When last we visited our friend Dante, he was describing the poor souls who die "under the wrath of God," as Ciaran Carson wrote in his 2002 translation.
Today we crack open Canto IV, where Virgil is guiding Dante further into inferno, to what he calls the "cieco mondo." Non ci posso credere!
Ruppemi l'alto sonno ne la testa
un greve truono, sì ch'io mi riscossi
come persona ch'è per forza desta;
e l'occhio riposato intorno mossi,
dritto levato, e fiso riguardai
per conoscer lo loco dov' io fossi.
Vero è che 'n su la proda mi trovai
de la valle d'abisso dolorosa
che 'ntrono accoglie d'infiniti guai.
Oscura e profonda era e nebulosa
tanto che, per ficcar lo viso a fondo,
io non vi discernea alcuna cosa.
«Or discendiam qua giù nel cieco mondo»,
cominciò il poeta tutto smorto.
«Io sarò primo, e tu sarai secondo».
Dante's Inferno, Canto IV, 1-15
If you need to see where we left off, go to the post I wrote on Jan. 12.
Grazie per averci seguito!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Top 5 Italian Rock Songs
My friend Laura said the Jovanotti concert in New York last week was great and it got me thinking......
Top 5 Italian rock songs (in random order):
"Inno Nazionale" -- Luca Carboni
"Spirito" -- Litfiba
"Ragazzo Fortunato" -- Jovanotti
"La Canzone del Sole" -- Lucio Battisti
"America" -- Gianna Nannini
Si? No? Fatevi sentire.
You could also easily make the argument that it's "Certe notti" by Ligabue.
Or "Hai un momento, Dio?" (Also by Ligabue)
Maybe one more by Ligabue: I love "Urlando control il cielo."
Italian rock is an acquired taste, but once acquired, it's shot through with memories of the days you've spent in Il Bel Paese.
-30-
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Conversazione in Atlanta @ Emory
Un po' di novità da queste parti.
Ho cominciato a fare un corso d'italiano che si punta totalmente su conversazione.
Il corso si fa a Emory University qui ad Atlanta, e si incontra sabato mattina.
Parliamo di cinema, di libri e di tante altre cose. (Si fa anche un po' di grammatica; ora si sta ripassando il passato remoto. Aiuto!)
E' bello!
Tutti gli altri studenti sono come me -- appassionati della lingua italiana.
C'è una cantante di lirica fra gli studenti, e un professore di lingue.
Poi c'è la maestra: Antonella. Lei è di Roma, ed è molto brava! Molto simpatica, alla mano, sempre pronta a sorridere.
Per mantenere una padronanza della lingua, ho bisogno sempre di practica, e questo corso me la da.
O ragazzi, posso cambiare casa 6 volte nel giro di 12 anni. Posso accettare che mi sto invecchiando. Posso anche, per quanto mi pare, stare senza lavoro.
Ma non posso mai abbandonare lo studio d'italiano!
Interested? Go here:
http://cll.emory.edu/eate/index.cfm
Ho cominciato a fare un corso d'italiano che si punta totalmente su conversazione.
Il corso si fa a Emory University qui ad Atlanta, e si incontra sabato mattina.
Parliamo di cinema, di libri e di tante altre cose. (Si fa anche un po' di grammatica; ora si sta ripassando il passato remoto. Aiuto!)
E' bello!
Tutti gli altri studenti sono come me -- appassionati della lingua italiana.
C'è una cantante di lirica fra gli studenti, e un professore di lingue.
Poi c'è la maestra: Antonella. Lei è di Roma, ed è molto brava! Molto simpatica, alla mano, sempre pronta a sorridere.
Per mantenere una padronanza della lingua, ho bisogno sempre di practica, e questo corso me la da.
O ragazzi, posso cambiare casa 6 volte nel giro di 12 anni. Posso accettare che mi sto invecchiando. Posso anche, per quanto mi pare, stare senza lavoro.
Ma non posso mai abbandonare lo studio d'italiano!
Interested? Go here:
http://cll.emory.edu/eate/index.cfm
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
L'Anno del Futurismo
If you read the blog for any length of time, you may know that my favorite movement in Italian art is Futurismo, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
In fact, the original text that launched the political philosophy, of which the art movement was a part, was published on this day in 1909 in Le Figaro.
Some of the key figures in the art movement that was part of Futurismo are painters Umberto Boccioni, Giacomo Balla and Carlo Carrà.
Cultural groups across Italy have already begun marking the occasion with exhibits and other activities.
