BORSA ITALIANA IMPRESSES TEL AVIV

No. 16
FEBRUARY 2002
BORSA ITALIANA IMPRESSES TEL AVIV
President of the Italian Stock
T heExchange
introduced "Borsa
Italiana" and its "Nuovo Mercato" to
the Israeli business and financial
community on January 14, in Tel-Aviv.
This aroused considerable
interest. The "Borsa
Italiana" aims to attract
Israeli high-tech companies
to be traded in Milano.
Italian investment bankers
and representatives from
venture capital companies
accompanied the President
of "Borsa Italiana" on his
trip to Israel.
bank, McKinsey & Co, the Israel Venture
Association, Alice Ventures and a successful
company listed on the Nuovo Mercato: Finmatica.
The event was covered by the Israeli media.
180 people took part in the conference. Leading
figures in the Israeli financial and industrial
This trip was part of a larger
project, aimed at developing and
strengthening financial, industrial
and commercial relations between
Italy and Israel. The "Borsa Ambassador Cavarai (center) introduces CEO Capuano (left) to prominent
Italiana" was introduced by its Israel businessman, Mr. Shmuel Dankner (right)
President and Managing Director
Massimo Capuano and by the Head of Nuovo
community were present.
Mercato, Maria Pierdicchi. The panel hosted
In his address to the conference, "Borsa Italiana"
representatives of Intesa BCI, Italy's largest
President Capuano spoke of the high position
AMBASSADOR CAVARAI'S FAREWELL
Dear readers,
after four years' service, my term as Italian Ambassador to Israel is coming
to an end.
In this period I have seen the Italian-Israeli relations improve and deepen.
Despite the difficult political situation, mutual trade amounts to 2,5 bn. $
yearly, cooperation is progressing in the political, scientific and economic
fields, direct investments are growing.
Italy is becoming a model for many Israelis, who increasingly appreciate
our life-style, our products, our art, our culture.
Walking some way with the Israelis has been a most rewarding experience, given the talent, the
energy and the creativity of your people.
I sincerely wish you all the best and especially the peace with your neighbors that we all deserve.
Gian Paolo Cavarai
THE LIRA HAS GONE: LONG LIVE THE LIRA!
(see page 8)
1
that the Italian
S t o c k
Exchange has
reached in
European
financial
markets in
terms of
capitalization
(the fifth
largest), and
liquidity (the
fourth largest).
He also spoke
about the
markets and
Maria Pierdicchi, Head of Nuovo
instruments
Mercato
traded,
participating companies and the rules of the
trading system. Nuovo Mercato Head Pierdicchi
talked about the performance of "Nuovo Mercato",
the stock market for high-growth and innovative
companies. The "Borsa Italiana" has held several
meetings in the past 6-8 months with Israeli
banks, investment houses,
VCs, local research institutes (continued at page 2)
Edited by:
The Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv
pg1-2
BORSA ITALIANA IMPRESSES TEL AVIV
THE EURO USHERS IN A NEW EPOCH FOR EUROPE pg2
THE TOWER OF PISA REOPENS
pg3
SCIENTIFIC FLASH
pg3
FOCUS ON SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN ITALY
pg4
pg5
ITALY'S EXPORT SUCCESS STORIES
JACOB FRENKEL IS AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS
pg6
DECORATION
EMPORIO ARMANI
pg6
pg7
EVENTS IN ISRAEL
INAUGURATION OF THE HONORARY CONSULATE
pg7
IN NAZARETH
THE LIRA HAS GONE: LONG LIVE THE LIRA!
pg8
EVENTS IN ITALY
pg8
Embassy of Italy
4, Weizman Street-Tel Aviv
Tel: 03-6964223 Fax: 03-6918428
E-mail:italemb@netvision.net.il
E-mail:italemb3@netvision.net.il (Economic & Commercial
Section)
THE EURO USHERS IN A NEW EPOCH FOR EUROPE
a century ago it was
H alfunimaginable
that
European nations that had
been fiercely hostile to one
another would one day
share their monetary
sovereignty.
