LA BELLA FIGURA – EXPERIENCE ITALIAN CULTURECultural Lesson 1

APPUNTI DI VIAGGIO NEL CENTRO ITALIA - NOTES FOR A TRAVEL IN CENTRAL ITALY

A DROP IN MANTOVA

Gem of Lombardia and most representative evidence of the influence of the Gonzagas who made of it one of the most important cities during the Renaissance, in Mantua you cannot miss:

Let's have a break for Lunch!

Antipasto POLENTA E GRAS PISTA' (GRASSO PESTATO)

Primo

RISOTTO CON LA SALAMELLA MANTOVANA... and why not a glass of fine Lambrusco too!

SecondoBOLLITO MISTO with the PEERADA

DolceSBRISOLÓNA

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... and you also must have a walk through its nice streets until Piazza Erbe (paying attention to the houses facing on the street, among which is the particular Casa del Mercante)

Il Palazzo Te, outside the walls of the city center is a palace inteded for distractions, with the magnificent frescoes of Giulio Romano.

Il Palazzo Ducale One of its most beautiful areas is with no doubt the la Galleria degli specchi, where from the frescoed ceiling some of the portrayed gods follow you along the gallery with their eyes ...

LA BELLA FIGURA – EXPERIENCE ITALIAN CULTURECultural Lesson 1

... better if with a sweet wine, spirits or zabaglione Why don't you try and prepare it yourself?RECIPE: Polenta e Gras PistàIngredients (for 6 persons): water, coarse salt, cornmeal (500g), lard (200g), parsley (30g), garlic (a slice)

Polenta: make the salted water boil and springle the cornmeal in it, keeping stirring. Let it cook, continously stirring for about an hour and adding boiling water if necessary, until the polenta gets thickness and it peels off the the sides of the pot. Lard: when the polenta is almost done, beat lard, parsley and garlic with the blade of a knife heated on the flame, until they become a mush.Now you can turn over the polenta on a chopping board and divide it into slices. On each slice you can spread some of the mush. With polenta still warm and the mush melted on it, there'as nothing left to say but Buon Appetito!

...Not enough? Save the date!Every year in October the "Gusto & Buongusto" fair takes place in Mantua; here you'll find more typical food and handycraft from all over Italy!

APPROACHING EMILIA ROMAGNA AND TUSCANY

BRESCELLOThe "Little World" of Giovannino Guareschi

Video - Don Camillo

Ecco il paese. Ecco il piccolo mondo di un mondo piccolo piantato in qualche parte dell'Italia del nord. Là, in quella fetta di terra grassa e piatta che sta tra il fiume e il monte, tra il Pò e l'appennino. Nebbia densa e gelata l'opprime d'inverno, d'estate un sole spietato picchia martellate furibonde sui cervelli della gente, e qui tutto si esaspera.

Qui le passioni politiche esplodono violente e la lotta è dura. Ma gli Uomini rimangono sempre uomini e qui accadono cose che non possono accadere da nessun' altra parte.

Here is the village. Here is that small and little world, raised somewhere in northern Italy.There [it is], in that piece of fat and flat land that lays between the river and the mountain, between the [river] Pò and the Appennino [chain]. During winter, is dominated by a thick fog; in summer time a ruthless sun hits furious and heavy blows on peoples' heads, and here everything becomes exasperated.

Here politics feelings violently explode, and it's a hard fight. But humans remain men and women still and here things happen that can happen nowhere else.

- Cosa fate qui? Cosa volete?- Non ho mai dimenticato che mi veniste a salutare quando andai in esilio. Ora siete voi ad andarvene.- Io non vado in esilio. Parto perchè ho vinto, non perchè

- What are you doing here? What do you want?- I haven't forgotten that you've come to say goodbye when I was exiled. It is you now the one who leaves.- I'm not going into exile! I'm leaving for my victory, not

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LA BELLA FIGURA – EXPERIENCE ITALIAN CULTURECultural Lesson 1

ho perduto!- Hai perduto tua moglie, che ti ha votato contro. Hai perduto il tuo paese, dov'eri qualcuno. E cosa ch'hai guadagnato? Di diventare un anonimo? Una pallina da buttare nell'urna...- Io sarò sempre quello che sono!- Ah sì? E allora quando ti metteranno a sedere in una grande aula triste, come a scuola, allora penserai a tutte quelle cose che hai lasciato qui, al paese. penserai a quello che vedevi dalla finestra la mattina, quando ti facevi la barba. Penserai al tuo lavoro nell'officina e a come ti divertivi la domenica. E penserai anche a me, che non sarò più lì a darti un cazzotto in testa quando te lo meriti... vale a dire almeno una volta al giorno...- Quando ritorno... vi riduco in briciole!- Ma se lo sai che non torni più! E che non posso neanche dirti "Arrivederci Peppone!" ma soltanto "Addio, Onorevole!"

- Facchino! Facchino!- Mi ha chiamato, signor deputato?- No, è il sindaco- Ah...! Bene, andiamo! No grazie, il servizio è gratuito- No, riprendetevele pure tutte queste cinquemila lire, Galantuomo...

