The Italian
Cultural Institute, founded in 1979, is an office of the Italian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs - Department for Cultural Promotion and Cooperation.
The Institute
promotes Italian language and culture in Scotland and Northern Ireland and
cooperates with local Institutions and Universities and serves as well as a
gathering point for the Italian community.
The Institute
promotes academic exchanges, organises arts exhibitions, sponsors the
translation of Italian books, supports various events on literature, music,
sciences, dance, film, design, fashion, theatre, cuisine, architecture,
photography, etc
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This
section highlights stories with a Scotsitalian angle that have recently appeared
on the web and in the press. In addition it deals with requests from readers who
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2010
February
The
Green Heart of Italy Comes to Glasgow for the First Time at Cookie
Glaswegians will be able to taste a
sample of authentic Umbrian cuisine for the first time when an
Italian agriturismo farm decamps to
Cookie, the inspirational eatery
incorporating a restaurant, café, deli and shop in Glasgow’s
southside over the weekend of the 26th
February.
The event has led to a flutter of
passport applications in the sleepy Umbrian town from where Claudio
Piccirilli’s farm, Piana delle Selve, is located as the excursion
will mark the first time that many of his chefs, assistants and farm
hands have travelled outwith Italy. Piana delle Selve’s kitchen
staff – comprising farmhand Gian Luca, head chef Loretta and her
assistants Paula and Maura – will run Cookie, introducing
traditional Umbrian dishes to Glasgow for the very first time.
Cookie’s co-owner, Domenico del Priore,
said, “We thought it
would be a great idea to bring a taste of Umbria to Glasgow’s
southside. Like other Italian agriturismo operations, the vast
majority of Piana delle Selve’s operation is self-production.
Unlike conventional UK farms, the
Italian model effectively cuts out the middle man and places
an emphasis on the retention of local tradition. As such, it chimes
perfectly with our stated objective to break down the artificial
barriers between food production, distribution, preparation and
consumption.
Piana delle Selve’s kitchen
staff only know how to prepare food from scratch. It is really
important to them that their livestock is killed and prepared by
them for your table – and it is safe to say that they have never
been to Tesco! “Claudio
and his staff are bringing
all the ingredients they need to
replicate their Umbrian kitchen and stock the shelves of Cookie,
from ducks, guinea hens, chicory, lentils from Montecchio, pulses,
flours, eggs, jams, bottled tomatoes, capers, wine and olive oil.
Demonstration cooking lessons will be held on Friday and Saturday
with pasta making, meat preparation on and sauces and cakes.
“On Saturday and Sunday they will
serve traditional meals in the same way they do back home. We hope
this event will create a gateway between our Umbrian home and
Glasgow promoting similar exchanges in the future in both
directions, with grape and olive harvesting events, mushroom hunting
and foraging, children’s educational exchanges and cultural tourism
as part of the agenda.”
Gastronomical specialities, all
based on Piana delle Selve’s own products and cooked
according to longstanding Umbrian tradition, will range from a
variety of typical salami, toasted bread and omelettes with aromatic
herbs, to handmade egg pasta such as tagliolini and tagliatelle with
goose and wild boar sauce, and a variety of lasagne and cannelloni
filled with fresh vegetables.
The Umbrian farmhouse
event is the latest element of Cookie’s ongoing programme to break down the barriers between food
production, distribution, preparation and consumption from its base
at 72 Nithsdale Road, Pollokshields, Glasgow.
A
beautiful, subtle book which
transported me to rural Italy at the
turn of the century: a deeply moving
debut
—
Nicola Monaghan.
Who was the man
she met last night?
At the turn of the last
century, the Salierno family make a tough
living as farmers in the forbidding,
mountainous terrain of Southern Italy. One
stiflingly hot summer, an earthquake
strikes, devastating their village,
destroying homes and taking lives. Concetta,
their fifteen-year old daughter, is
seriously injured — and, on waking from a
coma, can’t remember anything in the weeks
before the disaster. When Concetta discovers
she is pregnant, her family marry her off
hastily to neighbours who owe a debt of
honour.
For her family, this story is over: covered
up; but for Concetta, it is only the
beginning. With the help of grieving signora
Clara, whose son Peppe lost his life in the
earthquake, Concetta sets out to discover
the identity of her child’s father and solve
the mystery of what happened in those
forgotten weeks before the earthquake. In
doing so, she must try to balance the
demands of her new life with the disturbing
half-memories of her past — of loss, love
and violence.