After years of preparation, Europe's
single currency has finally entered
the pockets and wallets of over
60 million Italians (300 millions
Europeans). Euro banknotes and coins have
been available at all banks, cash dispensers
post offices and shops in the 12 EU Member
States that make up the euro area since January
1, 2002. The first official euro purchase was
one kilo of lychees on the French island of
Reunion, in the Indian Ocean. On the European
continent itself, Greece and Finland led the
way.
The introduction of the euro is not only a
significant economic event that will strengthen
the internal EU market, but also an important
political development. For the first time, sovereign
European states have relinquished their monetary
sovereignty and independent monetary policy
and transferred this authority to a supranational
organization that operates in their name and
for their benefit. Romano Prodi, President of
the EU Executive Commission said: "We have
given an example of real change in freedom
and democracy. The new Europe will be
something big in the world". The President of
the Republic of Italy,
Carlo Azeglio Ciampi,
dedicated his traditional
New Year television
addressed to the Euro,
hailing it as a victory
for Europe. The nations
adopting the euro are:
Austria, Belgium,
Finland, France,
Germany, Greece,
Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Three European
Union countries, the UK, Sweden and Denmark,
have yet to sign on to the euro and have retained
their own currencies for the time being.
The speed of the changeover from the existing
national currency to the euro varies from country
to country depending on the changeover plans
of each nation. The changeover period, during
which both the euro and the national currency
are being used simultaneously, the so-called
dual circulation, will last four weeks and two
months.
In Italy the end of legal tender of the national
banknotes and coins is the 28 February, 2002.
Other useful information is available at the
following web site:
http://europa.eu.int <>
The Governor of the Bank of Italy, Antonio Fazio, shows the new euro banknotes to President Ciampi
BORSA ITALIANA IMPRESSES TEL AVIV
(continued from page 1)
and Israeli companies that are active in the high
tech field, and are considering being listed in
the European markets. Contacts were also made
with legal firms and financial advisors and other
institutions
The audience at the Borsa's Roadshow
which may assist a company looking for risk
capital to finance development projects. The
"Borsa Italiana" also established relations with
institutional investors with the aim of boosting
cooperation between Italy and Israel in the field
of venture capital for companies which
are particularly active in the industrial
sector, where there is potential for
collaboration.
Italy represents a key market for Israel,
both in term of imports and exports.
It is the fourth most important
commercial partner for Israel, since
it is the third largest exporter to Israel
and the fifth largest client. In spite
of the crisis in the high-tech sector
from the second half of 2000, the
"Borsa Italiana" believes that Israel
has maintained its potential. Israel's
offer of strongly innovative
technologies at low prices is seen
2
as highly attractive for Italy's productive system.
Italian companies are already in the process of
developing different projects for industrial
cooperation in the R&D field, financed by the
European Union. Within the Fifth Program of
the European Union, there are already 100
projects linking Israeli and Italian companies.
Among these, 28 projects with Italian or Israeli
"prime contractors" have already received an
allocation of 53 million Euro. The Italian-Israeli
agreement on Scientific Cooperation, currently
being ratified by the Italian Parliament, will
soon be added to EU Research Programs. It
will provide incentives for cooperation in R&D
projects within the industrial, technological and
scientific fields, with a particular focus on
medicine and health, as well as biotechnology,
food science, new energy resources, ICT,
environment, communications, and software.<>
THE TOWER OF PISA
REOPENS
T
he leaning
tower of
Pisa was
reopened in
December 2001,
following the
success of the
structural work carried out to stabilize it.
Today the tower leans exactly as it did in
1838.
The general public is now permitted to climb to
the top of the tower. Two guards from the "Opera
Primaziale Pisana" accompany groups of 25-30
people each time. The duration of the tour lasts
approximately 30 minutes. Tickets cost 15 Euro
per person. Reservations may be made via email
at: primaziale@sirius.pisa.it
For further information and assistance, please
contact the "Opera Primaziale Pisana" at:
Tel.: +39-050 560547
or Tel.: +39-050 561820
Fax: +39-050 560505.
Construction of the Tower began in 1173 and
continued (with two long interruptions) for about
two hundred years, remaining true to the original
project, whose architect is still unknown. In the
past it was widely believed that the inclination
of the Tower was part of the project from the
beginning, but now we know that that was not
the case. The Tower was designed to be "vertical"
(and even if it did not lean it would still be one
of the most remarkable bell towers in Europe)
and started to incline during its construction. This
was caused by the particular morphological
characteristics of the ground underneath, which
is composed of various strata formed of deposits
of clayish material, inter-layered at about a metre
in depth, by strata of subterranean water. This
conclusion was reached after examing the
composition of the ground.
