Boy, do I have an adventure in store! In 2018, Ben and I participated in the Messors Art Restoration and Conservation Program, working to preserve ancient cave frescoes and other decaying art in Puglia. The director and founder of Messors is Tonio Creanza, for whom preserving the culture of this region is a life's passion. … Continue reading 92. Anticipation
First would be Bruce Springsteen; then Michelle Obama. But after those two, the person I would most like to be would be Dianne Hales. Ms. Hales, a journalist who was originally a science writer, found her way to Italy thirty years ago, and fell in love. Returning year after year (sound familiar?), she has published … Continue reading 91. The Passion
I am very well aware that the celebration of Christopher Columbus is problematic, and for good reason, causing tomorrow's holiday to split into Indigenous Peoples' Day and Italian Heritage Day. The latter make more sense than making a big deal about Columbus. Like St. Patrick's Day, which isn't remotely about the actual saint, it's a … Continue reading 90. Columbus Day
27, 1, 18. Those were my family's lucky numbers, used in any case where a number was called for. My father's birthday, my mother's and mine. The phenomenon of choosing loved ones' birthdays for gambling is so common that my mathematician father maintained that to minimize one's chances of needing to share the Megabucks jackpot … Continue reading 89. Settembrino
A friend recently drew my attention to the America-Italy Society of Philadelphia, as she thought I might be interested in their Italian language classes. The classes looked great, although probably too advanced for the likes of me, but what really drew my attention was the Society's "My Italy" photo contest. Members were invited to "showcase … Continue reading 88. Worth a Thousand Words
One never expects to receive anything of interest in the U.S. mail, but the other day brought a wonderful surprise. My cousin Anna Abbruzzese came across some old family photos, and sent me a portrait I'd not seen before of my grandmother, Angela, who was her father's sister. My father lived with Anna and her … Continue reading 87. Mia Nonna Femminista
In the news this week were reports of the television journalist and personality Chris Cuomo caught on tape reacting in anger to a right-wing provocateur calling him "Fredo." Fredo, of course, is the simple and hapless older son of Don Corleone in The Godfather, brilliantly played by John Cazale, who is so craving respect that … Continue reading 86. Fredo
We read in last week's New York Times that for the first time in its 116-year tradition, non-Italians would be permitted to lift the Giglio at the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which takes place every year in July, in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. This neighborhood, where my daughter Maria now lives, … Continue reading 85. The Giglio
Because I share my name with the 1958 movie and about a million poodles, everyone wrongly assumes I'm French. But my name gets a very different reaction when I'm in Italy. People ask, "Why do you have a man's name?" It turns out I'm named after my father and my great-grandfather, both Luigi. Gigi, and … Continue reading 84. Saint Gigi
I can't say I'm a big fan of opera, but I was eager to see Ron Howard's new documentary about Luciano Pavarotti. I remember the tenor for his spirit, his charisma, his charm. And sure enough, it was on full display in this film, which played to a packed house of mostly ladies who sat … Continue reading 83. Opera Buff
Gigi's Italia 