2009
July
SS ‘ARANDORA
STAR’ –A Memorial Plaque in Middlesbrough
On 2 July 2009,
the 69th anniversary of the sinking of the SS ‘Arandora
Star’, Middlesbrough’s Mayor Ray Mallon and MP Sir Stuart Bell will
host a civic reception and unveil a specially commissioned plaque to
honour a lost generation of Teesside Italians.
Representatives
of all the families involved will be invited to attend and it is hoped
that the event will help to heal the wounds of a bitter injustice. A
booklet telling the story of the tragic event together with those of the
families concerned is being produced.
On the night of
10 June 1940, 20 local men were arrested, interned and eventually taken
aboard the SS ‘Arandora Star’ bound for Canada. Almost 450
Italian men were lost when the ship was torpedoed and sunk 75 miles off
the Irish coast and 13 of them had made their homes, started businesses
and raised families on Teesside.
TEESSIDE VICTIMS ON BOARD
MIDDLESBROUGH
- Leandro Beltrami
from Massemino, Luigi Bertoia from Montereale, Alessandro Borsumato,
Giuseppe Tortolano and Antonio Nardone all from Cassino, Domenico Greco
from Santo Padre, Tullio Greco,Antonio Ranaldi, Camillo Rea and Domenico
Rea all from Arpino, Amedeo Lucantoni from Rome
REDCAR
- Antonio Todisco from Vallerotonda
SEATON
CAREW - Domenico
Pontone from Cassino
For further
details please contact me by email at - ajdavis17@hotmail.com
Marbella resident and champion in revitalising the name of the
Spanish town Dario Poli was featured recently in the Spanish, Norwegian
and Swedish press.
May
Dave
Crossar runs the Pisa marathon and makes the front page of the Pisa
Cronaca crossing the finishing line....... in his kilt.
January
Has Dolmio had its day?
We'd like to hear your
opinions on these ads. They adhere to every stereotype in the book, and
yet, what would be the reaction if say a Chinese or Indian meal were
portrayed in the same manner? I know these jars are a joke in many a
household, and to add to that they are in fact made in Holland.
They remain however one
of the UK's most recognisable brands.
So we ask you then do you
find these ads slightly offensive, funny or are you indifferent.
Further to this and on a more serious
note, a number of our readers have voiced their concern over the recent
strikes at the Total Lindsey Refinery. Specifically referring to the BBC
coverage and the use of derogatory terms used to describe Italian
workers by those interviewed.
Dario Poli, artist, author and musician now resident of the Costa del
Sol has been praised in the local and national press for championing his
home town of Marbella. He is also co-producing a reworking of
Nostradamus the musical with Roberto Danava and features the powerful
voice of Engelbert Humperdink and guitar skills of Steve Zed. Good luck
Dario and best wishes from us all.
2008
November
LIVI FOR LIFE!
An email has reached us regarding Livingston
FC. Given the Italian connection at the club (an Italian consortium
headed by Angelo Massone gained control of the club in June 2008 and
until recently, Italian Roberto Landi managed the club) could
Scotsitalians not adopt Livi as their own? Certainly as a second team
perhaps.
March
Ronnie Convery has just been named as secretary
of CoCAIS
(Comitato Coordinamento Associazioni Italiane in Scozia),
a role inherited from Giuseppe Riato. He can be emailed direct on
Ronnie.Convery@rcag.org.uk.
Look out for the return of the traditional
Scampagnata, the annual sports day for Italians in Scotland. The date
for the joint event is Sunday June 22, and the venue is Cochrane Park,
Alva,Clackmannanshire. There will be the usual sports events
(football and bocce) as well as children's entertainers, Italian music
and stalls.
We are delighted that this year our patron Archbishop Mario Conti will
attend and offer Mass for the participants.
Dario Poli, resident of Marbella has penned a
song about the area in response to a disparaging CNN article, with
widespread appeal across all of Spain and beyond, receiving media
coverage such as radio play and television appearances.
2007
Tickets now on sale
for the Scotland Italy game, available on the
FIGC website (Italian
language) Italian section, 40 euros + postage.FIGC
website
October 31st
Check out
Roberto Cassani
- curiously labelled Scottish Italian Comedy Act, download 'South
Street', reminds me of my uncle, he he.