The Tower has long been the object of very special
attention both because of its inclination and because
of its beauty. During its construction, efforts were
made to halt the gradual inclination through the
use of special construction devices; later columns
and other damaged parts were substituted on more
than one occasion; in recent years, work has been
carried out mainly in the sub-soil in order to
significantly reduce the inclination and to make
sure that theTower will last for many more centuries.
The building as it stands today is composed of
a hollow cylindrical body encircled by arcades
with arches and columns resting upon the base,
surmounted by a belfry. The Tower is 58.36 metres
high from the foundation and 55 metres from the
ground. Its weight has been calculated at 14,453
tonnes. The centre of gravity is 22.6 metres above
the foundation, which has an exterior dimension
of 19.58 metres, with a central aperture of 4.5
metres. The area of the annular foundation is thus
285 square metres. The present inclination is about
10% from the vertical.
The body of the structure is formed by an external
wall facing of shaped ashlars in white and grey
San Giuliano limestone, an inner wall facing also
of worked limestone and, between these two wall
facings, an annular masonry area. Within this
masonry area is a spiral staircase of 293 steps,
which climbs up to the sixth arcade, where the
internal wall terminates in a vault with a central
aperture for the passage of light, allowing access
to the belfry above and, in the lower intermediate
areas, to the various arcades; Galileo is said to
have conducted his revolutionary experiments
with falling objects from the off-kilter belfry.
At the sides of the portal there are friezes with
decorations showing animals and imaginary beasts.
These, alongside a singular representation of ships,
accompany the epigraph, which commemorates
the foundation of the building. The cylindrical
belfry is of smaller diameter than the floors below,
and is decorated on the outside with closed and
pierced lunettes, which rest alternately on pedestals
and columns. Under every pedestal (with two
closed lunettes) there is a door, while the single
pierced lunettes supported on columns are lengthened
to form windows. The belfry is reached via a
narrow spiral
staircase, which
allows access to
the summit of the
tower by way of
a stair cut into the
wall.
The landmark is
Scientific Flash
"SAN RAFFAELE" HOSPITAL IN MILAN
LEADING CENTER FOR CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
Italy is becoming increasingly involved in the creation
of high-level research centers to promote cooperation
aimed at establishing a European research network. In
this connection, the "San Raffaele" Hospital in Milan
has established the first "Centro di Proteomica" in Italy
and the "Istituto per la Ricerca sulle Cellule Staminali"
(SCRI), where the largest number of scientists in Europe
is studying stem cells from different tissues and organs.
The "San Raffaele Hospital" is therefore the first center
in Europe devoted to the study of molecular medicine.
In addition the hospital has established the "Centro di
Eccellenza Italiano San Raffaele per la Ricerca
Cardiovascolare Post-Genomica" to carry out cardiovascular
research (studies of genetic and environmental damage
and therapy). Priorities of this Center include discovering
why patients have a heart attack without previous risk
factors or why therapy does not work with some patients.<>
GOCE SATELLITE
Alenia Spazio and the European Space Agency (ESA)
have signed a contract worth 280 billion lire (147 million
euro) for the construction of the GOCE satellite. Alenia
Spazio will head a large European industrial consortium
with responsibility for the design, development, integration
and testing of the satellite. GOCE (Gravity field and
steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) will be the first
mission in ESA's "Earth Explorer" programme. The
satellite is scheduled to be launched in 2006 and the
mission will last 30 months. It is intended to provide the
first global high-resolution map of the Earth's gravitational
field. The accuracy and thoroughness of the data provided
by GOCE will permit a considerable advance in our
understanding of the structure and dynamics of planet
Earth, large-scale ocean circulation, and its influence on
climate. The industrial consortium (made up of major
European companies such as Astrium, Alcatel Space and
ONERA) includes LABEN, responsible for the construction
of the on-board computer, which is also competing for
the construction of the multi-channel GPS reception
system.<>
THE FIRST PORTAL OF CHEMISTRY IN
ITALY
The first promotional portal of Italian chemistry
(www.cheminitaly.it) has been created by "Federchimica",
the Ministry of Production Activities and the ICE (Institute
for Foreign Trade). The portal provides information on
Italian chemical products and enterprises operating in
the sector (over 1,500 enterprises producing 4,600
products). The project has involved 19 associations which
are members of "Federchimica".<>
"Campo dei Miracoli", Pisa
part of a trio of buildings that makes Pisa's "Campo
dei Miracoli", an immense field of lush grass.
