Category Archives: Culture

Surprise winner for song competition

Posted on 21/12/2011 by

Think of a famous Italian song from the past and even non-Italians would come with O Sole Mio, Volare, or even the Pavarotti favourite Nessun Dorma. Not so for viewers of Italian satellite TV programme “Buongiorno Cielo”, who launched a … Continue reading →

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Internazionale snapshots

Posted on 06/10/2011 by

This year’s Internazionale a Ferrara had the usual high quality in speakers and guests and subject matter, with overall satisfaction from the 63,000 people who attended. The only criticism I heard on quality was referred to the films being shown,  … Continue reading →

Posted in cinema, Culture, Internazionale, women | Leave a comment

An “Internazionale” weekend

Posted on 29/09/2011 by

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday sees the annual news, current affairs and cultural festival “Internazionale a Ferrara” take place in the north-eastern Italian city. Internazionale is an Italian news weekly which, as its name suggests, collects features, articles and reviews … Continue reading →

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Florence celebrates Dante

Posted on 01/06/2011 by

The newly restored statue of the best known Italian poet Dante Alighieri in front of Florence’s Santa Croce basilica was unveiled to the public yesterday, as part of Italy’s 150th anniversay celebrations. Local and national government representatives took part in … Continue reading →

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Shakespeare in Love – theatre review

Posted on 17/02/2011 by

Teatro Nuovo, Ferrara, 16/02/11 It’s a well-known fact that Shakespeare has been translated into many different languages, and of course Italian is no exception. It is always rather odd to watch or listen to the Bard’s work in another language, … Continue reading →

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National holiday cause for controversy

Posted on 09/02/2011 by

You would have thought that with Easter coming so late this year (the last weekend of April) Italians, or any other population, would be more than glad of an extra day off in March to celebrate the 150th anniversary of … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, current affairs, People, Politics | 3 Comments

150th anniversary begins

Posted on 07/01/2011 by

The inauguration of official celebrations for Italy’s 150 years as a unified nation took place today in the city of Reggio Emilia. President Giorgio Napolitano began proceedings with an inaugural speech and opening of two exhibitions dedicated to the Italian … Continue reading →

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“Italy in books” – reading challenge 2011

Posted on 15/12/2010 by

Italy for Beginners is pleased to receive news of the “Italy in Books” – reading challenge 2011, launched by Brighton Blogger in Book After Book. The aim of the challenge is to read at least 12 books that are set … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Language | 1 Comment

Italian selection for 2011 Oscars

Posted on 30/09/2010 by

Paolo Virzì’s La Prima Cosa Bella, has reached the list of movies to be selected for nomination as Best Foreign Film at the next Academy Awards, or Oscars, next year. The family saga stretching over four decades was a big … Continue reading →

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and SPQR means…?

Posted on 28/09/2010 by

You may have seen it on illustrations of ancient Rome, on banners carried by Roman legions in an epic movie, or even on a manhole cover while walking through the streets of modern Rome..it’s the ancient Roman abbreviation SPQR..but have you … Continue reading →

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