#135 / January 2021
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INTERVIEW WITH INTERVIEW WITH LOU DEL BIANCO KRISTY EANES AND CHRISTOPHER Mount Rushmore: an DORER impossible undertaking for everyone except an A town called Little Italy. Italian in America Not a neighborhood, an actual independent town, in Arkansas #135 / page 04 / What's up with WTI: Editorial # 135 January 2021 /by Umberto Mucci Interviews meet in this number:
page 19 / Italian land and nature: Calabria’s Jasmine Coast /by italia.it
Lou Del Bianco
Mount Rushmore: an impossible page 24 / Italian flavors: undertaking for everyone except an Ribera Orange /by Consorzio Italian in America / page 10 di Tutela Arancia Ribera di Sicilia with MiPAAF
page 27 / Italian art: The church collector /by Enrico de Iuliis Kristy Eanes and Christopher Dorer
A town called Little Italy. Not a neighborhood, an actual independent town, in Arkansas Index / page 62 3
page 33 / Italian Sports: page 49 / Italian Good News: page 80 / Italian The 5 young Italian stars /by Let’s start 2021 well. 36 Italian Innovation: Houston, Federico Pasquali heroes of everyday life /by we have an innovation /by Umberto Mucci Riccardo Buttarelli
page 84 / Italian wine: Starting the New Year off page 56 / Two Flags One Right with Chianti Classico /by page 41 / Italian handcrafts: Youth: 5 Tips to Network Jennifer Gentile Martin for www. The gold work of Vicenza / Successfully as a Student /by vinotravelsitaly.com by Camera di Commercio di Giovanni Corrado Vicenza with Unioncamere
page 60 / Italian cuisine: page 88 / Italian Design: Chickpeas and kale /by Paola Idarica Gazzoni, the designer Lovisetti Scamihorn who unrolls enigmatic flowers and birds on the walls /by page 44 / IT and US: Major Antonella Maia survey of Italian American educators under way /by Vincenzo Milione page 73 / Italian entertainment: Waiting page 92 / Italian language: for a movie about Dante /by Welcome to the very first Priscilla Sassi Museum of the Italian Language in Italy /by Giulia Casati for the Italian School NJ
page 46 / Italian culture and history: Le Vie di Dante page 76 / Italian little /by italia.it Italies: Subiaco, the first monastery of St. Benedict /by I page 95 / Italian gardens: borghi più belli d’Italia Marganai Forest /by Italian Botanical Heritage
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/by Umberto Mucci What’s up with WTI Editorial # 132
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Dear friends, happy new year! The horrendous 2020 is behind us, we’re past it. 2021 will still be difficult, but the beginning of the end of the nightmare has begun, and we have reasons to be hopeful.
It was 2012 and they started then, on a small Italian newspaper called L’Opinione, my interviews that then led to something that you don’t even know, which was called LinkItalia, and then to We the Italians. Ten years of interviews is a long time, and in February we will publish the two hundred and fiftieth. It is numbers regarding our 2020, in addition to a goal of which we are proud and happy, but the interviews. During 2020 we published on we will talk about it next month. our website 6,463 news items (2,499 of these were about Italy, the others about something In the meantime, the seventh book of We Italian in the United States); 199 articles in the Italians is out: the yearbook with the the 12 issues of our Magazine; an yearbook interviews of 2020. In 2020 we interviewed 27 (with 2019 interviews) in print and digital people, friends of We the Italians, who gave formats; 165 videos and 97 audio podcasts. us 23 different points of view on 23 different Our archive of websites about nonprofit topics of the relationship between Italy and organizations, groups, departments, festivals, the United States. You can buy it here: museums, associations, and foundations please, buy the book! For you, as a gift for celebrating something Italian in the United friends and family. Please check a preview States contains 1,498 records. During 2020, here. Thanks. we sent out 1,542,313 newsletters: with 12 months, 9 areas and many of you subscribing We would like to share with you some to more than one, this is the final number. We surpassed 49,000 likes on our Facebook
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page. We have a LinkedIn group with 1,190 to Tuscany. She will soon launch a home and members (we expect you, come join us). fashion textile line created from her private We are also on Twitter (1,151 followers), art collection of Renaissance images. Carol Instagram (2,842 followers) and YouTube is also the author of the historical novel, The (466 subscribers), and we plan to improve Stonecutter’s Aria, based on the true stories our presence on all of these social media. of her marble-carving ancestors from Carrara, During 2020, for obvious reasons, there was Italy. www.mytuscanaria.com. only one in-person event we attended, at RAI Italia at the beginning of the year; but we participated in 7 virtual events between radio, television, podcasts and the internet, all documented in the Events section of our website. In addition, through our fundraising we raised and donated € 53,000 for the fight against coronavirus in Italy, organized the first online Columbus Day with 50 leaders of the Italian American community in 20 different American states, and opened our virtual store with more than 20 gadgets with our logo. It has been a very difficult year for everyone, but once again ... we are just getting started.
Once again, I’m very happy to tell you that NICOLINO APPLAUSO our family is growing! We have three new members, very welcome here on We the Italians. The first is Carol Faenzi, and sheThe will second is Nicolino Applauso, and he will represent us in the Hoosier State, Indiana. represent us in the Old Line State, Maryland. Carol owns the lifestyle brand, My Tuscan Aria, Nicolino Applauso, PhD, is and historian which offers small group, luxury excursions of Italian language and literature and is the president and founder of the Applauso Italian Learning Center, LLC and teaches Italian language and culture at Loyola University Maryland and Italian, Spanish and Latin at MorganState University in the United States (where he founded the Italian program in 2018). His research path is multifaceted and includes both the medieval period (Dante CAROL FAENZI and the strands of epistolography and comic and satirical literature in the Italian Middle Ages) and contemporaneity (political satire in music and mass digital media and demographic evolutions in Italy in the 2000s). His recent publications are the books Dante’s Comedyand the Ethics of Invective in Medieval Italy: Humor and Evil (Lexington
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Press, 2019); Dante satire: Satire in Dante Alighieri’s Comedy and Other Works (with F. Alfie, Lexington Press, 2020); Italy Today: Changes and Challenges in the 21stCentury from WWII to the Coronavirus Pandemic (with M. Mignone†, Peter Lang, 2021). We are now represented in fourteen States out of fifty. The third new member of our family is one of a new kind. He does not represent us in a State: he’s our Ambassador for a specific topic, and this topic is Christopher Columbus. His name is Max Scoli. Max is a Senior at the University of Michigan. He is a third-generation Italian- American who is passionate about his heritage and preserving Italian culture in the MAX SCOLI USA. He hopes to educate individuals about the true story of Christopher Columbus so his legacy can receive fair judgment: he is the the horned helmet dressed as a shaman and owner of the Instagram account called “Stop with the tattooed face. He claimed his name Anti-Italianism”. I’m so glad to have Max on was Jake Angeli, and that was enough for the board, we’ll do very good things together. Italian newspapers to automatically decide that the most famous criminal in the world at I end this editorial with a delicate topic which that moment was an Italian American. There concerns the assault against the American was not even one document, video, audio or Congress in Washington DC happened on internet page in English or any other language January 6. I’m not entering in any political saying that he was Italian American: but they topic, but this thing I’m going to tell, you did not control, they did not check, they did regards Italy and the Italian American not ask. He was a criminal with a family name community. The whole world saw the very ending with a vowel: thus he had to be Italian ugly images of the leader of the criminals who American. Once upon a time that used to be violently broke into the Congress, the guy with how the American newspapers treated Italian
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Americans, well unfortunately now it seems that that’s how the Italian media behave. Please keep following We the ItaliaNews, the video and audio podcast about what At We the Italians, we decided that we had happens in Italy at the time of the coronavirus. to do something. I know that none of you It has now become a real news program on Italian Americans knew anything about this, Italy in English, each episode of which is seen but we were ashamed about this behavior by more than 1,500 of you. We have reached and the superficiality that it shows. So170 we videos. It’s a big effort, but we care about sent 27 emails of protest to 27 different Italian it and it’s part of the service we give to all of media, some even more than once, and we you, everything for free. actually got a few promise to publish a denial of the fake news. Well, it worked: finally, the Italian press has stopped describing as Italian American Jake Angeli, whose real name is Jake Chansley, as we explained in our emails of protest. I can’t assure you that we can get all the credit for this, we are not comfortable in bragging too much or assigning ourselves merits beyond those we have. But we won, and I’m very happy about that, at least as much as I was ashamed when I saw this inexcusable behavior by the Italian media here in Italy, as if all the decades of stereotypes that hit hard the Italian Americans in America were not enough.
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And please, check our new virtual store. Well my friends, once again it’s all for now. Now you can find more than 20 products in Please stay safe, please stay healthy. I won’t different colors: t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, gonna stop saying this: the future’s so bright, onesies, mugs, notebooks, pillows, totes, we gotta wear shades! But please, protect tapestries, pins, laptop and smartphone yourselves and wear the mask, too. Ciao from cases, magnets, stickers, masks. Buy We the Rome Italians!
I want to remind you of the great initiative that sees us as protagonists together with our partner College Life Italia. Together with them we created a scholarship fund that can give young Italian American or American children who love Italy the opportunity to study and play sports in Italy. Both the students who apply for our Master Program and the students interested in the Study Abroad program will be eligible to obtain a scholarship. A dedicated commission will take care of evaluating all the applications. We invite all those interested to write an email to [email protected].
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I’m not an art critic, I’m not even an expert, heavy and not at all precision instrument, but I believe that appreciation and judgment making it become a face? And not just any of art is subjective and personal: mine is that face, one known to all! the most incredible work of art ever created is Mount Rushmore. For difficulty, danger, And what origins could the chief carver of accomplishment, talent, inventiveness, this work of art have, who physically made precision, vision. Can you imagine what it’s a part of it and taught others how to do it? like to sculpt a mountain hanging in the air Of course he was Italian, his name was Luigi at 500 feet from the ground, exposed to the Del Bianco. His contribution to an icon of elements, without being able to control in the United States is a symbol of how much real time the result of your work, with a very Italians, whether born here or already born in
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America, have done to the beauty that there is in the United States, to its greatness, to its symbols. Today we host Lou Del Bianco, grandson of that visionary artist from Friuli Venezia Giulia and author of the book “Out of Rushmore’s Shadow: The Luigi Del Bianco Story”. It’s a great way to start this hopeful 2021.
Lou, please tell us the story of Luigi Del Bianco before Mount Rushmore
My nonno was born in 1892 in what was LUIGI IN WWI called Borgo Del Bianco, in the town of Meduna, in the province of Pordenone, in the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. In 1910 he wrote a postcard to his relatives in the US to work for as a memorial stone When he was about 12 or 13 years old, he carver in Barre, VT. His cousin, Pietro Del carved a little dog out of the wood. My great Bianco, sponsored my grandfather who grandfather, Vincenzo Del Bianco, sent him came to America and worked in a stone to Austria because that’s where the nearest quarry for five years. When Italy got involved carving school was. So my grandfather in WWI against Prussia, he went back to Italy studied 3 years under an Italian Master in and fought with the Italian Army. Austria and then he came back to Italy and studied in Venice for 2 years. LUIGI AND NICOLETTA’S WEDDING LUIGI AND NICOLETTA’S
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In 1920 he came back to Barre where he met Please tell, us about this wonderful a fellow stone carver named Alfonso Scafa adventure, Mount Rushmore who brought my grandfather to Stamford, CT to meet Gutzon Borglum, the designer In 1925, Doane Robinson, the historian of Mount Rushmore. Borglum hired him as of South Dakota (where Mount Rushmore expert in granite and then as head stone is located) wanted to bring tourists there. carver. My grandfather settled in Port So he came up with the idea to add some Chester, New York, which was only fifteen sculptures of important people of the story minutes away from Connecticut and where of the West, and to do that, he approached Scafa introduced him to my grandmother Gutzon Borglum. Borglum said that these Nicoletta Cardarelli. sculptures should be in the side of a mountain and the figures should be Presidents. In 1933, Gutzon Borglum was already heading the carving of Mount Rushmore Gutzon Borglum decided for Washington when he realized that the men carving under because he was our first president, Jefferson him could block out the faces but he needed because he extended our country and a granite stone carver who could refine the Theodore Roosevelt because he wanted faces. That’s why he called my grandfather, to preserve National forests and parks. He who became the chief carver of Mount picked Lincoln because he literally saved our Rushmore. democracy. So, Mount Rushmore became known as “The Shrine of Democracy”.