The Duomo, its massive Baptistery, and the Leaning
Tower, all majestic, creamy marble structures,
attest to the city's former glory and epitomize the
Romanesque architecture of northern Italy.
Pisa's historic centre is best seen on foot. Visitors
can browse through the Piazza delle Vettovaglie's
open-air market on weekday mornings. There is
an antique fair on the second weekend of each
month at the Ponte di Mezzo. Pisa is on the coast
of Tuscany, a region famed for its food, wine and
beautiful hill towns. Many people visit Pisa as a
day trip from Florence, just an hour away by train.
primaziale@sirius.pisa.it<>
3
THE DIGITAL RESTORATION OF
CIMABUE'S FRESCOES
Frescoes of St. Matteo by Cimabue in the Basilica of St.
Francesco in Assisi, which collapsed after the earthquake
in 1997, have been restored by the "Istituto Centrale del
Restauro". Restorers have put together over 120,000
fragments through a digital technique worked out in
cooperation with the "Istituto per l'Elaborazione di Segnali
ed Immagini" of CNR (National Research Council) in
Bari. By applying this technique, the fragments of the
35 meter-wide fresco, have been carefully selected (also
through mathematical algorithms) and reassembled.
Digital instruments which do not harm the fragments of
the fresco supply virtual indication and information to
restorers, who are thus able to see the original state of
the fresco.<>
Focus on Scientific Research in Italy
"AREA" SCIENCE PARK IN TRIESTE
AREA Science Park is one of the most
T heimportant
science parks in Europe. It is
located in the Karst suburb of Trieste, on the
campuses of Padriciano and Basovizza, totalling
55 hectares. About 1500 people, engaged in
R&D, technology transfer, training, and
specialized services, are presently working in
the companies, research centres and institutes
located in the Science Park. This Area Science
Park is run by the "Consorzio per l'AREA di
Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica di Trieste"
- AREA Science Park Consortium
(info@area.trieste.it)
The Italian Government has included AREA
among its National Research Bodies.
Contribution to the economic
development
The AREA Science Park contributes to the
economic development of the region (Region
of Friuli-Venezia Giulia) by multiplying the
points of intersection between corporate
innovation requirements and the potential for
ideas, solutions and inventions of universities
and research centres: for instance, developing
precision equipment to be used in industrial
manufacture from the technologies developed
for instruments used in astronomical research.
Many sectors can benefit from the expertise
achieved through research. Since 1982 the
AREA Science Park has focused more and
more on creating solid links between businesses
and research.
Services offered
The AREA Science Park Consortium provides
the infrastructure for allotments in the Science
Park. It leases offices and equipped laboratories,
offers the tenants the use of services and common
facilities, provides network connections and
services, offers facilities for sharing innovation
and transfer of technologies. It promotes and
runs advanced training activities which are
linked to the sharing of new discoveries. It also
provides tenants with technical, financial and
marketing assistance and information services
on the organizations which support research.
It runs and gives financial support to research
and technological development projects carried
out in the AREA Science Park, and promotes
the image of the AREA Science Park and of
its tenants by informing the media of their
activities, and making sure they take part in
trade fairs. It also organizes meetings with
businessmen and institutions, and carries out
bibliographic research on over 700 on-line data
banks and Internet, as well as supplying
information services and documentation on
patents via the "PatLib Friuli Venezia Giulia
Centre" (electronic library of patents, industrial
information and technology).
Sectors and research centres
The Area Science Park is active in several
sectors of scientific research and technological
applications: environment; biotechnology and
diagnostics; chemistry and biochemistry;
electronics and industrial automation; physics,
aerospace and new materials; informatics and
multimedia systems; biomedical technologies;
telecommunications and specialised services.
