round 1,200 guests attended the receptionhosted on June 5 by Ambassador Sandro

De Bernardin and his wife Anna at the Italianresidence in celebration of the 60th anniversaryof the referendum that established the ItalianRepublic. Particularly significant was thepresence of Vice Prime Minister and ForeignMinister Tzipi Livni, representing the IsraeliGovernment.

Among those attending the reception wereseveral Knesset members, religious leaders andleading representatives from Israel’s economicand cultural communities. Also present wereprincipal officials from all the Italian institutionsin Israel, as well as members of Israel’s Italiancommunity.

In attendance from Italy was a delegationfrom the Lazio Region on a mission to Israel,led by its President Dr. Piero Marrazzo andincluding representatives from

A

Deputy PM and FM Livni salutes 60 yearsItalian Republic

ice Premier ShimonPeres was guest of

honor at a gala ceremonyat the Ambassador'sresidence on June 18commemorating the 50th

anniversary since theestablishment of theIsrael-Italy Chamber ofCommerce and Industry,chaired by the Italian-Israeli entrepreneurRonni Benatoff (photo, right, with Shimon Peresand Amb. De Bernardin).

Over 250 guests participated in the ceremony,including representatives from Israel's economic,political and cultural communities (among whomwas the President of Israel's Manufacturers’Association Shraga Brosh) . I tal iansparticipating at the event included representatives

from the Ministry ofEconomic Development(Director General forIn te rna t iona l iza t ionMassimo Gotti), theL o m b a r d y R e g i o n(Undersecretary RaffaeleCattaneo), the Compagniadelle Opere Association(Na t iona l P res iden t

Raffaello Vignali) and Promos, the specialagency for international development of Milan'sChamber of Commerce (led by its Vice PresidentSandro Bicocchi).

In his address Vice Premier Shimon Peresexpressed warm words of friendship andappreciation for Italy and its role as a facilitatorof dialogue in the Middle East. AmbassadorSandro De Bernardin underlined

NOTIZIE ITALIANENewsle t t er o f the Embassy o f I ta ly in I srae l No. 41 July 2006

1

VChamber of Commerce celebrates first fifty years

(Cont, p.5)

(Cont. p.2)

(Cont. p.2)

iorgio Napolitano, elected President ofthe Republic on May 10, was sworn-in

on May 15, 2006.G i o r g i oN a p o l i t a n o(photo) was bornin Naples on June29th, 1925 andgraduated in lawa t N a p l e sUniversi ty in1947. In 1942, asan undergraduatein Naples, hejoined a group of young anti-Fascists and in1945 the Italian Communist Party, of whichhe was a leading figure until the DemocraticParty of the Left was established. He waselected to the Chamber of Deputies for the firsttime in 1953.

G

Italy has newHead of State

ollowing the general elections held on April9/10 a new Government was formed by

Hon. Romano Prodi (left). Deputy PrimeMinisters are Hon. Massimo D’Alema (alsoForeign Minister, right) and Hon. FrancescoRutelli (also Culture & Tourism Minister).

(Cont. p.2)

New Italian government assumes officeF

Deputy PM and FM Tzipi Livni raises a toastwith Ambassador De Bernardin

n updated edition of the magazine ‘Italiab’Israel ’, edited and published this year

in Hebrew by the Embassy, was officiallypresented on the occasion of Italy’s NationalDay on June 5 . The magaz ine , acomplimentary copy of which is included asa supplementto this issue ofN o t i z i eI t a l i a n e ,i n c l u d e sa r t i c l e s b yi m p o r t a n tpersonalities inboth countries,and outlines ind e p t h t h ew e a l t h o fb i l a t e r a lcooperat iveinitiatives in allsectors, thereby favoring their furtherdevelopment (photo: the Pisan Port in Akko).www.ambtelaviv.esteri.it <>

A

‘Italy in Israel’: highlightinga flourishing relationship

Romano Prodi was born inScandiano (Reggio Emilia) in 1939 andgraduated in law at the Catholic Universityof Milan in 1961. A lecturer in IndustrialOrganisation and Industrial Policy (1971-1999) at the University of Bologna, RomanoProdi was Italy's Minister of Industry from1978 until 1979. From 1982 until 1989 hewas President of the Institute of IndustrialReconstruction.

In February 1995 Romano Prodi foundedthe "Olive tree", the political center-leftcoalition that won the elections in 1996.Prodi's Government stayed in charge until1998 bringing Italy into the euro-zone.

In 1999, the European Council choseRomano Prodi as President of the EuropeanCommission. During the five years of Prodi'spresidency the European Commission playeda central role in bringing forth some of theEuropean Union's historical processes suchas the adoption of the Euro and itsenlargement to 25 Member States.<>

NOTIZIE ITALIANE July 2006

2

n the course of a ceremony held on June15 at the Italian Embassy in Washington

the Executive Director of the American JewishCommittee, David Harris, presented the 2006'Celebration of Friendship' prize to Italy'sAmbassador in the US, H.E. GiovanniCastellaneta.

Thomas Kahn, President of the Washingtonbureau of the AJC, said that the award expresseshis organization's thanks to the ItalianGovernment for its support of Israel, to thepeople of Italy for its loyalty to its own Jewish

community as well as to those in other parts ofthe world, and to Italy's US representative forhis contribution in furthering his country'sfriendship with Israel and the cause of freedomand democracy in the Middle East .

