16 September 2009 Issue 1 E DITORRE I NDIPENDENTE BENVENUTI! INSIDE THIS ISSUE: “All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the Today’s Programme 1 point is to discover them.” Pisan History 2 GALILEO GALILEI, Most famous inhabitant of Pisa. Pisa Fact File 2 A very warm welcome to you In this issue we have in- Useful Phrases 2 all as we touch down in cluded some very useful Pisa! It is the aim of this phrases for non-Italian speak- Restaurant Guide 3 newsletter to inform, illumi- ers, and several guides as to nate and entertain through- what’s on here in Pisa along What’s On In Pisa 3 out our Tenth General As- with top tips for things to see sembly and Conference of and do. Useful Contacts 3 the European Association of We hope you enjoy this first Science Editors. issue of Editorre Inde- Who’s Who 4 This first day of the Confer- pendente and your stay here ence will see the New Coun- in Pisa! cil take over, so watch the ‘Who’s Who’ section on “I pray you tell Signor Lucentio page four in this and future that his father is come from Pisa issues for interviews and and is here at the door to speak facts about current and new with him.” council members, along with all the latest overheard from William Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ Tenth General gossip. Assembly and Conference PROGRAMME FOR 16 SEPTEMBER Integrity in Science 15.00—15.45 17.30–18.30 Communication Annual Keynote Lecture by Professor Ele Ferrannini, 16 - 19 September 2009 General Meeting and Palazzo dei Congressi, General 19.00–20.30 Pisa, Italy. Assembly of Welcome reception at the Hotel EASE Santa Croce in Fossabanda, Pi- azza Santa Croce 5, Pisa. It is a five minutes walk from the 16.00–17.00 Conference Centre. Welcome Address & Opening Ceremony by Maria Luisa Chiofalo (Assessore of Pisa) History of Pisa and its University. By Professor Lucia Tomasi Tongiorgi and Professor Romano Coppini. Page 2 16 September 2009 PISAN HISTORY RESTAURANT The city of Pisa began around Middle Ages. In 1284, the G U I D E 1000 B.C. as a seaside settle- Genoese ment. The Romans developed it destroyed the Pisan battle into a sea trading port during the La Taverna degli Amici fleet which led to Second Century B.C., and by the Via del Borghetto eleventh century, Pisa, along control of the Tyrrhenian Tel. (+39 050 571 467) with Venice and Genoa, was one Sea to pass to Genoa. P I S A of the most powerful maritime Florence took control of the FA C T republics. It had very strong city in 1406 and despite Antica Trattoria da Bruno trade links with the Middle East some small rebellions over 12, Via Luigi Bianchi F I L E and was one of the first cities to the centuries, Florence Tel. (+39) 050 560818 maintained control of the import both decorative and sci- www.anticatrattoriadabruno. Population: entific Arabic ideas. The enor- city until Italian unification com 87,506 residents mous wealth that came as a re- in the 1860s. sult of trading meant Numero Undici Postal code: that Pisa be- 47, Via San Martino came a city of 56100 Tel. (+39) 050 27282 monumental buildings dur- http://www.numeroundici.it ing the late OOsteriasteria dei cavalieri 16, via San Frediano USEFUL PHRASES Tel. (+39) 050 580858 www.osteriacavalieri.pisa.it For all our budding Italian speakers, some unique phrases for you to learn and then use during our stay here in Pisa. All stories regarding Patron Saint: the successful use of the sentences below to be delivered a.s.a.p. to the Editorial Office. San Ranieri Tre persone su due non capis- Se credi che stia pagando per cono le proporzioni in mate- Situated on the quello, devi avere qualche matica. altra cosa in serbo! River Arno Three in two people do not un- If you think I'm paying for that Artilafo derstand proportions in mathe- then you've got another think matics. coming! 