Welcome to La Gazzetta Italiana

In my Italian class at The Ohio State University , I remember reading about a wedding that didn ’ t take place .

One of the greatest writers of all time , Dane Alighieri , born of a Florentine middle class family and recognized as the father of the modern Italian language , was my assignment . My studies embraced a chapter in Dante ’ s personal life .

During a walk at a May festival when he was nine-years-old , he first saw Beatrice , also age nine . It was love at first sight , not a word was spoken , but it was an afternoon he would never forget . Nine years later , he saw Beatrice again . She was walking with two lady friends and nodded to him graciously . She was not aware of his personal feelings . Beatrice and Dante never met again . Years later , Beatrice married and soon after died of the plague . In Dante ’ s grief , he always remembered the elegant lady .

Eventually , Dante married Gemma Donati who bore him two sons and two daughters . Through poetry , Dante was able to unify the Italian language , and in his noteworthy Tuscan mode , “ Vita Nuova ” ( New Life ), he composed 31 poems in which he described his mystical love for Beatrice .

Dante ’ s greatest work , 10 years in the making , was “ Divina Commedia ” ( Divine Comedy ), his imaginary journey through Hell and Purgatory and , in Paradise , Beatrice leads the excursion .

While I may not have earned an “ A ” in my Italian classes , I will never forget this story .

Paul Sciria , Managing Editor

Take out a subscription to La Gazzetta Italiana ! It ' s a great gift idea ... Sign up today at www . LaGazzettaItaliana . com .... Share with family and friends !

Jennifer Spitalieri Ben Lariccia Serena Scaiola Anne Robichaud

www . LaGazzettaItaliana . com Computer Tablet

Margie Miklas Joyce Mariani

Smart Phone

LA GAZZETTA ITALIANA | SEPTEMBER 20163