January 2011
It’s not too late to make plans to attend Carnevale in Venice. This year, Venice – along with all of Italy – is celebrating the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification. Carnevale ends March 8th, on International Women’s Day, and to honor the day, the Carnevale theme is also women. The two themes will be woven through the festivities in celebrating the nineteenth century with historical reenactments and tributes to heroines.
February 2011
Italian culture is everywhere! In celebration of Italy’s 150th anniversary of unification, special events are happening across America.
Last week, Los Angeles, Italia hosted its sixth annual Film, Fashion and Art Fest featuring a “retrospective of Italian films that have impacted the history of cinema …” World renown ballet great, Roberto Bolle and acclaimed jazz pianist Stefano Bollani made their Hollywood debuts and both received a special award that acknowledged their accomplishments.
March 2011
Towards the end of September 1943, Italy was under siege from the Germans after they learned that Italian officials had signed an armistice with the Allies. Throughout the country, the German army took control by disarming Italian troops, who had not yet been notified of the switch in Italy’s alliance. (Mussolini had been arrested, but was later rescued by the Germans and put in charge of a puppet regime set up in German-occupied northern Italy.)
April 2011
Last March, I wrote about Watts Towers, a National Historic Landmark built entirely by hand by Sabato Rodia, an Italian immigrant born in 1879 in Ribottoli (region of Campania). Rodia moved to California in 1921 and began to build the towers, completing the structures – made of steel rods, glass, pottery, seashells, and other objects – in 1955.
May 2011
On June 2nd, Italy celebrates the birth of its nation. Festa della Repubblica, an Italian national holiday, is Italy’s Fourth of July. In 1946, after World War II and the fall of the fascist government, the people of Italy had a choice between a monarchy or a republic government, and the majority voted for a republic. Festivities in Rome include the placing of a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Solider (located under the statue of Vittorio Emanuele II), a military parade, and a fly over by Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force aerobatic display team.
June 2011
Almost 100 years ago – on August 21, 1911 – the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre. Although guards noticed it missing, the theft was overlooked until the next day, because they thought the painting was removed to be photographed. Once they learned the painting was missing, the Louvre was closed, the borders of France sealed, and all ships and trains leaving the country were searched.
July 2011
August 2011
Abruzzo, located on the east coast of Italy about midway up the peninsula, is known for its national and regional parks and natural reserves, which encompass one-third of its land. The region is also known for numerous castles and ancient villages, many located along the paths that weave through the Apennines. Because Abruzzo is not as populated or developed as other regions in Italy, the mountains are a treasure trove of ancient history.
September 2011
One hundred and fifty years ago, the United States was at war, a war within the boundaries of the country. At the same time America was fighting to divide, Italy had won its fight to unite, a fight that also took place within its boundaries. With a few battles to be fought before the entire country was unified, in 1861, Italy became a united kingdom.
October 2011
Halloween is a fairly new holiday in Italy – it’s been gaining popularity with children and young adults. Some report that the influx of “Halloween” movies from America sparked an interest, but it may be the increasing number of Americans living in Italy and an electronic society that has brought more attention to the last day in October.
November 2011
For many, a trip to Italy includes visiting Venice, a city built on almost 120 islands connected by more than 400 bridges. Two of the most well known bridges are Ponte di Rialto, which crosses the Grand Canal, and Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs), crossing the Rio di Palazzo (adjacent to Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica).
December 2011
The city of Melegnano, about eight miles southeast from Milan, attracts thousands of visitors each year to La Casa di Babbo Natale – the home of Santa Claus. In 1998, Massimiliano Goglio added lights to his yard and each year since, the display has expanded, with over 300,000 lights in 2011. Hundreds of trees, assorted packages, shooting stars, Santas, a sleigh, and reindeer are some of the decorations. Goglio, a computer consultant, designs and creates them all by hand. The display is also energy efficient; last year Goglio switched to using LED lights.
