My friend Gilli Allan's Latest Novel Published !

'Torn' the latest novel by my very good friend has just been published ! Check it out on Amazon Kindle !

Dolomite's Fire Sets World Record

Keeping with the trend of creative Italian World Records, Madonna di Campiglio earned its place in the Guinness Book of World Records this weekend when 2,083 people turned out to carry candles down the streets and ski slopes.

The huge turnout of flame-bearers broke the record for "Largest Torchlit Parade - Multiple Venues".

In addition to families on foot, 14 different groups of skiers, snowboarders, and mountain bikers, made their way down mile-long routes to set the record. Beginning on mountaintops and the city edge, the groups snaked through the village, meeting the center when the record had been beat.

The collective gathering, called “Dolomites Fire”, lit up the mountain scene as thousands participated in the world’s largest candlelight event.

This was the third edition of the unique event, which was held to benefit a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to creating a fun and recuperative environment for sick children in Milan.

Ornamental Grape Vines

Planted two huge black grape vines on the terrace this morning. It's all looking very pretty now that Spring is here !

Italy Remembers Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in Ischia, Italy (June 1962)

Elizabeth Taylor is being remembered in Italy today as the world mourns her passing. The screen legend died Tuesday in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 79.

Taylor made headlines in Italy during the filming of Cleopatra in 1962. While shooting on location in Rome, Taylor began a not-so-secret love affair with her costar, Richard Burton. The two internationally famous actors were both married to other people at the time, and their relationship sparked outrage. An official condemnation from the Vatican accused them as 'erotic vagrancy.' The couple was often spotted along the Amalfi Coast, including the island of Capri.

After two and a half years, the actors were both finally divorced and free to marry each other in 1964. They would go on to star in several more films together before divorcing in 1970. One of these other major block busters was 1967's The Taming of the Shrew. The feature was directed by Franco Zeffirelli and set in Padua, bringing Taylor back to Italy once more.

On news of her passing, Franco Zeffirelli said, "We have lost a memorable figure, the kind of diva who does not exist any more."

Elizabeth Taylor was also remembered by fashion designer Valentino, who helped the screen siren set up an AIDS charity for children.

"The newspapers like to talk about her loves, her jewels...but not many people remember how hard she worked and how much she gave to suffering people."

Temperature has just hit 20 Degrees !

And it will get warmer this afternoon. Seems to peak at about 4 pm at the moment. I am happy planting my new peach tree and my two new vines on the terrace. www.arteumbria.com

Just picked my first Lemon of the year ! SMELLS DIVINE !!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ITALY !

How to say Happy Birthday in Italian: Auguri Italia!

 

Today, Italy celebrates its 150th birthday. La “Bella Signora” turns 150 and after having informed our readers about the official celebrations and the origins of the Italian Anthem, we thought it would be a great opportunity to learn how to wish Happy Birthday sayingTanti Auguri ITALIA!

Happy Birthday is literally translated in Italian with Buon Compleanno but you can wish the “festeggiato” (birthday girl/boy) Tanti Auguri (best wishes) or Cento di questi giorni (wishing the person to live long enough to celebrate 100 more birthdays).

It is now common practice to sing the Italian version of Happy Birthday while the “festeggiato” is blowing out the candles on the birthday cake. Here are the lyrics that, of course, we dedicate to Italy.

Tanti auguri a te
tanti auguri a te
tanti auguri ITALIA
tanti auguri a te.

We thought that the jazz version of the national anthem as interpreted by famous Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu was the best musical birthday present for Italy and all of us lovers of all things Italian.

This has cheered us up BIG TIME - Raining today and we've SO MUCH TO DO !!!

Home Prices Rise While Berlusconi Loses Money

 

As most of Europe struggles with falling property values, homes in Italy have maintained their prices.

The Bank of Italy looked at housing prices in 13 major cities and discovered that the values had remained steady in 2010, and even increased in cities like Cagliari, Catania and Genoa.

Experts cite Italy’s favorable property laws as a reason for stability during uncertain economic times. Agents are optimistic about the prospects for Italian properties. The Bank of Italy reports that 61% of the agents they surveyed expect the housing market to get even better in the next two years.

While rising home prices are good news for Italy, prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is actually getting poorer.

The television magnate’s fortune has shrunk from an estimated 9 billion dollars to 7.9 billion. This loss dropped Berlusconi down on the list of world’s richest people, from 79th place last year to his current 118th place.

Sounds like Berlusconi needs to consider taking a break from private distractions and start investing in Italian real estate if he wants to regain his top spot among the world’s richest.

Rome Hosts Lorenzo Lotto Exhibition

 

'Venus and Cupid' by Lorenzo Lotto

A comprehensive collection of work by Italian Renaissance artist Lorenzo Lotto (1480-1556) is currently on display in Rome for the first time.

The new exhibition at the Scuderie del Quirinale showcases a retrospective of the little-recognized Renaissance master. Lotto was born in Veneto, and spent his early career in the province, but left after finding he could not compete with established artists like Titan. He lived in Rome briefly, but spent his most productive period in Bergamo from 1513 to 1525. He spent the remainder of his life and career moving from city to city.

Due to his many moves, Lotto’s lifetime of work was spread throughout various cities in Italy. Since no single large collection of Lotto’s work existed, scholars did not recognize that the beautiful pieces in different regions of Italy were the work of a single artist until the 20th century.

