Italy
April 9th 2010 01:14
Original Creative Writing:
Melbourne Italian Festival
The fifth edition of the Melbourne Italian Festival will be held between 22 May and 6 June 2010, to celebrate the 64th anniversary of the Foundation of the Italian Republic.
The event, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Institute of Culture in Melbourne, represents one of the most expected and engaging moments for la comunita' italiana to share arts, history and food culture together with the other colourful and multicultural social communities in Melbourne.
The Festival programme embraces cultural activities from Italy and Victoria of a high standard of artistic performance, which includes local and overseas artists as well, and will culminate in the Italian National Day Celebrations in the vibrant heart of Carlton, in Piazza Italia, on the 30th May.
UNIQUE FORMS OF CONTINUITY IN SPACE
INTERNATIONAL COMPOSITION COMPETITION: 2010
Italy and Australia brief
Australia and Italy enjoy a warm and long-standing relationship underpinned by strong community ties. According to the 2006 census, 852,418 Australians claimed Italian ancestry with 199,124 Australian residents having been born in Italy. At least 30,000 Australians are estimated to live in Italy.
Italian Film Festival link here.
The Italian Cultural Center is pleased to extend an invitation to attend the
2nd annual Italian Film Festival USA of Minneapolis/ St. Paul (IFF USA MSP). In collaboration with the Italian Film Festival USA, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura of Chicago, the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago and the Minneapolis College of Art & Design, the ICC will be bringing prominent contemporary Italian feature films to the Twin Cities.
The film festival will be held March 26-28, 2010 at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Screenings are FREE and open to the public (sponsorship opportunities). All films will be shown in Italian with English subtitles. Free parking is available at the MCAD parking lot.
Italian Cinema
The first film ever to be made in Italy was Umberto and Margherita of Savoy Walking in a Park, by Vittorio Calcina, of 1896. This and all other early films were short films documenting reality. From a very early stage in the history of the cinema, literature became a primary source of inspiration for this new form of communication. In 1930 the first Italian sound film was made, called The Song of Love, inspired by a novel by Pirandello and made by Gennaro Righelli. But it was with Neo-realism that Italian cinema truly became master of its own expressive capabilities and was able to communicate with the rest of the world.
De Sica, Rossellini and Visconti made masterpieces of universal subject matter in a modern vein that were very strong on recognisable story content. Films such as Rome, the Open City have become cult works in the collective memory, appealing to generations of audiences. Critical observation of society, new language and popolarity were the three key elements that made Italian cinema work, from Neo-realism onwards, and those same elements became the mainstay of Italian drama in the decade that followed, at least in the works of great directors such as Mario Monicelli, Pietro Germi, Antonio Pietrangeli and Dino Risi.
But during the Sixties Italian cinema also became experimental with directors such as Michelangelo Antonioni, in the avant-garde works of Mario Bava and Sergio Leone, and the poetic worlds of Federico Fellini and Pier Paolo Pasolini. La dolce vita was an extraordinary phenomenon, with lasting effects on society as well; representations of a hard and violent reality - as shown through Neorealism - was superimposed with images of a dazzling world of luxury, empty and deprived of any form of ideals. The image of Anita Ekberg in her seductive evening gown, stepping into the Trevi Fountain, made its way into the history of cinema to become a legend. Also unforgettable are works of literary cinema by Luchino Visconti and controversial, political films by Bellocchio and Ferreri, all of whom are film makers who continue to have a strong influence on directors all around the world.
Political overview
The constitution of Italy was adopted in 1947, following a referendum on 2 June 1946 that abolished the Italian monarchy and established Italy as a parliamentary republic. The constitution came into effect on 1 January 1948 and established a bicameral parliament (Chamber of Deputies and Senate), a separate judiciary, and an executive branch composed of a Council of Ministers headed by the President of the Council (Prime Minister). The constitution also created the position of President to fulfil the ceremonial roles of the (former) Italian monarchy. Giorgio Napolitano was elected by Parliament as the eleventh President of the Italian Republic in May 2006. Silvio Berlusconi was appointed Prime Minister following elections on 8 May 2008.
Both houses of parliament are directly elected and are of equal authority. The electoral system in the Senate is based upon regional representation. The Chamber of Deputies has 630 members and the Senate 315 elected senators; in addition, the Senate includes former presidents and several other persons appointed for life according to special constitutional provisions. Both houses are elected for a maximum of five years, but either may be dissolved before the expiration of its normal term. Legislative bills may originate in either house and must be passed by a majority in both.
In the 2006 elections, Italians living abroad (about 2.7 million people), were eligible to vote for the first time, and elected 12 members of the Chamber of Deputies and six Senators representing four overseas divisions: Europe; South America; North and Central America; and, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Antarctic.
Italy is divided into regions, provinces and municipalities. The constitution lists 20 regions, which are further divided into 95 provinces. Of the 20 regions, five enjoy special constitutional status: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily, Trentino-Alto Adige and Valle d'Aosta. The regions are responsible for electing their own regional parliaments that exercise substantial autonomy.