Most of the men who worked there were coal and silver miners, and they had no experience in art and carving. Borglum needed men that were not scared of going 500 feet up in the air so he thought that if he hired these unemployed miners, and if he trained them to follow his instructions, he would have been able to accomplish his mission using these men.
But he also needed other trained men. My grandfather was chosen because Borglum knew that he would have been able not only to refine the faces, but he could also train the rest of the team. My grandfather worked with Ugo Villa, who was Borglum’s chief pointer (in charge of transferring measurements from the model to the finished piece). Since Borglum was often going to Washington to look for some money for the project, when he was not there, Villa was in charge of the GUTSON BORGLUM project. But, because of disagreements on
12 13 ORIGINAL MODEL how to carve the difficult stone, Borglum fired him and replaced him with my grandfather.
Used to have technology in the palm of our hands, I don’t think that we can actually realize how incredible was the work on this piece of art. Please help our readers realize in which conditions was Mount Rushmore actually carved
My grandfather would work 500 feet in the air in a scaffold. He would have the sun on the back of his head, the wind would make the scaffold move and his face was white like a ghost because of the dust. Furthermore, the drill they were using weighed 40 pounds. So, you had to be physically strong, very brave and very talented: and my grandfather had all these characteristics.
My grandfather was interviewed in 1967 by HONEYCOMBE a local newspaper and he talked about the fact that while he was carving close up on
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a giant granite face, his work would have mountain sculpture with the aim of putting to look perfectly proportionate from a mile Mount Rushmore to shame. This mountain’s away. sculpture is still a work in progress. Even today they have a lot of technological devices, they are still using some of Mount Rushmore’s techniques. CARVING EYE
There are just two others works comparable LUIGI ON WASHINGTON to it and one was actually started by Gutzon Borglum: it’s called Stone Mountain. It is a relief, so not as demanding as Mount Is there an anecdote, a funny story about Rushmore, of the confederal leaders of the this incredible endeavor your grandfather Civil war in the South: nowadays it is very realized? controversial. Borglum used some of the technique adopted in the Stone Mountain to When my grandfather arrived at Mount build Mont Rushmore. There is also a gigantic Rushmore, there were no places where he mountain’s sculpture of the Native American could get Italian food. So he put some of hero called Crazy Horse, which was started it in the backseat of his car and he offered in 1940s by Korczak Ziolkowski. He was hired it to the Natives: they loved it. At the by Borglum after my grandfather decided to beginning, my grandfather had problems in leave Mont Rushmore because of the way he socializing with the Americans working on was treated. At a certain point, Ziolkowski the Mountain. They all drank whiskey but argued with Borglum, they had a fight, hehe drunk wine. He was an immigrant and he stopped working for Borglum and he said spoke broken English. But, thanks to Italian that he would take revenge carving his own food, he became a friend of the Native
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Americans in South Dakota, who also taught him how to ride a horse. Furthermore, my grandmother cooked maccheroni and sauce for the workers and taught their wives how to cook it. FINISHING
of Gutzon Borglum. My uncle found out that the people in charge of the Rushmore
LUIGI AND NATIVE AMERICANS LUIGI AND NATIVE project complained a lot about him. Borglum had to constantly defend my grandfather saying that he was “…worth any three men I know something about your struggle to in America for this particular kind of work…” see your grandfather’s work recognized. We didn’t understand the reason of such Will you tell it to our readers, please? hate, we suppose it was related to the fact that he was Italian: but it was especially this In 1985 the most definitive book about characteristic that made him so essential for Mount Rushmore was written: my uncle read the work. In 1937, my grandfather decided it but he realized that Luigi, his father, was he had enough and he left Mont Rushmore. not mentioned. How could they not even But, in 1940 Borglum wrote to him saying mention the chief carver? We were so angry that he had to come back to finish Mount about that! Me and my uncle wanted to find Rushmore under the promise that no one out the truth once and for all because my would bother him. So, for six months, he grandfather didn’t talk about it very often. worked alone on the faces.
In 1988 I went to Mount Rushmore and asked how they were honoring the chief carver. They showed me this plaque about all the 400 men who worked for Mount Rushmore: my grandfather was in a sea of names. We found that unfair; we wanted him to have his own plaque.
We went to the Library of Congress in Washington DC, looking for all the papers RUSHMORE PLAQUE
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My uncle and I took all the documents that his own plaque where he is acknowledged Borglum wrote and we presented them to as chief carver. the staff at Mount Rushmore, showing that my grandfather should be recognized as chief carver. Despite that, they replied to us that he was a worker just like the others: and this was what I was told for over 25 years. When my uncle Cesar got ill, before he passed away, he asked me to put an end to all of this. And then, in 2015, Cam Sholley replaced the head of all the national parks in the midwest region of the USA. After failing to convince so many officials before him, I tried pitching to Cam my request. He told me he would send two historians to my house in Port Chester to reanalyze the case and the documents I had. They finally decided to LOU AND LUIGI recognize Luigi Del Bianco and now he has
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Is it correct to say that no one more than Actually, I was thrilled by the attention Italy Luigi Del Bianco represents and symbolizes gave to my grandfather, especially the the fantastic manual skill of the millions of people from Pordenone who published my Italian immigrants who have literally built book in Italian and put a plaque in Borgo and embellished America? Del Bianco. Furthermore, an Rai television show called “Voyager” came to my house, Luigi Del Bianco and so many other Italian interviewed me and made a whole segment stone carvers never got credit for the about my grandfather’s story. beautiful things they created. There were many other Italian immigrants who did I do not have a lot of memories about my incredible architecture or carvings and they grandparent. But, as a little 6 year old boy, I remained unknown: the only ones who are remember my grandfather saying “’I’m Luigi, known are the Piccirilli brothers. They did you are Luigi”. I was his only grandson so incredible beauties and I have no proof that there was a profound bond we shared. I felt they met my grandfather, but they lived very like he charging me with something to do close, so I’m quite sure they did. I’d like to for him. When I found out that he was chief think that my grandfather represents all the carver, I was in second grade and he had anonymous Italian artisans who had never already passed away: so I’ve been looking been credited for the beauty they created in for him in that mountain for my whole life. America. The essence of all of this to me is that history Does Italy, in any way, recognize or doesn’t always tell you the whole story, you remember Luigi Del Bianco? How can we have to find the truth yourself, and I’m happy help? because I found out the truth for someone that I loved. LUIGI CARVING SCHOOL
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/by Italia.it Italian land and nature Calabria’s Jasmine Coast CAPO SPARTIVENTO
Much of Italy’s Region of Calabria is coastal, rather diffuse throughout the territory. a peninsula in itself surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. Its southernmost riviera, ays with low, sandy beaches alternate with running along the Ionian Sea between the high and jagged cliffs; meanwhile, all of it cities of Riace and Locri, is known as the is surrounded by green, citrus- and olive- Costa dei Gelsomini, or Jasmine Coast. One covered hills, all the way to the Parco of the wildest coastlines and steeped in Nazionale dell’Aspromonte. history, the magnificent Costa dei Gelsomini winds through 90 km or 56 miles of the The Jasmine Coast is an ideal spot for a Province of Reggio Calabria. As you might simple and peaceful vacation in a pristine have guessed, the Coast takes its name from environment imbued with beauty, history the cultivation of the fragrant climber plant, and traditions.
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See Finally, the Costa ends at Capo Spartivento, south of the Bonamico stream in Aspromonte The Costa dei Gelsomini comprises 42 small National Park. Those visiting beaches like municipalities, almost all of them offering those at Africo, Bianco, Brancaleone Marina seaside resorts and beach establishments. and Capo Ferruzzano will find that their The foremost touristic hubs are Riace Marina, landscape tends to be quite rocky. Roccella Ionica and Marina di Gioiosa Ionica, while further south are Siderno, Locri Do (originally a Greek colony founded in the 7th Century B.C.E.), the tiny locales of Sant’Ilario When in Calabria: don’t miss the first thing allo Ionio, Ardore Marina and Bovalino. any and every tourist should do while in the
20 21 toe of the Italian “boot:” go to the beach, Also quite the touristic draw, Gerace is enjoy the refreshing waves in the crystalline considered to be one of the most beautiful sea, and revel in the fact that you’re most Medieval villages or borgos in Italy; travelers likely at a Legambiente (Italian Environmental also flock to Stilo to admire its characteristic League) Blue-Flag approved locale. Byzantine church, locally referred to as the Then, history lovers can take on an Cattolica. excursion to the excavations in Monasterace (ancient Kaulon) and to the Locri Epizefiri Curiosities Archaeological Park, where vestiges of the Greek colony Locri are preserved. The park Here jasmine is collected and sold by borders the sacred zone of Marasà, a sort of weight or exported, above all to France. open-air museum where visitors can view the Reggio Calabria has even hosted the 4th-Century B.C.E. theatre and the Sanctuary Stazione Sperimentale delle Essenze ed Oli of Zeus among its ancient monuments. Essenziali – an essential oil research and experimentation center - since 1928.
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/by Consorzio di Tutela Arancia Ribera di Sicilia with MiPAAF Italian flavors Ribera Orange
Citrus cultivation developed in the Ribera valleys in 1994 consolidated the cultivation of the at the beginning of the nineteenth century, but orange in the region. This association aimed to it was only in 1930 that it reached truly high protect the Ribera Orange on the one hand, and standards of quality. This was when the cultivation preserve its quality while respecting nature on of the Brasiliano and Washington navel varieties the other hand. began, which gradually replaced the old acidic varieties with lots of seeds. Since beginning its activities, the Consortium has undertaken initiatives aimed at innovation, This specialization continued to be further scientific research and technological evolution, refined over the following decades by focusingallowing the production levels to be increased on innovative production techniques. The in a very short time while still retaining and establishment of the Ribera Orange Consortium protecting the quality and naturalness of the
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oranges produced.
The last chapter in this complicated story came when the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) recognition was granted by the European Community in February 2011. This was the first time the status was given to a citrus fruit in either Italy or Europe, and it covers three types of varieties: Brasiliano, Washington Navel and Navelina. With its specialization and high quality, the Ribera citrus growing community represents the greatest area devoted to cultivating Navel type oranges.
The product
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The Ribera Orange is blonde and belongs to and have led to significant savings in terms the Navel group. It has no seeds and is easy to of management, such as irrigation with a low peel, and also has a delicious crisp tastes and a pressure tubing system, which saves water and high vitamin (C, A, B, PP), mineral salt and sugar allows for more efficient scheduling, or the use content. It is a natural source of a wealth of of pneumatic pruning shears. The introduction of important substances for growth and a healthy these and other simple but effective innovations diet. When consumed as it is or in juice form, it related to manual dexterity and experience constitutes a good source of vitamin C, a natural is what makes agriculture in Ribera stand out, antioxidant that helps to strengthen the immune resulting in a unique and inimitable product. system. Local traditions and cultures and innovative Production techniques are combined to achieve a superior quality product in an environmental context The well-established cultivation technique used that is fortunately still healthy, where the plants by the local workforce, developed through are looked after and cared for individually with experience gained over the course of a century, specific measures, as in the historical concept of has recently been enhanced with more refined the “Arab garden.” management methods introduced into the area by regional technical assistance services. The Ribera Orange can be sampled from November until May. These innovations have become widespread
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/by Enrico de Iuliis Italian art The church collector NOSTRA SIGNORA DI CASTRO
Sailko is the pseudonym of Francesco Bini, photographer but not only. He is a voracious and incessant photographer, who portrays all the beauty that appears in front of him on his path and then transforms it.
