A recent visit to La Scarzuola, in northern Umbria – where our region almost merges with Tuscany – plopped me right into a surreal world of Dali-Miro’-Escher-Fellini-like bizzarities. The name “Scarzuola” derives from a marsh plant of the area, “la scarza”, used by San Francesco di Assisi, legend tells us, to build himself a shelter here in the early 13th century. In 1218, San Francesco planted a rosebush and laurel bushes near his primitive hut and caused a spring to gush forth miraculously out of.a rock. The spring still has sacred connotations for the local populace. In the very early 1400's, a Franciscan monastery was built here – and in the apse of the monastery church, a fresco depicts the Saint in levitation. Until 1876, the monastery remained property of the Franciscans.

La Scarzuola today is a leap from the sacred to the profane (or is it a taking of the sacred to another level?). In 1956, Tomaso Buzzi (1900- 1981), visionary Milanese architect, acquired the monastery complex and soon after, launched his twenty-year project of transformation of the site into his own “Ideal City”, where a fusion between nature and culture could take place in a sort of “theatrical complex”. Buzzi first lovingly restored the monastery and then transformed the humble, innocent gardens of the friars into labyrinthine hedges meandering around rare flowers and statues. After his restoration of the “sacred city”, Buzzi moved on to his creation of the “profane city”, his “città Buzziana”, a sort of “autobiography in stone”. Just beyond the gardens, Buzzi’s città ideale rises out of a natural amphitheater of volcanic tufo rock, like a giant citadel, a sort of spectacular, monumental stage set where wonders and mysteries overlap and fuse with each other: at least seven theaters, an Acropolis, a honeycomb complex of buildings of every architectural style, empty inside but with countless chambers. Buzzi himself termed his project “classical, medieval, Renaissance, Mannerist and also, why not? ..decadent”.

A very personalized neo-Mannerism reigns supreme: stairs jutting out in all directions, deliberate disproportion of many details, and a few monsters, here and there. Fantasy and irrereverence merge in this grafting of the sacred city (monastery and friar’s garden) to the profane (the città Buzziana), both laden with allegories, symbols and secrets. Buildings and monuments bearing indeciphrable symbols and bizzare quotations are piled together, including circular ones imitating Arab astronomical observatories, zoomorphic structures, grottoes for meditation, pagan temples, a chrystal tower similar to a pinnacle on a Gothic cathedral. The Eye of Buddha, Tower of Babel, homage to Teatro della Scala in Milan, a towering Totem of Meditation, a massive nude Madre Dea (Iside), the Arch of Triumph, Theater of Waters, Temple of Vesta merge together, tumble over each other. Buzzi defined his extraordinary project as “an oasis of welcome, of study, of work, of music, silence, greatness and poverty, of social life, heremitic life, contemplation, solitude, fantasy, fables, myths, outside of time and space – so that each can find echoes of the past and visions of the future.”

Since 1981, Buzzi’s nephew, Marco Solari, is carrying on his uncle’s mission of “build and destroy”(!) Reminding me of Dante’s Virgil, Marco had my head spinning as he took me through this astounding surrealistic maze of monuments, embodying something of the evocative, geometric, astronomical, magical…and even miraculous. Contrasting elements working in a sort of bizarre, yet sublime harmony. San Francesco to Salvador Dali. All in one.

By Anne Robichaud, the only American authorized as an Umbrian Regional tour guide. Read about her Umbrian hilltown tours, cooking classes in her home and in the US and her "memoirs of rural life" on www.annesitaly.com.  Enjoy the many stories on her blog http://annesitaly.com/blog/

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently published a story about Joe Lagnese, who at age 82 wrote his first book, “Cookin: Recollections and Recipes of Joe Lagnese.” His work, a memoir/cookbook, features the food Joe grew up eating including polenta, pasta, frittatas, roasted meats and leafy greens, as well as memories of his food experiences throughout his childhood.