Italian Political News
CBS NEWS
Economic overview
The Italian economy has changed dramatically since the end of World War II. From an agriculture-based economy, Italy has developed into an industrial state ranked as the world's seventh largest economy. The country belongs to the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations (and holds the G8 Presidency in 2009); it is a member of the European Union, the G20 and the OECD.
Most raw materials needed for manufacturing and more than 80 per cent of the country's energy sources are imported.
Italy's economic strength is in the processing and manufacturing of goods, primarily in small and medium-sized enterprises. The majority of these enterprises are family-owned and are focused on the domestic market. Italy's major industries are tourism, precision machinery manufacturing, textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food processing, motor vehicles, electrical goods, furniture, clothing and footwear.
Italian GDP growth averaged 0.6 per cent a year in the period 2001-05, recorded levels around 2 per cent in 2006 -2007 and then the country slumped into recession with a 1 per cent contraction in GDP in 2008. A further contraction of around 5 per cent is forecast for 2009.
Since 1995, Italy's share of world trade has fallen from 4.6 per cent to around 3.6 per cent, although in recent years its export performance has been robust, especially compared to other industrialised countries. Italy's balance of payments situation is not helped by its significant dependence on energy imports, especially oil and gas. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Italy remains well below the levels achieved by its benchmark competitors and outward Italian FDI is also limited. Unemployment stood at 7.9 per cent at the end of March 2009, significantly up on the low of 5.7 per cent at the end of 2008. There remains a sharp disparity between the near full employment enjoyed in the north and the double-digit unemployment rates in the south.
Italy has a rapidly aging population and was the first country in the world to record more people over 65 than under 15. There are concerns that the current social security system, which is heavily skewed towards pension provision, will not prove sustainable. Pensions accounted for around 14 per cent of Italy's GDP in 2008. The Italian Government has introduced some reform of the pension system in an attempt to reduce this burden.
Bilateral relationship
Australia and Italy have concluded bilateral agreements covering culture, double taxation, air services, economic and commercial cooperation, reciprocal social security and health care benefits, and film co-production. The two countries have also signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) covering science and technology cooperation, defence materiel, defence industry, motor vehicle safety certification, sports cooperation, game meat exports and trade cooperation. In July 2009 an MOU was signed regarding cooperation on the Square Kilometre Array. A bilateral Working Holiday Maker Arrangement became operative on 2 January 2004. Many state governments have signed MOUs with Italian regional governments to promote cooperative activities and exchanges between the two parties.
There are a range of Australian business groups in Italy, including the Italy-Australia Business Council, Australian Business in Europe (ABIE) in Milan and the Australian Business Network in Rome.
The event, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Institute of Culture in Melbourne, represents one of the most expected and engaging moments for la comunita' italiana to share arts, history and food culture together with the other colourful and multicultural social communities in Melbourne.
The Festival programme embraces cultural activities from Italy and Victoria of a high standard of artistic performance, which includes local and overseas artists as well, and will culminate in the Italian National Day Celebrations in the vibrant heart of Carlton, in Piazza Italia, on the 30th May.
UNIQUE FORMS OF CONTINUITY IN SPACE
INTERNATIONAL COMPOSITION COMPETITION: 2010
Italy and Australia brief
Australia and Italy enjoy a warm and long-standing relationship underpinned by strong community ties. According to the 2006 census, 852,418 Australians claimed Italian ancestry with 199,124 Australian residents having been born in Italy. At least 30,000 Australians are estimated to live in Italy.
Italian Film Festival link here.
The Italian Cultural Center is pleased to extend an invitation to attend the
The film festival will be held March 26-28, 2010 at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Screenings are FREE and open to the public (sponsorship opportunities). All films will be shown in Italian with English subtitles. Free parking is available at the MCAD parking lot.
Italian Cinema
The first film ever to be made in Italy was Umberto and Margherita of Savoy Walking in a Park, by Vittorio Calcina, of 1896. This and all other early films were short films documenting reality. From a very early stage in the history of the cinema, literature became a primary source of inspiration for this new form of communication. In 1930 the first Italian sound film was made, called The Song of Love, inspired by a novel by Pirandello and made by Gennaro Righelli. But it was with Neo-realism that Italian cinema truly became master of its own expressive capabilities and was able to communicate with the rest of the world.
De Sica, Rossellini and Visconti made masterpieces of universal subject matter in a modern vein that were very strong on recognisable story content. Films such as Rome, the Open City have become cult works in the collective memory, appealing to generations of audiences. Critical observation of society, new language and popolarity were the three key elements that made Italian cinema work, from Neo-realism onwards, and those same elements became the mainstay of Italian drama in the decade that followed, at least in the works of great directors such as Mario Monicelli, Pietro Germi, Antonio Pietrangeli and Dino Risi.