Each photo becomes part of large thematic constellations, real museums of images linked by common themes, subjects, time frames.
The driving force behind the whole principle is free knowledge, which is then catalogued, SANTA MARIA DI UTA SANTA
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for an almost encyclopedic need, with a system that also looks at the pairing of the same subjects, perhaps portrayed at a distance of time. In creating these groups he often finds new themes in a ramification that never ends. The “Bini Museum”, as he ironically defines it, now boasts cataloging for works of art ranging from period to medium to “school”. NOSTRA SIGNORA DI OTTI SAN NICOLA DI OTTANA
But it is in the last few years that a very heartfelt love for Sardinia’s Romanesque churches has been born. As he himself explains: “In Sardinia you can find a culture that is alive and ancient like nowhere else in Italy. For
NOSTRA SIGNORA DI TERGU Romanesque churches, it’s incredible how they were built out of nothing, as if they had fallen from the sky. In Tuscany, especially
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30 31 SAN PIETRO DI SORRES
in the Pisan area, there are Romanesque churches similar in style, but they are in the towns, where you would expect them. In Sardinia they are isolated, immersed in a natural context, barren and empty”.
And in fact, the churches portrayed by Sailko seem to come out of the ground, powerful in their Romanesque forms and as hard as the materials used to build them, such as trachyte, sandstone and basalt. Stones that are also used for the geometric decorations of the facades, alternating their natural SAN PIETRO DI ZURI colors, to create motifs typical of the Pisan Romanesque that influenced the taste of architecture on the island in the period of domination from the mid-thirteenth century.
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The Basilica of the Holy Trinity of Saccargia, the Cathedral of St. Peter of Sorres and the Church of Our Lady of Tergiu are the most striking examples; the alternation of color bands, the use of two colors in the facades, the structure almost always with a single nave of great solidity and austerity. Sailko’s skill was not only that of grouping them together, creating a remarkable parade of beauty and history, but also and above all that of capturing their ancestral power. They are apparitions that emerged from the ground, mystical boxes immortalized by a
SANTA MARIA IN MONSERRATO SANTA photographer who manages to transport this power into images. SANT’ANTIOCO DI BISARCIO
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/by Federico Pasquali Italian Sports The 5 young Italian stars
2020 was a difficult year for everyone and Larissa Iapichino, Linda Zingerle and Jannik sport is non an exception. Thousands of Sinner: they have in common their young races and events were cancelled due to the age and their desire to win and amaze the pandemic, including the Olympic Games in world of sport. But what have the five young Tokyo. But the world of sport did not stop athletes done extraordinary during this completely and in the last months of this period? terrible year in Italy five young sports stars raised up and and everyone is talking about Let’s start with Matilde Villa, who last them. We the Italians wants to start 2021 by November, when she was only 15 years old, celebrating them set a record in basketball that was celebrated around the world. Matilde is a girl from They are Matilde Villa, Benedetta Pilato, Lissone, in Lombardy, who plays basketball
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with Costa Masnaga, a Serie A team (the major league of Italian basketball). She was born with the sliced ball in her hand, because even as a child she was always among the strongest players of the team. In November, during the championship match against Sassari, she set the Italian record of points in a match. Her team won 76-57 and she scored 36 points (almost half of the total), 8 rebounds and 4 assists. An incredible performance for her age, but it was not a surprise because Matilde is the best scorer in the Serie A championship with an average of 18.4 points per match.
Benedetta Pilato is another 15-year-old girl who has set a series of records in swimming, incredible for her age. She was born in Taranto, Apulia, and is a specialist in breaststroke, the most technical style of swimming. In November, in an international competition in Budapest, Hungary, she set three records in MATILDE VILLA MATILDE less than twenty-four hours. On the first day
34 35 BENEDETTA PILATO BENEDETTA
she won the 50 breaststroke race in 28’’86, setting the Italian record (she was the first Italian swimmer in history to go under 29’) and the junior world record. The next day, she set the Italian record in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1’03’’55. The very young swimmer is a real “baby phenomenon”. In 2019, at only 14 years old, she was the youngest Italian to have participated in a World Championship and also the youngest to win a medal (silver in the 50 breaststroke). Not even the greatest Italian swimmer of all time, Federica Pellegrini, had succeeded in this feat at the age of Benedetta. BENEDETTA PILATO BENEDETTA PILATO BENEDETTA
JANUARY 2021 www.wetheitalians.com JANUARY 2021 www.wetheitalians.com LARISSA IAPICHINO
Larissa Iapichino, 18 years old, born in Borgo San Lorenzo, in the province of Florence, Tuscany, in 2020 has become one of the most famous sportswomen in Italy. Larissa is a long jump champion, a family sport in her case. Her mother Fiona May, born in England but Italian citizen, was the strongest Italian long jumper in history (2 silver medals at the Olympics, 3 world titles and 1 European title). Her father, Gianni Iapichino, was born in Columbus, Ohio, to Italian parents and was a high and long jump athlete. As a child she practiced dance, swimming, artistic gymnastics and only a few years ago she started with athletics. First the sprint, then the long jump like her mother. And she immediately reached the top, winning in 2019 the European Under 20 title and in the same year she made the Italian record (6.64 meters) of two youth categories. The summer of 2020, in Savona, when she was still 17 years old, she set the new Italian LARISSA IAPICHINO
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Under 20 record with 6.80 meters, the fifth Another star is Linda Zingerle, 18 years best world performance of the year. old, born in San Candido, in the province of Bolzano, Trentino Alto Adige. She is a LINDA ZINGERLE
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38 39 LINDA ZINGERLE biathlon champion and her father Andreas women’s relay and the bronze medal in the was four times world champion and bronze pursuit at the World Youth Championships at the 1988 Calgary Olympics in biathlon. in Lenzerheide, in Switzerland too. These In 2020 Linda won the gold medal in the are victories that in the history of women’s mixed relay and the silver medal in the biathlon very few athletes have achieved, mixed single relay at the Youth Olympic so that in November she was elected best Games in Lausanne in Switzerland, the gold young European athlete by the European medal in the sprint, the silver medal in the Olympic Committees. JANNIK SINNER
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Also the fifth young champion we are talking about today was born in San Candido, in the province of Bolzano. Jannik Sinner, 19 years old, is a phenomenal tennis player for his age and within a few months he broke several records. At Roland Garros (Paris, France) 2020 he reached the quarter finals, becoming the youngest Italian in history to go that far in the most famous red clay tournament in the world. Later in Sofia, Bulgaria, he won his first ATP tournament of his career, becoming the youngest Italian in history to win an Open- era tournament. His results have taken him to 37th place in the international ranking, becoming the best Under 20 tennis player in the world. JANNIK SINNER JANNIK SINNER
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/by Camera di Commercio di Vicenza with Unioncamere Italian handcrafts The gold work of Vicenza
At the heart of the local jewellery industry’s their profession in a population of twenty success lies more than a hundred years of thousand inhabitants. tradition. The productive capacity and creativity of the It is enough to know that the first written goldsmiths were and are still the industry’s evidence of the importance of this sector strengths, with many of the biggest names on in the province dates back to the early 14th the international scene based in the Vicenza century, with the signing of the statute of “the area, as heirs to Valerio Bellithe, the great Vicenza Guild of Goldsmiths”, a corporation Renaissance goldsmith and close friend of of more than 150 craftsmen who practised Michelangelo and Raffaello, whose mastery
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42 43 is mentioned in Vasari’s “Lives”.
District
Italy is the world’s largest gold jewellery exporter and Vicenza is the most important national production district.
The presence of an important district of companies involved in the construction of gold jewellery machinery has allowed the sector to remain always at the cutting edge technologically.
It has also facilitated the development of numerous industrial realities, capable of uniting the main characteristics of Vicenza’s gold jewellery production, its design and quality, with a powerful production capacity. With 739 companies and almost 9,000 employees, the gold jewellery sector is one of the driving forces of the local economy. The district extends throughout the province, although Trissino and Bassano del Grappa are its two most important production centres.
Vicenza
Vicenza is in the heart of the Veneto region, in one of its most industrialised areas, with the greatest concentration of manufacturing companies.
Vicenza is known worldwide as the city of Palladio, the great 16th- century architect who left an indelible artistic impression on each of his works, most of which are located in the Veneto region, particularly in the Vicenza area.
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/by Vincenzo Milione IT and US Major survey of Italian American educators under way
The John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, from preschool to postsecondary increased in collaboration with the AIAE, Association of significantly, especially among women. Italian Italian American Educators, will publish a study American educators held a larger proficiency on the growth and impact of Italian American in the Italian language than the general Italian educators on American education. The American population. Calandra Institute is seeking Italian American educators from all regions of the United States The Calandra Institute and the AIAE, invite all who have taught and administrated over the last Italian American educators to participate in seventy years, from the 1950s to the present, to this study. If you also have a written description participate in the study. of your experience, you may forward it for possible inclusion. In addition, if you know an Today there are approximately 700,000 Italian educator who should be included, forward this American educators across all academic information to them with your recommendation disciplines from pre-K to postsecondary for their participation in the survey. Respondents education in the United States. Research can directly submit survey responses online at: using U.S. Census data from 1980 to 2017 http://calandrainstitute.org/educator-survey/. demonstrates how the descendants of Italian immigrants recognized the value of education The case studies will highlight the obstacles and in order to succeed in the educational system. successes of individual educators. For further information, contact principal investigator Since 1980 the number of Italian American Vincenzo Milione at 212-642-2094 or email educators has more than doubled, from 275,500 [email protected]. to 699,448 in 2017. Italian American educators represented 5.3 percent of all educators in 1980, equal to the overall Italian American population (5.3 percent) but increased to 7.3 percent of all the educators in 2017, more than 2 percentage points above the population of Italian Americans in the United States (5.1 percent).
The increase in Italian American educators throughout the United States is more geographically diverse than the overall Italian American population. The number of educators
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/by Italia.it Italian culture and history Le Vie di Dante
Twenty-one legs and a 395 kilometer-long route, The same roads were traveled by this eminent from Dante Alighieri’s birthplace in Florence to writer when fleeing from Florence, after the his tomb in Ravenna, crossing the Apennine Guelphs condemned him to death because of Mountains and immersing in silent woods and his Ghibelline approval. From that moment on, historic villages, waterfalls and Middle-Ages Dante abandoned Florence for good (he would castles: on occasion of Dante’s 700th death never get back to his hometown), but along its anniversary, we recommend Le Vie di Dante adventurous journey beyond the Apennines (Roads of Dante), an exciting tour that retraces looking for protection, he took inspiration for the exile of the “father” of the Italian language, his most famous work: the Divine Comedy. from Tuscany to Emilia Romagna. Lonely Planet included this route in its Best in Travel for 2021 The words of Dante take us to a timeless as best “Cultural walk” among the sustainable journey, that we can relive still today, fully or tourism experiences awarded. just in part, tracing his deeds along the way
46 47 from Florence to Ravenna. Starting point of this Dante route is the Casa-Museo di Dante, in Via Santa Margherita, in downtown Florence; arrival is the tomb of Dante in downtown Ravenna, the city where Dante ended his exile, completed his writing of the Divine Comedy and where he died in September 1321.
This route across the Apennines is scattered with stages and poetic references to Dante and the Divine Comedy: among the most emblematic locations are Pontassieve, where Dante is said to have met Beatrice, the Acquacheta waterfall, mentioned in Canto XVI of Hell, the Chiesa di San Godenzo, in Val Montone, where Dante took part to the meeting of the exiled Ghibellines and White Guelphs, the Romena Castle, that hosted Dante for several time during his exile, but also the walled city of Poppi with the Castle of the Conti Guidi, Faenza, artistic and historic city, and Brisighella with its amazing medieval DANTE’S MUSEUM IN FLORENCE fortress.