Milan, the city where Futurismo was born, is taking the lead with a number of key exhibits, including one at the Palazzo Reale called "Futurismo 1909-2009 Velocità + Arte + Azione."
The exhibit will include 400 paintings, drawings, photos and works of sculpture, among other objects. There will also be another exhibit called "Futurismo 100: Simultaneità," at Palazzo Reale that launches in October.
There's also an exhibit at Palazzo delle Stelline about Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, the thinker behind the movement which was concerned primarily with modernity, speed and industrialism.
If you plan to be in Milan, definitely take part. If nothing else, you could wander over to the Pinacoteca di Brera, which has as part of its permanent collection some of Boccioni's masterpieces.
Can't go to Milan? Well the Museum of Modern Art in New York owns several key Boccioni sculptures as well as other Futurist works.
In fact, the original text that launched the political philosophy, of which the art movement was a part, was published on this day in 1909 in Le Figaro.
Some of the key figures in the art movement that was part of Futurismo are painters Umberto Boccioni, Giacomo Balla and Carlo Carrà.
Cultural groups across Italy have already begun marking the occasion with exhibits and other activities.
Milan, the city where Futurismo was born, is taking the lead with a number of key exhibits, including one at the Palazzo Reale called "Futurismo 1909-2009 Velocità + Arte + Azione."
The exhibit will include 400 paintings, drawings, photos and works of sculpture, among other objects. There will also be another exhibit called "Futurismo 100: Simultaneità," at Palazzo Reale that launches in October.
There's also an exhibit at Palazzo delle Stelline about Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, the thinker behind the movement which was concerned primarily with modernity, speed and industrialism.
If you plan to be in Milan, definitely take part. If nothing else, you could wander over to the Pinacoteca di Brera, which has as part of its permanent collection some of Boccioni's masterpieces.
Can't go to Milan? Well the Museum of Modern Art in New York owns several key Boccioni sculptures as well as other Futurist works.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Berlusconi and the "Scomparsa Dei Fatti"
I'm posting a story about a lawyer who was found guilty in Italy this week of taking a bribe in exchange for giving false testimony in a trial against Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The story appeared in yesterday's New York Times; I was not going to post the story here because it just seems like more of the same.
But then my friend Ilaria forwarded me an email from Italy with the subject line: "La Scomparsa dei Fatti" ("The Disappearance of the Facts"), which says that stories about the conviction were conspicuously absent from news broadcasts and newspapers in Italy, where Berlusconi controls much of the media.
So here's the story out in the light where it belongs.
Italy Finds Lawyer Guilty of Taking a Bribe in Exchange for Protecting the Premier
By RACHEL DONADIO
Published: February 18, 2009
David Mills was found guilty of taking $600,000 to provide false testimony in two trials involving Italy’s prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi.
>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/world/europe/18italy.html
The story appeared in yesterday's New York Times; I was not going to post the story here because it just seems like more of the same.
But then my friend Ilaria forwarded me an email from Italy with the subject line: "La Scomparsa dei Fatti" ("The Disappearance of the Facts"), which says that stories about the conviction were conspicuously absent from news broadcasts and newspapers in Italy, where Berlusconi controls much of the media.
So here's the story out in the light where it belongs.
Italy Finds Lawyer Guilty of Taking a Bribe in Exchange for Protecting the Premier
By RACHEL DONADIO
Published: February 18, 2009
David Mills was found guilty of taking $600,000 to provide false testimony in two trials involving Italy’s prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi.
>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/world/europe/18italy.html
"Gomorra" in Atlanta starting March 13
Good news!
"Gomorra," the film based on Roberto Saviano's bestselling book by the same name, comes to the Landmark Theater in Atlanta on Fri., March 13, and will run for a week.
I've written a few times here about the book and the movie, which opened last week in New York and Los Angeles. And the movie has now been reviewed in quite a few places in the U.S. (I provided a link to the review in the New York Times last week).
All of the reviews have been positive -- I think American reviewers are just so stunned by what they see. I think Ciambellina will be a bit stunned by what she sees even though she's read the book. That's because I think violence is even more unbearable to watch on-screen when you know it's true.
What happens in "Gomorra" really happens in some of the neighborhoods of Naples and Caserta.
Anyway, here's a link to a review of "Gomorra" in The New Yorker:
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2009/02/23/090223crci_cinema_lane
I'm so glad the film is coming to Atlanta! I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of Italian films in Atlanta.
Ci vediamo al cinema!
"Gomorra," the film based on Roberto Saviano's bestselling book by the same name, comes to the Landmark Theater in Atlanta on Fri., March 13, and will run for a week.
