Ricky 'Doc' Scandiani: surprise winner

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 poll to vote the best Italian song of the last 150 years, and ended up with a surprise winner,  the decidedly unknown song Aspettando l’alba (Waiting for the Dawn) written by Ricky Scandiani, musician and songwriter based in Ferrara. The song is part of a rock-opera Roadissea, a modern interpretation of Homer’s Odyssey, written some thirty years ago.

Competition organisers launched the poll through popular social network Facebook, but obviously weren’t aware that – at least in Italy – it stands as the most democratic means of communication, away from the politically controlled mass-media, including the state television service, as well as a host of private channels (Berlusconi’s Mediaset empire). Facebook users came into their own when they voted en masse for Scandiani’s song as their favourite. “They used the social network to reach a wider audience”, commented the song’s creator, “without forseeing that such an alternative and democratic system can bring attention to songwriters who are very different from the more famous ones”.

TV presenters were left surprised and embarassed when announcing the winner of the poll, which was meant to coincide with the publication of a new book “La canzone italiana – 1861-2011″ published by (Berlusconi-owned) Mondadori, a huge two-volume tome packed with “classic” Italian songs. (see video)

source: Il Resto del Carlino / Monica Forti

on Facebook: Ricky Scandiani – Associazione Musicisti di Ferrara

pic: ilmessagero.it

A 23 year old student was crushed to death under a pop concert stage rigging yesterday in an indoor sports hall in Trieste.

20 year old Francesco Pinna was working on the rigging in preparation for a concert by Italian star Jovanotti when the structure collapsed.

The tragic incident was made worse by claims of co-workers that they were doing such a dangerous job for just “five euros an hour“, in an attempt to earn extra money to help with their studies. Trieste is home to one of Italy’s most prestigious universities.

The incident couldn’t have come at a worse time for Italy as so many less well off – students, pensioners, ordinary workers, – are called upon to ‘tighten their belts’ and make ‘sacrifices’ to get Italy out of the economic and financial crisis.  The young student was evidently involved in such a sacrifice, effectively risking his life for five euros an hour.

Mario Monti’s proposed new “Salva-Italia” budget measures have been widely criticised by the general public and resulted in a strike yesterday by three of the country’s main trade unions. Workers and pensioners are hardest hit, and there is little or no aid for job creation, or any real attempt to crackdown on Italy’s worst ailment, tax evasion. A much discussed ‘wealth tax’ (patrimoniale) failed to emerge. VAT (IVA) on the other hand is set to increase by a further two points in September 2012 and a property tax on first-home owners is to be re-introduced.

queuing for tickets: Internazionale a Ferrara 2011

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,  in the “Mondovisione” section, usually of a higher standard. However I was pleased to have got to see Page One, the documentary on the New York Times premiered at this year’s Sundance Festival. An Italian edition will be issued on DVD by Feltrinelli early next year.

Unfortunately I missed most of Friday’s events although I was grateful to RadioTre for broadcasting two programmes live from Ferrara during the day. I arrived just in time to listen to the debate on the situation in post-Mubarak Egypt, featuring Hossam el Hamalawy who had been awarded the festival’s Anna Politkovskaja Prize earlier in the day.

It turned out to be a very feminine festival for me, with the best moments coming from the women, not least Il ritorno delle bambole, a debate on new feminist issues with heated discussions between the Spanish radical Beatriz Preciado and the more moderate, more “British”, writer Natasha Walter, with Italian philosophy lecturer and writer Michela Marzano trying to fall somewhere in between the two. Competent moderation from writer Loredana Lipperini. One question remained with me: is it sexist to have to declare ‘male’ or ‘female’ on official and other documents? Apparently there’s no sense in it as Preciado maintains there are some 14 different gender distinctions, not just two. Think about it.

It was good to see NYT reporter Elizabeth Rubin ‘up close’ for the RadioTre interview on

Elisabeth Rubin with interpreter live on RadioTre

Sunday, although unfortunately she arrived late for an already short time slot so there was no time for questions. She then took part in the panel for a rather dull debate on Afghanistan at the teatro comunale – I left early. It would’ve been better to have gone to yet another women’s issues debate “Women of the world, unite!” at Palazzo Massari, although thankfully the morning was saved again by women, namely the aforementioned Michela Marzano discussing her new autobiographical book on anorexia with local-girl-done-good Daria Bignardi. The Estense Castle courtyard was packed.