About 70 companies, institutes and laboratories
from different sectors are located in the AREA:
environment, biotechnology and diagnostics,
chemistry and biochemistry, electronics and
industrial automation, physics and aerospace,
information technology and multimedia systems.
Here are some of the centres based in the Park:
ICGEB (International Centre
for Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology)
Research and training in genetic
engineering and biotechnology
with special attention to the needs
of developing countries; molecular
and plant biology; technologies
for production of recombinant
proteins of pharmaceutical interest
and for vaccine development;
capacity building and dissemination
of information on bio-safety issues.
icgeb@icgeb.trieste.it
LNCIB (National Laboratory
o f t h e I n t e r- U n i v e r s i t y
Consortium for Biotechnology)
R&D on structural and functional
genomic, bioinformatics, control
of cell proliferation and apoptosis,
immunobiotechnology and
molecular oncology.
cib@sci.area.trieste.it
CNR - Institute for Structural
Chemistry (Trieste Section)
Basic research in structural
chemistry, structural biology and
materials science; running of the
X-ray diffraction beam line "XRD1
INFN (National Institute for
Nuclear Physics) - Sezione di
Trieste
Research in nuclear physics,
elementary particles and
fundamental interaction;
development of particle detectors,
microelectronic devices for data
acquisition and management,
computing and network
technologies.
infn@trieste.infn.it"
Protein Crystallography" at the
ELETTRA Synchrotron Light
Laboratory; study of protein crystal
structures for new drug design.
lamba@sci.area.trieste.it
CNR - Institute for Matter
Structure (Trieste Section)
Basic and applied research in solidstate physics (electronic properties
of surfaces, semi conducting,
metallic and magnetic materials);
design of soft X-ray synchrotron
beam lines.
perfetti@dns.ism.rm.cnr.it"
ICS-UNIDO (International
Centre for Science and High
Technology - United Nations
Industrial Development
Organization)
Transfer of technologies through
capacity building, to promote
sustainable industrial growth in
developing countries, in the areas
of chemistry, environment, high
technology, new materials and
technology management, advanced
technical services based on
decision-support systems. E -mail:
info@ics.trieste.it
INFM (National Institute for
Physics of Matter) - TASC
Laboratory (Advanced
technologies surfaces and
catalysis)
Surface analysis using photoemission and Auger spectroscopy,
electron and atomic beam
scattering, X-ray diffraction, tunnel,
atomic force and electron
microscopy; research on new
semiconductor and super
conducting materials and on
microelectronic devices.
tasc@sci.area.trieste.it
4
Synchrotron Light Laboratory
ELETTRA
ELETTRA, the Synchrotron Light
Laboratory run by
"SINCROTRONE Trieste scpa",
is dedicated to basic, applied and
pre-competitive research, carried
out in cooperation with researchers
from a wide range of institutions
and countries. These include
universities and laboratories in
Italy and elsewhere in Europe,
national and foreign research
institutions (CNR, INFM, Austrian
and Czech academies of sciences),
and industries in Italy and other
countries.
The laboratory provides the
necessary environment for research
on biological structures, dynamic
surface phenomena,
superconductors, and studies on
metal structures and composite
materials.
info@elettra.trieste.it
For the complete list of research
centres and companies, see
http://www.area.trieste.it.<>
Italy's Export Success Stories
The Italian Ceramic Industry
and more Israeli houses are
M ore
decorated with Italian tiles. This
is a sign of Italy's success in
manufacturing ceramic products.
Here is a profile of this industry.
to values close to those of 1996. Most
importantly, it comes after a negative
three-year period in which the sector
lost a quarter of its turnover. The
increase was due in almost equal
measure to the good results achieved
by domestic sales and exports.
Sales in Italy reached 1,048 billion
lire (24.7% up on 1999), accounting
for 34.4% of the sector's turnover.
Exports generated 1,999 billion lire
(20.3% up on 1999). The sector's export potential
is 65.5%.
Although not yet officially confirmed, the
2001 total turnover should decrease by 2-3%,
The number of Italian ceramic machinery
manufacturers in the year 2000 totalled 190,
with 7,177 employees. The process of industrial
concentration continues, with the formation
of groups consisting of a number of companies
and brands. The aim of this is to reach a more
suitable size to cope with the extremely high
costs of research and commercial penetration
of world markets in an increasingly competitive
scenario. The sector continues to be fairly
heterogeneous with a large number of small
and medium-sized companies and just a few
large groups.
