Mosaico Molise
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Fall/Winter 2006 Dante Alighieri Society, Michigan Chapter A LOOK AT THE DIVINE COMEDY Message from the President Part 1 Dear Members, The Commedia as a Call to Conscience I would like to thank all past and present members Whatever greatness on so many levels we may wish to recognize in Dante, who have made this organization one to be proud we should try not to forget what he considered to be his primary task: to of by the activities they have worked so hard to awaken each and every one to his or her higher self, and thereby bring each provide to the community. Through their efforts, to an experience of true happiness. Dante was, above all, a man of truth. He would not hold back his condem- the Society has contributed in enriching the lives nation to save his own skin – even against men of the cloth: Bishops, Car- of many lovers of Italian. The year 2006 has been dinals and even Popes, who in his day were very powerful! . full of challenges to maintain a level of quality And it is clear he felt that these exalted personages were not above God, that the Society has seen in the past, but nonethe- and had no special dispensation allowing them to flout the laws of God, less, it has been a successful one. We owe much which, however, they demanded be obeyed by their sheep. In fact, to Dante, of that success to our past Cultural Chairperson, they were all the more guilty because of their hypocrisy. Men who should Paola Morabito, and her committee, as well as our be examples to the world of the virtues they demanded of others, were prestigious professors. Because of Paola, our cul- sometimes the greatest perpetrators of lies and deceit and inconceivable tural events have been diverse, fun and interest- brutality. He dared to speak out his indignation, and his exile was in great ing. Each event enlightened us in many ways and part due to this. For there are laws. There are cosmic laws which we may break, but not brought us not only new knowledge but also new without consequences. And the amazing thing is this: each and every one acquaintances. I owe her much gratitude and knows in the deepest recesses of his heart what those laws are. thank her and her committee for all of their ef- Dante believed in “Free Will.” And this Dante goes into with the sharp forts. At the same time, we have many others to rhetoric of Marco Lombardo whom he meets in the 16th canto of Purgatory thank for helping to continue our endeavors this (read it in either the Ciardi or the Musa translation). Each person has the year in strengthening our educational activities ability to choose. We can say “Yes” to something right, and “No” to some- and other projects such as Il Mosaico, the Direc- thing wrong. Or we can do the opposite. Not paying attention to those tory and our impressive new web site. Among twinges - large or small - when we break these inner laws, is what builds up those people are our newer members to the Soci- the storehouse of debt for which we must pay in the afterlife. In the last ety, many who have immigrated from Italy to analysis, we choose our own punishment. It is in conversations with significant personalities in Purgatory and Beings Michigan in the past few years and have stepped of Light in Paradise that we learn what we need to learn as a guide to find- up to the plate in various capacities to help out in ing our way. many ways. This has been a very productive year Dante needed to be “rescued”, through grace, from the dark wood where he and I feel we have grown in many ways despite found himself. And it is his beloved friend, Beatrice, who from spiritual our losses in the way of retirements of some of worlds sends aid to him – in the form of Virgil. our members and our Italian Consul dott. De San- He is so steeped in error that he cannot reach tis. We have looked to their efforts to take us for- the light on the high mountain which he longs ward and strive to continue their work for them to for. Only with the help of Virgil can he find his be proud of our future efforts to pass on to a new way. But the road is arduous. Dante must go generation who can maintain and improve on what through the horrors of Hell and through the sufferings of Purgatory to attain the light-filled our past leaders have built. Every time we attend understanding of Heaven. It is a journey of an event or take a class, we can see why we Italian CONSCIOUSNESS. He must go through this Americans, Italians and lovers of Italian can ad- journey to remember the laws which only on mire this marvelous culture. If we all continue to earth can he choose to follow IN FREEDOM, work hard as a team, we can build a very strong through the power of his own mind… through