An adventure rich in poetic suggestions, Mugello itinerary (Palazzuolo sul Senio, Marradi, historical references and natural beauties, Vicchio, Dicomano, Borgo San Lorenzo, passing through small historic villages, Barberino di Mugello, Fiorenzuola). Since the hermitages and Romanesque churches, noble dawn of time a key connection route between buildings and pristine nature to discover Tuscany and Emilia, Mugello is the land of the following the many hiking trails on both sides House of Medici, Giotto and Beato Angelico, of the Apennines. A slow journey to take on full of points of historical, artistic and naturalistic foot or by mountain-bike (only if well trained) interest. Like the villages of Scarperia and Borgo or by train, from Florence to Ravenna along the San Lorenzo, the Pieve di Sant’Agata di Mugello, Faentina railway, the first Italian railway line to the Villa del Trebbio and Lake Bilancino. cross the Apennine mountain chain. To get more information: www.viedidante.it/en/ Additional itineraries the-mugello-itinerary
Besides the main route, the Florence-Ravenna, Casentino itinerary (Pratovecchio Stia, Le Vie di Dante also enclose other routes: in the Montemignaio, Castel San Niccolò, Poppi, Mugello and Casentino valley and from Faenza, Ortignano Raggiolo, Bibbiena, Castel a world capital of ceramics, to Brisighella, a Focognano, Chitignano, Chiusi della Verna, medieval town included in the “Borghi più Talla, Subbiano). In the valleys of the Foreste belli d’Italia” (Italy’s most beautiful villages) Casentinesi National Park, you can immerse association. yourself in centuries-old forests and ancient
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Romanesque churches, castles and religious sites: like the Camaldoli hermitage, Pieve di San Pietro, the Poppi, Porciano and Romena Castles (that hosted Dante).
To get more information: www.viedidante.it/en/ the-casentino-itinerary
Faenza-Brisighella itinerary (Faenza, Brisighella). A city rich in Roman and Renaissance heritage, Faenza is worldwide renowned for the manufacturing of ceramics. Passing through vineyards and small hamlets, you get to Brisighella, part of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” (Italy’s most beautiful villages) association with
the Bandiera Arancione recognition by the DANTE’S TOMB IN RAVENNA Touring Club Italiano, well known for its Rocca Manfrediana built on rock pinnacles.
To get more information: www.viedidante.it/en/ and several activities: from trekking to cycling, the-faenza-brisighella-itinerary guided tours and entrance to cultural sites, tasting of local products and transport by train On Le Vie di Dante web-site there are many offers on the regional trans-Apennine “Faentina” and packages which include accommodation railway. Offers are for a weekend or more days. BRISIGHELLA
48 49 /by Umberto Mucci Italian Good News Let’s start 2021 well. 36 Italian heroes of everyday life
The President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Below is the list, with a one line motivation. Mattarella, awarded 36 honors for Merit of We have chosen to dedicate a few more the Italian Republic to citizens who have words to 9 of them, to briefly tell their story. distinguished themselves for acts of heroism, commitment to solidarity, volunteerism, 1) Chiara Amirante, 54 years old (Rome, activities in favor of social inclusion, Lazio), Officer of the Order of Merit of the international cooperation, promotion of Italian Republic: “For her extraordinary culture, legality and the right to health. contribution to the recovery of social marginality and fragility and to the fight against addiction”.
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2) Domiziana Avanzini, 48 years old (Trieste, 6) Valentina Bonanno, 30 years old (Milan, Friuli Venezia Giulia), Knight of the Order Lombardy), Knight of the Order of Merit of of Merit of the Italian Republic: “For her the Italian Republic: “For her contribution, in valuable work in assisting and supporting the international arena, to the dissemination the sick in hospital facilities”. of safe practices in support of pregnancy”.
3) Nazzarena Barboni, 51 years old 7) Alma Broccoli, 92 years old (Dormelletto, (Camerino, Marche), Officer of thePiedmont), Order Commander of the Order of of Merit of the Italian Republic: “For her Merit of the Italian Republic: “For her generous dedication to supporting young commitment, during her life, in promoting cancer patients and their families”. the value of solidarity”.
4) Carolina Benetti, 89 years old (San 8) Laura Bruno, 91 years old (Crotone, Giovanni Lupatoto, Veneto), Commendatore Calabria), Commander of the Order of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: of the Italian Republic: “For the praiseworthy “For her generosity and total dedication to example of generosity and solidarity with the integration and support of young people which she has always worked in support of with disabilities”. marginalized people”.
5) Rachid Berradi, 45 years old (Palermo, 9) Angela Buanne, 54 years old (Naples, Sicily), Knight of the Order of Merit of Campania), Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: “For his passionate the Italian Republic: “For her contribution to promotion of a culture of legality and for the cause of raising awareness among young his contribution to the fight against socialpeople on the issue of road safety and the marginalization”. fight against alcoholism and the carnage of
50 51
Saturday night. 12) Don Luigi D’Errico, 58 years old (Rome, Lazio), Commendatore of the Order of 10) Ciro Corona, 40 years old (Naples, Merit of the Italian Republic: “For his daily Campania), Knight of the Order of Merit commitment to a policy of real inclusion of the Italian Republic: “For his daily and of people with disabilities and for the fight untiring commitment to the promotion against poverty and social marginalization”. of legality and the fight against social and cultural degradation”. 13) Aldo Andrea Di Cristofaro, 77 years old (Bagnaturo di Pratola, Abruzzo), Commander 11) Nicoletta Cosentino, 49 years old of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: (Palermo, Sicily), Knight of the Order of Merit “For his initiatives of solidarity towards his of the Italian Republic: “For her example fellow countrymen in Canada, as well as of reaction and for her contribution to the in favor of the community of origin in our promotion of a culture of contrast to violence country”. against women and the recovery of victims of abuse”. 14) Vittoria Ferdinandi, 34 years old (Perugia, Umbria), Knight of the Order Victim of domestic violence, after a path of Merit of the Italian Republic: “For her of recovery undertaken in the anti-violence contribution in the promotion of practices of center Le Donne Onlus in Palermo, and with autonomy and social inclusion for psychiatric the support of Centro Astalli and Associazione patients” Pellegrino della Terra, she manages to . overcome a personal history of abuse and 15) Anna Fiscale, 32 years old (Verona, rebuild her life. She attended an internship Veneto), Knight of the Order of Merit of at a food production laboratory that led her the Italian Republic: “For her passionate to rebuild and rediscover herself and also contribution and spirit of initiative with her passion for cooking. From here the idea which she has worked on vulnerabilities and to start an entrepreneurial activity: thanks differences to transform them into social and also to the support of the Di. Re. (Women in economic added value.” the network against violence), she obtained a loan from Banca Etica and created “Le In 2013, she created the social cooperative Cuoche Combattenti”, an artisan laboratory Quid Onlus, which she chairs. The cooperative of preserves and baked goods. has a twofold objective: to recycle excess fabric, from the remainders of big brands; to give work to disadvantaged women and in general people with fragility. The basic principle is to transform “vulnerabilities into added value”. The Covid19 pandemic dealt a severe blow to the Quid Project, which had to close its stores in March 2020. Collaborating with other cooperatives scattered all over the peninsula, it has converted the production and prototyped models of reusable protective masks in anti-microbial and anti-drip fabric. Quid has
JANUARY 2021 www.wetheitalians.com JANUARY 2021 www.wetheitalians.com created a “starter pack” for the production of “Suicide and Law Enforcement”, a volume the first samples and a tutorial for packaging that, born from the collaboration between instructions; the other cooperatives have the Ministry of Interior and La Sapienza joined the project and have been activated University of Rome (Faculty of Medicine and to start production and, in synergy, respond Psychology), offers a review of the main lines to market demands. This is how Co-ver was of research on the phenomenon of suicide born, a reusable protective mask certified by in the Armed Forces and Police and its a chain entirely Made-in-Italy. prevention.
16) Danilo Galli, 40 years old (Rome, Lazio), 18) Elisabetta Iannelli, 52 years old (Rome, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Lazio), Commendatore of the Order of Merit Republic: “For his courageous and timely of the Italian Republic: “For her commitment intervention in rescuing a woman who to protecting the rights of cancer patients threatened to throw herself from a viaduct” and defending their quality of life”.
17) Cinzia Grassi, 62 years old (Rome, Lazio), 19) Sara Longhi, 38 years old and Alfonso Commander of the Order of Merit of the Marrazzo, 36 years old (Bologna, Emilia Italian Republic: “For her important work of Romagna), Knights of the Order of Merit of awareness and knowledge of the pathology the Italian Republic: “For their exemplary of juvenile insulin-dependent diabetes contribution to the knowledge of diversity and promotion of a culture of contrast to and the promotion of a culture of real stereotypes and discrimination”. inclusion and dialogue”.
Surgeon, specialist in pediatrics. From 1988 to 2018 she is Medical Director of the State Police. Committed to the fight against abuse, maltreatment and pornography to the detriment of childhood. For fourteen years she was in service at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in the Departments with responsibility for childhood. In 2006, in memory of her son, she founded the non-profit organization “Edoardo con noi”Both deaf. In 2012, looking for a place which is engaged in research and awareness to organize artistic events for the deaf activities. In 2019, she authored and edited community, they found themselves starting
52 53 a new activity: the “Senza nome” café, a la difesa dell’uomo”. In 1985 he began to bar whose function is to make deaf people welcome young people with HIV and AIDS in interact with hearing people, help facilitate the community. Since 1998 they have been integration and confrontation and at the hosted in the Casa Famiglia Sant’Antonio same time promote Italian sign language. Abate, the only social-residential facility on Located in the center of Bologna, today it is the Sardinian island that welcomes people considered a reference point for many deaf affected by HIV and related diseases. He is people throughout Italy. a founding member of the Italian Society of Drug Addiction that gathers at national level 20) Egidio Marchese, 52 years old (Aosta, the most famous researchers in the medical- Valle d’Aosta), Officer of the Order of Meritpharmacological-social field. of the Italian Republic: “For his commitment to Paralympic sport and his dedication to sport as an opportunity for social inclusion”.
21) Don Tarcisio Moreschi, 73 years old and Fausta Pina 73 years old (Brescia, LOmbardy), Commendators of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: “For having dedicated their lives, in an international context, to the care, protection and education of orphaned and 23) Enrico Parisi, 28 years old (Corigliano- disabled children”. Rossano, Calabria), Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: “For his 22) Father Salvatore Morittu, 74 years old passionate contribution to the promotion (Sassari, Sardinia), Commander of the Order of social, environmental and economic of Merit of the Italian Republic: “For having sustainability practices”. dedicated his whole life to the fight against drug addiction and social marginalization”. 24) Valeria Parrini, 65 years old (Piombino, Tuscany), Commander of the Order of Merit He has always been committed to the fight of the Italian Republic: “For the valuable against drug addiction and social exclusion. contribution that, for many years, she offers In 1980 he founded in Cagliari the Comunità on the issue of workers’ safety”. San Mauro, the first therapeutic residential community for drug addicts in Sardinia and the 25) Immacolata (called Titina) Petrosino, Centro di Accoglienza San Mauro to prepare 73 years old and Ugo Martino, 73 years old young people for the residential program (Isernia, Molise), Commander of the Order of and at the same time to do prevention in Merit of the Italian Republic: “For the work of the area. Only two years later he created the solidarity offered, in the international arena, Community of S’Aspru, in the countryside in favor of the promotion of basic welfare of Siligo (Sassari) using an old farm owned and health rights”. by the diocese. In 1984 it was the turn of the Reception Center “Città di Sassari”, with 26) Michela Piccione, 35 years old (Sava, the same functions as the one in Cagliari Apulia), Knight of the Order of Merit of the and “Associazione Mondo X - Sardegna per Italian Republic: “For her courageous act of
JANUARY 2021 www.wetheitalians.com JANUARY 2021 www.wetheitalians.com denouncing the conditions of exploitation of and the defense of the principles at the basis youth labor”. of democratic coexistence”.