It’s not too late to make plans to attend Carnevale in Venice. This year, Venice – along with all of Italy – is celebrating the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification. Carnevale ends March 8th, on International Women’s Day, and to honor the day, the Carnevale theme is also women. The two themes will be woven through the festivities in celebrating the nineteenth century with historical reenactments and tributes to heroines.
February 2011
Italian culture is everywhere! In celebration of Italy’s 150th anniversary of unification, special events are happening across America.
Last week, Los Angeles, Italia hosted its sixth annual Film, Fashion and Art Fest featuring a “retrospective of Italian films that have impacted the history of cinema …” World renown ballet great, Roberto Bolle and acclaimed jazz pianist Stefano Bollani made their Hollywood debuts and both received a special award that acknowledged their accomplishments.
March 2011
Towards the end of September 1943, Italy was under siege from the Germans after they learned that Italian officials had signed an armistice with the Allies. Throughout the country, the German army took control by disarming Italian troops, who had not yet been notified of the switch in Italy’s alliance. (Mussolini had been arrested, but was later rescued by the Germans and put in charge of a puppet regime set up in German-occupied northern Italy.)
April 2011
Last March, I wrote about Watts Towers, a National Historic Landmark built entirely by hand by Sabato Rodia, an Italian immigrant born in 1879 in Ribottoli (region of Campania). Rodia moved to California in 1921 and began to build the towers, completing the structures – made of steel rods, glass, pottery, seashells, and other objects – in 1955.
May 2011
On June 2nd, Italy celebrates the birth of its nation. Festa della Repubblica, an Italian national holiday, is Italy’s Fourth of July. In 1946, after World War II and the fall of the fascist government, the people of Italy had a choice between a monarchy or a republic government, and the majority voted for a republic. Festivities in Rome include the placing of a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Solider (located under the statue of Vittorio Emanuele II), a military parade, and a fly over by Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force aerobatic display team.
June 2011
Almost 100 years ago – on August 21, 1911 – the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre. Although guards noticed it missing, the theft was overlooked until the next day, because they thought the painting was removed to be photographed. Once they learned the painting was missing, the Louvre was closed, the borders of France sealed, and all ships and trains leaving the country were searched.
July 2011
August 2011
Abruzzo, located on the east coast of Italy about midway up the peninsula, is known for its national and regional parks and natural reserves, which encompass one-third of its land. The region is also known for numerous castles and ancient villages, many located along the paths that weave through the Apennines. Because Abruzzo is not as populated or developed as other regions in Italy, the mountains are a treasure trove of ancient history.
September 2011
One hundred and fifty years ago, the United States was at war, a war within the boundaries of the country. At the same time America was fighting to divide, Italy had won its fight to unite, a fight that also took place within its boundaries. With a few battles to be fought before the entire country was unified, in 1861, Italy became a united kingdom.
October 2011
Halloween is a fairly new holiday in Italy – it’s been gaining popularity with children and young adults. Some report that the influx of “Halloween” movies from America sparked an interest, but it may be the increasing number of Americans living in Italy and an electronic society that has brought more attention to the last day in October.
November 2011
For many, a trip to Italy includes visiting Venice, a city built on almost 120 islands connected by more than 400 bridges. Two of the most well known bridges are Ponte di Rialto, which crosses the Grand Canal, and Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs), crossing the Rio di Palazzo (adjacent to Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica).
December 2011
The city of Melegnano, about eight miles southeast from Milan, attracts thousands of visitors each year to La Casa di Babbo Natale – the home of Santa Claus. In 1998, Massimiliano Goglio added lights to his yard and each year since, the display has expanded, with over 300,000 lights in 2011. Hundreds of trees, assorted packages, shooting stars, Santas, a sleigh, and reindeer are some of the decorations. Goglio, a computer consultant, designs and creates them all by hand. The display is also energy efficient; last year Goglio switched to using LED lights.
Newsletters 2011