A bad choice again I’m afraid after lunch with a very uninteresting discussion on (political) satire in the press featuring three renowned cartoonists, although the most entertainment was given by the anecdotes of non-cartoonist Marco Zatterin of La Stampa. I had gone in the hope of seeing il Manifesto‘s cartoonist Vauro, who was sadly and inexplicably not present. Should’ve gone instead to listen to Susanna Camusso, leader of Italy’s largest trade union CGIL, who also spoke to a packed piazza municipale addressing the issue of precariato – temporary (and lack of permanent) employment especially among young people. I was grateful to exchange a friendly ‘buongiono‘ with her in the press room after, although again no time for questions as it was time to get over the to teatro  for the closing event: a much-anticipated presentation and interview session with

Arundhati Roy at Internazionale a Ferrara

Indian writer Arundhati Roy together with British writer art-critic and all round

intellectual John Berger. Unfortunately the lack of simultaneous translation through headphones slowed things down rather, but the audience were hanging on every word this ‘odd couple’ had to say on the situation in India and beyond. There was also an impromptu joint reading from Roy’s latest book Broken Republic. A standing ovation followed. I was also fortunate to ‘bump into’ the pair the day after in front of the duomo where they very charmingly to interest in what I was doing in Ferrara! A hearty pat on the back and ‘good luck’ from Berger made my day.

Well, that’s another Internazionale a Ferrara over. Another very intense weekend of conferences, talks, presentations, discussions, meetings and you name it… Perhaps that’s the only disadvantage (and criticism) you can have for these three days: it’s too much in too short a time. As a matter of fact on Monday the local newspaper carried a story of how shops and restaurants in town would like to it to last longer – they’ve seen the opportunity for getting good trade! It was practically impossible to find a place to eat on Saturday night (let alone a parking space) and apparently people were queueing even for their less-than-one-minute espressos at the many coffee bars. But again, that’s the joy of it – a short sharp shock of world affairs and culture, just a few days of being totally absorbed in world affairs and culture. No mean feat in this day and age, and in this provincial town.

note to Internazionale: how about opening up to a wider international audience next year?

Ferrara Cathedral - il duomo di Ferrara

The annual festival is an intense three-day event bringing together contributors and guests – this year some 190 altogether – from 35 different countries. As well as holding discussions on current affairs, the festival also draws on film and video, art and photography, music and theatre for its 80 different events in various venues across the city. Among this year’s guests the Indian author Arundhati Roy in conversation with John Berger, Arab Spring protagonists Ziad Majed, Issandr el Amrani (The Arabist) and blogger Hossam el Hamalawy. Also of interest a debate on the new views on femminism with Spanish philosopher author Beatriz Preciado, British writer and campaigner Natasha Walter, andMichela Marzano, lecturer in philosophy at the University of Paris.

Internazionale chief editor Giovanni de Mauro (pic. Sara Rocutto)

Domestic issues are also featured, such as a discussion of the Genova G8 protests in 2001, together with “I giorni di Genova“, a theatrical presentation of the events of 10 years ago. Italian employment problems and global economic issues are also on the agenda. TED mini-lectures will also be presented and shown, and internet and web issues are also adressed with Evgeny Morozov, author of The Net Delusion and Chinese activist and blogger Michael Anti.

Three day journalism workshops are held during the weekend, held by David Randall(Il giornalista quasi perfetto!) of the Independent, and Pierre Hasky (Libération and The Guardian) among others.

Full guide and info here (in Italian).

You can also follow events on twitter via @Internazionale or the #Ferrara2011 hashtag.

Internazionale 2010 (pic. Internazionale/flickr)

The problem is that this particular race, as the name suggests, takes in the northern area of Padania only, and is obviously intended to promote the ficticious region’s existence. Lega Nord are behind it all of course, the party which believes that the not-entirely well defined area of “northern” Italy should separate from the rest (mostly south, some argue also central Italy). The race was however officially recognised by the national sports council Coni and Federciclismo, thus sparking protests, including a letter of appeal by Mr Paolo Ferrero, chairman of Rifondazione Comunista, to the President Giorgio Napolitano, demanding to have the race banned.