Congratualtions Dario !!! Well done
Dario Franchitti
on winning the 2007
Indy Car title, his first ever and what a
way to do it, on the last few laps!!!!!!! He drives some of the fastest
cars on the planet (and recently bagged the fabled Indy 500), has a
collection of Ferrari's, flies helicopters for fun and is married to a
Hollywood actress, not bad for a lad from Bathgate......BBC
website
September 9th
Nicola Benedetti in the news condemning
reality TV show. Benedetti
said: “If you’re a celebrity because you have lived on a TV show for
two weeks, there is nothing to celebrate about that. I find it pretty
gross. It’s disturbing that it is worshipped.
People nowadays expect things very quickly. They think the output should
always be far greater than the input. There is a lack of understanding
of the pleasure and satisfaction of learning, discipline and hard work.”The Scotsman
September 3rd
Traffic Cone on
Mordini statue in Barga a la Glasgow www.barganews.com
August
Paolo plays
emotional sell out gig to full Opera house in Barga and to dozens of fans
outside who couldn't get in despite the threat of storms and being held up in
the airport chaos. Daily
Record August 15th
Triumph
of the Tallies Interview
with Joe Pieri on his forthcoming book, The Scotsitalians, The Scotsman, 26th October 2005.
Marcus
Di Rollo, Scotland regularcelebrated scoring the winning try for the Scotland
Rugby
Union side as they beat off difficult opposition from South Sea Islanders,
Samoa, 18 -11. The highly rated 27 year old outside centre is now an integral
part of new coach Haddens plans. BBC website 20th November 2005
BAFTA success for Daniela - Last nights' Bafta
Scotland
Awards at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Glasgow had a double Italian
connection, firstly with the nomination of Daniela Nardini as Best Actress for
her role in Festival (though it was her dress that seemed to capture the
headlines), and secondly for Eorpa: Arandora Star which won the
award for Gaelic language. BAFTA
website 4th November 2005
Following an announcement by Pope Benedict XVI, Philip
Tartaglia was named the new Bishop of Paisley. Philip was
formerly Rector of the Pontifical Scots College, Rome. Our congratulations go out to him. This was recently pointed out to me by
a local Parish priest who said the Italians are taking over !!
13th September 2005,
Diocese of Paisley website
Colonsay Memorial - A poignant memorial was recently unveiled on the Isle
of Colonsay
to those who to the perished on the Arandora Star, in memory of
Giuseppe Delgrosso one who died that fateful night on July 2nd 1940. Isle
of Colonsay website, 9th July 2005
Word has reached me from Prof./Cav. DiNovo from the American
Italian Heritage Association
of a speech by Mr. Monro to the group on the
"Italian-Scottish Connection." On Thursday, July 31st we
will hold Our Monthly Business Meeting, followed by
a presentation by William Munro, and he will speak on "The Scotch
& Italian Connection, Past and Present." The
Scots are planning a Scottish
Cultural Center, outside of Albany in the town of New Scotland. A Social will
follow the presentation. This event will take
place at the IACC, Albany and is air conditioned. exert American Italian
Heritage Association. American Italian Heritage
Association Website, 9th July 2005
Congratulations to Martin
Rossi who wins Daily Record/BBC Scotland Young Commentator of the Year
Award. Martin will commentate live on the Cup Final between Celtic and Dunfermline.
Martin is an Inter Milan fan and regularly listens to Serie A matches on the
internet. Daily Record Website, 21st May 2004
Sad
loss of the Very Reverend Romeo Canon Coia
A
popular member of the Italian Club at Park Circus, hard working ever
effervescent Canon Coia entered the priesthood late in life following the death
of his wife. Canon Coia was 92 when he died and much loved by family and
parishioners alike. Scotsman, 14th May 2005.
Nicola wins BBC
Young Musician of the Year.Congratulations
to Nicola Benedetti from West Kilbride who last night won the title of Young
Musician of the Year. Nicola's rendition of Szymanowski's Violin Concerto No 1
at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh won over the judges. Nicola received her prize
from the Duchess of Kent. She is believed to practise up to 8 hours a day and
has been reported to have been offered numerous offers from record companies.
(Later in the year Nicola was to appear in the visitscotland
winter campaign). BBC website 2nd May 2004
Home from Home
The
charming Tuscan hill town of Barga has proud and enduring connections with
Scotland – the perfect place to wash down your fish and chips with a fine
Chianti, Sunday Herald, 24th April 2005.
