaico in 2013. Ravenna – a Unesco World Heritage Site known for its magnificent Byzantine mosaics – embraces the international contemporary mosaic biennale, interspersing exhibitions throughout the city and

attracting a worldwide audience. The evening will include a demonstration of the traditional Italian mosaic-making tools of a hammer and hardy, used to cut marble and smalti, along with a display of materials and work, and information on the Edinburgh Mosaic Studio new Course Programme for 2014.

Please visit www.joannakessel.co.uk Free event but booking essential: [email protected]

Left: Dialogue by Joanna Kessel Photo by Marc Millar

4 5 Special Event / Evento Speciale Cinema / Cinema

Mediterraneo: Carnevale! The Badwills & Guests. Italian Films at the Glasgow Film Festival 2014

Saturday 15 February 2014, Doors: 8pm, Live Music 9 -12.30am. 20 February - 2 March 2014 , 1 Summerhall Place, Edinburgh Glasgow Film Theatre and venues across Glasgow

Over the past decade the Glasgow Film Festival has blossomed into one of Britain’s favourite film events. The 2014 Festival is packed with premieres, unique events, star guests and some of the year’s finest films. Once again, there is a strong Italian presence in the programme, supported by the Italian Cultural Institute. The Italian films this year include Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza’s intense The Badwills, The Italian Cultural Institute in Edinburgh and Sicilian thriller Salvo, winner Summerhall present Carnevale! The first appointment in the of the Critics Week Grand hugely popular Mediterraneo concert series for 2014. A night of Prix at Cannes in 2013, Emma live music and masquerade, with dance and stories woven through Dante’s eye-catching debut

the rhythms and sounds of tarantella, pizzica and more. Via Castellana Bandiera / A Carnevale is the time of the year when the world is turned upside Street in Palermo and Luigi down. The fool becomes wise, the rich poor, the beautiful ugly, Sardiello’s tasty thriller Il the servant Harlequin is master for a day and Pulcinella the liar has Pasticciere / The Italian Pastry come to tell the truth. Chef. The full programme will From top: Salvo; Via Castellana Bandiera be announced on Tuesday It's a night of masks, of mysterious creatures, of characters from January 21. the Commedia dell'Arte, from the canals of Venice and the alleys of Montemarano. So come with your favorite mask or carnival Further information can be found on www.glasgowfilm.org/festival or from the box-office on 0141-332-6535 costume, and join the Masquerade! And remember Semel in Anno, Licet Insanire, that is, “Once a year In collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh we can all go mad!”

Tickets available from www.summerhall.co.uk More information on The Badwills at www.thebadwills.co.uk 6 7 Theatre / Teatro

La Mandragola by Niccolò Machiavelli Directed by Carlo Pirozzi and Jessica Phillippi Freely adapted by Carlo Pirozzi Saturday 22 February 2014, 7.30pm GU Theatre, Glasgow University Union 32 University Avenue, Glasgow

Italian Honours students from the School of Modern Languages and Cultures of the University of Glasgow will stage and perform La Mandragola (1518), by Niccolò Machiavelli. La Mandragola is the first modern Italian comedy and a masterpiece of Renaissance theatre. The play portrays a society where self-interest is the foundation of all human relationships, and characters are prepared to go to any length in order to fulfil it. Scheming, cunning, betrayal, ruthless self-interest: these are just some of the ingredients of this play which combines laughter with serious political thought. ‘The end justifies the means’, indeed! Performed in Italian.

Organized by: Donatella Fischer (School of Modern languages and Cultures, Italian Section, University of Glasgow); Drama Coach: Consuelo Tersol (School of Modern languages and Cultures, Italian Section, University of Glasgow); Project Manager: Caitriona Cassidy (School of Modern languages and Cultures, Italian Section, University of Glasgow) In collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh

To reserve tickets please contact (Caitriona Cassidy, 0908484C@student. gla.ac.uk or Consuelo Tersol [email protected]); £3 (student), £6 (standard).

Left: Portrait of Niccolò Machiavelli by Santi di Tito 8 9 Theatre / Teatro Cinema / Cinema

La segretaria by Natalia Ginzburg 6-7 March 2014, 7.30pm Adam House Theatre, 20 Chambers Street, Edinburgh