and admirable Società Dante Alighieri del Michi- reflection. He learns many lessons on his gan, like the squadra azzurra. Grazie a tutti e viva extraordinary journey; lessons which, on his return, he is commissioned to pass on to all l’Italia! . Casa di Dante - Florence humanity. Liana Spalla Photo courtesy of Lia Adelfi Dina Soresi Winter Dante Alighieri Society, Michigan Chapter Fall/Winter 2006 2 Molise Lo Stemma della Regione Molise Scudo rosso, bordato d'argento e con banda diagonale dello stesso colore. In alto a sinistra una stella d'argento con punte analoga a quella della ripro- duzione dell'Arme della Provincia di Molise. L'ispirazione fondamentale della scelta dello stemma della Regio- ne Molise è legata all'identità storica del nome e del territorio di Molise che compare nell'Alto Medioevo come quella di una Contea normanna e deri- va da quello del castello di Molise. Molise, regione da scoprire Chi scrive è un campano-molisano, che insegna nelle Università del suo sangue, Napoli e Campobasso, che conosce ed ama profondamente la geografia, la storia, la cultura delle regioni, che vive e attraversa. Il Molise appartiene al Mezzogiorno d’Italia, con il quale ha condiviso le sue vicen- de. Dopo essere stata unita all’Abruzzo, è divenuta regione a sè, con le province di Campobasso e Isernia. La sua vicinanza più stretta è con la Campania beneventana e casertana, dal lato interno, con l'Abruzzo e la Puglia, da quello marino. I suoi antichi abitatori, i Sanniti, osarono sfidare Roma. Resta nel carattere dei molisani una fierezza Dante Alighieri Society dignitosa. Guerrieri, pastori, soprattutto pastori con le loro transumanze, agricoltori Michigan Chapter laboriosi, sono stati ciclicamente costretti a lasciare le loro terre per cercare fortuna PO Box 2962 all’estero, soprattutto nelle Americhe, in Europa, nella stessa Italia. Sono molto più Southfield, MI 48037-2962 numerosi i molisani che vivono fuori regioni rispetto a quelli che sono rimasti. Board of Directors: . La regione è molto bella e varia, offrendo l’alta montagna con Capracotta e il mare Liana Spalla (President), Timothy Hinkle pulito con Termoli. I fiumi Biferno e Trigno attraversano le sue fondamentali fondo- (Vice-President), Frank Romano (Recor- valli, mostrando orizzonti suggestivi, panorami pietrosi, sbocchi suadenti alle spiagge ding Sec.), Diana Manzo (Treasurer), Daniela Henderson (Corresponding Sec.), sabbiose dell’Adriatico. Sabatino Bianchi, Omar Mainero, Emma Il Molise è rimasto orgogliosamente fedele alle sue tradizioni storiche, religiose, ci- Edgar, Wanda Bianchi and Giovanna vili, gastronomiche, che sono particolarmente sentite nelle città e nei numerosi paesi, Cappi. con chiese e municipi, che ricordano un passato spesso illustre. Special Committees: . Gruppo Giovanile Ann Arbor: . La regione è protesa verso un consapevole rinnovamento, nel rispetto della tradizio- Silvia Giorgini-Althoen. ne, ben sapendo che il passato è il migliore investimento per il futuro. Istituzioni cul- turali, come l’Università, guidano questa nuova stagione di consapevolezza culturale, Web site: Timothy Hinkle, Lia Adelfi and la sola capace di garantire un serio e sereno futuro alla società. Giovanna Cappi. Il Mosaico: Editors, Lia Adelfi and Liana Il Molise si prospetta, in tal senso, come la regione del futuro. Spalla. prof. Francesco D’Episcopo Contributors to this issue: Prof. Francesco Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II - Dipartimento di Filologia Moderna D’Episcopo, Tim Hinkle and Anita MacSorley. All communications or items of 250 words Il 2006 rappresenta, per la Provin- for publication should be sent to the PO cia di Campobasso, un anno stori- Box or via e-mail to: co: saranno trascorsi 200 anni da [email protected] quando Giuseppe Napoleone, Re Please submit material for the next issue by di Napoli e di Sicilia, dichiarò, January 29, 2007. con atto del 27 settembre 1806: The next issue will highlight the region of “il Contado di Molise è separato Valle d’Aosta. dalla Provincia di Capitanata, e As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, formerà una Provincia a parte”. gifts and donations are tax deductible. Dante Alighieri Society, Michigan Chapter Fall/Winter 2006 3 Provinces Campobasso Isernia The origins of the province of Campo- The province of Isernia was established basso, according to ancient authors, in 1970, with its capoluogo, or capital, dates back to pre-Roman times, when in the city of Isernia. The province of nomadic Sabines established settle- Isernia contains part of the Parco Na- ments in the area. The Sabines were zionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise, the later supplanted by the powerful Sam- oldest national park in the Apennines nite tribe.