27) Serena Piccolo, 18 years old (Pomigliano A survivor and witness of the massacre of d’Arco, Campania), Knight of the Order Sant’Anna di Stazzema: he was ten years of Merit of the Italian Republic: “For her old on August 12, 1944 when, hidden under example of fortitude and determination”. the stairs, he saw his parents, two sisters, grandparents, uncles and cousins die at Affected by a rare disease (bone marrow the hands of the Nazis. He is the President aplasia). Since January 2020, on the initiative of the association “Martyrs of Sant’Anna of Serena’s family and with the support of Avis di Stazzema” and he has donated to the of Sant’Anastasia and Admo Association, association his childhood home, the same there have been several appeals via social one where his family was exterminated, in networks to find a compatible externalorder to promote meetings and give space donor. Last June, when she was hospitalized to delegations of students and researchers at the Bambin Gesù Hospital in Rome, who go to Sant’Anna to get information and waiting for the transplant, on the occasion deepen their historical knowledge. of her high school graduation exam, Serena chose to leave the hospital to take the exam in presence at the Liceo “Vittorio Imbriani” in Pomigliano d’Arco (which she attended before the onset of the disease) and got 100/100. She could have taken the exam remotely, from the hospital, as advised by doctors and teachers, but she strongly wanted to do it in person. In August, news arrived that a donor had been found thanks 29) Christian Plotegher, 45 years old to the European registry, a 25-year-old (Rovereto, Trentino Alto Adige), Knight of the German boy. The transplant was performed Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: “For his on August 21. contribution in the realization of accessible and inclusive everyday life environments also for children with disabilities”.
30) Fabiano Popia, 77 years old (Valsinni, Basilicata), Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: “For his dedication and his daily commitment in promoting the culture of organ donation”.
28) Enrico Pieri, 86 years old (Sant’Anna 31) Giovannella Porzio, 24 years old (Turin, di Stazzema, Tuscany), Commander of the Piedmont), Knight of the Order of Merit of Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: “For the Italian Republic: “For her passionate his lifelong commitment to the protection of contribution to the removal of physical and memory, the diffusion of historical knowledge mental barriers and the dissemination of
54 55 inclusive practices”. himself onto the tracks at Mestre station”.
Suffering from the rare Charcot-Marie-Tooth 33) Mattia Villardita, 27 years old (Savona, disease that has forced her into a wheelchair Liguria), Knight of the Order of Merit of since the age of 10. Graduating in Languages the Italian Republic: “For the altruism and for Tourism. She is Italian and European vice- the imaginative initiatives with which he champion of Paralympic dance. Always in contributes to alleviate the suffering of the love with dance, after high school she was youngest hospital patients”. able to realize her passion thanks to the Association “Ballo Anch’io” of Turin where she practices wheelchair dance. She is part of the Performer Group, which is the most advanced one, composed of both people in wheelchairs and standing dancers. They offer shows and exhibitions in theaters and events throughout Italy and participate in the Federazione Danza Sportiva championships. Worker in the port of Vado Ligure. Due to a congenital disease he had to face several operations until the age of 14. For the last three years, dressed as Spiderman, he has been visiting young patients (whom he defines as “the only true superheroes”) in the pediatric wards of Liguria: from the hospital of Imperia to Gaslini in Genoa, passing through the pediatric ward of San Paolo in Savona. He is the founder of 32) Rachele Spolaor, 25 years old (Mestre, Supereroincorsia, a group of young people Veneto), Knight of the Order of Merit of involved in volunteering who, dressed as the Italian Republic: “For the courage and heroes, give smiles and moments of light- altruism with which, at her own risk, she heartedness to young pediatric patients. intervened to rescue a man who had thrown
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/by Giovanni Corrado Two Flags One Youth 5 Tips to Network Successfully as a Student
Networking in college as U.S students seems of this stereotype. There is nothing wrong self-evidently burdensome. We have papers, with leveraging relationships to earn jobs midterms, extracurriculars, job applications, when qualifications match the right criteria. just to name a few. It seems to be even harder Regardless, students from both countries have for Italian youngsters due to the negative another, larger issue: they view networking as perception society has for people who earn their abstract, too hard, and a poor investment of way into the job market thanks to relationship. time. Who can guarantee us that all the hours Raccomandati (‘the connected’), they call them. we spend building networks will culminate in concrete professional development? Truth Truth be told, Italian society needs to get rid be told, nobody can guarantee that. Just like
56 57 nobody can guarantee you will win at anything whatsoever. I look at networking very, very differently.
Firstly, networking is about creating mutual benefit and multiple streams of human capital available for the future. It is about building genuine, lasting relationships grounded on common exchange of value. Networking is not to value current relationships and establish a financial transaction. The gains and losses more productive dialogue geared towards of it are not crystal clear. However, proactive professional development. Look around, go networking should be internalized as a way through your contacts, who should you reach of life while a student and beyond. A life-style back out to? Which emails have you missed? choice which manifests itself in every activity Start there and practice, practice, practice. This one pursues, every event, every class, and so holds true whether you are an Italian twenty- on. Active networking gives you the chance to something year-old or an American one. break traditional and hierarchical boundaries in Cultivate your networks. the job market. 3. Provide Value Here are five simple, practical, and direct This is probably the most important piece of networking tips for students who may be advice I can offer. Many students are somewhat struggling to gain access to job market limited in their networking endeavors because opportunities in both Italy and the United States. they approach it as a one-way street. In other words, here is their thought process: “I’m going 1. Know Your Network to reach out to X, because I want to get Y.” Wrong. Just like financial markets, you should be aware People are not stupid. People see right through of what networks are open or closed to you right outright egoism. Mutual value is necessary. Both now. Which groups of people do you already individuals need to contribute constructively to have a connection to? Which communities of build a great working relationship. In the U.S, innovators do you want to gain access to in the there a much strong emphasis on this concept. future? Ask yourselves these questions, write In Italy, instead, networking is still more informal. out your responses on paper. Like with anything Students, and Italians in general, put all eggs else, knowing where you stand is the first step. in one basket: the personal side of networking. In the U.S, this is a little easier for students. Professional networking is different: always Universities make a real effort to connect alumni provide tangible professional value in addition networks and help graduating students build to building a personal connection. relationships via workshops, events, and much more. In Italy? Not so much. The country is still 4. Follow-Up stuck in a mentality where ‘school is for studying’ Networking does not mean sending an email and that is about it. Truth be told, that is not to alumni to then sit on the sofa feeling great what 21st century education needs to look like. about your efforts. For Italian students, this is the most important step of all. Professional 2. Nurture Current Relationships and personal networking are still blurred and Networking does not start with finding new convoluted in the country, much more than in people to meet. Networking starts with learning the U.S. Make it clear to a potential mentor
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or connector that your intentions are to both This holds particularly true in the U.S, but it is pursue their friendship (although not necessary) a phenomenon rapidly growing in Italy as well. and establish a meaningful professional Society is slowly adapting to the idea that young discourse for your desired career trajectory. is people can accomplish a lot at a very early age. called sending a few emails, not networking. And that’s okay. Sure, networking can start with emails. But that is exactly that: a start. It would be like saying They want to know all about our student life. that playing chess begins and ends when you About what we do, what we want to achieve. purchase the board from the store. Not the It inspires them. This is why you should be case: you need to find a friend to play with,bold. sit Bold does not mean arrogant or overly down, map out your strategy, adjust, and keep confident. Bold means you should feel playing. That is networking, a journey. Not a comfortable picking up the phone and calling sprint. someone you want to meet. I know, it is hard. I can already hear you say: “I don’t have time… 5. Be Bold I am busy.” Stop making excuses. Make a list, We are young. We are inexperienced, it does pick up the phone, type those emails, or look for not matter how much we try to hide it. We feel an introduction. Most importantly, be yourself. shy in front of seasoned executives or, how I Do not pretend to be something you are not. call them, “people from the real world.” That ‘People from the real world’ can tell if you are a is normal. What I have noticed, however, is try-hard or the real deal. that older people actively hope to interact with young folks like us because it keeps them alive. And remember, #YouthVoicesMatter.
58 59 https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovi- setti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-bo- ok-paola-lovisetti-scamihornHonestly https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-he- Healthy althy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/ INSALATE E FRULLATI PER TUTTI I GIORNI honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/ from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wethei- talians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-loviset- ti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-bo- ok-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-he- althy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/ honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/ from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wethei- talians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-loviset- ti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-bo- HONESTLY HEALTHY Insalate e Frullati per tutti i giorni ok-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-he- althy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/ honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/ from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wethei- talians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-loviset- ti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-bo- ok-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-he- althy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/ honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihornPAOLA LOVISETTI SCAMIHORN https://wetheitalians.com/ PAOLA LOVISETTI SCAMIHORN from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wethei- talians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-loviset- ti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-bo-Honestly Healthy INSALATE E FRULLATI PER TUTTI I GIORNI ok-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-he- althy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/ honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/ from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wethei- talians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-loviset- ti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-healthy-new-bo-HONESTLY HEALTHY Insalate e Frullati per tutti i giorni ok-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/honestly-he- althy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/from-italy/ honestly-healthy-new-book-paola-lovisetti-scamihorn https://wetheitalians.com/ JANUARY 2021 PAOLA LOVISETTI SCAMIHORN
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/by Paola Lovisetti Scamihorn Italian cuisine Chickpeas and kale
This is a great autumn-winter dish when kale the poor’s man meat, due to their nutritional is in season. It is tasty and healthy side dish value. Kale is a highly nutritional vegetable, or main dish for a light meal. This is a perfect rich in vitamin A and vitamin C, folic acid (if vegetarian/vegan recipe but omnivores love consumed raw) and potassium. it too.
Chickpeas are legumes with a remarkable CECI E CAVOLO NERO nutritional profile: good source of vegetable(CHICKPEAS AND KALE) protein, vitamins, minerals (iron, magnesium Total preparation time: 30 minutes and potassium), and fiber that act as prebioticsCooking time: 25 minutes in your gut. They are low in fat. They are called Yield: 4 servings
60 61 INGREDIENTS NOTE 200 g (7 oz) kale If you have time I would suggested to use 500 (18 oz) chickpeas, cooked, rinsed and dried chickpeas and prepare them. peeled 1 medium onion, finely sliced Day 1: Soaking 2-3 hot fresh chili pepper, finely chopped Rinse the chickpeas under cold water, then 4-5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil place in a large glass bowl. Fill the bowl with Sea salt to taste plenty of water to cover generously (about 5 cm above the level of the legumes). Cover DIRECTIONS with a lid and soak overnight (at least 6- hours, 1. Wash the kale with plenty of water, remove longer it is better). center ribs and stems, cut the leaves crosswise into 1 cm ( ½-inch) strips. Day 2: Cooking 2. In a large skillet on medium heat sauté the Drain and place in a pot with fresh water and onion with oil until onion is softened. Add a bay leaf. Cook until tender, from 70 to 90 the chili pepper and then the kale, stir it to minutes, depending on how fresh they are. combine with the onion. Season with salt and The right cooking time should be indicated on add a few tablespoons of water. Cover, reduce the package. A few minutes before they are heat to medium-low, stirring occasionally and done, add some salt. Salt should be added at adding some water if the pan begins to dry the very end of cooking, because salt keeps out. Cook for about 15-20 minutes until kale legumes from softening. leaves are tender. You can store them in fridge in a glass 3. Add the chickpeas, mix well gently avoiding container covered with a lid for a few days. to break them and cook for a few minutes to Before use, rinse under cold running water mix the flavors. and drain. 4. Taste and adjust for seasoning, and serve warm or room temperature. A drizzle of olive oil doesn’t hurt.
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/by Umberto Mucci Kristy Eanes and Christopher Dorer A town called Little Italy. Not a neighborhood, an actual independent town, in Arkansas
I may be wrong, and I ask our readers to help officially or not. But a city officially called me if so, but there is no such thing as a town Little Italy, to my knowledge, does not exist. called “Little Italy” in the United States. Today our interview guests are two friends There are, of course, many neighborhoods from Arkansas who are trying to remedy this called Little Italy in different American cities, gap. They have formed an association and
62 63 opened a museum, but for some time they to Arkansas. He liked what he saw as the have been working to make official what isterrain reminded him of his native Italy. My now only unofficial: to give the area wheregreat grandfather founded Little Italy. It was they live, and where for a century there originally called Alta Villa. He came with the have been many beautiful traces of Italy, the first five families and settled the area for the official name of Little Italy. To me it seems Italians. Chris knows more about my family like a wonderful idea, and also for this reason history than I do, as he is our local historian. I’m glad to welcome Kristy Eanes and Chris Dorer on We the Italians.