The inspiration for his book came about when his daughter-in-law, Muriel, who had loved his Italian cooking, passed away from adult onset cystic fibrosis.  In her honor, the Lagnese family started a memorial fund, Muriel’s Breath of Life (http://www.murielsbreathoflife.org), which raises money for other victims of this disease and proceeds from the book go to that fund.

Read more in the Pittsburg Post-Gazette- http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11325/1190905-34-0.stm.

Parma, Famous For More Than Cheese!

Famous for prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano, Parma, Italy is a hot spot for good Italian cuisine, but food isn’t the only thing you will find when visiting this city. Correggio, one of the greatest painters of the Renaissance, was born in Parma and some of his masterpieces can be found there. When visiting Piazza Duomo you will find, The Assumption of the Virgin, a beautiful golden fresco that covers the cupola. In the nearby National Gallery hangs the Saint Jerome with the Madonna and Child, along with paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Holbein, Brueghel and El Greco.

The Teatro Regio combines art and music in one of Italy’s greatest opera houses with a beautifully frescoed ceiling, gilt balconies and red velvet seating. While you are there, be sure to check out an opera by Verdi, Paganini or Toscanini. 

Read some travel tips about what to see and where to stay and eat! http://tgr.ph/vfiHBC

Athletes have always tried to keep their personal lives out of the public spotlight and Joe DiMaggio was no exception. When writer Gay Talese set out to profile Joe DiMaggio for Esquire in 1966 he quickly found out that the only way to track down the baseball great was to show up in San Francisco at his restaurant. Although DiMaggio was furious at first, Talese managed to interview him and the result was one of the greatest pieces of sports writing, “The Silent Season of a Hero.” This story depicted DiMaggio, now 15 years removed from his baseball days, as a sad and lonely man on a quest for peace and also helped Talese become one of the pioneers of a new form of journalism. Before Talese, there had been a contract between the athletes and men who wrote about them: The athletes’ private lives would never enter the field of view.

In 1989 and 1998 NIAF honored Joe DiMaggio and Gay Talese (respectively) during its 14th and 23rd Anniversary Awards Gala in the nation's capital. Read more about these legendary Italian American’s and the way “The Silent Season of a Hero” changed sports writing. http://es.pn/spsUOH

Everyone loves a good pizza and whether you prefer a traditional Margherita pizza with thin crust, a Chicago-style deep dish with pepperoni, or the unusual kale, goat cheese and apple topped pizza, the Washington D.C. area has something for everyone! The Washington Post picked out the top 24 pizza spots in the metropolitan area.

If you are looking for a classic New York style pizza try 2 Amys in Cleveland Park, Vace Delicatessen in Bethesda, MD, the Italian Store in Arlington, VA. Looking for a more traditional Italian pizza? Check out Pacci’s Neopolitan Pizzeria in Silver Spring, MD or Pupatella in Arlington, VA. Both feature wood-fired thin crusts with fresh basil and buffalo mozzarella.

Many of the restaurants are even vegan friendly. Stop by Radius Pizza in the district or Fiorella Pizzeria e Caffe at the National Harbor in Maryland to try out their unusual creations made with soy cheese and veggies. Fiorella also offers pizza topped with fried zucchini and for the seafood lovers, another with blue crab. Comet Ping Pong also features a seafood pizza with fresh clams, garlic, melted onions, thyme and Parmesan.

Find out what other restaurants made the list! http://wapo.st/aoJgP5

Millions of immigrants have traveled to the United States in search of the new opportunities, but Emilia (Emily) Zecchino’s story is a true example of achieving the “American Dream.” Zecchino was born in the middle of a depression in Bari, Italy, in 1928. In search of work, her family moved first to Rome, then Trieste in Northern Italy, and finally to Ethiopia when it became an Italian colony in 1937. In 1941, her dad was taken as a prisoner of war and spent five years in a concentration camp in Kenya while the rest of the family was sent back to Italy on the famous International Red Cross-sponsored "Navi Bianche"—a trip of 40 days that began in Mogadishou, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and finally ended in Naples, Italy, while the war was raging in the Atlantic.