I've written a few times here about the book and the movie, which opened last week in New York and Los Angeles. And the movie has now been reviewed in quite a few places in the U.S. (I provided a link to the review in the New York Times last week).
All of the reviews have been positive -- I think American reviewers are just so stunned by what they see. I think Ciambellina will be a bit stunned by what she sees even though she's read the book. That's because I think violence is even more unbearable to watch on-screen when you know it's true.
What happens in "Gomorra" really happens in some of the neighborhoods of Naples and Caserta.
Anyway, here's a link to a review of "Gomorra" in The New Yorker:
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2009/02/23/090223crci_cinema_lane
I'm so glad the film is coming to Atlanta! I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of Italian films in Atlanta.
Ci vediamo al cinema!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Jovanotti @ New York
UPDATE: I know a lucky bastard who lives in New York and is attending the Jovanotti show tonight: my friend Laura! So maybe Laura will be able to share her impressions of the concert with Ciambellina readers. Divertiti cara amica! I hope he plays "Ragazzo Fortunato" -- my favorite Jovanotti song.
Italian rapper/singer/DJ Jovanotti is in New York this week!
You lucky bastards who live in New York can see him play tonight! Italian students at NYU will get a chance to hear his thoughts later in the week.
Here's an excerpt from Jovanotti's blog (http://www.soleluna.com/), with details about his stops in and around the city:
JOVA DJ-18 febbraio ore 20-CONCERTO all'HIGHLINE BALLROOM (in chelsea).Il concerto nel locale più "cool" della città è sold out ma in genere a New York un'ora prima dello show mettono fuori qualche biglietto.
19 febbraio-Ore 17.00-ISTUTUTO ITALIANO DI CULTURA (park avenue-uptown manhattan). Lorenzo e il giornalista Pier Negri parleranno di New York e di quello che questa città rappresenta per due del 66 cresciuti a pane e musica. Una bella chiacchierata aperta al pubblico (pochi posti disponibili,al massimo 200 quindi datevi una regolata se siete in città)
19 febbraio ore 20.00-CONCERTO a LE POISSON ROUGE (bleecker street-east village manhattan).Il secondo show a grande richiesta in un locale bellissimo e storico per il rock e la musica nuova (sold out ma vale il discorso del concerto precedente).
20 febbraio ore 18-NEW YORK UNIVERSITY-Lorenzo parlerà agli studenti dell'NYU interessati alla cultura italiana e alla scena pop in generale. Mostrerà i suoi video e parlerà con il Professore e Giornalista Antonio Monda (La Repubblica) della sua storia,del suo rapporto con l'immagine ecc. (ci saranno gli studenti di cinema). L'incontro è aperto anche a quelli che non sono studenti all'NYU ma che hanno piacere di esserci.
Italian rapper/singer/DJ Jovanotti is in New York this week!
You lucky bastards who live in New York can see him play tonight! Italian students at NYU will get a chance to hear his thoughts later in the week.
Here's an excerpt from Jovanotti's blog (http://www.soleluna.com/), with details about his stops in and around the city:
JOVA DJ-18 febbraio ore 20-CONCERTO all'HIGHLINE BALLROOM (in chelsea).Il concerto nel locale più "cool" della città è sold out ma in genere a New York un'ora prima dello show mettono fuori qualche biglietto.
19 febbraio-Ore 17.00-ISTUTUTO ITALIANO DI CULTURA (park avenue-uptown manhattan). Lorenzo e il giornalista Pier Negri parleranno di New York e di quello che questa città rappresenta per due del 66 cresciuti a pane e musica. Una bella chiacchierata aperta al pubblico (pochi posti disponibili,al massimo 200 quindi datevi una regolata se siete in città)
19 febbraio ore 20.00-CONCERTO a LE POISSON ROUGE (bleecker street-east village manhattan).Il secondo show a grande richiesta in un locale bellissimo e storico per il rock e la musica nuova (sold out ma vale il discorso del concerto precedente).
20 febbraio ore 18-NEW YORK UNIVERSITY-Lorenzo parlerà agli studenti dell'NYU interessati alla cultura italiana e alla scena pop in generale. Mostrerà i suoi video e parlerà con il Professore e Giornalista Antonio Monda (La Repubblica) della sua storia,del suo rapporto con l'immagine ecc. (ci saranno gli studenti di cinema). L'incontro è aperto anche a quelli che non sono studenti all'NYU ma che hanno piacere di esserci.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Regali! (gifts)
I nostri amici Jen e Mike sono venuti a trovarci durante il fine settimana e guardate un po' quello che ci ha regalato.