Performed in Italian and English The Italian Film Festival in the UK by students at Edinburgh University Directed by Grace Oliver & Camilla Wilson 7-20 March 2014 Glasgow Film Theatre, Edinburgh Filmhouse, DCA Dundee Written in 1967, just before the watershed and other venues year of student revolt, La segretaria is Natalia Ginzburg’s fourth play. Even more clearly than The Italian Film Festival celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2014. in the previous ones, it deals with the state of Thanks to the unwavering support of the Italian Cultural Institute and the ‘new’ Italian family, its few strengths and its core venues, the Festival has brought the best of Italian cinema many weaknesses. “Gone are the days when to the United Kingdom and welcomed some of the most beloved families were closed shells” laments the only and iconic figures in the Italian industry mother in the play, and gone are also the to present their films and discuss their days of proper jobs, understandable duties careers with UK audiences. Natalia Ginzburg and distinct pecking orders. The 2014 Festival will feature some of While most Italian playwrights are first and foremost great actors the most noteworthy Italian films of and directors, Ginzburg was already a well-known novelist when stelle dell’orsa Vaghe the past year and restored gems from she started to write for the theatre in 1965. Her plays were the past. Among the titles already confirmed are the glorious composed for the actresses who would interpret the leading role. restoration of Luchino Visconti’s rarely seen Venice Leone d’Oro winner Vaghe stelle dell’orsa / Sandra, starring Claudia Cardinale, Ginzburg’s plays are still performed in Italy and abroad, with Luchino and Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza’s ice cool Sicilian hit man Visconti and Lawrence Olivier amongst the earliest directors. Their thriller Salvo which won the Critics Week Grand Prix at Cannes in original and witty use of language fosters a disenchanted reflection 2013. A full programme will be announced in February. on group and individual contradictions and vulnerability. Further information: www.italianfilmfestival.org.uk Organized by Luana Babini & Mara Mari Kirkwood (Edinburgh University). Organised in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh. Full programme details will be In collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh available in February Tickets : £6. To reserve email: [email protected] from the Italian Film Festival’s website and from the host venues 10 11 Publishing / Editoria Music / Musica

Ma la divisa di un altro colore RSNO Chamber Series 13:14 by Pietro Neglie Baroque Fireworks

Tuesday 25 March 2014, 6pm Sunday 27 April, 2.30pm Italian Cultural Institute, 82 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh

Prof. Pietro Neglie, University of Trieste, will The perfect way to spend a Sunday present his latest book: Ma la divisa di un afternoon with music by the great altro colore. composers. Two soldiers, two men, the twin souls of They called him “the Red Priest” – the Italy of their time, are protagonists and Vivaldi’s inspiration was as fiery in an extraordinary novel, a fusion of and as brilliant as his hair. A crack historical reconstruction and narrative. team of RSNO string players launch Spring 1915: Antonio, a peasant from themselves headlong at some of Friuli, intending to take up the religious life, the most dazzling music that the and Carlo, an electrician from Rome and Baroque era has to offer, and not frequenter of brothels, are called to the just by Vivaldi: concerti by Handel front. In the trenches, a close relationship and Locatelli will bring the house develops between them, strengthened by the ideal of a common down in a red-hot cascade of notes. homeland, and by the consciousness of the brutality of the conflict. Vivaldi Concerto for four violins After the war, their paths diverge: Carlo joins the Fascist Party, in Handel Concerti grossi Op6 No.5 pursuit of an ideal of discipline and honour; Antonio contacts the and Op6 No.7 trade unions and becomes first a socialist, and later a partisan. Antonio Vivaldi Locatelli Concerto grosso No.6

Both are caught up in the dramatic history of Italy, and Europe, In collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh in the interwar years until, many years later, with widely differing beliefs, history brings them back together, adversaries but with For further information please visit: www.rsno.org.uk their friendship intact. The year 2014 is the Centenary of World War I.

This event will be in Italian.

Free event but booking essential: [email protected] 12 13 Information / Informazioni Information / Informazioni

ITALIAN LANGUAGE COURSES Library access Why study Italian at the Italian Cultural The library is open to the public Monday – Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-12noon. Access to the library is free, books and magazines may Institute, Edinburgh? be consulted in the two reading rooms which seat 15 people. The Students are keen to study at our Institute because: catalogue of the library is available on-line. The library and the film library are constantly enriched and updated thanks also to the contri- • the Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh, offers a butions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for Cultural comprehensive range of courses Heritage, as well as donations from publishers and private individuals. • courses comprise the 6 different levels of language competence acquisition according to the European Common Membership Framework of Reference for Languages Members of the Italian Institute enjoy the following benefits: • Intensive Summer Italian Language Courses available July & August • The Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh, is the only centre • Discounts on selected Italian restaurants and retailers in and Northern Ireland for the CILS examinations • Newsletter with information on the Institute activities (University for Foreigners, Siena), to certify the knowledge of • Room hire for private receptions at reduced price Italian as a foreign language • Invitations to special events not open to general public • courses are taught by trained Italian teachers • Concessions for cultural events organized by the Institute • the Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh, provides proof of in other venues attendance and proficiency • Free access to library borrowing facilities and loan of Italian • students may be offered grants / scholarships to attend videos, upon deposit for £ 30.00 (cash or not-dated cheque) courses in Italy (language, culture, history of art) • Corporate membership, £ 50.00, plus £ 50.00 deposit for • students attending our classes may consult the library and the loan of videos the video library Choice of Membership: • students receive information and invitations to cultural events organised by the Institute • Individual: £ 35.00 - Renewal: £ 25.00 • Concessions*: £ 30.00 - Renewal: £ 20.00 Please look at the class calendar of the courses organised by the • Friends and Family: £ 50.00 – Renewal: £ 40.00 Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh. • Corporate: £ 60.00 – Renewal: £ 50.00 Library * Under 18, Full-time student, Senior citizens, Unwaged, Disabled The library of the Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh has around Opening times: 7000 books, 1800 videos and DVDs, 150 CDs and CD-ROMs, Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-12noon wide selections of reviews, magazines and newspapers.

14 15 Collated for the the Italian Institute by Luisa Matera. The Institute reserves the right to alter the programme without notice. Programme Design: Andy McGregor

Front cover image © Mark Hamilton

The Italian Cultural Institute is grateful for the sponsorship of