During the American occupation of Italy, Zecchino met her husband and came to the United States in 1947. She helped her husband run a grocery store in New York for 20 years, but at the age of 55, and with an investment of only $1,000, Emily opened “Holiday Caterers.” The company slowly evolved into a wholesale frozen food enterprise and was renamed “Holiday Foods.” After building a U.S.D.A. plant, she started to manufacture an upscale line of hors d’oeuvres, canapés, and center of the plate specialties, that she sold to several hotel chains, famous country clubs, and cruise lines through renowned distributors around the United States and the company grew to over 200 employees! 

Read more about Zecchino’s inspiring story in her book, “Only in America.” http://bit.ly/uJ0jar

Between 1876 to 1924, over four and a half million Italians migrated to the United States, many of them arriving in Ellis Island. Filomena Bianco boarded a ship headed for America in March of 1931 and started a journey she later described as the longest 10 days of her life. This past November, Bianco returned to Ellis Island for the first time since her arrival in America to share her experiences with a museum archivist. "When we saw the statue, the men, they looked scared," recounted Bianco about her first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty.

Bianco's family settled in the heavily Italian neighborhood ( Montclair, N.J.).  She went to work making cigar boxes and ammunition at war plants. At 35 cents an hour, it was hard to make ends meet and her family didn't have gas or electricity. Her daughter, who joined her in the interview, said the children hardly noticed the struggles.  Even when it was really bad, she always kept us happy and clean and neat. No matter what , we were sent  to school with clean clothes and polished shoes. Read more about Bianco's amazing story which spans the Great Depression, a World War and 14 presidents! http://bit.ly/sdo6fc

There are masterpieces abound in Rome, Milan and Florence that we are all familiar with including: the Birth of Venus in the  Uffizi Gallery, the David(s), the Coliseum, Giotto’s bell tower and the Last Supper, just to name a few. However, there are also many hidden art treasures all across Italy from Venice to Reggio Calabria waiting to be found.

Can’t make it to Athens? Just stop by Paestum, just south of Salerno, grab some fresh mozzarella and head over to the three marveling Greek temples by the Tyrrhenian Sea. The oldest of the three temples dates back to the sixth century B.C.

In or around Venice for vacation? After taking in the breathless views of the canals and the 15^th century façade of Scuola Grande di San Marco, head over to Padua – only 30 miles from Venice. There you can take in Giotto’s 1305 fresco cycle in the Scrovegni Chapel. Reflecting the story of Mary and Jesus, the fresco is the world’s first frame-by-frame study in emotion and action.

Check out www.travelandleisure.com for more information on hidden gems in Mantua, Ferrara, Ravenna, Siena, Benevento and Reggio Calabria!

Only in Florence could Renaissance art be paired with the iconic fashion brand, Gucci, in the historic Piazza Signoria. A mix of past collections, Gucci Museo showcases its famous history in three floors. The permanent exhibition begins on the ground floor, where the Travel collection features trunks and suitcases designed in earlier years.

Moving on to the first floor, visitors will view the Contemporary Art Space, featuring video and film installations from “movie art.” Currently, Bill Viola’s Amore e Morte will be showcased until January 28, 2012 with two video installations of Fire Woman and Tristan’s Ascension. On that same floor, Gucci displays a number of themes and collections including Flora World, Evening, Handbags and Precious. Flora World features its famous floral print while Evening shows off Gucci’s renowned evening gowns. Finally, Precious showcases unique valuables and clutches from past collections.

Rising up to the second and last floor, the motifs of Logomania, Sport and Lifestyle fill the rooms. Logomania illustrates the infamous double G monogram that has transcended Italian and worldwide fashion markets. The Sport and Lifestyle collections feature items from the sport and leisure world of Gucci.

The Gucci Museo is open year-round and admission is 6 Euros with 50 percent of  the proceeds of each ticket benefitting a fund to preserve the art treasures in the historic city of Florence. Visit the Museo’s website at http://www.gucci.com/us/worldofgucci/mosaic/think_forever/gucci_museo.