Eduardo
Paolozzi one of
the founders of British Pop Art, dies age 81, 23rd April 2005.
Much loved by the general public, but one who divides the critics, this
design has been reproduced countless times on posters and cards and today was
sold to mystery phone bidder. BBC Website19th April 2004
Italian Film Festival
The
12TH Annual ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL UK
begins
8 through to 28 APRIL 2005 with various venues throughout Scotland.
61.Have an Ice Cream at Luca's, Musselburgh,
64. Buy Coffee and Olive Oil at Valvona and Crolla - Sunday
Herald, 28th March 2004
BBC
Feature Nicola Benedetti in Artworks Scotland - Also featured in many of the Sunday papers including the Mail on Sunday this
program charts the success of the young violinist and how she stands on the
verge of signing a multi million pound recording deal. Nicola won the Prodigy of
the Year competition in 2003, has played at Glastonbury and dueted with the late
Yehudi Menuhin. Here's to your continued success !!!BBC
Website, 8th March 2004
Two
American mafiosi on the run seek refuge with their Scots/Italian counterparts in
Glasgow with interesting results. However, cousin Roberto isn't the tough guy
they expected, to him a Magnum 45's an ice cream. On general release at UGC Cinemas
from November 28th. American Cousins
Website, October 2003
The
Kilt is his Delight Article about the
Scotsitalian Tartan in the Falkirk Herald. 23rd September
2004.
Valvona and
Crolla the Edinburgh Deli is 70 years young, The Scotsman,
3rd September
2004.
BBC makes programme on Ciro
Campanella, pioneering Italian Heart Surgeon who has lived and worked in
Scotland for many years.BBC Gift of Life, September 2003
BBC Sport
Scotland: Simon Danielli gets long awaited call up for the Scotland Rugby
Squad... - The Bath winger (and former Oxford Blue) has been called up for this
Saturday's clash with none other than Italy at Murrayfield. Having previously
represented England at youth level, Danielli has opted to represent Scotland in
the senior game. Danielli trained with Scotland at their summer camp in Poland
this July. Scotland coach Ian McGeechan recently said of Danielli "He impressed
me last year when I watched him. He is a big lad, has natural pace and scores
tries. They are pretty good attributes for someone you want to see brought on to
the international stage."
You'd
Batter Believe It Independent article on
Barga's Pesce e Patate Festival, August 2004.
The
Guardian: McGregor shines in Trocchi's Young Adam. -Ewan
McGregor stars as the lead, in this story which recounts the life of a 1950's
barge worker and includes explicit sex scenes which have been compared to Last
Tango in Paris. It was feared the film may not even have been given a
certificate but on the eleventh hour the British Board of Film Classification
passed it giving it an 18 certificate. The film opened this years Edinburgh
Film Festival. The Guardian, August 15th 2003
Shellsuit Bob's family arrive in River
City, much to his disdain... The Daily
Record reports on a new family destined for Shieldinch, the fictional
Glasgow suburb on Scottish soap, River City. The Adams family is existing
character Shellsuit Bob's kin. His sister Kelly-Marie is played by actress
Carmen Pieraccini. Daily Record, June 27th 2003
Daily
Record exclusive: Cumbernauld sign Gentile - No, not the Italian World Cup star from the winning 1982 team, but his
younger Scottish cousin, Chris Gentile, who signs for junior outfit Cumbernauld
United. The 21 year old plays more in the middle of the park and has had
previous spells with Dundee United and Dumbarton. Daily
Record, June 26th 2003
Nardini article featured in Sunday
Herald. - Sunday Herald reporter Vikky Allan recounts the last few tumultuous years for
the Largs family and asks where it all went wrong, if at all....Sunday
Herald, June 15th 2003
Centrotre,
Edinburgh Independent Review on this new
Contini family restaurant, 6th June 2004.