Ecco, è ricominciata l'eterna gara nella quale ognuno dei due vuole disperatamente arrivare primo. Però se uno si attarda, l'altro l'aspetta. La strada è la stessa, pur se Don Camillo marcia a destra e Peppone a sinistra. E assieme continueranno il loro viaggio. Che Dio li accompagni!

because I lost!- You've lost your wife, that didn't vote for you. You've lost your village, where you were somebody. And for what? To become an anonymous? Just a little ball for the ballot box... - I'll always remain what I am!- Really? But when you'll be seated in a large and gloomy room, as in a classroom, then you'll remember all that you left here, in your village. You'll think of what you saw every morning from your window, while shaving. You'll think of your work at the machine shop, and of how you enjoyed on Sundays. And you'll think of me too, that won't be there to sock you one on your head when you deserve it... at least once a day...- When I come back… I'll smash you to bits!- But you know you never will (come back)! And I cannot even say "See you soon Peppone!" but only "Farewell, Honorauble!"

- Porter! Porter!- Did you call me, Mr. Deputy?- No, I'm the Mayor- Oh, good... let's go! No thanks, the service is for free.- No, you can take all these five thousands Lire back, you Gentleman...(Peppone hands Don Camillo the same fake note that don Camillo previously used to pay him)

Here we are, the eternal race has begun again, and each one desperately wants to arrive first. But if one lingers, the other waits for him. The road is the same, even though Don Camillo is on the right side and Peppone on the left. And like that, they'll proceed together with their journey. May God be with them!

CASTLES NEARBY: SORAGNA E FONTANELLATOThe area of Parma is rich in amazing castels and ancient fortresses, evidence of a long and and complex history. Those in the small towns of Soragna and Fontanellato are two of them.

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Part of the Rocca Meli Lupi is still inhabited by its owner, the Meli Lupi family, houted by a terrible course...

LA BELLA FIGURA – EXPERIENCE ITALIAN CULTURECultural Lesson 1

ARRIVING IN FIRENZEGodi, Fiorenza, poi che se' sì grande | che per mare e per terra batti l'ali, | e per lo 'nferno tuo nome si spande!

(Dante Alighieri)

Be Glad, Fiorenza, for you're so great that across lands and seas you spread your wings and in hell your name resonates!

Florence, the authentic centre of Italian language and culture, is a city rich in museums, gardens and monuments to be seen. The most important and famous ones are of course

Time for something to eat!

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Piazza della Signoria and its Palazzo Vecchio has been the political and goverment centre of the city. In 1520 the Palazzo is turned into a Ducal Palace, for Cosimo de Medici's will. Nowadays it has been converted in an impressive museum, where its features of great residence for Medici family are still noticeable.

So impressive and austere! but could you imagine why there's a bull's head carved on one of its esternalbroadside?... while thinking about it, we can take a walk to Ponte Vecchio

Visiting Rocca dei Sanvitale in Fontanellato you'll be also shown a particular darkroom located in one of the four donjon...

Santa Maria del Fiore with the Campanile di Giotto represented instead the religious centre of the city.

LA BELLA FIGURA – EXPERIENCE ITALIAN CULTURECultural Lesson 1

AntipastoAFFETTATI MISTI

...with a glass of Chianti!

PrimoRIBOLLITA or a more summery PANZANELLA

SecondoTRIPPA ALLA FIORENTINAor a vegetarian alternative

BACCELLI E PECORINO

DolceSCHIACCIATA CON L'UVA

Why don't you try and prepare it yourself?RECIPE: PanzanellaIngredients (for 4 people): White wine vinegar (three spoons), basil (15 leaves), one small cucumber, one big red onion, extravirgin olive oil (just enough), 400gr of sliced Tuscan bread, minced black pepper (as you like), two tomatoes, salt (just enough)

Peel and cut the red onion into thin slices and put it soaking in a small bowl with water and a spoon of white wine vinegar for at least two hours. Peel the cucumber, cut it into thin washers and put it aside.Finally, peel, wash and cut the tomatoes into small pieces, remove the seeds and put it aside too.Now, take four slices of Tuscan bread and using a knife take its crust; after that, dunk it in a mixture of water and vinegar (one spoon) but without soaking it too much. Once the bread will be softened, squeeze it, break it into pieces with your hands and put it in a large salad bowl.Strain the red onion and put it together with the bread, add tomatoes, cucumber and basil leaves broken into pieces. Gently mix all the ingedients using a spoon and dress the whole with extravirgin olive oil, then add if necessary salt and pepper. Mix again, taste and in case add some more vinegar. Leave the Panzanella in the fridge for at least one hour, so that it becomes even more tasty. Take it out from the fridge at least fifteen minutes before serving it... Pronto!... Panzanella changed so many times and many ingredients have been also added, such as lattuce, eggs, tuna,... you can set your creativity free and try to make it in your own way!