But during the Sixties Italian cinema also became experimental with directors such as Michelangelo Antonioni, in the avant-garde works of Mario Bava and Sergio Leone, and the poetic worlds of Federico Fellini and Pier Paolo Pasolini. La dolce vita was an extraordinary phenomenon, with lasting effects on society as well; representations of a hard and violent reality - as shown through Neorealism - was superimposed with images of a dazzling world of luxury, empty and deprived of any form of ideals. The image of Anita Ekberg in her seductive evening gown, stepping into the Trevi Fountain, made its way into the history of cinema to become a legend. Also unforgettable are works of literary cinema by Luchino Visconti and controversial, political films by Bellocchio and Ferreri, all of whom are film makers who continue to have a strong influence on directors all around the world.
Political overview
The constitution of Italy was adopted in 1947, following a referendum on 2 June 1946 that abolished the Italian monarchy and established Italy as a parliamentary republic. The constitution came into effect on 1 January 1948 and established a bicameral parliament (Chamber of Deputies and Senate), a separate judiciary, and an executive branch composed of a Council of Ministers headed by the President of the Council (Prime Minister). The constitution also created the position of President to fulfil the ceremonial roles of the (former) Italian monarchy. Giorgio Napolitano was elected by Parliament as the eleventh President of the Italian Republic in May 2006. Silvio Berlusconi was appointed Prime Minister following elections on 8 May 2008.
Both houses of parliament are directly elected and are of equal authority. The electoral system in the Senate is based upon regional representation. The Chamber of Deputies has 630 members and the Senate 315 elected senators; in addition, the Senate includes former presidents and several other persons appointed for life according to special constitutional provisions. Both houses are elected for a maximum of five years, but either may be dissolved before the expiration of its normal term. Legislative bills may originate in either house and must be passed by a majority in both.
In the 2006 elections, Italians living abroad (about 2.7 million people), were eligible to vote for the first time, and elected 12 members of the Chamber of Deputies and six Senators representing four overseas divisions: Europe; South America; North and Central America; and, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Antarctic.
Italy is divided into regions, provinces and municipalities. The constitution lists 20 regions, which are further divided into 95 provinces. Of the 20 regions, five enjoy special constitutional status: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily, Trentino-Alto Adige and Valle d'Aosta. The regions are responsible for electing their own regional parliaments that exercise substantial autonomy.
Italian Political News
CBS NEWS
Economic overview
The Italian economy has changed dramatically since the end of World War II. From an agriculture-based economy, Italy has developed into an industrial state ranked as the world's seventh largest economy. The country belongs to the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations (and holds the G8 Presidency in 2009); it is a member of the European Union, the G20 and the OECD.
Most raw materials needed for manufacturing and more than 80 per cent of the country's energy sources are imported.
Italy's economic strength is in the processing and manufacturing of goods, primarily in small and medium-sized enterprises. The majority of these enterprises are family-owned and are focused on the domestic market. Italy's major industries are tourism, precision machinery manufacturing, textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food processing, motor vehicles, electrical goods, furniture, clothing and footwear.
Italian GDP growth averaged 0.6 per cent a year in the period 2001-05, recorded levels around 2 per cent in 2006 -2007 and then the country slumped into recession with a 1 per cent contraction in GDP in 2008. A further contraction of around 5 per cent is forecast for 2009.
Since 1995, Italy's share of world trade has fallen from 4.6 per cent to around 3.6 per cent, although in recent years its export performance has been robust, especially compared to other industrialised countries. Italy's balance of payments situation is not helped by its significant dependence on energy imports, especially oil and gas. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Italy remains well below the levels achieved by its benchmark competitors and outward Italian FDI is also limited. Unemployment stood at 7.9 per cent at the end of March 2009, significantly up on the low of 5.7 per cent at the end of 2008. There remains a sharp disparity between the near full employment enjoyed in the north and the double-digit unemployment rates in the south.
Italy has a rapidly aging population and was the first country in the world to record more people over 65 than under 15. There are concerns that the current social security system, which is heavily skewed towards pension provision, will not prove sustainable. Pensions accounted for around 14 per cent of Italy's GDP in 2008. The Italian Government has introduced some reform of the pension system in an attempt to reduce this burden.
Bilateral relationship
Australia and Italy have concluded bilateral agreements covering culture, double taxation, air services, economic and commercial cooperation, reciprocal social security and health care benefits, and film co-production. The two countries have also signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) covering science and technology cooperation, defence materiel, defence industry, motor vehicle safety certification, sports cooperation, game meat exports and trade cooperation. In July 2009 an MOU was signed regarding cooperation on the Square Kilometre Array. A bilateral Working Holiday Maker Arrangement became operative on 2 January 2004. Many state governments have signed MOUs with Italian regional governments to promote cooperative activities and exchanges between the two parties.
There are a range of Australian business groups in Italy, including the Italy-Australia Business Council, Australian Business in Europe (ABIE) in Milan and the Australian Business Network in Rome.
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David Jobling