Due confezioni di Guglielmo caffe e una confezione di biscotti! (Sentite un po' il nome: 'ciambelle.' Il regalo perfetto per Ciambellina!)
Ci sono alcune cose al mondo che appena le vedo o le gusto o le sento, mi danno la sensazione di essere in Italia, anche se ci sto lontana ~3,000 kilometri.
E biscotti italiani, come quelli delle marche comuni tipo Balocco o Mulino Bianco, fanno parte di quel bel gruppetto di cosettine molto amate da me, le quali sono in effetti ricordini della mia vita italiana.
Appena ho inzuppato questi biscotti nella tazza di caffelatte, mi sono ritrovata di nuovo nella cucina dell'appartamento in Via dei Serragli a Firenze.
In quel periodo ero appena arrivata a Firenze, dopo un soggiorno sonnolente e pacifico in un piccolo paese vicino a Pisa. Cercavo un lavoro, e tentavo di inserirmi nei ritmi di Firenze, una città che non è sempre accogliente agli stranieri -- almeno non subito.
Il caffelatte preparato a casa ed i biscotti che abbinavo con esso mi coccolavano, mi sostenevano, mi davano appoggio.
Paradiso -- ritrovato.
Grazie cari amici!
Friday, February 13, 2009
NYT review of "Gomorra"
The book, a subject of several Ciambellina posts, is a from-the-ground-up look at the Camorra, the mob based in Naples, which as the title of the NYT article suggests, is lesser known than Sicily's Mafia -- but just as ferocious.
The article picks up on something Saviano himself said in an interview with NPR. Saviano thinks the film will be eye-opening to Americans, who see Italy as a fun vacation spot, not a country gripped in parts by organized crime syndicates that have devastated local economies.
Last but not least, it looks like my favorite independent theater in Atlanta will soon be showing "Gomorra." Stay tuned and enjoy the article!
Lesser-Known Mobsters, as Brutal as the Old Ones
By MANOHLA DARGIS
Published: February 13, 2009
http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/movies/13gomo.html
Sunday, February 08, 2009
NYT story on "Gomorra" director
The film adaptation of the Italian book "Gomorra," which I've written about here, finally comes out in New York and Los Angeles this week. When the film will come to Atlanta, non lo so, but hopefully soon.
The New York Times has a story today about the film's director Matteo Garrone.
Living Where Crime Conquers All
By RACHEL DONADIO
Published: February 8, 2009
“Gomorrah” is an Italian look at how a criminal organization penetrates a culture.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/movies/08dona.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
Addendum
"Gomorrah" is receiving a lot of press in America as its release here nears. After the Times' story was published, NPR ran a story on the film, and the author of the book, Roberto Saviano, said something that I found interesting.
"I hope this movie will finally show people the ferocious face of Italy, which is the face that really runs things," Saviano says. "I think many American moviegoers will be surprised."
I think that's a brilliant statement. America often only sees the fun, the pasta, the coffee, the gondolas. But Italy's a real country with real problems.
The New York Times has a story today about the film's director Matteo Garrone.
Living Where Crime Conquers All
By RACHEL DONADIO
Published: February 8, 2009
“Gomorrah” is an Italian look at how a criminal organization penetrates a culture.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/movies/08dona.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
Addendum
"Gomorrah" is receiving a lot of press in America as its release here nears. After the Times' story was published, NPR ran a story on the film, and the author of the book, Roberto Saviano, said something that I found interesting.
"I hope this movie will finally show people the ferocious face of Italy, which is the face that really runs things," Saviano says. "I think many American moviegoers will be surprised."
I think that's a brilliant statement. America often only sees the fun, the pasta, the coffee, the gondolas. But Italy's a real country with real problems.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Tempo bello = giro in Alfa
Faceva bel tempo qui ad Atlanta domenica, e quindi ci toccava andare per un giro in macchina. Per intenderci, un giro con l'Alfa Romeo. Nella foto di sopra, stiamo davanti ad un locale storico qui ad Atlanta. Si chiama Manuel's Tavern, ed è il locale più ricercato dai politici, i giornalisti ed altra gente che gli vuole stare vicino.
Ho scattato la foto quassù mentre giravamo per un rione della città che si chiama Cabbagetown (letteralmente 'paese dei cavoli'). In fondo alla strada si vede un vecchio mulino; dal 1886 al 1892 la direzione del mulino ha costruito le case che ci stanno intorno per gli operai.