Lollipop,
the Italian all girl group sensation (conceived on the Popstars concept)
launches new single, Credi
a Me. The single will be featured on the Italian version of Disney's Jungle
Book 2. One of the singers picked from over 6000 entrants is ex-ice
skating champion of Italy and Europe Roberta Ruiu. Roberta's father is Italian,
and thanks to her Scottish mother is bilingual. Warner
Music, June 1st 2003
Oscar Marzaroli featured in the Boston Globe, Art Review. The recent ''Scotland Calls: One Hundred Years of 20th-Century Scottish
Photography.'' exhibition opened at the
Fitchburg
Art Museum in Massachusetts. The late Oscar Marzaroli's featured heavily and
included some of his works such as the ''Castle Milk Lads'' and "Bridges
over the River Clyde". Fitchburgart Museum,
May 31st 2003
Good luck to Federico Martone of Glasgow as he enters the Big
Brother House. Part time model and waiter in his family's Glasgow restaurant, La
Pulcinella (a fine establishment if I say so myself), Federico has
been tipped to win the reality TV show. He has also lived in Italy and New York
and supposedly Halle Berry is his ideal woman (hey, join the queue). The daily
tabloids and numerous contemporary affairs programmes are avidly following his
progress. Channel 4, May 22nd 2003
Personality
Book review in the Guardian. A tragic tale by Andrew
O'Hagan of 13 year old singer Maria Tambini and the urge for fame.
Loosely based on the life of Lena Zavaroni. April
2004.
Mary
Contini Interview Food Writer interviewed on
BBC Radio 4. April 27th 2004. You can listen to this interview.
The
Distance Between Us Book review in the
Guardian. A tale by Maggie O'Farrell, of Stella, a Scotsitalian
who has fled London to confront the childhood secret which has marked her life.
March
2004.
The Dynasty and
the Deli Valvona & Crolla and the family
firms 70 year history is discussed in The Scotsman, 20th March
2004.
The
Scotsitalian Connection a
review of the forthcoming Scotland-Italy rugby match, The Scotsman, 6th March
2004.
Sergio Casci
Nominated Two of the
Scotsitalian writer's films have been nominated in this year's Bowmore Screen
Awards, American
Cousins and Man Dancin'. Follow the link and vote!! March 2004.
Archbishop Conti discusses his new book Oh Help! The Making of an
Archbishop as featured in the Sunday
Mail Magazine. In this exclusive interview with Donna White, Archbishop Mario Conti sheds
some light on sectarianism, segregated schools and the Glasgow patter !!
Sunday
Mail, April 20th 2003
Nicola Benedetti - Plays the Violin like an Angel... featured in The
Herald. The Herald Magazine features Nicola on the cover and details her so far short
but illustrious career in classical music. Having Yehudi Menuhin as her mentor,
Nicola has been playing the violin in prestigious venues such as the Royal
Concert Hall in Glasgow and the Royal Festival Hall and Albert Hall in London
for some time, and all this by the age of 15!! Her father Gio is the well known
entrepreneur and successful businessman. The Herald, April 12th 2003
Marianne Gray in
Concerto
Scotsitalian singer appears in San Martino, March 21st 2003, (ITALIAN
article)
Save Our Girl. Daily
Record Appeal for little Teigan. The Scottish tabloid has asked for Scotsitalians to come forward as
possible bone marrow matches. The paper asks principally for men of Italian or Jamaican extraction to come
forward and participate in a test that could determine if their bone marrow
could save the life of three year old Teigan, suffering from a condition termed
aplastic anaemia. Please call the newsdesk on 0141 309 3251. All calls are taken
in the strictest confidence. Daily
Record, February 13th 2003
The search for Scotland's Best Chippie is featured tonight on BBC
Scotland.The program interviews some Scotsitalians such as Aldo Nardini and Dante
Casci who offer their views on Fish and Chips and Italians role in the industry.
The 'Fry-Spy' ruled that Harry
Ramsden's of Inverness was indeed Scotland's Best Chippie. BBC
Scotland, January 14th 2003
Natalie de Felice, an Edinburgh fashion designer of
Italian descent
died November 13th. Very popular and dynamic, she ran the successful Parters
dress salon in the grassmarket area. Her collections were often featured in
fashion shows and charity auctions. The
Scotsman
comments that 'She was an effervescent person with a
down-to-earth approach to life which endeared her to everyone. ' She is survived by her daughter Gabriella and grandson William.
The Scotsman, November 13th 2002
Michael Demarco, well known and respected Edinburgh born hotelier,
died 6th November aged 70. His vast and varied career took him to some of the
most exclusive hotels and residences in Britain, including Gleneagles, Turnberry
and the Royal Garden Hotel in London and later opened a restaurant in Chelsea..