With less than a month until Christmas the Italian regions of Tuscany and Piedmont are busy preparing for “Festa del Ceppo” also known as “Festival of the Log” that takes place on Christmas Eve.  Several traditions surround the festival. Sometimes the "ceppo" is a wooden structure mounted in the shape of a pyramid and is commonly decorated with shiny paper or frills and greenery. Its shelves contain nuts, fruits and little presents. Another tradition symbolizes the place where Mary warmed her newborn baby Jesus. On Christmas Eve families gather together to place a large log in the fireplace as they sing, and play games. In some areas, children come and hit the log with sticks to create sparks. They sing the “Ave Maria del Ceppo” and receive sweets and gifts. To learn more about the traditions of the Festa Del Ceppo visit http://technorati.com/lifestyle/family/article/festa-del-ceppo-the-italian yule/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+trarticles+(All+articles+at+Technorati)  

The fun and brilliant journalist and author, Beppe Severgnini, entertained a large crowd on Monday, November 7^th, at Georgetown University. A mix of students, professors, writers and admirers sat and listened to him speak about his latest book, Mamma Mia! Berlusconi’s Italy Explained for Posterity and Friends Abroad.

Beppe recounted working in Washington, D.C. and living near Georgetown University. His anecdotes then lead the crowd into the story about his latest book. Beppe described writing the book for those, “born in the 90s and for friends abroad.” The author explained  the success of Italy’s former Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi.  He joked that his first book, La Bella Figura was a 101 Course, but Mamma Mia! is a Ph.D. course of the Italian mind.” After the talk, Beppe kindly signed books for his fans.

For more information about Beppe Severgnini and his books, go to http://www.beppesevergnini.com. Be sure to read his daily column for Corriere Della Sera, entitled “Italians.”

Throughout the past twenty years Milan, Rome, and Turin have become the new reputable beer hubs of Europe that have gained popularity through high-end beer trips, and the establishment of more than 300 microbreweries and brewpubs throughout the area. Mike Saxton, owner of beertrips.com whose company programs the beer trips across the world proclaims “Italy is the next emerging beer empire.” Traditionally Italy fostered a reputation for being the mecca of wines, but most recently has become Private Clubs must-see beer destination because of the new unique brews being made from territory ingredients such as basil, chestnuts, peaches, and even pine needles that work together to achieve sensational tastes. The Private Clubs website has found six different must visit spots for your next beer vacation. 

For more information on the most popular pubs see http://www.privateclubs.com/article.php?name=italybythepint

What do Florence, Rome, Siena, Bologna, and Sorrento have in common? TripAdvisor named them in the top ten European cities for food and wine. Their company included Barcelona, Paris, York, Edinburgh and San Sebastian.

Italian cities have a little bit for anyone’s taste buds. Coming in at number one on the list is Florence. Known for their locally grown food and Tuscan wines, Florence has beautiful vineyards and some excellent restaurants where Pecorino Romano cheese and wild game are often found on the menu. If you are looking for a heartier meal such as fried cod or pasta carbonara, you may want to travel to Rome and check out the cuisine there. For the seafood lovers, Sorrento is one town you won’t want to miss! Not only is the Amalfi Coast home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but the food is delicious. Try some gnocchi alla Sorrentino with freshly caught seafood and don’t forget about the limoncello! Bologna’s tortellini al brodo and Siena’s Chianti put these cities on the list. Both cities are great for a day trip so be sure to add them to your itinerary!

Check out TripAdvisor for a list of restaurants in each city and TripAdvisor’s “Best of 2011” list at http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Food-cTop10-g4.

Buon appetito!

American children and students can now learn the Italian language and culture through Italy4Kids, the online interactive portal created by the Embassy of Italy in Washington. Young people ages 5-18 can access all sorts of information about Italy through videos, quizzes, games, Twitter and Facebook.

