News from the Consulate
News from Italy & Book Review
NEWS
from Italy
Italian translation on page 08
Silvio Berlusconi, who served three terms as Premier of
Italy, has been sentenced to three years in jail for bribing
a senator. The media tycoon will not go to prison because
a Statute of Limitations comes into effect before an
appeal can be held. A Naples court found him guilty for
bribery as part of a plot to undermine the government in
2006. The bribe helped collapse the Prodi government
in 2008 and paved the way for Berlusconi’s Forza Italia
center-right party to win the resulting election. The
payoff was given to an intermediary of the senator (Sen.
Sergio DeGregorio) who admitted taking the money in
order to weaken the fragile coalition of Premier Prodi.
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Pope Francis’ recent 8 day, 3 nation tour of South America
emphasized the plight of the poor. Visiting Ecuador, Bolivia
and Paraguay, the pontiff called on the church to return to
being a missionary church that particularly looks out for
society’s poorest. A native of Argentina, Francis called on
Catholics to be “builders of unity” and spread the faith.
Latin America has 40% of the world’s Catholics, but the
church is losing numbers to ministries who are focusing on
the poorest with guidance in employment and education.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - An overhaul of Italy’s education system is underway. The
measure in a lower house approval and victory for Prime
Minister Matteo Renzi modernizes a school system bogged
down by a highly unionized and poorly funded program.
For years, the Bank of Italy and others claimed the schools
did not prepare children for the modern labor market.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - The Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development reported Italy’s youth unemployment
for 2014 was 42.7%, nearly a 3% increase from
2013 and more than double the rate in 2007. More
than one in four people age 29 or younger, is neither
employed nor in school. The OECD aims to improve
the nation’s long term growth and prospects.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - Italy’s Civil Protective Agency is chopping down olive
trees in an effort to fight off a bacteria strain that is
killing trees in the southern part of the country. The
strain first appeared in 2013 and threatens citrus fruits
and vineyards along its pathway. The disease causes trees
to wither away. Most recent cut-downs are in the Oria
area. The government claims they have reduced the
bacteria presence by 90%. Complaining farmers assert
cutting down trees is not the way to stop the disease.
They charge the governments’ tests are not complete.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - Many of Italy’s opera houses and theaters are unused
and rundown because of the nation’s economic problems.
A group of European singers have banded together in
a fundraising campaign to get some of these houses up
and running again. Umbrian citizens of Bevagna
have donated monies to relaunch the Torti opera
house which was originally a palazzo in the 1100s. In
recent years, local school children used the venue for
dance performances. Susanna Ohtonen, a Finnish
soprano, has launched the “Adopt a Theatre” campaign
to restore life to country opera houses. Three new
operas will be performed in the Torti opera house.
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - Football coach Antonio Conte is among the 104 people
accused of match-fixing in soccer games. He coached a
Siena team during the 2010-2011 seasons. Also
implicated is Udinese coach Stefano Colantuono.
Arrests have been made in connection with 31
matches, mostly in the lower professional leagues.
Calendar of Events in Ohio
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- - - - - - - - - - - - A nesting flock of 220 flamingos arrived at the Saline
di Priolo nature reserve last spring, and 36 newborn
chicks have hatched. Flamingos are common across
Africa, southern Europe and southern Asia, but this is
the first documented time the birds have bred in Sicily.
It’s welcome news to Lipu, the Italian Ornithological
Association. The Saline di Priolo maintains a strip of land
that safeguards 216 different species of birds. Visitors
come to enjoy the flamingos wading and trawling for food.
Recipes and Traditions from Coast to Coast
late 1800s. Accompanying these fascinating facts and stories are colorful and intriguing
illustrations and photographs. Bellman surely succeeds in enticing readers to visit the Little Italy
neighborhoods across the country. As the dedication
in her book reads,”…to all of the grandfathers and
great grandfathers that had the courage to immigrate
to the United States under conditions that were less
than perfect to seek a more secure life for their
families. We are all indebted to them.” Indeed.
Jennifer Spitalieri,
contributing writer
2
How Strange to Be Named Federico
Aug. 21, 2015, 7 p.m. &
Aug. 23, 2015, 1:30 p.m.
Cleveland Museum of Art
“How Strange to Be Named
Federico,”
Italy,
2013
Cleveland premiere. Directed
by Ettore Scola. Veteran Italian
director Ettore Scola (“La Nuit de
Varennes,” “A Special Day”) pays
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“
America’s
Little
Italys:
k
o
o
B view:
”
Re
Author Sheryll Bellman has created the perfect
compilation of the USA’s hottest and most fascinating Little Italy
neighborhoods. From the East Coast to the West Coast, Bellman introduces the
reader to the rich histories of the communities; from the Italian American immigration
experience to modern day events. She includes coveted family recipes from some of the
best Italian restaurants and specialty shops in the nation. A timeline of events introduces
the reader to notable times in history when Italians cha