A keen golfer he was latterly a member of Wentworth. The
Scotsman comments that 'His flamboyance was never exaggerated and his
concern for his guests remained paramount'. He is survived by his wife Marjorie, their two sons, and brothers, Richard
and Louis. The Scotsman, November 6th 2002
Scotsitalian play "Scars
of War" recently appeared at Edinburgh fringe. It charts the memories
of a boy living in the 1950's concerning events about his Scotsitalian family
before, during and after WWII in Leith Edinburgh. The play takes place over a period
of fifteen years, from the mid 1930s to 1950 and explores questions to do with
the hyphenated identity of immigrants, displacement and a sense of not belonging
which are made more acute during wartime. A brother and sister, Mario and Adele
Gallo, arrive in Edinburgh from Central Italy and start the complicated process
of living in a foreign country. They fall in love. Mario gets married to Helen
Devlin, a Scots Presbyterian, while Adele has a disastrous love affair with Hugh
Macdougall. Each of the characters, for different reasons, finds his or her life
ripped apart by the horrors of the Second World War. The realism stops here,
though; an Old Woman, always present onstage, seems to dictate the course of
events, predicting the inevitability of war, while in a timeless zone,Mr Vulcan and a Young Boy can be seen making weapons and plaster casts,
an activity which is closely linked to the devastation happening in the world
outside.August 18th 2002
Mike Maran's Captain Corelli a runaway success at the Fringe
- Mike Maran, who is featured in our
Famous Scotsitalians
section directs de Bernieres now legendary war time romance set in the backdrop
of the idyllic Mediterranean island of Cephalonia. The stage for this particular rendition is the equally inspiring location of Valvona
& Crolla's on Elm Row. Mike Maran Productions also present Did you used to be R.D. Laing?,
and Private Angelo this year. The Herald, August 15th 2002
Nina Conti wins BBC New Comedy Award.
Nina
Conti impressed the judges at the BBC New Talent Comedy Awards 2002 with her
x-rated ventriloquism act, involving a sex-crazed monkey, so much so that she
walked away with the first prize and the chance to work with the BBC.
The final will be shown on BBC on September 7th and was hosted by Jimmy
Tarbuck. Nina is the daughter of actor Tom, famous for his roles in and Shirley
Valentine and Friends. BBC Website, August 13th 2002
New £10m BBC soap to feature traditional Italian Cafe.
The BBC's latest soap, River City, set in Glasgow and due to hit our
screens soon features an authentic Italian Cafe which for years has been a
mainstay for many Scottish towns. These particular residents of Montego street
can enjoy a knickerbocker glory at the Oyster Cafe (which itself is a working
set). One of the show's 18 writers is Ann Marie DiMambro, who honed her craft on
High Road. ICSCOTLAND
Website, August 7th 2002
Peter Izzi, boxing coach and physical education teacher; born 1920, died
April 21, 2002. The Herald reports that Peter Izzi, a renowned boxer in his day was best
remembered as an inspirational and progressive coach. He enjoyed success as part
of of Britain's Olympic coaching team at Montreal and in 1978 two of his
Scottish boxers won medals at the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada.He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rina, son, Michael, and two
grandchildren.The Herald, April 26th 2002
Carla
Romano, the GMTV roving reporter is
scheduled to share the couch with Eamonn Holmes on the prime time morning show
whilst Fiona Phillips is away on maternity leave. On her new position, she comments "I do like to be out
in the field or doing showbiz interviews, but the sofa is obviously the dream
job." Carla Romano has also worked on BBC Radio Scotland, Reporting Scotland and
the Kirsty Wark Show. ICScotland
Website, March 16th 2002
Eamonn
is the real Godfather Carla
Romano talks about her role alongside Eamonn Holmes on GMTV, Daily Record 16th
March 2002
Mario Conti inaugurated as Archbishop of Glasgow
- The new Archbishop of Glasgow Mario Conti took charge of the Catholic Church
in Scotland in an official ceremony last night at St. Andrew's Cathedral
attended by dignitaries, colleague's and family. The bishop's throne, or cathedra, has lain empty since the passing of the
much revered Cardinal Winning. And like his predecessor, Mario Conti has not
been afraid to address issues of a controversial nature.
"I want to say that the church no longer stands at a critical
distance from the society which it addresses," he said.