Hi Kristy and Hi Chris. First of all: what’s your relation with Italy?
Kristy: Yes, I am half-Italian. My mother is a full-blooded Italian. Her mother’s family, Vaccari, was from Arzignano, in the Veneto region. Her father’s family, Belotti, was from Bergamo in Lombardy. My great grandparents immigrated to the US to Michigan and Chris: I’m not Italian American. I grew up Chicago, where my grandparents were here in Little Italy: so while I’m not ethnically actually born. My grandmother was born in Italian, I still consider myself very culturally Michigan and my grandfather in Chicago. Italian. When I was growing up, everybody My ancestors read about land for sale in said that the Italians like Kristy’s great northern Pulaski County, Arkansas. It was grandparents saw the land in Arkansas, and advertised in the local newspapers and my they thought it reminded them of Italy. I great grandfather, Joseph Belotti, came had always gone to the very touristy spots
JANUARY 2021 www.wetheitalians.com JANUARY 2021 www.wetheitalians.com in Italy, and to be honest, those places do Little Italy, actually first went to Argentina, not look anything like Arkansas. But in the working at a coffee plantation. However, summer of 2012, I was actually able to stay they all ended up here and they all stayed. for a while in the rural areas of Umbria. And then I thought: wow, this really does look like What is interesting now, once again, is very Arkansas. much represented by Kristy’s story. Her grandparents and great grandparents lived Please tell us a little bit about Little Italy here, but then what we’ve seen is that the in Arkansas... who were and where did the third generation of Italians moved away, Italians who came there come from, and they moved into a larger city called Little what did they come to do? Rock, about 15 miles from here. Now Kristy’s generation is moving back to Little Italy to Chris: Most of the Italians that came here get in touch with their roots. That happens were from the northern Alpine regions of frequently. Italy. There were two cousins that came from the Southern Calabria but they were As usually, also in this case Little Italy grew just in the minority. One family would come up around a church, right? to Arkansas and they would like what they saw. Then they would write to their family Chris: That is correct, it’s called “St. Francis members, and they would reach them. For of Assisi Catholic Church”. This actually is a example, take Kristy’s great grandmother. very interesting story, because not only the Her sister came after and married a man Italians here were, of course, very Catholic, named Sperandio Ghidotti: she came to Arkansas after Kristy’s great grandmother. Therefore, many of the families here are not only related by blood, but also by marriage. Several times when Kristy is talking with people, she asks me “Okay, now how am I related with them?” The connections run so deeply here.
So, they came from northern Italy and a vast majority of them went to Chicago first. They worked for the Pullman railcar company, which was a company that made fancy railway line cars. They did not like what was happening there. The conditions were awful, and so they decided that they wanted to find a better life. That is when they came to Arkansas. Some like Kristy’s grandmother’s family, instead, went up to Caspian, which is in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and they were working in the iron and coal mines there. These are different stories, and there are others: some people that later arrived in
64 65 but they also had a special relationship come help. Over time, as the children grew, with the leaders of the church. Because there were baptisms that occurred there, of the alcohol they were producing in the and weddings, and funerals. So the church middle of the prohibition, when alcohol was is very much still a center of the community illegal, they had a special relationship with in Little Italy. the politicians of the region, but the church officials also helped protect them from any Are there any particular important names to sort of harm that might come because of describe the history of the Italian community their production. This happened because in Arkansas’ Little Italy? they were producing altar wine and things like that for the church as well. So in the early Chris: Probably one of the most prominent years of St. Francis church, you would not just names is going to be Kristy’s family’s have any priest be stationed here as Pastor, godfather. He was a bachelor, his name you would often have actually the secretary was Gelindo Solda. He was very powerful. of the bishop himself who would come in and He had tremendous influence, not only with say Masses for us. One of the early pastors politicians in the region during prohibition, of our church became the fourth Bishop of but he was kind of like the sheriff in town, Little Rock. So the hierarchy of the church was very much in connection with the Italians that were living here.
The religious events began in people’s houses because there was not an actual church at first, when they moved here. A priest would come to the nearby railway station, and he would walk up the mountain and say Mass in somebody’s house. But by 1922 the Italians had raised enough money to build their first church. The church was originally built in one location called Ola in Arkansas, and that town was what we in America call a lumber town. That means that they built a church quickly, because there were many men who were working to cut down the trees. Then, when the trees were gone, the men left. So too, a deputy sheriff for Little Italy. So he had they took it down, brought it board by board a lot of power and a lot of prestige. Also for on the train to Little Italy, and rebuilt it in the those people in Little Italy, the families that center of the community. It was named and stayed, there are some prominent names consecrated as St. Francis of Assisi Catholic that everybody would certainly recognize. Church. The church became not only a place One is Kristy’s great grandfather, Joseph where they used to pray, but it also became Belotti, the first person that pioneered the the center of their social interactions, and settlement. And then the Segalla family a place of refuge. If there was a tragedy, would be another name, and the Zulpo people would ring the bells of the church family too. to let the others know that they needed to
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In 2015 your Little Italy has turned 100 separate from it. They always felt that they years old and you have been trying to do were a different city, they just didn’t realize something that perhaps no other Little that they weren’t. So if you look at a map of Italy has done in America: to become an Arkansas, you can see a place named Little autonomous Township. What is it exactly Italy. Even though it is not a city itself but a and how are things going on about it? hamlet, still recognized by the State, still an area by itself. It is just a small community, Chris: I am not sure about other Little Italy’s, but still big enough to have our own signs if they are official townships. Well, here, on the road that say this is Little Italy. But Kristy and I got together on this idea. We being officially a town would mean having are in Pulaski County, in an unincorporated the abilities to tax and to raise funds, and to area close to Little Rock. Our place is better the services of our people. We do not already called Little Italy, but not officially.have In those things now, we have to actually most big cities in America, there are small depend on the county. neighborhoods called Little Italy. Little Rock never had a neighborhood named Little Italy Kristy: We saw that urban sprawl was because the Italians tended to take a more happening with Little Rock, and in an effort agricultural lifestyle; they never felt to be to preserve our Little Italy we felt that part of Little Rock itself. They wanted to be incorporating into a town would be the best
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way to accomplish these goals of preserving is a wide majority: the 85% of those who live our heritage, improving services, and having here agreed to our idea. But the will of the our own voice. So we formed a committee people was overturned. of about eight people and we followed the statute of the State of Arkansas for becoming Kristy: In an unincorporated Little Italy, we an official town. We checked all of the boxes do not have a mayor and we don’t have city to achieve the township status: we signed officials; however the city of Little Rock does a petition with more than the required for example because they’re an official city. 200 qualified voters, plus there were So other that’s what we are trying to become, our obligations that we needed to fulfill,own and autonomous town with our own mayor, they were all fulfilled.
Chris: According to state statute, we had to have 200 qualified voters to sign this petition. Here we had signed up 235, and the county clerk verified that 220 voters of those were qualified. We actually were able to gather approximately 85% of the total qualified voters in the area to sign the petition. That
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and we would have five aldermen in the area. the Arkansas Court of Appeals. The panel of We would make decisions about taxes and judges agreed with the lower court. At that about services improvements as a township. time we thought we could appeal it again We would be able to apply for grants. to the Arkansas Supreme Court, but then we decided that we were up against a political But our petition was denied by the machine and our efforts were best spent local county judge, who is actually an going in a new direction. We never got to administrative judge. There was definiteargue the incorporation case on its merits government overreach in our opinion. The and tragically the vote of the people became city water company got involved since null and void all because of an interpretation the proposed Little Italy boundary was in of a rule. This is not justice. the watershed and they owned some land that was in the proposed boundary. They We are not giving up on our dream to opposed our petition however not based become a town and preserve the name Little upon any scientific reason for being any sortItaly. We would like to build a town center. of threat to the watershed. I personally think We do not have to be an official town to it is because they would no longer have build a town center, so we are going to start the control they sought over the land and there, where we have the museum now. property in this area. The museum was a dream Chris has had for many years. The museum opening was So we appealed the administrative county a huge success. We have about 400 people judge’s ruling to the Pulaski County circuit living in the area and growing because there court and the water company’s attorneys are some new developments out our way. argued we didn’t file it correctly andIt theis a beautiful area and some of the land circuit judge agreed with that interpretation overlooks Maumelle Lake surrounded by of a particular rule. We appealed again to lots of forests; we’re actually in the foothills
68 69 of the Ouachita mountains. As Chris said, that would have helped Little Italy in our Little Italy is very much like rural Italy, a lovely efforts to improve our own services, which place to live. are badly needed. The money that we spend as taxpayers are now spent in other areas Chris: We are on the border of two counties, throughout the county, not so much in our Pulaski and Perry. We could have had all of area. The judge could not deny township the people from the other side of this line based upon financial reasons, and so they join us at once, and that would have made it came up with other reasons that would have much easier for us. But the law was written in been hard to argue in a real court of law. I a different way, you can only incorporate in one county at a time.
Kristy: The county and city of Little Rock as well as Central Arkansas Water opposed us we think also because we would have received turnback funds upon becoming an official town – a piece of the pie. By State law, upon becoming a town we receive sales tax and income from the streets, and so that
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think we could have won on the merits of preserve our heritage, tell the story of Little the case. Italy and its role in the history of Arkansas: it is also a lot of educational and social Please tell us the story of this wonderful outreach. We had an event in December project: the Little Italy Arkansas Heritage creating Christmas in Little Italy. When we Museum were younger, Kristy’s uncle - who is my godfather - would dress up as Santa Claus Chris: Growing up, as I mentioned, I had and he would go to all children’s houses. So always heard the stories from the people, another family member of Kristy’s, a distant like in Kristy’s grandparent’s generation. cousin, said that she wanted to recreate When those people began to pass away, it that. Therefore, that’s what we’ve done this was sad, because many of their stories were year, we have at least 50 children in the lost. So about 10 years ago, the idea came: neighborhood that came to the museum we could make a museum! In 2012 it was the to receive a book and also a present from 90th anniversary of the church. So we really Santa. We want to reach the community not started saying: look, we can do this. At the only to help us promoting our museum, but beginning, it was slow. But eventually, we also giving back. That is what the museum formed a nonprofit organization in 2018, thereally does. While the church is still certainly Little Italy Arkansas Heritage Society. Then, the focal point of the community, I believe with generous donations from the original that the museum has turned into a second families here, we were able to have a small focal point. It is something that we are all home in the area, and to create a museum. very proud of. Obviously, I’m a little biased about it, but it’s one of the nicest small museums I’ve ever Eventually we will get out of this very ugly been to. I think it is very well done. Many pandemic. What are the future plans of your different people put a lot of work to get it museum and of the township? done. And it’s still growing. Kristy: As previously mentioned, we want The purpose of the museum is to not only help to build a town center perhaps around the
70 71 museum area. Chris suggested naming it “La Piazza”. I would like to have some little family- I imagine and hope that once it will be safe owned businesses there, perhaps a farmer’s and healthy to organize events, you will market, and it could be a place for people to return to organize your festival... can you gather. It is currently in the concept phase. describe it to our readers? We can certainly act like a town without being official yet: being officially recognizedKristy: Yes, it’s called the “Annual Spaghetti by the state is the ultimate goal. Dinner & Bazaar”. St. Francis of Assisi parish carries on the tradition of serving our famous pasta & sausage dinner at our annual community event on the first Sunday of October, following the morning mass.