The highest number of businesses in the field
of ceramic manufacturing is in the provinces
of Modena (102 companies) and Reggio Emilia
(27 companies).
In the year 2000 the sector achieved a turnover
of 3,047 billion lire, a significant increase
(21.8% up on 1999) that brings the sector back
5
while in 2002 the decrease should be higher
(-15%).
The tile industry maintains its position as the
leading customer accounting for 81.3% of the
sector's total turnover, to a value
of 2,477 billion lire (23.1% up on
1999). Sales in Italy showed a 27.9%
increase over 1999 to 859 billion
lire, the highest value since 1996.
Exports to the tile industry also rose
by 20.7% over the previous year
to a value of 1,617 billion lire. With
the sole exception of sales to the
refractory and various ceramic
industry, all the other client sectors
showed positive trends: +9.7% in
the heavy clay machinery sector;
+91.1% in the tableware machinery
sector; +37.5% in the sanitaryware
machinery sector. The breakdown
of exports by geographical area
confirms several trends already
shown in the past, but at the same
time reveals a very different picture
as regards the percentages held by
the other areas.
Specifically, the European Union and South
America maintain their respective positions
as leading and second-place export markets,
with 35.9% and 12.3% respectively of total
foreign turnover. The new factor that emerged
for the first time in 2000 was the marked
uniformity of the shares held by the other
markets, which are all located in a range
between 7.8% and 9% of the sector's total
foreign turnover.
As regards the turnover generated in each
area, there appears to be a generalised
upward trend: +18.5% in the European
Union; +34.4% in Eastern Europe; +19.1%
in Central and South America; +21.4% in
the Middle East; +49.5% in Asia (excluding
China); +100.5% in Africa. The markets
in the NAFTA area (USA, Mexico and
Canada) and Australia are basically stable.
The only country to show a fall was China,
unlike in 1999 when there was a recovery
in investments.<>
JACOB FRENKEL IS AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS DECORATION
Frenkel, former Governor
J akob
of the Bank of Israel, currently
President of Merrill Lynch International,
has received the decoration of "Cavaliere
di Gran Croce" (Knight of the Grand
Cross) of the Order of Merit of the
Italian Republic from the hands of
Italian Ambassador to Israel Gian Paolo
Cavarai, on Friday, February 15, 2002,
during his farewell party.
The prestigious decoration has been
awarded to Frenkel by the President
of the Italian Republic, Carlo Azeglio
Ciampi, for his outstanding contribution
to the development of the Israeli-Italian
economic relations and the global
economic policy. In his position of
Governor of the Bank of Israel, Frenkel
has successfully achieved the task of
eradicating inflation, thereby helping
bring Israel in line with the criteria
of monetary stability of the European
Monetary Union.
The decoration of "Cavaliere di Gran
Croce" has been awarded, inter alia,
to Kenneth Galbraith, Jacques De
Larosiere and Maestro Yehudi Menuhin.
Former Israeli Ambassador to Italy
Avi Pazner also received the
decoration.<>
Jacob Frenkel (left) is decorated as "Cavaliere di Gran Croce" by Ambassador
Cavarai (right) on last 15 February at the Italian Ambassador's Residence
The newly-opened Emporio Armani
boutique in Tel Aviv featuring the
Spring/Summer 2002 Collection.
The boutique is filled with products
for young, modern-minded, fashionoriented men and women.
Emphasis on new exciting urban
fashion with an edge. Everything
from jeans to suits.
22, Hei Beyar Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel: 972-3-6099955, 972-3-5442468
Fax: 972-3-5442468
www.emporioarmani.it
Emporio Armani can take you from work to weekend,
morning to night
6
E V E N T S I N I SRAEL
Schinasi founded the Neo-futuristic
art movement and now lives in Nizza,
in Tuscany, and often visits Israel.
Contact & Information: 03-5234550
For further information please call
03-6957361 / 6954220
Andrea Chenier
Hot Jazz from New Israeli Opera
Italy
15 - 31 March, 2002
Te l Av i v M u s e u m o f A r t s
Hot Jazz performances continue
with:
The Gabriele Mirabassi Trio (clarinet).