Ci siamo fermati brevemente davanti ad una pizzeria dal nome Fritti. Vedete? Qui da noi c'è una passione folle per il cibo italiano.
Di nuovo a Cabbagetown, davanti ad un bar che si chiama Carroll Street Cafe.
Questa foto l'ho scattata prima di entrare in una galleria che è totalmente avvolta in murali dei graffiti, e la quale è una destinazione per gli artisti dei graffiti.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
What we're eating these days
Pizza fatta in casa. (Una specie di pizza bianca, diciamo.)
Le fettuccine alla carbonara. (Mancavano gli spaghetti in casa.)
Insalata di rucola --- sempre. SEMPRE!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Regalo
Forse leggendo questo blog pensate che Il Nostro Inviato sia l'unico a fare i regali.
Ma anche a me piace trovare i regali speciali, soprattutto per Il Nostro Inviato.
E allora che cos'è nella foto?
Le risposte sono due.
A dir il vero, forse non so la parola giusta. Ma credo che sia una lanterna, oppure portacandela, che si può appendere da qualche parte, forse in veranda.
Ma prima era un contenitore di olio di ulivo che fu riciclato. (Si può ancora vedere il numero della linea verde sul contenitore).
Bello, no?
L'ho comprato presso un negozio qui ad Atlanta che vende prodotti artigianali creati dalla gente indigena di India, Africa e Sud America. Si vendono i gioielli, la ceramica, il sapone artigianale, i tappeti ed altri oggetti per la casa.
Il negozio fa parte di una catena fondata da un setto religioso senza scopo di lucro. Quindi i prezzi sono bassissimi! E gli oggetti in vendita davvero unici.
Il negozio ci chiama 10,000 Villages. Potete visitarlo qui:
http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/index.php
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Un testimone italiano a Washington ieri
Ve l'ho detto qualche mese fa che avevo incontrato un ragazzo italiano qui ad Atlanta il quale era venuto in USA per dedicarsi alla campagna elettorale di Barack Obama.
Questo ragazzo, Simone, ieri era a Washington. Il seguente è un messaggio che lui ha mandato agli amici stamani:
"Clima incredibilmente gioioso, ieri, nella Mall (tutta la zona dell'Inaugurazione, dalla Capitol Hill alla Casa Bianca).
"Siamo arrivati verso le 8,00, a piedi dalla nostra abitazione (circa 3 km a est). La gente stava arrivando già dalle 4 del mattino. Temperatura GELIDA. I commenti più belli sono stati all' eleganza di Michelle Obama...
"Ottima postazione per la Parata, partirà proprio nella strada di fronte a noi. Più che felicità, qui si avverte un clima di Giubilio!
"Tutti i miei amici qui hanno guardato rapiti e commossi gli schermi...queste procedure avvengono fin dal 1877, ma mi dicono sia sempre emozionante. E' uno 'show' che catalizza le menti e rapisce i cuori!
"L'aria della rinascita è tangibile - almeno viste le attese-vedo persone intorno a me che si commuovono.
"'Umiltà e Responsabilità' per un mondo prosperoso e in pace...questo l' augurio generale.
"Tutti in piedi per il Giuramento del vice-Presidente Biden e del Presidente Obama. Piccola gaff durante il Giuramento alla Nazione (l'emozione era tangibile).
"I commenti alle parole del Presidente Obama sono stati di umiltà e perfetta cognizione del nostro tempo. Opportunità per tutti e maggiore prosperità per la Nazione.
"L'America sarà vicina a tutte le Nazioni del Mondo. Le speranze e le aspettative sono altissime, tutti hanno apprezzato le parole del nuovo Presidente. La sicurezza è massima, qui intorno. Migliaia di poliziotti e di militari dell'esercito pattugliano la zona.
"Il 'cambiamento' si avverte anche dal viso delle persone, c'è finalmente speranza, un sentimento che è contagioso.
"Dopo la parata sono iniziati i Balls, le feste dove il Presidente e sua moglie si sono recati per fare un saluto ed un breve ballo.
"Ho avuto la possibilità di partecipare al Youth Ball, con i miei amici di Atlanta...è stata una festa bellissima!"
Questo ragazzo, Simone, ieri era a Washington. Il seguente è un messaggio che lui ha mandato agli amici stamani:
"Clima incredibilmente gioioso, ieri, nella Mall (tutta la zona dell'Inaugurazione, dalla Capitol Hill alla Casa Bianca).
"Siamo arrivati verso le 8,00, a piedi dalla nostra abitazione (circa 3 km a est). La gente stava arrivando già dalle 4 del mattino. Temperatura GELIDA. I commenti più belli sono stati all' eleganza di Michelle Obama...