Thanking the AJC, which this year celebratesits centenary, Ambassador Castellaneta affirmedthat Italy's friendship with Israel is a cornerstoneof his country's foreign policy, which supportsa democratic and open society such as Israel inthe Middle East. <>

IAmerican Jewish Committee awards Italy

Hon. Massimo D`Alema, newly appointedMinister of Foreign Affairs, was born inRome in 1949. A professional journalist,Massimo D’Alema has been a contributor to‘Città futura’, ‘Rinascita’ and ‘l'Unità’. Hewas among the leaders of the changeoverwhen the PCI was transformed into theDemocratic Party of the Left (PDS) in 1989.He was elected PDS National Secretary in1994.

He was Prime Minister from 1998 to 2000and in December 2000 was nominatedPresident of the Democrats of the Left (DS)and Vice-President of the SocialistInternational in 2003. Hon. D'Alema alsochairs the Foundation for Political Culture'Italianieuropei'. <>

(cont. from p. 1)

New Italian Government

Rome’s Jewish community,Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni and PresidentLeone Paserman.

Speaking to the gathering Vice PM Livnistressed the excellent bilateral relations: “it isnot a recent friendship but the continuation ofa long standing amity” in which Italy and Israelshare the same values. Minister Livni alsoreminded guests that Rome was one of the firstforeign capitals she visited after assuming herpresent responsibilities.

Ambassador De Bernardin thanked the VicePrime Minister for attending the event,underlining the importance attached by theItalian Government to relations with Israel.Israel’s right to exist in security, continued theAmbassador, is a cornerstone of Italian foreignpolicy, as is the search for a just and durable

peace. The Italian government is firmlycommitted to the development of collaborativeties in economic, scientific and cultural relationsbetween the two countries, concluded theAmbassador.

The evening continued with the bestowal ofeight awards of the Ordine al Merito of theRepublic of Italy and the Ordine della Stelladella Solidarietà to Italian and Israeli economic,professional and cultural leaders knownparticularly for their attachment to Italy. Nationalanthems were performed by the Kolot Hazamiryouth choir to much public appreciation.

The garden at the Ambassador’s residencewas enriched by a collection of works of art(canvasses, sculptures and photographs)dedicated to the Venice Ghetto (see page 7). <>

(cont. from p. 1)

Deputy PM & FM Livni

In the 1970s he was an activelecturer abroad, visiting International PolicyInstitutes in the UK and Germany and severalUS Universities (Harvard, Princeton, Yale,Chicago, Berkeley, SAIS and CSIS inWashington).

From 1989 to 1992 he was a member of theEuropean Parliament and in 1992 was electedSpeaker of the Chamber of Deputies, remainingin office until the end of that Parliament in April1994. During the 13th Parliament he served asMinister of the Interior and for the Coordination

of Civil Protection in the Prodi Government,from May 1996 to October 1998. From June1999 to June 2004 he chaired the ConstitutionalAffairs Committee of the European Parliament.On 23 September 2005 he was appointed lifesenator by the President of the Republic, CarloAzeglio Ciampi.

Sen. Franco Marini and Hon. FaustoBertinotti have been elected as the Presidentsof the Senate and the Chamber of Deputiesrespectively. <>

(cont. from p. 1)

Italy has new Head of State

n enthusiastic crowd of over 200 crammedinto the library of the Italian Cultural

Institute in Tel Aviv on May 19 to hear a talkby Dan David prizewinner, the Italian writerand journalist of Egyptian origin Magdi Allam(photo). Present at the event were members ofIsrael's Italian community, Italian institutionsin Israel, political and cultural leaders. Amongthe invited guests were Dan David himself,founder of the international prize, and his wifeGabriella.

Welcoming Magdi Allam was the Director

of the Institute, Simonetta DellaSeta, who introduced the journalistin a brief profile outlining his recentand fertile yield of best sellers andespecially his commitment incondemning terrorism.

Allam expressed his opinions onthe "serious danger caused by thepuppeteers of terrorism" and theendless chain of actions and counteractions related to their aims. "Terrorism is alwaysand exclusively active, never reactive,"

maintained Allam, referring to thesituation in Israel. The journalist alsounderlined the serious danger posedby the current regime in Iran. "Supportfor the existence of Israel has becomea watershed between those whobelieve in life and those who want todestroy it," concluded Allam, whoautographed around 100 copies of hisbook 'Conquering fear'. On May 21

Magdi Allam was awarded the Dan David prizein a packed auditorium of Tel Aviv University.<>

ADan David Prize to Magdi Allam: witnessing a culture of life

Massimo D`Alema is DeputyPM and FM

he President of the Lazio Region, Piero Marrazzo, accompaniedby the President of the Province of Frosinone, Francesco Scalia,

Regional Education Councilor Silvia Costa, President of the LazioDevelopment Agency, Giancarlo Elia Valori, President of the JewishCommunity of Rome, Leone Paserman, Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni,President of ADL Italy Alessandro Ruben and Mrs. Livia Genah Valabregaof the Rome Jewish Community, visited Israel on June 5-7.

President Marrazzo held meetings with Minister of Health Yacov BenYizri, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Shalom Simhon,Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog (photo) and Vice Premierand Minister for the Development of the Galilee and NegevShimon Peres.

With Vice Premier Peres, President Marrazzo expoundedon the initiatives undertaken by the Lazio Region in supportof the Peres Center for Peace.