Acknowledging Mario Conti's roots, the following quote appeared in today's Herald
newspaper:
"Almost lost, amid the invited dignitaries, were family members and
close friends, including Agostino Caproni, a cousin of the new archbishop from
the family home in Barga, Tuscany, as well as Monsignor Piero Gianini, the local
parish priest."
Agostino Caproni is cousin to the new Archbishop and a well known personality
in Barga where he owns the local grocers emporium. When I asked Agostino of his
lasting memory he had of the new Archbishop he recalled a fond memory from his
childhood. When asked as a youngster what he'd like to be when he grew up,
Agostino remembers Mario Conti replying "Why, to be Pope of course !".
Wikipedia,
February 22nd 2002
New Archbishop of Glasgow named. The Most Reverend Mario Conti, 67, the current Bishop of Aberdeen has been
named to replace the late Cardinal Winning as Archbishop of Glasgow. The
decision was announced simultaneously in Glasgow and Rome, with the Catholic
Church in Scotland aware of the appointment only 45 minutes before the
news was made public. Bishop Conti described Cardinal Winning as a 'hard
act to follow', and maintains that faith is the most important issue in the
church today.
Bishop Conti will be installed as Archbishop at a
mass at St. Andrew's Cathedral on February 22nd .
BBC Website, January 15th 2002
Dario Franchitti and actress Ashley Judd to tie the knot in 'Maddona'
Style Highland wedding. A plethora of Hollywood stars including Michael Douglas and Catherine
Zeta-Jones are expected to jet into Skibo Castle this Monday for what is
reputed to be the £1.3 million wedding of Indy car driver Dario Franchitti to
US actress Ashley Judd. With Sandra Bullock as chief bridesmaid and the prospect
of Robert De Niro making an appearance it's a star spotters dream (if a security
chief's nightmare). Daily Record, December
6th 2001
Elish Angiolini - Scotland's first lady Solicitor General. A solicitor by trade Mrs. Angiolini had previously been the procurator fiscal
based in Aberdeen for both Grampian and the Highlands and Islands. Her role will
include dealing with the fiscal service, complaints about the police and the
operational side of the Crown Office.
BBC
Website 28th November 2001
Scotsitalian missing after Rome blast - A suspected gas explosion in the Italian capital has left four confirmed dead
and over twenty injured, among the dead are three fire-fighters and a civilian. A Glasgow
born 21 year old woman of dual nationality has also been reported missing. The explosion
was reported to be so fierce that parked cars were tossed in the air. Sky
News, November 28th 2001
Not a name that springs to immediately to mind when talking about comedy but
Armando Iannucci has been involved in writing and directing shows such as The
Mary Whitehouse Experience, The Day Today (which gave us Alan Partridge) and The
Friday Night Armistice. His parents left Naples in 1954 to begin a new life in
Glasgow where Armando was born ten years later. Armando has also worked for
Radio Scotland and his new series The Armando Iannucci Shows premiers on Channel
4 this Thursday. Daily Record, August 28th 2001
Call for a Scotsitalian Festival. Jack McLean in The Herald
newspaper asks the question why the large Scotsitalian contingent don't have
their own annual Festival. (See our Surveyon
the Home page). The Herald, August 4th 2001
I Want My Girl To Be A Footie Star ! One of the world's most successful female football players,
Rose Reilly began her career in Scotland but ended it on a high in Italy, collecting a
Golden Boot award, 8 Serie A titles, 4 Italian Cups and made 13 appearances for
the Italian national side. In this article
she reveals her hopes that one day her daughter will follow in her footsteps.
Rose captained Italy to a World Cup Final in 1991 where they
narrowly lost to the USA in front of a capacity 90,000 crowd in China. Her shirt
hangs in the new National Football Museum at Hampden Park. Daily
Record, July 24th 2001
The Gordon Ramsey Of Oz. Prestonpans own Raymond
Capaldi has achieved notoriety in his new adopted Australia as one of the
country's leading chefs. Capaldi started out in the humble surroundings of his
parents chip shop before moving onto Gleneagles and the British Embassy in
Moscow. Similar to his Scottish counterpart, Capaldi is known for his fiery
temperament, dislike for the critics but like Gordon Ramsey has obvious bundles
of talent.
The opening of his new multi million dollar Fenix restaurant
attracted film stars and celebrities alike ensuring its reputation as one of
Melbournes hippest hang outs. ICScotland Website, July 19th 2001
Daniela Joins Oxfam in Fight Against Guns.