Born in Perugia, he graduated with
honours from the "F. Morlacchi"
Conservatory. He performs and
records with many of the greatest
Italian and European musicians,
taking part in important festivals
in Italy and abroad. Winner of the
Best Italian Jazz Musician at Top
Jazz '96.
Contact & Information: 03-5234550
Art Exhibit by Daniele
Schinasi
The Tony Pancella Trio
From March 15 until April 15, 2002 (pianist).
Italian Cultural Institute - Italian Language
Center
Rehov Ben Shatach, 9, Tel Aviv/Yaffo
Daniele Schinasi was born in 1933 in Alessandria,
Egypt. He left for Livorno, Italy in 1956.
Born in Chieti and essentially self-taught, he
began to work in the musical field when he
was very young. He performs with the best
known jazz names all over the world with
great public and critical success.
Andrea Chenier will be performed in
collaboration with the New Israeli Opera, by
a cast that is principally Italian, directed by
Maestro Giuliano Carella and produced by
Giancarlo Del Monaco.
Contact & Information: 03-6927777
Literary Tuesdays
Italian Cultural Institute, Dizengoff 205,
Tel Aviv
The Italian Cultural Institute is happy to reopen
its doors to our monthly encounters. Making
it possible, once again, to listen to an interesting
lecture in Italian while sipping coffee and
enjoying cakes.
19 March, 2002
Our very own Dr. Adolfo Sacchetta (lecturer
at the Tel Aviv University) will discuss the
work of Dacia Maraini: "La lunga vita di
Marianna Ucria" accompanied by a screening
of the film.
Contact & Information: 03-5234550 <>
INAUGURATION OF THE HONORARY CONSULATE IN NAZARETH
newly-instituted Italian
T heHonorary
Consulate in
the Italian Cultural Institute in Tel
Aviv; the Consulate General in
Jerusalem and the Honorary Consulate
Nazareth was inaugurated on
in Haifa; the Italian Cultural Institute
February 5, 2002, at the Renaissance
department and the Honorary ViceHotel, - where the Consulate will
Consulate in Eilat.
be located - in the presence of the
The city of Nazareth is particularly
Italian Ambassador to Israel, H.E.
relevant for Italy. Over 200 Italian
Gian Paolo Cavarai, the civil and
citizens reside in the area, and there
religious authorities of Galilee and
are several important Italian
of Italians resident in the area .
institutions: the Fatebenefratelli
The newly appointed Italian Consul,
Hospital, the "Scuola Sacra Famiglia"
Michael Paolo Levi, a citizen of both
of Opera Don Guanella, for mentally
Italy and Israel, is a highly-respected
and physically handicapped children
entrepreneur, currently Chairman
and the Technical Institute Don
of El Al and owner of a chemical
Bosco of the Salesian Fathers. The
factory near Nazareth, Nilit Ltd,
employing more than 700 people: The newly-appointed Italian Honorary Consul, Michael Paolo Levi (far right), H.E. current "Vicario Patriarcale Latino
Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze the Ambassador of Italy, Gian Paolo Cavarai, Mrs. Rivka Levi (centre), the Mayor for Israel", H.E. Mons. Giacinto
of Nazareth, Mr. Ramez Jaraisy and H.E. Mons. Giacinto Boulos Marcuzzo, "Vicario Marcuzzo is also an Italian citizen.
and Circassian.
Nazareth is traditionally visited by
The Honorary Consulate in Nazareth Patriarcale Latino" in Israel (far left)
a significant number of Italian tourists and
was created with the objective of further
Israel, strengthening the present network of
pilgrims every year.<>
improving the service to Italian nationals in
Italian institutions in Israel: the Embassy and
7
Milan
After the New York and London Fashion
Weeks, it's Milan's turn to shine. Styles for
Autumn 2002 are sent down the catwalk
by all the top designers. In recent years,
Milan's Fashion Week has been extended
to include an increasing number of catwalk
shows - a clear reflection of the city's growing
importance in the global fashion industry.
This city of style looks set to host even more
"Via della Spiga", Milan
in 2002.