The 900km race is going ahead, hoever, with (almost) everyone’s apparent approval and will continue until Saturday with the finish line in Montecchio Maggiore, near Vicenza. There were heated exchanges and clashes in Mondovì, 70 km from the start of the race, as protesters from Rifondazione tried to stop the controversial giro. There were several minor injuries in scuffles, including a police officer who was pushed to the ground. Cyclists were heckled and some physically forced to dismount their bicycles. The 190 participants include Italian champions Giovanni Visconti and Ivan Basso as well as some foreign national teams.

Although the idea of Padania is seen by many as a joke, and certainly not a solution to many of Italy’s problems, economic or racial, the power of the Lega Nord is indisputable. As well as being a firm Berlusconi ally, they have even had the power to persuade the PM into important changes and decisions with the recent manovra economica, the emergency economy bill discussed throughout the summer. They also recently managed to at least partially achieve another goal of getting the Ministries out of Rome, establishing special ministerial offices in the north. They are also exceptionally efficient in organising party rallies and meetings, and the Giro della Padania is no exception.

Despite public disapproval, Rifondazione Comunista have said that their protests will continue in their determination to have the race stopped. “La Padiana non esiste“, as one banner so clearly put it.

So two or three, or more,  totally subjective lessons for the tourist here:

1. if you do go into an Italian ‘bar’ you are usually expected to take your drinks at the bar itself (al banco) – many places just don’t serve at tables
2. rarely do people take their coffees or cappuccinos sitting down – it was considered a ‘luxury’ until a few years ago, although now the custom has been imported from countries such as the USA and Britain. In Italy, people discuss things over meals, not over coffee. It’ll take you less than a minute to drink it anyway.
3. If the coffee bar is the posher kind of place that does have tables, and camerieri, be prepared to pay at least double the price for your cappuccino, and above all do not expect simpatia and courtesy, they are not included. (see point 6 below)
4. watch out for places  such as airports and railway stations – where table service is ‘obbligatorio‘ and you will have to pay a lot of money for service which is often slow and discourteous and will make you anxious about missing your plane/train.
5. there is no law about tipping and you are no obligation to leave one. This is not the USA.
6. if the barista or cameriere knows you she or he will duly revere you and give you the best treatment, if they don’t then be prepared to get treated as if they were doing you some kind of favour in serving you (same is true for restaurants and shops).

In any case I’m sure Mr Cameron really didn’t mind fetching his own cappuccinos. If he’d been in a Café Nero or Starbucks he certainly wouldn’t get waitress service, and I doubt he’d leave a tip either. Just don’t be fooled by those nice little tables outside that charming little café, if the barista is busy or is having a bad day.. tough! That’s the Italian way.

Buone vacanze!

The singer and songwriter from Modena started his career in the late seventies although failed to obtain large scale success until his fourth album Siamo solo noi in 1981. A controversial performance at the Sanremo Song Festival in 1982 with the song Vado al massimo became a further stepping stone to success and admiration among Italian fans looking for a home-grown star among the usual Anglo-American stars of the time. His song Vita spericolata the following year, also premiered at Sanremo, became the anthem of a whole generation and continues to be a crowd favourite and a ‘classic’ of Italian popular music. A drug raid in his home near Bologna in the spring of 1984, where he was found in possession of cocaine, only helped him along the way to ‘cult’ status among fans, and his success rocketed throughout the 80s and 90s with a string of successful albums and his famous ‘stadium’ concerts drawing huge crowds nationwide. An audience of 130,000 at the Heineken Jamming Festival in Imola in 1998 remains a record for crowd attendance at an Italian rock concert.
Although fairly well known in continental Europe, Vasco Rossi remains a peculiarly Italian rock phenomenon. In 2010 he blamed his lack of success outside Italy on American and British governments who, he claimed, banned foreign artists from becoming successful in their countries.
Rossi has three children, one of which was only officially ‘recognised’ 17 years after his birth following a DNA test.