Though posthumous fame came late for Lorenzo Lotto, the delayed recognition is well deserved. The Renaissance artist is now best known for his unique perspective and original use of light.

The Roman exhibit is comprised of 57 pieces from Lotto’s diverse portfolio. The display showcases examples of the artist’s range of talents, including elaborate alterpieces and detailed portraits.

The Lorenzo Lotto exhibit offers visitors the chance to see a representation of the lesser known artist’s entire creative output. The exhibit will run through 12 June 2011 and tickets are available online through the Scuderie del Quirinale website.

Two New Studies Examine Italian Libido

 

According to a new report from the Italian Matrimonial Lawyers Association (AMI), sexual apathy leads to 20% of Italian divorces.

Lack of bedroom activity at home doesn’t mean that there has been an overall decrease in sexual appetite. Married Italians are increasingly looking outside of their union to satisfy desire. In 70% of cases, it is the husband who seeks partners outside of the home, but cheating among wives is also on the rise.

These so called ‘white-marriages’, which are characterized by a complete lack of sexual activity, are particularly common among new unions, rather than seasoned couples.

Italy’s bedroom woes don’t end there. A study by the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS) has identified an affliction they have termed ‘sexual anorexia’.

Sexual anorexia is a problem for young Italian men, who are unable to become aroused due to desensitization from ‘excessive porn use’ in their teens.

Of Italy’s 7.8 million Internet users, 28.9% frequent adult sites. Italy faired better than other European web users, coming in 4th in overall porn consumption- behind Germany (34.5%), France (33.6%) and Spain (32.4%).

Not to fear, researchers from SIAMS insist that sexual anorexia is a reversible condition. Proper assistance can help Italian men refocus their sexuality on real-life relationships rather than online images.

What is art without women?

Museums Free for Ladies on International Women's Day

What is art without women?

Italy’s Ministry of Culture has posed this question as their slogan forInternational Women’s Day, which is celebrated today.

8 March 2011 marks the 100th International Women’s Day. The date is set aside as a special day of recognition for women and their contributions to society. This year, the Italian Ministry of Culture has chosen to highlight women’s specific contribution to art.

While the traditional gift of the day is yellow mimosa flowers, the Italian government is giving away free museum admission instead. Today, ladies will be granted free entrance to all state art museums, archaeological sites, and libraries. Many of the state institutions have organized special themed exhibitions for the commemorative day.

Last minute - April Painting Course with Andy James and Mark Kelland

www.arteumbria.com We were full up on this course, but sadly someone has had to cancel due to ill health. So couple of spaces remaining. Hurry and book ! I've had to turn ton's of people away so I'm hoping they will be able to come now.

David in Danger Due to Delicate Ankles

Michelangelo’s most famous sculpture, the statue of David, could be at risk of collapse due to a new modern convenience.

A high-speed tunnel is scheduled to be built soon in Florence, and the underground tracks will pass with about 600 m of the statue. Some fear that the updated transportation could pose a threat to David and his delicate ankles.

The statue of David is full of micro-cracks and the sculpture’s ankles are known weak spots. It has been suggested that the vibrations from the super train could cause the cracks to expand and the masterpiece to collapse.

Architect Fernando De Simone presented a report to the Municipality of Florence, arguing that the sculpture should be moved from its current gallery to an underground museum.

Franca Faletti, director of the gallery, says there is nothing to worry about. The statue of David is constantly monitored and in excellent health, so fears of collapse could be overstated.

Beautiful Piero Della Francesca fresco in Sansepolcro

Looking forward to this on the terrace soon ! And some SUN !

Take a couple of seconds, close your eyes and think about a famous icon of Italian beauty.

Take a couple of seconds, close your eyes and think about a famous icon of Italian beauty.

Did you think about skinny size 40 (UK 8, USA 6, Australia 10) models or classic Italian beauties like Sofia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Monica Bellucci, Claudia Cardinale, Mariagrazia Cucinotta?

Well, we bet you thought about one of the actresses mentioned above and, if this is the case, you would agree with fashion designer Elena Miroglio, of the Elena Mirò group, that Italian fashion should also cater for Mediterranean-style fuller figured women.

On the contrary, Elena Mirò has been excluded from the official fashion shows at Milan Fashion Week because her plus size models, an Italian size 46 (UK 14, USA 12, Australia 16), do not conform to the general standards used by other designers. Just as stubborn as a real woman who knows to be right can be, Elena Miroglio went ahead presenting, outside the official programme of the fashion week, a wonderful Fall/Winter 2011 collection inspired by the beauty of Italian divas of the 1950s: Gina Lollobrigida, Sofia Loren, Lucia Bosé, Silva Coscina and Silvana Pampanini.

The Elena Mirò clothing presented on the catwalk in Milan are really beautiful, elegant and glamorous at the same time, an explosion of lace, satin and macrame fabrics, with the use of 1950s inspired accessorises like gloves and corsage.

As always with Elena Mirò, on the catwalk stunning models size 44/46 reflected the idea that you do not have to be skinny at all costs to be beautiful. You can be elegant and glamorous in your breathtaking curves without hiding the body under big shapes or dark colours. Brava Elena.