The possibility for collaboration in tourism was thesubject of President Marrazzo's meeting with Minister IsaacHerzog. The President also described his engagement fornext year's Maccabiah (in Rome, July 4-12, 2007).

In addition, President Marrazzo held talks aimed atcollaboration in economic and scientific fields, throughLazio's Development Agency, especially on managementof water resources.

At the Italian synagogue inJerusalem President Marrazzo waswelcomed by Pres ident ofJerusalem’s I ta l ian Jewishcommunity Arch. David Cassuto.He concluded his mission with avisit to Yad Vashem where, in the presence of Jerusalem's Deputy MayorYigal Amedi, he laid a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance. <>

3

NOTIZIE ITALIANE July 2006

Edited by:The Embassy of Italy in Israel(Economic and Commercial Office)

p.1p.1p.1p.1p.1p.2p.2p.3p.3p.3p.4p.4p.4p.4p.4p.5p.5p.5p.5p.6p.6p.6p.6p.6p.7p.7p.8p.8

FM Tzipi Livni joins Republic Day celebrationItaly has new Head of StateNew Italian government assumes officeChamber of Commerce celebrates 50 years'Italy in Israel': highlighting a flourishing relationshipDan David Prize to Magdi AllamAJC awards ItalyNew partnership between Lazio and IsraelMilan to invest in Israeli high-techSilvia Fendi awarded Shenkar fellowshipIntelligent Transportation technologies conferenceConnecting Haifa to GenoaField trip to CaesareaNew Head of Commercial OfficeCelebrating Republic Day at seaItalian Festival at Gan Ha'irCdO focuses on R&DH.U. awards eminent ItaliansRoberto Piatti at J'lem Design ForumAdmiring TitianI Solists Veneti tour of IsraelSevergnini meets Israeli 'Italians'Ariel Rathaus awarded prestigious prizeVisiting Israeli VillagesEvents in IsraelEvents at the Nahon MuseumEvents in ItalyItalian Trade Fair Calendar

Trade Tower, 25 HaMered Street, Tel Aviv 68125Te l : 0 3 - 5 1 6 . 1 7 4 4 F a x : 0 3 - 5 1 6 . 1 7 5 5www.ambtelaviv.esteri.it Sportellounico.telaviv@esteri.it

delegation from theProvince of Milan, led

by its President FilippoPenati and the EconomicDevelopment Advisor (andnew Undersecretary ofCommunications) Prof. LuigiVimercati, visited Israel onMay 30 - June 2.

The mission was intendedto highlight the possibilitiesfor cooperation between the Province of Milanand Israeli companies, especially in “lifesciences.”

The highlight of the mission came with thesigning of a Memorandum of Understandingbetween the Province of Milan and MATIMOP,the Israeli agency for industrial research, in the

presence of Industry MinisterEli Yishai. The MOU isintended to augment scientificcooperation in the areas ofbiotechnology, bioinformatics,clinical testing, medicalequipment and micro- andnano-technologies.

Minister Yishai expressedthe Israeli government'sappreciation for the increased

level of scientific cooperation with Italy.The delegation also visited the Weizmann

Institute in Rehovot and held meetings with theDeputy Mayor of Jerusalem, Yigal Amedi, andhis Tel Aviv colleague, Natan Wolloch, onmutual collaboration in cultural, educationaland musical projects. <>

AMilan to invest in Israeli high-tech

(from left) the President of the Province ofMilan Mr. Filippo Penati, Minister Eli Yishaiand the Chief Scientist of the Ministry ofIndustry Dr. Eli Opper.

TNew partnership between Lazio and Israel

t the Shenkar College ofEngineering & Design, on the

occasion of the annual meeting ofthe International Board ofGovernors on May 25, awards ofthe prestigious title of "HonoraryFellow" were bestowed on threeinternationally known personalities– former Prime Minister Mr.Shimon Peres, Ms. Suzy Menkes,one of the world's top fashionreporters and Mrs. Silvia Venturini Fendi(photo).

Ms. Silvia Venturini Fendi, granddaughterof Adele and Edoardo Fendi, the founders of

the Fendi Company in 1925, is adesigner at Fendi and creator of“Baguette” which became a fashionicon and a collector's item. Shereceived her Fellowship in thepresence of Ambassador Sandro DeBernardin.

During the gala dinner a fashionshow was held highlighting some ofthe best projects of the FashionDepartment at Shenkar and an

exhibition 'Art in Motion' of the best projectsin graphic design, industrial design, interiorbuilding and environment design, jewelry designand textile design. <>

ASilvia Fendi awarded Shenkar Fellowship

A 70 student delegation from three Italian highschools, accompanied by President Marrazzo,from the Liceo Classico Turriziani and LiceoClassico Vincenzo Simoncelli of Frosinoneand Istituto Professionale di Stato Luigi Einaudiof Sora was hosted by the 'Hadarim' HighSchool of Hod Hasharon for the signing – inItalian and Hebrew - of a twinning treatybetween the schools. The Italian students’ visitto Israel came as a prize for winning acompetition on the Shoah organized by theLazio Region. The school directors

accompanied them, together with two survivorsfrom the Auschwitz death camp. The visit,coordinated by the Italian Cultural Institute’sdirector Dr. Simonetta Della Seta, completeda four-day trip by the Italian delegation throughIsrael and the Palestinian Authority Territories.The twinning was signed by the schoolauthorities and by the Italian Cultural Institute’sDirector, who committed herself to ensure thecontinuation of relations between the 'Hadarim'School and Italy, starting with a course in Italianto be organized in the school next year.