Contact & Information:
L.go Domodossola 1, Milan Tel. +39-0249971
Rome
The Fondazione Carlo Levi presents an exhibition of artist
Carlo Levi's landscape paintings. Born in Turin, Carlo
Levi began his career as an artist with the anti-establishment
group "Sei Pittori" di Torino (Six Painters of Turin) before
involving himself with writing and finally becoming a
senator. Last year saw a retrospective of the portraits he
painted up to 1960.
Contact & Information:
Via Ancona, Rome Tel. +39-0644230740
Carlo Levi
THE LIRA HAS GONE: LONG
LIVE THE LIRA!
S
everal projects have been
devoted to the Lira. They
have been promoted by the
"Comitato per le Celebrazioni
del III Millennio" (Committee
for the Celebrations of the III
Millennium) and by the
"Collezioni Numismatiche"
The Golden lira
(Numismatic Collections),
in charge of a special coinage of the
"Golden Lira".
The main projects are:
● A special exhibition entitled "The Long Way
to the Euro" from December 3, 2001 until
February 3, 2002, at the Complesso dei Dioscuri,
via Piacenza, Rome.
● A series of publications. The first, curated
by A. Taracchini, is called "La Lira d'Oro (The Golden Lira - history, emotions and
memories of our coin).
● A monument to the Lira: a tender for the
planning of a monument to the Lira, aimed at
all Italians living in Italy and abroad. The
winner will be chosen by a jury comprised of
prominent personalities. The prize will be
medals of gold representing the Lira, as well
as gold and silver Microlire.
Apart from the above, it is planned to dedicate
a special day annually to the "Festa della Lira"
(Feast of the Lira), a TV show and a prize "La Lira d'Oro (The Golden Lira)".
The full program is sponsored by the President
of the Republic, the Senate, the Chamber of
Deputies, the President of the Council of
Ministers, Ministries, universities, banks and
associations.
www.liradoro.it<>
8
Florence
Every year on the same day perfectly sane Florentine
citizens gather in the Piazza del Duomo to watch a
dove-shaped rocket, called the 'Colombina', fly out
of the famous Duomo and ignite a huge wooden cartstructure in the square outside.
Why ? You may well ask...
And we will try to answer. The history of this event
combines religious artifacts with pyrotechnic machinery
in the strangest ways. While its original purpose, as
a good 'pagan' ritual, was to secure a good harvest,
its pagan roots are less clear than in many other
similar events all over Italy. Tradition holds that the
explosion of the Carro, called the Brindellone, goes
way back to the semi-legendary exploits of Pazzino
de'Pazzi (The Maddest of the Mad), a Florentine
warrior who was the first man to climb the walls of
Jerusalem in July 1099, during the First Crusade.
For this deed, he received two shards of stone from
the Holy Sepulchre from his commander. These
shards were subsequently used to start an annual
'holy fire' during Holy Week. This ritual fire used
to be transported through the city as a religious relic
for all to see. Apparently by the Middle Ages this
'holy flame' had come to be transported in a Carro,
a simple carriage that carried a large candle through
town on the 24th of June, Saint John the Baptist Day,
the patron saint of Florence.
By the 18th Century, the simple Carro had
metamorphosed into a tremendous tottering structure,
30 feet tall, divided vertically into four niches that
held little boys and with a poor ragged fur-clad man
on top, representing Saint John. The otherwise
unemployed man was paid 10 lire for the job, which
was to distribute candy, bits of food and other goodies
from the top of the Carro.
Today the celebration of the ceremony still bears a
strong resemblance to the way in which it has been
celebrated over the centuries. On the morning of the
Festival the Carro, pulled by two white oxen, leaves
from Via del Prato for the Piazza del Duomo,
accompanied by costumed revellers and various city
officials and clerical representatives. The holy fire,
still started with the historical shards from the Holy
Sepulchre, is lit in the Church of SS Apostoli and
transported to the Duomo, where the archbishop of
the city uses it to light the sacred 'Colombina' rocket
during the Easter Mass. The rocket rushes out of the
Duomo along a wire, sets fire to the huge array of
fireworks attached to the Carro and returns back to
the church the way it came. If this complex ritual
goes smoothly, good luck is ensured for the city, not
only with harvests but in the everyday life and business
of its citizens.
Contact & Information:
Piazza del Duomo, Florence
Tel: +39-055290832