Nardini's in the news again - this time Largs born actress Daniela is
spearheading Oxfam's campaign against the global trade in small arms.
Read
her harrowing story as she recollects her experiences as an Ambassador for Oxfam
on her visit to Kenya last year. With no change in UK Arms Export Laws since
1939, Daniela is hoping that the up and coming UN conference on small arms will
be the first stepping stone by the international community to bring the illegal
small arms trade to a halt. Sunday Herald, July 11th 2001
Philip Contini of Valvona
and Crolla in Edinburgh is featured on this BBC
website, which highlights events through the Festival Fringe. This is his
interpretation of traditional Neapolitan songs.BBC
Website, June 26th 2001
Sunday Mail - Sports Feature. Young Kilmarnock star Paul di Giacomo was featured in today's Sunday
Mail. He talked about his experiences partnering Ally McCoist last season
and his hopes for a successful season ahead spearheading Killie's attack. Sunday Mail, June 10th 2001
Scotsitalians Sergio Casci and Anne Marie Di Mambro
collaborate on new piece Flesh and Blood, writing about the experiences
of a Scotsitalian family living in Glasgow. Film
Netribution Network, June 7th 2001
Channel 4 -Documentary: Artery: The story of
Enrico Cocozza, Scotsitalian Filmmaker.
Surreally Scozzese - Art program highlighting the works of Glasgow
born Enrico Cocozza, narrated by Daniela Nardini.
Described
as a pioneer and ahead of his time 'Rico' Cocozza won countless awards and
acclaim for his work in the 40's and 50's. Curiously his name slowly disappeared
and did not come to light again until the mid-80's. In fact, his works had been
re-discovered in a flat above his parents business, The Belhaven Cafe,
and were handed in to historians for fear they may be lost in a chip pan fire !!
Much of Cocozza's work centred around Wishaw and involved local characters
and landscapes in surreal situations.
Graduating from Glasgow University in Italian and German, Cocozza spent most
of the War years working for the British Government translating for POW's.
His short film titles include Petrol (1957), Assunta (1957) and
the award-winning The Living Ghost (1959). Amongst his works was also the
well regarded documentary Glasgow's Dockyard (1959).
Having contracted diabetes he found his ability to develop films began to
suffer, and as a direct result of this, Cocozza reverted to teaching at the
University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.
A beautiful, subtle book which transported me to rural Italy at the turn of the century: a deeply moving debut
Congratulations
to Nicola Benedetti from West Kilbride who last night won the title of Young
Musician of the Year. Nicola's rendition of Szymanowski's Violin Concerto No 1
at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh won over the judges. Nicola received her prize
from the Duchess of Kent. She is believed to practise up to 8 hours a day and
has been reported to have been offered numerous offers from record companies.
(Later in the year Nicola was to appear in the 
Lollipop,
the Italian all girl group sensation (conceived on the Popstars concept)
launches new single, 
The recent ''Scotland Calls: One Hundred Years of 20th-Century Scottish
Photography.'' exhibition opened at the
Good luck to Federico Martone of Glasgow as he enters the 
Nina
Conti impressed the judges at the BBC New Talent Comedy Awards 2002 with her
x-rated ventriloquism act, involving a sex-crazed monkey, so much so that she
walked away with the first prize and the chance to work with the BBC.
The final will be shown on BBC on September 7th and was hosted by Jimmy
Tarbuck. Nina is the daughter of actor Tom, famous for his roles in and Shirley
Valentine and Friends. BBC Website, August 13th 2002
Carla
Romano, the 
Mario Conti inaugurated as Archbishop of Glasgow
- The new Archbishop of Glasgow Mario Conti took charge of the Catholic Church
in Scotland in an official ceremony last night at St. Andrew's Cathedral
attended by dignitaries, colleague's and family. The bishop's throne, or cathedra, has lain empty since the passing of the
much revered Cardinal Winning. And like his predecessor, Mario Conti has not
been afraid to address issues of a controversial nature.
Described
as a pioneer and ahead of his time 'Rico' Cocozza won countless awards and
acclaim for his work in the 40's and 50's. Curiously his name slowly disappeared
and did not come to light again until the mid-80's. In fact, his works had been
re-discovered in a flat above his parents business, The Belhaven Cafe,
and were handed in to historians for fear they may be lost in a chip pan fire !!