Italian and Israeli Schools sign twinning agreement

c o n f e r e n c e o n“ I n n ov a t i o n s i n

Automotive Engineeringa n d I n t e l l i g e n tTransportation Systems( I T S ) ” , w i t h i n t h eframework of the bilateralindustrial, scientific andtechnology cooperationagreement, was held on May 16 at theAeronautics Conference Center in Herzlia.

The event was organized by the ItalianBusiness Desk in collaboration with CentroRicerche FIAT, Samelet (Israeli importers ofFIAT), the Israel Association of Engineers andthe newly constituted Israel branch of the ITS

(Intelligent TransportationSystems).

The seminar, attended bya s izeable crowd thatincluded a large number ofIsraeli researchers and otherprofessionals, saw theparticipation of a high levelItalian delegation including

Dr. Giulio Vivo of the Centro Ricerche FIATas well as representatives from IVECO,Autostrade per l`Italia, Istituto Superiore MarioBoella of Turin, MIZAR Automation and theUniversities of Genova and Molise. Participantsfrom Israel included representatives from theMinistry of Transport, Israel Aircraft Industries,

Egged, Elbit, Tadiran, andacademic institutions suchas the Technion.

In his opening addressAmbassador Sandro DeBernardin underlined that,on one hand, the use of newtechnologies to enhancesafety and traffic control isof top priority in order to improve publicprotection; on the other hand, this sector presentsparticularly promising opportunities for industrialdevelopment.

FIAT's Centro Ricerche has a number ofongoing automotive and rail projects with largeIsraeli industrial concerns. <>

4

NOTIZIE ITALIANE July 2006

n June 18, at the Italian Cultural Instituteof Haifa, a lively debate on 'Port Cities

of the Mediterranean' was held in the presenceof the Deputy Mayor of Haifa, Arch. SchmuelGelbhart, the chairman of Tel Aviv University'sFaculty of Architecture, Hillel Shocken andthe Director of the Haifa branch if the ICI,Edoardo Crisafulli. The debate was theconcluding event of the 'Aquapolis: Genova-Haifa' project, which examined urban designin various parts of the cities of Genoa andHaifa.

Taking part in the project, which lasted fora year, were several students from Milan'sDomus Academy as well as from Tel Aviv

University 's Faculty of Architecture.A large crowd, including university lecturers

and students, took part in the debate in whichfive areas of Haifa were considered by theparticipants. Representing the Domus Academywere the architects Gianandrea Barreca andVirginia Giandelli, while the Israeli side wasrepresented by Peter Keinan of Tel AvivUniversity, Baruch Baruch, Director of Haifa'sWizo Canada College, Dr. Nadav Kashtan ofHaifa University and town planner RafiLerman. Present from Haifa's Technion werethe architects Perla Kaufman, SilvinaSosnovsky, Claudio Millul, Galia Weizer andIrit Saraf Netaniau. <>

IConnecting Haifa to Genoa

AItalians and Israelis meet on Intelligent Transportation Technologies

fter four years in Israel the Head of theCommercial Office of the Embassy,

Alessandro Cattaneo (above, with his wifeLaura), has been posted to the PermanentDelegation of Italy to NATO in Brussels.Starting next August2 1 t h e n e wC o m m e r c i a lAttaché will be Mrs.Tiziana D’Angelo(right), who servedpreviously at theItalian PermanentRepresentation tothe EU in Brussels.<>

A

New Head ofCommercial Office

he library of the Italian CulturalInstitute of Tel Aviv organizes

three events every month as part ofthe activities of "Compagnia delLibro": a cine-forum, a bookpresentation and a tour followingItalian sites in Israel (open to allInstitute members).

On May 12, Prof. Yaacov Schaffer, formerdirector of the Conservation Department for theIsrael Antiquities Authority, guided our monthlytour to Caesarea. Prof. Schaffer explained boththe historical Roman presence in ancientPalestine, as well as the conservation policy of

the findings following the excavations.Caesarea was the most recent

destination chosen by the ItalianCultural Institute to enlighten Israelisand Italians members of the libraryabout the Italian heritage in Israel. Wepreviously visited the Salesian

Monastery of Bet Jamal, the old buildings ofYaffa, the beautiful ceiling frescos and theAnnunciation Church in Nazareth, KibbutzNetzer Sereni and the New Israeli Opera of TelAviv. More interesting field trips will beorganized in the next few months.Mrs. Barbara Tagliacozzo, 03.5161361 <>

TMembers of 'Compagnia del Libro' enjoy field trip to Caesarea

n June 2 Italy's Republic Day was celebratedaboard the Italian Navy frigate 'Aliseo',

which docked at Haifa port on May 29 for trainingwithin NATO's 'Active Endeavour' operation.

The Captain of the Aliseo, GiovanbattistaRaimondi, organized a Republic Day ceremony onboard the ship at which Ambassador Sandro De

Bernardin and Defense Attachè Gen. Nicola Gelaowere present. The NATO operation is part of theorganization's anti-terror program for theMediterranean in which the Aliseo, a 'Maestrale'class frigate with 225 sailors and two helicopters,plays an active role. <>

OCelebrating National Day on the waves

NOTIZIE ITALIANE July 2006

5

n an impressive ceremony attended byAmbassador De Bernardin on June 11

at the amphitheater of the Hebrew Universityin Jerusalem, honorary Laurea Honoris Causadegrees were conferred on ten internationalfigures, among whom were two illustriousItalians: Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini (photo)and the his tor ian Carlo Ginzburg.

