It is never too late ... to learn Italian

Italian language developed from the Vernacular languages spoken on the Italian soil in the middle Ages.
In the 16th Century, Cardinal Pietro Bembo provided the Italian language with specific rules based on the works of the great Tuscan authors of the 14th century: Dante Alighieri, Giovanni Boccaccio and Francesco Petrarca.
In the early 19th century, Alessandro Manzoni, in his famous historic novel I Promessi Sposi (the Betrothed), brought several changes to the Italian language, lowering its register to conform it to the language spoken in his time.
For the Italian people, however, who are still used to speak a variety of local dialects, Italian became a common –national- language only in the 20th century, after WW2, thanks to the mass media and particularly to popularization of TV. One show in particular made the difference in the literacy process: “Non è mai troppo tardi” conducted by Alberto Manzi and broadcasted by RAI from 15 November 1960 to 1968. It was suspended after 484 episodes, when the increased school attendance made it less indispensable.

Marco Mengoni: Best European Act at the MTV-Europe Music Awards 2010

Marco Mengoni, winner of the third season of the Italian X-Factor, was awarded the Best European Act, at the 17th edition of the Mtv Europe Music Awards, in Madrid, on November 7th.

People from all over the world watched the incredible show, which features live performances by Shakira, Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Eminem, Justin Bieber, Marco Mengoni and many more. The awards ceremony was presented by the beautiful and lovely Eva Longoria.

If you love Italian music and you haven’t heard of Marco Mengoni yet, you can check his music on the website http://www.marcomengoni.it/

Film: Profondo Rosso

"Profondo Rosso", (also known as Deep Red or The Hatchet Murders), is the 1975 horror classic directed by Dario Argento, which earned him the title of “heir” of Alfred Hitchcock in the genre.
Marc, a young pianist, witnesses a parapsychologist being killed, but he cannot see the face of the killer. While he investigates the homicide, with the help of an attractive female journalist, also the people he encounters are killed, one by one. The truth is unpredictable. The film is the stylistic and creative climax in Dario Argento’s work, and marks the passage from his initial “thriller” period to the more distinguished “horror” phase. The film does indeed present aspects of both genres, making it a fairly intensive cinematic experience. The cast is excellent and the plot, though sometimes overcomplicated, offers some of the spookiest creations in modern suspense cinema. Finally, a special mention need to be paid to the soundtrack by the Goblin, which is exceptionally terrifying.

Remembering the Liras

Before Euros, Liras was the official Italian currency.
On 1st January 2002, when the Euro became official, both currencies circulated and were accepted for a few months. Then, on 1st March 2002, the Liras were officially withdrawn. However, Lira coins and notes can still be exchanged at the Banca d’Italia branches until 29th February 2012.
The exchange rate is 1.936,27 Italian liras to 1 Euro.

Diabolic Artists

Since 1840, a single interpreter exhibition, occasionally accompanied by other instrumentalists, was named recital.
Although people seemed to preferred the Academies (musical evenings with a large number of performers), the exceptional virtuosity of musicians such as Paganini at the violin and Liszt on the piano gradually changed the audience’s preferences.
Virtuosity was not only the exhibition of exceptional technical skills, rather a way of performing influenced by the Romantic ideas.
The performer’s desire was to achieve the greatest knowledge of its instrument; the execution was seen as a challenge of one’s limits to let the instrument express its potentiality, to reach the core of the music.
Quite frequently, the audience indeed believed the best virtuosos to have also demonic powers, and many were the legends and bizarre anecdotes.
Before Paganini, a famous Italian violinist from the 18th century, Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770), wrote a sonata titled "The Devil’s Trill”, which was said to be inspired by the devil appeared in person to the composer.

Radio 2 and the mystery story writer Luca Crovi

On Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 pm to 1.30 pm, the second channel of Radio RAI speaks mystery. Luca Crovi presents mystery story authors and books, with its passion and expertise.

Among the many authors already interviewed are: Ben Pastor, Andrea Camilleri, Richard Mateson, Veit Heinichen, Eraldo Baldini, Bianca Pitzorno and Valerio Varesi.

If you would like to listen to some episodes in streaming or podcast, just click here.

Pizza...untouchable!

There are things one can not give up, even in economically tough times! For Italians, one of these untouchable pleasures is dining out with friends. According to recent statistical information about Italians’ eating habits, the numbers of people eating out have decreased but not as drastically as expected.
Dining at a restaurant is still a common practice for Italians, who perceive it as something more than just eating: it means spending time with friends, it means celebrations and sharing a relaxing time...The preference goes the more economical pizzas rather than the more expensive seafood dinners; yet, the habit of enjoying a good dinner with friends is still in vogue!