"Ottima postazione per la Parata, partirà proprio nella strada di fronte a noi. Più che felicità, qui si avverte un clima di Giubilio!
"Tutti i miei amici qui hanno guardato rapiti e commossi gli schermi...queste procedure avvengono fin dal 1877, ma mi dicono sia sempre emozionante. E' uno 'show' che catalizza le menti e rapisce i cuori!
"L'aria della rinascita è tangibile - almeno viste le attese-vedo persone intorno a me che si commuovono.
"'Umiltà e Responsabilità' per un mondo prosperoso e in pace...questo l' augurio generale.
"Tutti in piedi per il Giuramento del vice-Presidente Biden e del Presidente Obama. Piccola gaff durante il Giuramento alla Nazione (l'emozione era tangibile).
"I commenti alle parole del Presidente Obama sono stati di umiltà e perfetta cognizione del nostro tempo. Opportunità per tutti e maggiore prosperità per la Nazione.
"L'America sarà vicina a tutte le Nazioni del Mondo. Le speranze e le aspettative sono altissime, tutti hanno apprezzato le parole del nuovo Presidente. La sicurezza è massima, qui intorno. Migliaia di poliziotti e di militari dell'esercito pattugliano la zona.
"Il 'cambiamento' si avverte anche dal viso delle persone, c'è finalmente speranza, un sentimento che è contagioso.
"Dopo la parata sono iniziati i Balls, le feste dove il Presidente e sua moglie si sono recati per fare un saluto ed un breve ballo.
"Ho avuto la possibilità di partecipare al Youth Ball, con i miei amici di Atlanta...è stata una festa bellissima!"
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Resolution: Study Italian, secondo tempo
Buongiorno cari amici!
Yesterday I suggested one way to improve your Italian language skills, possibly as part of New Year's resolutions, and today I'm here with a second option.
The New Paltz Language Immersion Institute.
The university offers two possibilities: you can go to the New Paltz campus (north of New York City) for a weekend or more for an intense, target-language only course.
Or you can go to New York City for the weekend, and take a three-day course at a hotel in Midtown.
I took the hotel course, but since I'm a bit furba (o tirchia, vedi un po' te), I stayed with friends and family in the evening to save myself the cost of a hotel room. (The university holds the program at a hotel to make the multiple-day course convenient for people from outside New York).
And no, I actually did not take Italian. Ho studiato lo spagnolo! But as a result, I can wholly recommend the program.
I was in a group of six students, including an American filmmaker who had spent a lot of time working in Buenos Aires, and a woman who had received her Ph.D in Spanish years ago but wanted to brush up before a trip to Spain.
These people were serious! And so was I.
I hate foreign language courses that are not intense, particularly ones claiming to be 'full immersion,' and I don't want to be bothered with anyone who has not come to speak the target language. English? No thanks. I can speak that any time of the day or night!
Our teacher was a Bolivian man di una certa età who had a mischievous sparkle in his eye. We studied Spanish Friday evening, all day Saturday (including a jaunt to a local Mexican restaurant for lunch) and most of Sunday.
Arriving Friday night, I found a pleasant buzz of organized chaos and industriousness, as dozens of students converged to spend a weekend cloistered in the hotel and immersed in the study of Italian, Spanish, German, French and other languages.
For more information, go here:
http://www.newpaltz.edu/lii/
E buon studio!
Yesterday I suggested one way to improve your Italian language skills, possibly as part of New Year's resolutions, and today I'm here with a second option.
The New Paltz Language Immersion Institute.
The university offers two possibilities: you can go to the New Paltz campus (north of New York City) for a weekend or more for an intense, target-language only course.
Or you can go to New York City for the weekend, and take a three-day course at a hotel in Midtown.
I took the hotel course, but since I'm a bit furba (o tirchia, vedi un po' te), I stayed with friends and family in the evening to save myself the cost of a hotel room. (The university holds the program at a hotel to make the multiple-day course convenient for people from outside New York).
And no, I actually did not take Italian. Ho studiato lo spagnolo! But as a result, I can wholly recommend the program.
I was in a group of six students, including an American filmmaker who had spent a lot of time working in Buenos Aires, and a woman who had received her Ph.D in Spanish years ago but wanted to brush up before a trip to Spain.
These people were serious! And so was I.
I hate foreign language courses that are not intense, particularly ones claiming to be 'full immersion,' and I don't want to be bothered with anyone who has not come to speak the target language. English? No thanks. I can speak that any time of the day or night!