Cardinal Martinih a s c r e a t e dn u m e r o u sopportunities ford i a l o g u e a n dex c h a n g e w i t hacademics at theHebrew University.T h e C a r d i n a lrecalled that eversince his first visit toJerusalem, over 30 years ago, he has tried tocreate bridges between the various culturespresent in the city, especially between Christiansand Jews. One of the first of these was anexchange of educational activities between theIstituto Biblico Pontificio and the HebrewUniversity, which led to the establishment ofthe Christain Study Center, today chaired byProf. Guy Stroumsa. The HU organized ameeting with Cardinal Martini in March 2005on the occasion of the publication of theCardinal's book Verso Gerusalemme. Thehonorary degree was conferred on the Cardinalby Hebrew University President MenachemMegidor and Rector Haim Rabinovitch.

Prof. Carlo Ginzburg, of the University ofCalifornia, was awarded the degree for hisoriginal contributions to modern historiography.Also present at the ceremony was the Directorof the Italian Cultural Institute, Simonetta DellaSeta. <>

I

Hebrew University awardseminent Italians

the growing importance ofthe Israel-Italy Chamber of Commerce in thepromotion of economic and industrial tiesbetween the two nations. In his remarks Mr.Benatoff stressed the benefits of the new ItalianBusiness Desk which enables the best evaluationof synergies, competencies and effectiveness.In the same spirit Promos Milano, which onthis occasion led a delegation of Italianenterprises on visits to Israel and Jordan,announced the formation of an office within theIsrael-Italy Chamber of Commerce. During theceremony several enterprises were cited for theircontributions to Italian Israeli economic ties in2005, including Telit (the Italian cellphonecompany owned by the Israeli Polar Group) andNilit (for its recent joint venture with the Italiancompany Pompea). <>

(cont. from p. 1)

Chamber of Commerce

delegation of theI t a l i a n

entrepreneurs’ AssociationCdO - Compagnia delleOpere - visited Israel inJune. Focused on themesrelated to innovation,research and developmentin Israel, the successfulf o u r - d a y v i s i t w a scoordinated by the CdO'sIsrael office led by Dr. Jonathan Sierra andincluded a blend of opportunities for businessand study.

The delegation, headed by CdO ChairmanProf. Raffaello Vignali, was made up of CdOassociated enterprises and CdO companiesworking in the internationalization and R&Dfields.

Prof. Adriano De Maio, President of theLombardy Region Research Institute, Dr.Raffaele Cattaneo, Undersecretary to thePresidency of the Lombardy Region and Mr.Roney Simon, Director of the Federation ofItaly-India Chambers of Commerce, were alsopart of the delegation.

The program included many business-to-business meetings between Israeli companiesand CdO enterprises in the ICT, Energy andAgro-food fields. Work meetings were alsoheld with the Israel Foreign Office, MATIMOPand Ben Gurion University, together with a visitto the Weizmann Institute.

Compagnia delle Opere is the largest SMEnetwork in Italy, with very significant businessactivity, yet it is also very active in non-profitsocial and educational fields.www.cdo.it www.cdojerusalem.org <>

ACompagnia delle Opere to focus on R&D

he Director of 'TorinoDesign', Roberto Piatti,

invited to Israel by the ItalianCultural Institute, representedItaly at the international designconference 'City Design' ,organized by the Israel Museumand Hadassah Col lege incollaboration with the Director ofthe ICI Simonetta Della Seta.

The conference, which tookplace in the Jerusalem Theaterbefore a large crowd of students and designers,included the participation of several well known

European and US architects anddesign professionals. Opening theproceedings were James Snyder,director of the Israel Museum, whospoke of the impor tance ofinternationalism in the designercommunity; the president ofHadassah College Nava Ben Zvi;Roberto Piatti, former managingdirector of Stile Bertone, Piattipresented a highly appreciatedoverview of the ci ty-design

relationship, in particular between the city andthe automobile. <>

TRoberto Piatti applauded at J’lem Design Forum

week long 'Italian Festival' at Tel Aviv'sGan Ha'ir was organized on the

initiative of the Director of the Italian TradeCommission Mr. Mauro Poli on May 29.Ambassador Sandro De Bernardin took partin a crowded inauguration ceremony.

The festival, a teeming demonstration ofcolorful flags, cars and flavors, was part of the'Italian Spring 2006' series of events, organizedby the Embassy, that included artistic

entertainment, musical performances andculinary exhibitions designed to promote Italianproducts (in particular textiles, furniture andalimentary goods) in the mall, characterizedby its upscale clientele. The initiative attracteda large crowd as well as several Italiancompanies present in Israel, including Alitalia,FIAT, Bialetti and Caffè Mauro, as well asseveral restaurants and other commercialenterprises. <>

AFestival of Italian flavors at Gan Ha`ir

From right, the Director of the Italian Trade CommissionDr. Mauro Poli, the Deputy Director of the Italian CulturalInstitute in Tel Aviv Dr. Lucio Izzo and pianist Renzo Cesana

he masterpiece “Cupido bendaVenere” (1565) by Titian, one of the

greatest of the Venetian painters, is ondisplay at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem,on loan from Rome's Galleria Borgheseuntil July 22.