Save the date!On June 24th Florence celebrates its saint, San Giovanni, with great fireworks!On Easter's Sunday is instead Lo Scoppio del carro, the burst of the cart. It's a symbolic tradition: a big cart adorn with festoon is brought to the cathedral square by white oxes. The cart is tied to the altar by a steel cable; during the Holy Mass the Archbishop lights a dove-shaped rocket that is shot through the cable 'til the cart, full of fire works.

SAN GIMIGNANO

It is a small village of Etruscan origin and rises on a hill from where it dominates the Elsa Valley with its towers. Here you can find a particular wine, the Vernaccia of San Gimignano

Save the date!June 15th Ferie delle messi: Medieval Commemoration

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LA BELLA FIGURA – EXPERIENCE ITALIAN CULTURECultural Lesson 1

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN FIRENZE AND SIENA: LAJATICO, ANDREA BOCELLI AND HIS LAND

"Questa è la mia terra. Una terra che come me ama il silenzio. E se con la mia voce rompo questo silenzio lo faccio per rendere omaggio a questi luoghi e alla mia gente. La musica penetra la terra, la percorre e vola lontanissima. è un

messaggio d'amore."This is my land. A land that loves silence, as I do. And if I'm now going to break this silence with my voice, is to pay

homage to these places and their people. Music permeates the ground, runs through it and then flies far away. It’s a message of love.

MelodrammaQuesta mia canzone Inno dell'amore Te la canto adesso Con il mio dolorCosì forte, così grandeChe mi trafgge il cuor

Ma limpido è il mattinoTra i campi odor di vinoIo ti sognavo e adessoTi vedo ancora lìAh, quanta nostalgiaAffresco di collinaIo piango che pazziaFu andarsene poi via

Questa melodia Inno dell'amore Te la canto e sento Tutto il mio dolor Così forte, così grande che mi trafigge il cuor.

Ma limpido è il mattino tra i campi un gran mulino lì è nato il mio destino amaro senza teamaro senza te.

E questo cuore canta Un dolce melodramma È l'inno dell'amor Che canterò per te È un melodramma che Che canto senza te

This song of mine Hymn of loveI'm now singing it for youwith all of my painso strong, so great that pierces my heart.

But the morning is so brightamong the fields the scent of wine (is)I dreamt of you and nowI still can see you thereOh, all these memoriesFresco of a hillI'm crying what an insanitywas to leave and go away.

This melodyHymn of loveI'm singing it for you and I can feelAll of my painso strong, so great that pierces my heart.

But the morning is so brightamong the fields (is) a big windmillthere my destiny was bornso bitter without youso bitter without you

And this heart is singingA sweet melodramaIt's the hymn of loveI will sing for youA melodrama thatI'm singing without you

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LA BELLA FIGURA – EXPERIENCE ITALIAN CULTURECultural Lesson 1

VOLTERRA, A VILLAGE OF STONE

Volterra as well has ancient Etruscan origins, still visible in her structure and especially in the gates of its well conserved defensive walls. Besides the town itself, it is also famous for the mining and manifacturing of alabaster

SIENASaid to be founded by Senius, son of Remus, one of the two legendary founders of Rome ,Siena is probably Italy's loveliest medieval city, with its famous square and the Palio... definitely worth a visit!

A break with Panforte, Cantucci e Vin Santo!

RECIPE for Panforte di SienaIngredients (for 10 people): flour (60 g), Honey (150 g), sugar (100 g), peeled almonds (100 g), peeled hazelnuts (100 g), peeled kernets of walnuts (70 g), 1 spoon of powder of bitter cocoa, powder of cinnamon and nutmeg, 3 cloves crushed in the mortar, candied citron (100 g), candied pumpkin cut into small cubes (100 g), candied orange peel (100 g), a pinch of black pepper, confectioner's wafer

Put honey and sugar together in a casserole and let them cook over low heat, stirring it continously. When sugar is completely melted add the ten peeled almonds, the hazelnuts, the kernels, the spoon of cocoa, a srinkle of cinnamon, and a little grate of nutmeg, the cloves, the citron, the pumpkin, the orange peel cut into little and thin strips, and the pinch of pepper. Finally add the flour and stir,to avoid lumps. Let it cook (keeping stirring) for a couple of minutes with low heat. Pour in a round (22-25 cm as diameter) baking pan, and cover it (bottom and rims) with the wafers. Level off the top with a knife and bake it in the oven (160°) for half an hour. Let get it cold inside the oven. Once it is cold, turn the casserole over or remove the rims (the important is the waffel to remain on the bottom. Then,sprinkle with confectioner's sugar mixed with cinnamon... Fatto!

Save the date!The famous Palio di Siena takes place every year from June 29th to July 2nd and from August 13th to 16th. Do you know about its origins?

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Piazza del Campo is something unique, with her shape of a shell. It is also wonderfully conserved and can be certainly consider as Medieval masterpiece.

LA BELLA FIGURA – EXPERIENCE ITALIAN CULTURECultural Lesson 1

SAN GALGANO ABBEY AND THE SWORD IN THE STONE

SATURNIA After such a long travel we can stop and relax a bit in Saturnia and its hot springs, in its natural environment... or in proper baths. Enjoy!

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