Our teacher was a Bolivian man di una certa età who had a mischievous sparkle in his eye. We studied Spanish Friday evening, all day Saturday (including a jaunt to a local Mexican restaurant for lunch) and most of Sunday.
Arriving Friday night, I found a pleasant buzz of organized chaos and industriousness, as dozens of students converged to spend a weekend cloistered in the hotel and immersed in the study of Italian, Spanish, German, French and other languages.
For more information, go here:
http://www.newpaltz.edu/lii/
E buon studio!
Friday, January 16, 2009
New Year's resolutions: study Italian!
Maybe you don't even have a New Year's resolution. But maybe you do. Or just maybe I can convince you that your New Year's resolution should be to speak Italian fluently!It's a good resolution for any number of reasons.
Knowing a language fluently gains you entree into its canon of literature, and I always find that alone allows me to escape my regular life. Feeling a little stressed, Ciambellina? Oh just curl up on the couch and read a little Italian.
(And just between us, by canon of literature I mean anything from the women's magazine Grazia to Dante's Divine Comedy, per intenderci.)
But whatever you're reading, I have two suggestions for where to invest a bit of money if you want to improve your Italian.
First, buy a subscription to Acquerello Italiano. (Editor's note/UPDATE: now defunct, sadly. It was a wonderful audio magazine. Partial substitute: https://www.raiplaysound.it/programmi/fahrenheit).
It's essentially a bi-monthly radio program in Italian that touches on politics, history, art and, of course, language. It reminds me of such National Public Radio shows in America as Fresh Air or All Things Considered.
I bought the subscription for Il Nostro Inviato a few years back, and bought myself a subscription to Puerta del Sol, the Spanish-language program.
You'll receive a CD in the mail every other month. One episode featured an interview with a Roman bread-maker, while another covered the re-election of Silvio Berlusconi. The program has also touched on little-known artists such as Renaissance painter Artemisia Gentileschi, and famous pop singers like Eros Ramazzotti.
Avviso: the audiomagazine is not for the novice because the entire CD is in Italian, and the show moves along at a pretty fast pace. I don't think it's the same speed as say the nightly TG1 but you need to have some fluency.
But it's fun! You can listen to the CDs in the car -- that's what I did -- or put them on at home while you clean or cook.
A Nashville, Tenn. company called Champs Elysees produces the programs (it also sells French and German programs). Go here if you're interested: http://www.champs-elysees.com/
I'll tell you about the second option tomorrow.
Nelfrattempo buon studio!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Il caffè che fa centro!
Lavazza. It's probably the most famous brand of Italian coffee, and one of the most recognizable Italian brands. Or how about Illy? Some say it's the best coffee you can buy in Italy.
Well, these days I'm not drinking either of those famous brands. I'm drinking Guglielmo coffee. You know, il caffè che fa centro! (which means, the coffee that hits the spot).
Il Nostro Inviato bought it in Calabria last month, and it reminds me of Quarta caffe, the brand we drank when we were in Puglia (yes, I'm talking about Puglia again!). It's dark, like all espresso, but I think it's stronger than Lavazza and the other more well-known brands.
When we first opened it last week, Il Nostro Inviato said, "Oh it's so strong!"
And Ciambellina, che sa tutto, said, "No, it's just because we've just opened the package. Espresso always seems stronger when you first open the vacuum-sealed package."
Okay, I was wrong. (O l'ho detto!) Guglielmo is stronger! And it's great!
It's just one more fantastic culinary item enjoyed in southern Italy. (For those of you keeping track, that list includes taralli, Primitivo, Negroamaro, Aglianico, burrata and mozzarella di bufala, and sea urchin).
Guglielmo has just relaunched its American Web site, and it looks like at the very least the coffee is distributed in Massachusetts (where its American operations are based in Waltham), New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois. So if you live in any of those places, look out for Guglielmo.
If not, take a look at the Web site:
http://www.lespressousa.com/index.php
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Botromagno Primitivo 2005
The 2005 Botromagno Primitivo is a great every-day wine.
Don't believe me? Well Gary V. of The Wine Library (yes, my favorite place to buy wine) says it's "the best house wine ever."
Gary V. is promoting it today for $12.99 a bottle.
"
The wine lover and rabid New York Jets fan says, "I really believe this is one of the best everyday wines I have come across in a long, long time. Primitivo is such an exciting grape for the money and all you Zinfandel fans need to pay attention and make sure you grab a case to have around the house!