Biography by ondarock (in Italian)

Renato Brunetta, pic. ilmessagero.it

The Italian Minister for Public Administration has come under fierce fire after having snubbed and fled from a temporary public administration worker on Tuesday.
Mr Renato Brunetta, economist and former Euro-MP, was angered by a conference attendee in Naples when she presented herself as a ‘temporary worker in the public administration’. No sooner had she said these words that Brunetta fled the stage and the conference saying that such workers were ‘the worst of Italy’ (il peggio Italia), implying they do nothing but complain about their position as precari. One such worker then attempted to stop his governmental car leaving the site but was dragged away by conference organisers.
Brunetta – often derided for his diminutive stature – later declared that he had been the subject of a ‘media attack’ and a ‘planned ambush’. Protests poured onto the minister’s facebook page as the news and an amateur video of the incident quickly spread throughout the internet.
The plight of the precari in Italy has long been a sticky issue for the government in a country where the posto fisso – stable job – is considered sacred, especially in the public sector. Trade union CGIL states that there are currently some 240,000 temporary work contracts in force in the public sector, including teachers, half of which will be lost by the end of the year as they will not be renewed due to government cuts. Precari (a word which means both ‘temporary’ and ‘in danger of finishing’) have lower salaries, poorer conditions and little hope for a more stable future and are unable to obtain loans even for the purchase of domestic goods, let alone a house mortgage or setting up and maintaining a family, it is said.
During his time as a minister Mr. Brunetta has brought sweeping reforms to the public sector including cutting sick pay, cancelling work incentives and allowing more private sector intervention. In a live TV interview earlier in the week he had said that young people who complain about not being able to find a job should “head to their local fruit market and start unloading crates instead of complaining”! Echoes of Norman Tebbit’s “get on your bike” in Thatcher’s 80s Britain?

The exhibition at the Biblioteca Nazionale, open until 31st July 2011, features a variety of works of art dedicated to the poet including paitings, engravings, sculputures, books etc. all representing Dante during the Ottocento. Throughout the duration of the exhibition there will also be a 7 hour video work Maratona infernale , featuring a contemporary visual representation of Dante’s Inferno.

Biblioteca Nazionale di Firenze
Piazza dei Cavalleggeri, 1 50122 Firenze
tel +39 055 24919 1

exhibition opening times:
Mon – Fri 10-12.30; 15.30-18.00
Sat.: 10-12.30
closed Sundays and holidays
free admission

web site (in Italian)
Dante Alighieri in wikipedia

The most important win of all was in Italy’s business capital Milan, where incumbent Mayor Letizia Moratti was outvoted by left-wing lawyer Giuliano Pisapia (pic. right), the ‘quiet man’ whose understated style and attitude is the complete opposite of Berlusconi’s arrogance, and in the end won him the day. Mr. Pisapia, the anti-Berlusconi, got through with 55% of the votes. Silvio had warned voters that the city would be invaded by “communists, Muslims, gypsies and homosexuals”, a threat to their “freedom”, but the majority had clearly had enough of sex and corruption scandals, cuts in social services, and an ever worsening economic situation to worry about such empty rhetoric.

The same was true in many other cities throughout the country, where the pro-Silvio PdL mayors were ousted by new left wing candidates such as the relative youngster Massimo Zedda (pic. left) in Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital. Major centre-left wins were also registered in Trieste and Pordenone with first round wins already consolidated a fortnight ago in Bologna, Rimini and Lucca. ..and no sign of gypsy camps or minarets yet.

Berlusconi’s main ally Lega Nord also suffered badly and lost votes in many northern strongholds such as Novara, Domodossola and the province of Mantova. Party spokesmen immediately blamed the defeat on a self-centred Silvio.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all came from Italy’s ever troubled city Naples, where Luigi De Magistris (pic. right) came in first with a crushing 65% of the vote over his centre-right Berlusconi-backed opponent. The new mayor, a candidate of the Italia de Valori party, had made it to the second round even without the support of the main opposition Partito Democratico. “Naples has been freed,” he declared. He now faces a huge ‘clean-up’ task in the city, both metaphorically and literally as refuse continues to pile high in the streets.

Opposition spokesman speak boldly of ‘winds of change’ and ‘freedom at last’. Inevitably, many are now calling for Berlusconi’s resignation from government after the local election failures. The PM is of course having none of it, and stated that his defeat would only serve to strengthen his efforts ‘threefold’. Government forces face a further test on June 12th when Italians are asked to vote once more in no less than four national referendums. Although a low quorum is always a risk, especially in the holiday period, although one referendum on the sticky nuclear power question may prompt many to make a special effort, go in to vote and once more defeat the ruling powers.

The beginning of the end of the Berlusconi period is already well underway.