33, Via San Martino Tel. (+39) 050-27010 Non far cantare un'altra volta tua È la terza volta in una setti- http://www.lartilafo.it sorella. Non vorrei che rompesse mana che un paziente ha le finestre come l'ultima volta. avuto una combustione spon- Re Artù Don't let your sister sing again. tanea. We don't want her to break the 129, Via Santa Maria That is the An ‘old city,’ even in windows like last time. Tel. (+39) 050 8312130 third time Roman times, as this week described by Virgil in È quello lo chiami un that one of Il Pomo D’oro panino al his Aeneid the patients Pizzeria e Focacceria prosciutto? Mettilo via, has sponta- 13 Via la Nunziatina subito! neously 4m above sea level You call that a ham combusted. Tel. (+39) 050 500015 sandwich? Take it away at once! Area: 185km² Non puoi rimanere ubriaco più a lungo di quanto tu non Il mio bicchiere si sente solo. possa restare a terra senza If you are in search of Mayor: Vorresti tenergli compagnia con reggerti. superb Italian ice cream, visit LLaa Bottega del Marco Filippeschi il tuo? You are not drunk so long as My drink is getting lonely. Would you can lie on the ground Gelato on the Piazza Democratic Party you like to join me with yours? without holding on. Garibaldi. Editorre Indipendente Page 3 WHAT’S ON IN PISA? THE LEANING TOWER A trip to Pisa would not be complete without climbing to the top of the Leaning Tower! Please note that on busy days there may be a short wait so it is usually best to reserve your visit in ad- Where in Pisa can vance at the Ticket Office. you find the Cost: €15 remains of a Roman Bathhouse, and THE DUOMO & which Roman BAPTISTERY emperor is it Cost: €2 for the Duomo, €5 for the named after? baptistery.Located next to the Leaning Tower, they offer excellent examples of pre-Renaissance architecture, art and precious relics. TOP TIPS LOCAL TOURS AROUND PISA The University of Pisa is offering 2 free If time permits visit the small Gothic chapel of guided tours for 25 people to visit the "Santa Maria della Spina" and the National Museum of the Opera of the Duomo and Museum of San Matteo, housing an excellent the Monumental Graveyard (where collection of 12th-15th-century art, located on there are important paintings by Be- the Via Santa Maria. nozzo Gozzoli). These tours will last 1½ –2 hours. For more information, please Visit the Church of "San Michele degli Scalzi" to visit the Registration desk. see the other leaning tower of Pisa. It was completed in the 13th century and although this seldom-visited tower is not as impressive DID YOU KNOW? as the famous one, it is definitely worth a look. The average Italian consumes it is also fun to just explore Pisa. The city is very compact with many narrow streets and 25 kg of pasta every small markets that offer a great atmosphere year. and plenty to discover! USEFUL CONTACTS Tourist Office Train Station 16, Piazza Vittorio (Stazione Ferroviaria Emanuele II Pisa Centrale) T: 050-42291 Piazza della Stazi- Airport Information one Aeroporto T: 050 917591 Internazionale Galilei T: 050-502518 PolicePolicePolice Duomo Tourist Una sola lingua non è mai abbastanza 27 Via Canavari OfficeOfficeOffice T: 050 313921 One language is 8, Piazza Arcivesco- never enough. vado Editorre Indipendente Page 4 The Great Debate Thought for the day How many steps is it from the “I do not feel obliged to believe that ground to the top of the Leaning the same God who endowed us with Tower of Pisa? sense, reason, and intellect in- tended us to forgo their use”. More words of wisdom from Galileo Galilei What’s your favourite website? The Publications Committee are looking for tips on helpful, interest- ing or generally entertaining web- sites to feature in ESE—our proper Journal, this newsletter’s big sister. Any ideas to be written on a piece of paper and given to someone with Although no one is a red lanyard. prepared to take full responsibility for everything that is W H O ’ S W H O published in the Edi- torre O UR DAILY F EATURE OF THE E A S E Indipendente, please C OMMITEE note that the edito- ARJAN POLDERMAN rial team would be EASE PRESIDENT delighted with any overheard gossip, Arjan has just this week completed an extensive tour of Italy which has included visits to Venice, Arreto and Bologna. Three rumours, years ago Arjan took on the EASE Presidency and welcomed us interesting facts, all to Krakow, glass in hand. All the EASE Council would like to photographs of Pisa, thank Arjan for his excellent leadership and guidance—wish I’d followed him last night, not Rod [JM]. useful restaurants and/or bars to visit… please find and JOAN MARSH liaise with Samantha NEW EASE PRESIDENT Jeffery, newsletter Joan spends much of her time watching men run around after an oval ball, some of it actively chasing after them with a whis- editor. tle. During the summer off season, Joan referees Touch rugby, just for a change. Joan has confided to the Editorre Inde- pendente that when she is too old to run, “I’m going to retire to the country and support my sister in her dream of owning an international three-day event horse”.