This has been a parish and Italian community tradition since 1927. On this day, we are all Italian! Originally founded as the community’s Grape Harvest Festival, the celebration has
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grown to attract festival-goers from far off Kristy: Thanks so much! They can visit our distances. Each year visitors from California, websites for more information, to donate, Illinois, Indiana, and surrounding States can and jump to our various social media sites be seen flocking to Little Italy to take part into interact: our community’s history and the hospitality https://littleitalyarkansas.com/ offered by our parish. In 2017, over 1,500 https://stfrancislittleitaly.org/ attended the event, which serves as the https://littleitalymuseum.org/ parish’s main fundraiser each year.
In the weeks leading up to the event, members of our parish family bake traditional Italian sweets to be sold at the festival. On the day of the event, nearly a hundred gallons of spaghetti sauce (from a long-held family recipe) is served over hundreds of pounds of spaghetti, accompanied by 850 pounds of the best Italian sausage (also our traditional recipe) you’ll ever eat.
Well, now I’m hungry! Whatever We the Italians can do to help, please count on us. If you need an Italian resident who supports your cause by writing a letter, I am in. How can our readers help you?
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/by Priscilla Sassi Italian Entertainment Waiting for a movie about Dante
2021 has just started and it will be surely Florence and represented the expression of remembered in the history for various the Medieval culture, as well as the soul of facts and events. Among them, there is a the then rising “Dolce Stil Novo” movement. noteworthy one which stands out for its His unbearable love towards Beatrice is well undisputed nobility and prestige, especially known worldwide, and symbolized the birth for Italy: the 700th anniversary of the death of a new sentiment, pure and kind, exalted of Dante Alighieri. by a strong religious sensibility.
Dante Alighieri is considered the father So, this year, it can be natural thinking of of the Italian language and his “Divina a great way to celebrate the highest poet Commedia” is reckoned as one of the of the Italian literature. Regarding the major masterpieces of the world literature. cinematography, an important director, Pupi He was not only a writer and a poet, but Avati, has expressed this urgent need and also a philosopher and a politician. Dante has already prepared the draft for a tempting (probably baptized Durante) was born in movie which should tell the story of Dante’s
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life, but not from the scholastic point of view. Comedy (especially the Hell part) in strange Indeed, Pupi would like to present Dante as and unusual keys: examples are “Dante 01” a human being, his uncertainties and desires set in the space, “The Core” describing a trip explained by another supreme writer and to the center of the Earth and the popular poet of that time: Giovanni Boccaccio. “Inferno”, with a particular reference to the Hell illustrated by the great painter Botticelli. The cinematic history is full of different It seems that the world cinematography lacks movies and short films concerning Dante,of a modern movie, which tells the story of but most of them talk about the Divine Dante as a man, starting from his childhood, Comedy or focus on some specific cantos.when he first met his beloved Beatrice and Starting from the early 1900s, several silent going through his life, full of fragilities and movies were realized by Italian and American dreams. This is why the director Pupi Avati directors, showing some of the most is so firm in his project; for him, the Italian important characters of the Divine Comedy: culture needs to know Dante in a different Paolo and Francesca and the Count Ugolino. way, far from the scholastic idea of a grim From the ‘60s, few tv series also appeared: poet with an authoritative and dismissive some introduced Dante’s life as a poet and behavior. The expected movie has not yet politician, others represented the first cantos received the approval of the Italian Ministry of of the Divine Comedy Hell. At the end of the Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, ‘90s and almost until nowadays, Dante had so the famous director has invited people to begun to inspire some SCI-FI and thriller acclaim and insist for the realization of a film movies, which reinterpreted the Divine regarding the father of the Italian literature.
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/by I borghi più belli d’Italia Italian little Italies Subiaco, the first monastery of St. Benedict
The only remaining monastery of the Library houses manuscripts, parchments thirteen founded by St. Benedict of Norcia and the first incunabula in Italy, imprinted in the Aniene valley is that of St. Scholastica, by two German printers in 1465. The oldest the oldest in the world of the Benedictine Benedictine monastery in the world is order. The structure develops around three therefore also the cradle of the press in Italy. cloisters: the Cosmatesque cloister (13th century), the Gothic one (14th century) and Defined by Petrarch as “the threshold of the Renaissance one (16th-17th century). The paradise”, the monastery of St. Benedict Romanesque bell tower dates back to XI and was built on Mount Taleo from the end of XII century. The Gothic atrium is embellished the twelfth century to guard the cave (the with an internal garden and a monumental “sacred speco“) in which, according to arch in flaming Gothic style. 13th and 14thtradition, Benedict of Norcia retired in his centuries frescoes and twisted and binate three years of hermitage. It consists of two columns decorate the Cosmatesque cloister. superimposed churches and several chapels, The church was designed in neoclassical almost camouflaged with the surrounding style by Giacomo Quarenghi in the second rock. The frescoes in the first bay of the upper half of the eighteenth century and stands on church are by the Sienese school (1360 ca.), the site of the primitive oratory of the sixth while those of the lower church are by the century. Inside the monastery, the National Magister Consulus and its workshop (late XIII
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century). The lower level of this church leads On the main altar stands the wooden triptych to the sacrospecus that welcomed Benedict’s by Antoniazzo Romano (1467) depicting solitude. Inside the cave there is a statue of the Virgin with Child and Saints Francis and the saint made in 1657 by Antonio Raggi, Anthony of Padua. In a chapel there are a pupil of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. From the valuable frescoes by the circle of the Sodom cave, a spiral staircase leads to the chapel (early 16th century) and a splendid Nativity of San Gregorio, decorated with Byzantine attributed to Pinturicchio or its school. Not frescoes dated 1228, in which you can far away, the bridge of San Francesco was recognize the shape of St. Francis, portrayed built in the 14th century in blocks of local when he was still alive, without halo and stone called “cardellino”. stigmata. Returning to the lower church, you can reach through stairs the cave-pastors, The fortress was founded in the eleventh with the fresco of the Madonna with Child century by the abbot of Santa Scolastica and Saints (9th-Xth century), the oldest Giovanni V to establish the monastic rule of the monastery. Next to it, there is the over Subiaco. From 1456 it became the rose garden bloomed by St. Francis on the residence of the commendatory abbots, brambles on which St. Benedict was thrown including Rodrigo Borgia, later elected to escape the temptations. Pope Alexander VI, and Francesco Colonna. In the mid-eighteenth century Abbot The convent of San Francesco was built in Giovannangelo Braschi, who became Pope 1327 on a small chapel donated to Francis Pius VI, restored the structure. At the foot when he visited the Sacred Speco in 1223. of the fortress, amidst alleys, stairways and
78 79 views, there is the church of San Pietro, rebuilt found in every pastry shop, along with the in 1949 by the ruins of the war, and the little wine doughnuts, tozzetti and herbal teas. square of Pietra Sprecata, generated by the The monasteries of San Benedetto and confluence of irregular pathways of forging. Santa Scolastica sell herbal products and Finally, on a rocky ridge almost overlooking handicrafts. the river, stands the church of San Lorenzo, a rebuilding of the primitive parish church of 368, the oldest religious building in the territory.
The name From the Latin sub laqueum,”under the lakes”, the town rises under the watertight Simbruina, the three artificial lakes created by the barrier of the course of the river Aniene, on whose right bank the emperor Nero had a villa.
Local products and dishes The subiachino is an almond biscuit, roar shaped, covered with white icing, which is
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/by Riccardo Buttarelli Italian Innovation Houston, we have an innovation GIANCARLO ZANATTA
The year is 1969. The Cold War has moved have been his passion since he was a child. into space and the United States has decided In the last few years they have decided to to write history with Neil Amstrong’s first lunar add mountain shoes to their work boots, and step. Proud advertisements and posters of since it has turned out to be a fast growing that event spread throughout the nation in sector, now that skiing is the fashion as a the form of blow-ups, newspapers and flyers.mass sport, the two brothers export to many Giancarlo Zanatta is in New York. Nine years countries. And while Giancarlo is in New earlier, he and his brother Ambrosiano had York to do business, he is fascinated by the founded a shoe factory called Tecnica in figure of this man with huge shoes, leaving Nervesa della Battaglia, a small town in the huge footprints with the claim “we are on the Veneto region of Italy. They grew up in the moon”. And that’s where the Italian genius workshop of their father Oreste, and shoes rises.
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years without snowfall impose a change of course. Giancarlo Zanatta has the foresight to reinvent himself in the sector and Tecnica invests by acquiring strategic companies in the market such as Lowa in 1992, to enter the German market, and Nordica in 2002, to be able to supply competitive material for athletes in winter disciplines. This was followed in 2003 by Rollerblade, with the clear intention of changing the strategy Upon returning to Italy, he decides to develop beyond the seasonality, to address a young a new model inspired by that footwear and and sporty public. With the acquisition of that phrase. Zanatta has to invent it from Blizzard in 2006, the Tecnica group became a scratch, so he opts to modify the already leader in the sportsystem sector, reaching in revolutionary Tecnus, the first modern2014 the victory of the Olympics by dressing “double injection” boots developed in 1965 the Austrian skier Mario Matt. by Tecnica. From there he takes his cue for the plastic covering, which will therefore It seems to have reached its peak, in one of be in nylon. This is where the “moon boot” those stories where the grandfather founds was born, characterized by a thick and a company, the son makes it great and the comfortable lining that allows multiple sizes grandson sells it. Statistically, only 31% to fit together, because it adapts well to of Italian companies make it to the third the shape of the foot through a system of generation, and many of those that close do crossed laces that recall the boot. It can be size 3-4 or 5-6 or 7-8 and so on, it can be ambidextrous and will have such a character that it will be recognizable. It’s a gamble that turns out to be a winner.
As soon as Moon Boot “lands” on the market, they run out of stock. The shoe is light, comfortable and inexpensive; it can be reused for several years in the snow because of the multiple fit and is also trendy. Over the years as many as 25 million pairs of moon boots will be sold, representing a cult of those years: from the Beatles, to Caroline of Monaco, through Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, everybody have them.
The small company with once just 15 employees is by now a leading factory in the world winter ski sector but it is not enough, as the fashion for snow begins to fade and
JANUARY 2021 www.wetheitalians.com JANUARY 2021 www.wetheitalians.com GIANCARLO AND ALBERTO ZANATTA so 5 years after the transition. to his son is inevitable at the age of 80, yet there is still a way to innovate, because as Giancarlo Zanatta is a strong man, one of Giancarlo Zanatta says “The future belongs those who, even when age would suggest to those who believe in the beauty of their quitting, continues with passion to teach it dreams, and the best way to predict it is to to others. He has chosen not to leave the keep inventing it”. company all of a sudden, but to teach his son Alberto, who like him has always had a Alberto Zanatta’s concrete goal is to bring passion for footwear in his blood, but who the Tecnica group to dress also in the daily is also a son of the times he lives. To the urban life through partnerships with high scholastic and genuine English of his father, fashion, and he has had great results such Alberto contrasts a more structured and as the EY Award as Entrepreneur of the Year prepared resume, attentive to economic 2019, Fashion and Luxury Category. Recent innovations such as “Lean Thinking”, and to collaborations with Moncler and Jimmy current issues such as sustainable production Choo go in that direction and have allowed, or the alternative of sport to social networks. even in COVID time, to contain losses in an The passing of the baton from Tecnica’s no.1 acceptable way, and then restart in 2021. ST. MORITZ, ART INSTALLATION ST.