The Director of the Israel Museum, JamesSnyder (photo, with Amb. De Bernardin),will host a special evening on July 10 dedicatedto the painting, with the participation ofAmbassador Sandro De Bernardin and theDirector of the Italian Cultural InstituteSimonetta Della Seta.

The evening will include a talk by themuseum's Curator of European Art, ShlomitSteinberg, and a lecture by the Italian ArtHistorian Prof. Francesca Fiorani of theUniversity of Virginia. <>

6

NOTIZIE ITALIANE July 2006

he jury of the Flaiano award, chaired byJacqueline Risset, has bestowed the 2006 Flaiano

prize to the Italian-Israeli scholar Ariel Rathaus (photo)for his translation into Hebrew of the works ofGiambat t i s ta Vico (Shalem Press , 2005) .

The Italian Cultural Institutes of Tel Aviv and Haifasupported Rathaus, the eminent Italianist, as worthy ofinternational recognition. This is the first time that theFlaiano award, promoted in collaboration with the ItalianForeign Ministry, has been bestowed on an Israeli scholar.<>

TAriel Rathaus awarded prestigious translation prize

he celebrated journalist andauthor Beppe Severgnini was

greeted by a crowd of his Italianand Israeli readers on the occasionof his appearances at the ItalianCultural Institutes of Tel Aviv andHaifa on May 10 and 11, wherehe was introduced by DirectorsSimonetta Della Seta and EdoardoCrisafulli.

Severgnini spoke of his on-lineforum 'Italians', created in 1998 bythe journalist for the principal Italian daily

Corriere della Sera and read byhundreds of thousands of Italiansand Italophiles around the world.

In Haifa Severgnini presentedhis latest book La testa degli italiani- Una visita guidata that willshortly be published also inEnglish. Through anecdotes fromdaily life the writer succeedsbrilliantly in penetrating theidiosyncrasies, the merits anddemerits, of the Italian 'psyche' in

a highly original manner. <>

TSevergnini meets Israeli 'Italians'

TAdmiring Titian

uring the last few weeks Ambassador DeBernardin has toured different Israeli

towns and villages to meet with localadministrative officials, as well as cultural andeconomic spokespersons. On May 26 theAmbassador visited Fassuta, on June 14 Umm-el-Fahm and on June 21 he met leadingrepresentat ives from Kiryat Tivon.

In Fassuta the Ambassador inaugurated anItalian Day in the presence of the Mayor Dr.George Ayoub and the Greek Catholic Bishopof the Galilee Elias Shakkour. Also presentwere Alam Henri, Mayor of Gesh-Gush Halav,as well as a number of Israeli-Arab studentgraduates from Italian universities. The initiativewas organized by the Haifa branch of the ItalianCultural Institute. The Italian Day programincluded two theatrical performances by theTeatro dell’Arcobaleno, directed by Angelicaand Yehuda Calò Livné, and a concert by thesoprano Valeria Fubini.

Accompanied by his wife, Anna, and theDirector of the Cultural Institute in Haifa,Edoardo Crisafulli, the Ambassador visitedUmm-el-Fahm, where he was received by MayorSheikh Hashem Abdel Rahman and a groupof local Italian university graduates. The Mayorunderlined the desire of the Umm-el-Fahmmunicipality to strengthen cultural ties withItalian cities and reminded his guests of thesignificance of Italian universities, which openedtheir doors to Arab-Israeli students. TheAmbassador recalled the unceasing efforts ofthe Cultural Institute in Tel Aviv and Haifa toassist Israeli students who wish to pursue higherstudies at Italian universities, particularly theusefulness of the course in scientific Italian(Mechinà), which enables the students to preparefor admission exams to Italian universities.

The Ambassador, accompanied by EdoardoCrisafulli, continued his tour of Israel with avisit to Kiryat Tivon where he was hosted byMayor Alon Navot (photo) and local officials.The Mayor recalled his recent visit to La Spezia,for the ceremony celebrating the assistance givenby the city's residents to Jewish refugees afterWWII, one of whom was his own father, andthe exhibition Exodus - Porta di Sion thatrecounts the story of clandestine immigrationfrom La Spezia to Israel during that period. TheMayor also endorsed the recently establishedcourse in Italian organized in Tivon by the Haifabranch of the Institute. <>

DVisiting Israeli villages

he tour of Israel by‘I Solisti Veneti’, the

c e l e b r a t e d I t a l i a nchamber orchestra, wase n t h u s i a s t i c a l l yacclaimed by public andcritics alike.

Organized by theItalian Cultural Institute ofTel Aviv the orchestra,conducted by Claudio Scimone, gave threeconcerts made up of three different programs:at the Israel Opera in Tel Aviv on May 7; the

following evening in thelarge hall of the Rebeccaa n d H e n r y C r o w na u d i t o r i u m o f t h eJerusalem Theater; then aspecial benefit concert int h e g a r d e n o f t h eAmbassador’s residence inRamat Gan in favor of aprogram assisting deprived

children run by the WIZO organization before400 invited guests that included a number ofIsrael’s business leaders. <>

T'I Solisti Veneti' complete tour of Israel

Venice: Views of the GhettoJuly 1-31, Nahon Museum, JerusalemE x h i b i t i o nconceived bythe Melori &R o s e n b e r gG a l l e r y o fV e n i c epromoting thecosmopolitancharacter of thecity, expressedthrough scenesdepicting the Ghetto by artists from aroundthe world (photo: Michal Meron, 'Openingof the Ghetto in 1797').Tel: 02-6241610

Israel tour by Cisternino Youth Wind OrchestraJuly 6-12The Youth WindOrchestra from thecity of Cisterninow i l l p e r f o r mconcerts in Jaffa,Jerusalem, Akko and Nazareth.Tel. 03-5161361, 04-8536091

Visit to 'Murano: islands of glass' exhibitionJuly 14, Tel Aviv

Meet at 10am atthe entrance tothe Eretz IsraelMuseum.