Yes: he said Zinfandel. That's because the Primitivo and Zinfandel grapes are clones of the same variety. Hard to believe if you've ever suffered through some of the insipid white Zins favored by the ladies who lunch.
I've written quite a bit about Primitivo since my trip to Puglia last year. That's because in addition to being a great wine, and one I enjoyed in its original, beautiful home, it's much more affordable than a lot of the other Italian wines we can get our hands on here in the States.
And it always reminds me of what my friend Richard said about Chianti when I rented his apartment in Florence for a semester.
"That's the great hoax."
I don't mean to say I don't like Chianti, and I understand some will interpret his remark as blasphemy. But there are many other Italian wines that are really much better.
I've also pushed The Wine Library. Why? Lots of reasons -- including great prices, and a knowledgeable sales staff who don't push you into spending more than you want.
And the store and mini online empire is fronted by a person whom I would like to think is the new face of wine-drinking in America. Gary Vaynerchuk.
Just imagine: your classic American story -- son of a Russian immigrant makes good --combined with your classic New York guy. Not only is he a Jets fan, he's pronouncing the 'r' in coffee like you should.
And he makes these wacky videos about wine for the store's Wine Library TV. So you've got your classic New York wise guy extolling the virtues of a cab franc but sounding more like 'My Cousin Vinny' than some snobby, off-putting wine expert.
This is the way wine is in the rest of the world! Some people cite Robert Parker. I think I'll just cite Gary V.
One of the greatest things I ever witnessed occurred at my birthday party the year I lived in Richard's apartment, which was at the top of a medieval tower in the center of Florence.
At the party was a Florentine nobleman, who was a friend of my roommate, and an Italian friend who was a commercial truck driver. And they lost themselves in deep conversation about wine. They may have come from different walks of life but they shared a love of wine.
And afterwards, the nobleman, whose family's real estate holdings included vineyards that had been in the family for centuries, said he had never met anyone who knew as much about wine as the truck driver.
So check Gary out here: http://winelibrary.com
and here: http://garyvaynerchuk.com
Oh and have some Primitivo! Cin-Cin!
Don't believe me? Well Gary V. of The Wine Library (yes, my favorite place to buy wine) says it's "the best house wine ever."
Gary V. is promoting it today for $12.99 a bottle.
"
The wine lover and rabid New York Jets fan says, "I really believe this is one of the best everyday wines I have come across in a long, long time. Primitivo is such an exciting grape for the money and all you Zinfandel fans need to pay attention and make sure you grab a case to have around the house!
Yes: he said Zinfandel. That's because the Primitivo and Zinfandel grapes are clones of the same variety. Hard to believe if you've ever suffered through some of the insipid white Zins favored by the ladies who lunch.
I've written quite a bit about Primitivo since my trip to Puglia last year. That's because in addition to being a great wine, and one I enjoyed in its original, beautiful home, it's much more affordable than a lot of the other Italian wines we can get our hands on here in the States.
And it always reminds me of what my friend Richard said about Chianti when I rented his apartment in Florence for a semester.
"That's the great hoax."
I don't mean to say I don't like Chianti, and I understand some will interpret his remark as blasphemy. But there are many other Italian wines that are really much better.
I've also pushed The Wine Library. Why? Lots of reasons -- including great prices, and a knowledgeable sales staff who don't push you into spending more than you want.
And the store and mini online empire is fronted by a person whom I would like to think is the new face of wine-drinking in America. Gary Vaynerchuk.
Just imagine: your classic American story -- son of a Russian immigrant makes good --combined with your classic New York guy. Not only is he a Jets fan, he's pronouncing the 'r' in coffee like you should.
And he makes these wacky videos about wine for the store's Wine Library TV. So you've got your classic New York wise guy extolling the virtues of a cab franc but sounding more like 'My Cousin Vinny' than some snobby, off-putting wine expert.
This is the way wine is in the rest of the world! Some people cite Robert Parker. I think I'll just cite Gary V.
One of the greatest things I ever witnessed occurred at my birthday party the year I lived in Richard's apartment, which was at the top of a medieval tower in the center of Florence.
At the party was a Florentine nobleman, who was a friend of my roommate, and an Italian friend who was a commercial truck driver. And they lost themselves in deep conversation about wine. They may have come from different walks of life but they shared a love of wine.
And afterwards, the nobleman, whose family's real estate holdings included vineyards that had been in the family for centuries, said he had never met anyone who knew as much about wine as the truck driver.
So check Gary out here: http://winelibrary.com
and here: http://garyvaynerchuk.com
Oh and have some Primitivo! Cin-Cin!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)