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The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics have the 20th century. been moved to 2026 because of COVID, so it’s not hard to imagine that a strategy Zanatta’s history teaches us that a group is is being thought of right now to be able solidly built day after day, but that everything to dress a young, sporty audience. Just starts from a dream. A dream that must like in that winter of 1984, when the Moon be daily innovated, rethought, cherished, Boot became such a symbol that it won a taught and transmitted. permanent exhibition at the Moma, the Milan Triennale or a place in the Louvre in 2002 as To do great things, it is necessary to aim for one of the 1000 design objects symbolizing the moon. LBERTO ZANATTA
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/by Jennifer Gentile Martin for www.vinotravelsitaly.com Italian wine Starting the New Year off Right with Chianti Classico
I love Italian wine for a reason because the primary grape used in all these wines I really enjoy them all from northern to along with others as well like Vino Nobile di southern Italy. Sangiovese was my first Montepulciano.love and even as I traveled the map of Italian wine it still remains my favorite. We’re not During my wedding in Italy I made a stop just talking Chianti because if I really had to at one of Chianti Classico’s respected narrow it down to a singular wine it would producers, Castellare di Castellina. Located be Brunello di Montalcino. Sangiovese is in one of Chianti Classico’s main communes,
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Castellina in Chianti, the winery is located in the main requirements are that the wines are the Siena province, just north of Siena itself made of at least 80% sangiovese with up along the breathtaking scenic drive known as to 20% other local native varietals. For the the Chiantigiana. It’s easy to be mesmerized Chianti Classico level, like the one I’m share by the beauty that surrounds this area from today, the wines must be aged at least 12 the quaint and charming Tuscan towns months. with many of them surrounded by ancient medieval walls, containing cobblestone The Wine streets, picturesque alleys, and a number of wine shops and wine bars to stop into for a welcomed break.
Castellare di Castellina was started in the 70’s by Paolo Panerai and is located on 46 acres at about 1,200 feet above sea level. Their 2011 Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico vineyards are spread out as an amphitheatre DOCG: I had been holding onto this wine southeast facing surrounded by olive groves. longer than I should have with no explanation. Their grape yields are much lower than those Even though I will say it was past its peak I required by the Chianti Classico DOCG laws have tried a number of their wines and there and they practice being environmentally was a reason why I originally purchased it sound. You’ll see on all their bottle labels and would recommend this producer and rare local birds to the Chianti area that face their wines again. Made of 90% sangioveto, extinction. a local sangiovese clone, and 10% canaiolo. This wine is aged 7 months in French oak The Chianti Classico consortium is the first and an additional 7 months in the bottle. one in Italy that preserves the authenticity of Regardless of the lack of the fruit lost from the wines produced within the boundaries age the wine was still balanced with tannin of Siena and Florence. The Chianti Classico and acidity, medium bodied and rather soft DOCG was granted in 1995 and holds with a rustic flair. SRP $24 ABV 13.5% producers to a number of requirements in order to carry this designation. A couple of
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/by Antonella Maia Italian design Idarica Gazzoni, the designer who unrolls enigmatic flowers and birds on the walls
Who doesn’t remember those ‘70s rooms or design work? wallpapered with geometric patterns, between delicate and faded, almost afraid to The need to decorate and adorn the walls be noticed? Then all of a sudden you come of one’s own home (even when this was a across the wallpaper collection by Murals modest cave) has always been a necessity for Wallpaper that transforms the stylized motifs man. Since the time of cave paintings, a lot of of the most famous building on the Manhattan progress has been made: first the tapestries skyline, the Chrysler Building, into patterns. hung on the walls (typical of the Middle Ages), Or you come across the fairy world of Idarica then the hand-painted paper (widespread in Gazzoni and then a doubt comes. Wallpaper, the 20th century) in a crescendo of popularity
88 89 that reached its peak in the ‘70s. Then, at the end of the century, the decline.
Today, wallpaper is cool and trendy again, thanks to names such as the Italian Idarica Gazzoni who, in her scenographic idea of walls, unrolls fantastic flowers, birds, hand-painted cranes arranged on golden leaves ready to illuminate the rooms of the world. Like those of the imaginative Arjumand’s world, the world of refined wallpapers and fabrics designed by the Bolognese “designer” who captures the glow of a precious and ancient Asia. It’s hard not to call a designer someone who, as she herself says, has the objective of taking care of the house and its walls with the same attention with which one can dedicate oneself to a person. The inspirational muse of the exotic and fabulous “Arjumand’s world” is precisely the Indian princess Arjumand, for whom the Taj Mahal was built. And it is precisely from India, specifically from Agra, that the decorative idea of Idarica Gazzoni’s wallpapers starts. A wide world that touches many peoples of the world, from the decorations of ancient Persian and Ottoman clothing, to the brocades created for the Russian court, to the indigo blue of Japanese fabrics, to the squares, stripes, flowers and curls of popular Chinese clothing. And then the Arab world, the Balkans, Greece, and Turkey. A journey skillfully traced by free hand to create dreamlike visions imbued with color.
The inspiring muse of the exotic and fabulous “Arjumand’s world” is precisely the Indian princess Arjumand, for whom the Taj Mahal was built. And it is precisely from India, specifically from Agra, that the decorative idea of Idarica Gazzoni’s wallpapers starts. A wide world that touches many peoples of the world, from the decorations of ancient Persian and Ottoman clothing, to the brocades created for the
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Russian court, to the indigo blue of Japanese fabrics, to the squares, stripes, flowers and Two strict rules govern her hand: that of curls of popular Chinese clothing. And then tonality, that is of colors always in chromatic the Arab world, the Balkans, Greece, and harmony with each other; and the absence Turkey. A journey skilfully traced by free hand of digital: all her drawings are in fact born as to create dreamlike visions imbued with color. actual paintings, nothing digital. Gazzoni’s story begins in Brussels, Belgium, with the school of imitation marbles and oil- But the starting point of this story of all-Italian painted woods where, among woods and excellence of worldwide renown (Idarica grains, she learns to smell scents and visualize Gazzoni is internationally known, especially in the passing of the centuries. She then goes on the USA) could also be another one, and move to paint textures and enchanted landscapes from an idea of a divergent design with respect in many homes around the world. Her firstto classic interior design: she does not design success? Reproducing a Napoleonic military furniture and objects. She does not focus on the headquarters, complete with bivouac firescontent but dresses the container transforming and tiny soldiers in uniform, in her home, it into a comfortable and incomparable shell. juxtaposing the walls with a ceiling reminiscent And if, thanks to her disciplined but exuberant of an exotic boudoir and a Scottish bedroom. creativity, the walls come to move with a life This is her expressive code: a constant tension of their own, catapulting us each time into towards the creation of a visionary world that fantastic and distant worlds, well ... then don’t magically ends up adapting to any type of call it wallpaper anymore. furniture.
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/by Giulia Casati for the Italian School NJ Italian language Welcome to the very first Museum of the Italian
This month I am going to take a little break to say what Italian should be or is. And we have from our normal articles and talk to you about different Universities giving out certificates but something new that is happening with the Italian not at a more institutional level as the TOEFL or language. those given out by the Cambridge University. Well, I am so happy to say that Italy is finally If you are familiar with Italian, you probably know taking a step forward towards promoting our that the language is way older than Italy as a beautiful language. For the 700th anniversary of country. What you probably don’t know is that Dante’s death, Italy has decided to open the very Italian does not have an official institute statingfirst Museum of the Italian Language. what Italian is or where you can take language tests and certificates. We have Accademia dellaIn honor of this anniversary, Italy has announced Crusca which observes and studies what Italian the starting of the renovation and construction speakers do, but it doesn’t really have the power work of the new museum, which aims to be
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the biggest language hub in Europe. The But can you imagine a better gift to the Sommo Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Dario Poeta (the Supreme Poet) than a Museum of the Franceschini, together with the Mayor of Florence Italian language in his birthplace? It’s a celebration and other council members, has designated the of the deep connection between Italian and church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence as the the Florentine language, the grandmother of perfect location for the museum. It will be divided modern Italian, the starting point from which it all into two floors: the ground floor which will be sprouted. But don’t be mistaken! The Museum about 6,500 ft2 and will host a huge welcome will not only focus on the relation between hall and temporary exhibitions, and the first floorTuscany and Italian, on the contrary, it will be the which will be about 15,000 ft2, all beautifully testimony of a beautiful journey that started in decorated with incredible ceiling frescos, where 960 c.e. with the very first evidence of a document there will be the permanent exhibition. However, this is only a part of the huge hub made up of 4 floors. For the ambitious project, the state has invested 45 millio euros, which will be used to redevelop the buildings that will host the new museum and other halls for national and international meetings. The new museum is a great step forwards and will be a meeting point where students, researchers, experts, but also aficionados of the Italian language can gather and exchange ideas and most importantly, learn more about the Italian language.
Florence was a natural choice for many reasons.
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written in Italian, la Carta di Capua, all the way together to finally give one of the best gifts to to modern days, tracing the contributions to our language: a place in Italy where Italian is creating an Italian language of all major authors: celebrated and promoted. Dante, of course, but also, Boccaccio, Petrarch, Ariosto, Galilei, Leopardi, Manzoni, D’Annunzio, The location is also very strategical: not only is in and Sciascia. But that’s not the finish line. The the historical center of Florence and in one of the Museum will be a masterpiece of modernity and most famous building complexes of the city, but continuously evolve, just like a living language. it is only a few blocks away from the train station and easy to reach. This way, Italians, tourists, and The best experts of the Italian language are taking visitors can all have easy access to it. Next time part in the creation of the Italian Museum. Among you visit Italy, it must be on your lists! You have no the many, there are Luca Serianni, expert linguist, excuse, getting there is super easy. professor of History of the Italian language, and author of some of the most renowned Italian Well, what can I say? This might be one of Grammar Books; the Accademia della Crusca, my favorite articles so far. Why? Because as a the Italian institution of Italian linguistics and language enthusiast, as a translator, and as an philology whose job is to track the changes in the Italian lover, it makes me so happy to see Italians Italian language; the Treccani, the Istitute of the finally promoting and taking pride in showing Italian Encyclopedia; the Accademia Nazionale off our language. I can’t wait for this museum to dei Lincei, one of the oldest scientific institutionsbe completed. You can bet, I’ll visit as soon as it in Europe; and many, many other Italian libraries, opens. societies, and institutions. Everyone has gotten
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/by Italian Botanical Heritage Italian gardens Marganai Forest
The state-owned forest of Marganai covers lead, zinc and iron. As a matter of fact, many an area of 9.020 acres, in the province of historical mines used to provide the main Carbonia-Iglesias; this forest can be actually source of income in this very area. The territory found within the Monte Linas-Marganai Park is characterized by deep furrows made by (55.000 acres), in the territories of Domusnovas, erosion and forests growing on limestone. Fluminimaggiore, Gonnosfanadiga, Iglesias, and Villacidro. Marganai Forest is considered one of the most important areas of Sardinia for its naturalistic Mount Marganai area is north-east of the park value and also includes a botanical facility: and borders with Mount Linas, the highest the mountain garden of Linasia; the latter was peak in southern Sardinia and part of the created for scientific-educational purposes, metalliferous ring around Iglesias, featuring covering the priceless floristic heritage of this dolomites and limestone rich in sulphides of area.
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Marganai Forest also serves as an open-air lab (stone pines, Aleppo pines and Monterey for studying and monitoring the Mediterranean pines), and – more recently – broad-leaved ecosystems; in 1995, a dedicated area was trees (holm oaks, cork oaks and downy oaks). created and included in the CONECOFOR network, a program coordinated by the State The undergrowth is mostly made up of wild Forestry Corps which is now managing 31 olive trees (Olea europaea var. Sylvestris) and similar facilities all over Italy. mastic trees. Accidental fires have boosted the growth of secondary scrub formations, This forest is crossed by several seasonal with Cistus and garrigue, especially on shallow streams and has retained its charm and beauty soils exposed to the wind. There are rare despite anthropogenic pressure, intense and endemic species including Helichrysum mining and frequent fires. montelinasanus, Armeria sulcitana and Iberis integerrima. Inside the forest, the area of “Grotta di San Giovanni” (Saint John’s Cave”) is particularly The local fauna includes hedgehogs, foxes, interesting – the cave is, in fact, one of the wild boars, wild cats, barbary partridges, largest in Sardinia and accessible by car. ravens, golden eagles, kestrels, peregrine falcons, buzzards, sparrow hawks, and the The vegetation features tall forests of holm and occasional presence of griffon vultures and cork oaks, yews, and coppices of Mediterranean Bonelli’s eagles. scrub-forest. There have recently been some reforestation works with pine specimens. The holm oaks in this area come from the Viburnum- Quecetum ilicis association and sometimes grow along with strawberry trees.
Extensive artificial reforestation has been carried out since 1914, mainly using conifers
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