International Puppet FestivalAugust 6-11, JerusalemThis year Italyis representedby “P icco l im u s e isentimentali”b y A n t o n i oCatalano

Visit to Israel Museum, JerusalemAugust 11D i s c o v e r t h e I t a l i a nmasterpieces at the IsraelMuseum. Meet at 8.30am at theentrance to the Italian CulturalInstitute in Tel Aviv.Tel: 03-5161361

Italian camp for kidsAugust 20-25S u m m e rc a m p f o rchildren atKibbutz Sasai n t h eGalilee, ledby Angelicaand Yehuda Calò Livne.

Literary Cafe: 'Mitzvà'August 21Dr. Simonetta Della Seta introduces thebook by Alain Elkann, in which the authorexamines his Jewish identity, inspired bythe figure of his mother.<>

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NOTIZIE ITALIANE July 2006

Events in Israel

Summer at the Museum of Italian Jewish Art July-August, 2006

27, Hillel st., Jerusalem Tel: 02-6241610 Fax: 02-6253480 www.jija.org jija@netvision.net.il

Venice: Views of the GhettoJuly 1-31(see above)

Italian Art and Pasta FestivalAug. 15-17O n e o f t h emain summere v e n t s i nJerusalem forthe past fewyears-a festivalo f I t a l i a nculture, art, andcuisine-is celebrating its fifth anniversary! Enjoyperformances of Italian music and theater ofvarious kinds, delicacies from the best Italianrestaurants, workshops for children, pasta-

making on the spot, and a breathtakingexhibition at the museum. The old museumpiazza will become Italy in the heart ofJerusalem during three summer days full of joyand beauty. The festival is being held incooperation with Fiat-Alfa Romeo and Barilla,and with the support of the Embassy, the ItalianCultural Institute, the Devorah Foundation, theJerusalem Foundation and the Municipality ofJerusalem.

Invitation to the BallFrom Aug. 8An exhibition of the worko f M i k a D r i m e r ,breathtaking ceramicsculptures of Renaissanceand Baroque-style dresses

that give the impression someone is actuallywearing them.

Concert series featuring ancient Italian musicDate to be announced

Under the artistic direction of David Shemer.<>

Tel.03-5161361

ItalianCulturalInstitute

Jerusalem Film FestivalJuly 6-15, CinemathequeThis yearI t a l y i srepresentedby leadingexponentsof the NewI t a l i a nC i n e m a ,includingt h edirectors Marco Tullio Giordana and MimmoCalopresti, who have been invited to Israel as guestsof the Italian Cultural Institute.

The following Italian films will be screened:Quando sei nato non puoi più nasconderti (2005)by Marco Tullio Giordana, examines the questionof clandestine immigration;Volevo solo vivere (2005), by Mimmo Calopresti,documentary recounting the stories of 9 Nazi campsurvivors;Romanzo criminale (2005) by Michele Placido,describes Italy during the difficult 1970s;La guerra di Mario (2005) by Antonio Capuano,recounts how people of different communities andsocial classes in Naples confront the themes ofmotherhood and adoption;Oh! uomo (2004), documentary by Yervant Gianikianand Angela Ricci Lucchi on the era following WW1;Tel. 02-5654333

from "Romanzo criminale" by Michele Placido

1 – 3 Sept., RiccioneFIERA DELFRANCOBOLLOInt'l philately expowww.comune.riccione.rn.it/expo

5 – 6 Sept., MilanANTEPRIMAFootwear, leather,synthetics & accessorieswww.trendselection.com

7 – 10 Sept., BolognaSANAHealth food & environmentexpowww.sana.it

8 – 11 Sept., MilanEICMA BICIInt'l bicycle showwww.eicma.it

8 – 11 Sept., MilanMACEF - BIJOUXTableware, houseware,gifts, gold & silverwww.fmi.it

9 – 12 Sept., Torreano diMartignaccoPROMOSEDIAChair Expowww.promosedia.it

9 – 13 Sept., VicenzaOROGEMMAGold, silver & jewelrywww.orogemma.vicenzafiera.it

9 – 17 Sept., RiminiMONDO NATURACamping & tourism expowww.mondonatura.it

9 – 17 Sept., BariFIERA DEL LEVANTEInt'l trade fairwww.fieradellevante.it

9 – 17 Sept., BariAGRILEVANTEFarming & gardeningmachinerywww.fieradellevante.it

14 – 16 Sept., FlorencePRATO EXPOClothing, Fabrics,Upholsterywww.pratoexpo.com

14 – 16 Sept., MontichiariMETALRICICLOMetal recovery andrecyclingwww.metalriciclo.com

15 – 17 Sept., PaduaFLORMART MIFLORNursery & gardeningproductswww.padovafiere.it

15 – 17 Sept., BolzanoFIERA D'AUTUNNOwww.fierabolzano.it

20 – 23 Sept., MilanBIASAutomation &microelectronicswww.ilb2b.it

20 – 23 Sept., MilanFLUIDTRANS ECOMPOMACPower and motiontransmission expowww.fieremostre.it