Available at www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it, even the youngest internet navigators can play games that will allow them to explore Italy’s regions, design an “Italian itinerary” in Washington DC’s museums and public spaces and discover the bonds between Italy and the United States. For example, a 6-7 year old can learn to count to ten in Italian while an older child can get information on the AP in Italian.

Gina DePalma, award-winning pastry chef at Mario Batali’s Babbo Ristorante and Enoteca in New York City, is inspired by her Italian background to create deserts such as Ricotta Pound Cake and Honey and Pine Nut Tarts. She has written cookbooks, was named Outstanding Pastry Chef by the James Beard Foundation in 2009, and was named 2008’s Best Pastry Chef by Bon Appetit Magazine. However, while DePalma was busy making her name for herself in the culinary world, she developed stage-4 ovarian cancer. This is when she combined her Italian American heritage with her can-do cowgirl attitude and founded the Cowgirl Cure Foundation for ovarian cancer awareness. You may wonder where cowgirl comes from, but DePalma’s best friend gave her a cowgirl inscribed ring as a reminder to fight.

After three years, multiple surgeries, and one recurrence DePalma was recently declared cancer free, but she still fights for others affected by the disease.  Her goal is wider attention and increased funding for research toward a reliable screening test and cure for ovarian cancer. DePalma draws strength from her inner cowgirl and her Italian American Heritage, not only in her fight against ovarian cancer, but to succeed as a pastry chef. To read more about DePalma and her story check out the fall issue of NIAF’s magazine, Ambassador by visiting niaf.org.

For more information on the Cowgirl Cure Foundation please visit,                                       www.Ginadepalma.net/The_Cowgirl_Cure_Foundation.html.

Throughout the year, Hamilton Township, New Jersey displays the flags of several nations at the request of local ethnic organizations to honor the many ethnic groups that have so greatly contributed to the community. Last week, the town held an Italian flag raising ceremony to continue this longstanding tradition.  

Prior to the Italian Flag Raising, a brief ceremony was held at the steps of the Township Municipal Building and included the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner and Italian National Anthem by Nottingham High School student, Joanna Caruso. Several members of the Mercer County Italian American Festival Association, local dignitaries and elected officials were in attendance, along with students from both Professor Frank A. Campione’s Nottingham High School class and students from Greenwood Elementary School. Campione was the recipient of the 2010 NIAF Teacher of the Year Award which was presented during the 35^th Anniversary Awards Gala Weekend.

Congratulations Superga! 

 Superga, an Italian shoe company, celebrated its 100^th birthday on October 7, 2011. The company started in 1911 in Turin under the stewardship of Walter Martiny, and produced shoes with vulcanized rubber soles. Their first creation was the Classic Superga 2750 Heritage Style. It has grown to become an iconic style staple in wardrobes all across Italy and the world.

To celebrate its birthday, Superga brought Alexa Chung, British television presenter, model and contributing editor of British Vogue on board for its 2011 campaign. Celebrities all over the world have fallen in love with Superga’s sneakers and they come in all colors and styles to fit everyone’s fashion needs!

After three incidents of defacement to Rome’s most famous moments, Italy’s culture minister, Giancarlo Galan has declared “no more leniency” towards these criminals. The Italian cabinet approved legislation that would enforce jail sentences for those who damage or steal public art and monuments.

Giancarlo Galan was moved to action after a man chipped off pieces of a fountain in Piazza Navona. Similar events included a vandal throwing stones at the Trevi Fountain as well as an American student climbing the walls of the Coliseum in an attempt to chip away stonework as a souvenir. However, Rome has not been the only Italian city hit with vandalism. It is a country-wide problem that will be stopped with the new legislation.

Under the new law, vandals may be sentenced up to six years in prison and face a fine between 5,000 to 10,000 euros. The new law also targets unauthorized archaeological digs or illegally appropriating artifacts. Offenders caught in the latter acts will also face up to six years in jail, but their fines could be up to 30,000 euros.