21 – 24 Sept., MilanMICAM SHOEVENTFootwear expowww.micamonline.com

21 – 24 Sept., MilanMIPELLeather goodswww.mipel.com

21 – 25 Sept., VeronaABITARE IL TEMPOHome design & furnishingswww.abitareiltempo.com

22 – 24 Sept., NaplesSIFUCHardware, tools and dyeswww.sifuc.net

23 Sept. – 1 Oct., MilanMILANO MODADONNA

Ladies' wearwww.cameramoda.it

26 – 30 Sept., BolognaCERSAIEBuilding, ceramics &bathroomswww.cersaie.com

28 – 30 Sept., VicenzaSAT EXPOSpace &telecommunicationswww.satexpo.it

28 Sept. – 2 Oct., RiminiTECNARGILLACeramics & masonrywww.tecnargilla.it

29 Sept – 2 Oct., MilanMILANOVENDEMODA

Apparel & furswww.milanovendemoda.it

29 Sept. –-1 Oct.,Civitanova MarcheS.M.A.C.Shoe factory equipmentwww.erf.it

29 Sept. – 1 Oct.,Civitanova MarcheSALONEINTERNAZIONALEShoes & leather goodswww.erf.it

30 Sept. - 8 Oct., ParmaMERCANTEINFIERAAntiques, art & designmercanteinfiera.com

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NOTIZIE ITALIANE July 2006

Events in Italy

Italian Trade Fair Calendar September, 2006

Raphael: from Florence to RomeUntil September 10, RomeW h i l e i nF l o r e n c e ,R a p h a e lacquired ap e r s o n a lidiom of hisown, whichled to thediscarding oft h eiconographicmodels of hisfirst teacher,il Perugino,in favour of an original review of the lessonsimparted by the great Renaissance masters. Thisled to the "Deposition" (1507, photo). Around thiswork, the Galleria Borghese has created thisRoman exhibition, where another sixty works bythe Urbino painter are on display.www.galleriaborghese.it

Bernini , Borromini, Pietro da CortonaJune 16 - October 29, RomeA visual journey through the most important placesof the city of Rome as they were during the papacyof Urban VIII of the Barberinis (1623-44), InnocentX of the Pamphilis (1644-55) and Alexander VIIof the Chigis (1655-66), through the works ofBernini, Borromini and Pietro da Cortona. Theexhibition contains virtual reconstructions andlarge-scale models. Various sections of the showare devoted to architecture, decorative arts, musicand science.www.roma2000.it/zmusange.html

Umbria Jazz FestivalJuly 7 - 16, PerugiaThe first Umbria Jazz festival took place in July1973 and the event is now regarded as one of thebest in Europe, with big names and a wonderfulatmosphere. The Corso Vanucci in Perugia buzzesevery minute of every day. Often the streets arestill throbbing with people and music at midnightand there are free daily outdoor concerts.www.umbriajazz.com/canale.asp

Gentile da FabrianoUntil July 23, FabrianoA considerablenumber of Gentiled a Fa b r i a n o ’sworks of art, inaddition to someb y h i scontemporariesand his followers,will be shown inthe 15th CenturySpedale di SantaMaria del BuonGesù, documenting the activity of this artist, whoin many senses anticipated the advent of theRenaissance.www.gentiledafabriano.it/eng

Puccini FestivalUntil 19 August, Torre del Lago (Lucca, Tuscany)In July and August a quartet of Puccini's operas:Tosca with the new staging by Igor Mitoraj,Turandot, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly. OnAugust 3rd and 9th in Torre del Lago, for the firsttime in Europe, Junior Butterfly, the sequel ofMadama Butterfly by the Japanese composerShigeaki Saegusa.www.puccinifestival.it

Rossini Opera Festival7-21 August, PesaroThis year the programopens at the TeatroRossini, with Torvaldoe Torliska, directed byMario Martone andconducted by VictorPablo Perez. Themelodrama in two actsis followed by DieSchuldigkei t DesErsten Gebots, a semi-staged performance atthe BPA Palas. La Cambiale di Matrimonio,Adelaide in Borgogna and Stabat Mater arescheduled for the following days at various venues.www.rossinioperafestival.it/

Venice Film Festival30 August - 9 SeptemberThe Venice film festival is the oldest still inexistence today. Screenings take place in cinemasall over the city, but the centre of the action is theLido area. Catherine Deneuve will preside overthe international jury, which will award the GoldenLion for best film. The birthday anniversary ofthree masters of Italian film, Rossellini, Soldati,and Visconti, will be celebrated.www.labiennale.org/en/cinema

Argents at PompeiiUntil September 11, NaplesT h eexh ib i t ionpresents theexceptionalfounding ofthe Moreginet r e a s u r e ,discovered ata m i c r o -excavationand buried in the famous “Building of Triclini”during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Itincludes precious argents of the NationalArchaeological Museum of Naples, and items ofthe treasure of Pisanella Villa at Boscoreale,belonging to the Louvre Museum.www.comune.napoli.it

Lorenzo Monaco (1370-1425)

Until September 24, FlorenceThis exhibition, the first to be devoted to thisleading protagonist of Late Gothic painting inItaly, documents the complete span of activity ofthis extraordinary artist and monk, who wasfundamental in ‘piloting’ the evolution of the latefourteenth-century painting deriving from Giotto.www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english <>