oreign MinisterHon. Franco

Frattini made his firstofficial visit to Israel onMarch 16 - 17. Min.Frat t ini met wi thI s r a e l ' s h i g h e s tgovernment officials,from Prime MinisterA r i e l S h a r o n t oPresident Moshe Katsav, as well as DeputyPrime Minister and Foreign Affairs MinisterSilvan Shalom (photo)

With his interlocutors,M i n i s t e r F r a t t i n idiscussed the peaceprocess; developments inIraq; regional issues suchas those related to Libyaand Iran, as well as the“Greater Middle East”project. In the context ofthe warm relationship

established between the two governments,reinforced during the Italian EU Presidency,Frattini also addressed bilateral and

April 29

Inauguration of the series of eventsAll Roads Lead to Rome, organized by theDante Alighieri Society of Jerusalem incollaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute(till June 28). Among other events, a conferenceon the City of Rome will be held at the VanLeer Institute; Italian films will be screened atthe Jerusalem Cinematheque; a conference

on the cinema, art and history of Rome and atour of Rome will be organized as well.

May 6-7Italian-Israeli Seminar on Oncology inHaifa, organized by the Rambam MedicalCenter in collaboration with Rome’s ReginaElena Institute. Prof. Abraham Kuten andProf. Francesco Cognetti will lead the Israeliand Italian delegations.

May 9-10Visit to Israel of Communications MinisterH o n . M a u r i z i o G a s p a r r i a n dUndersecretary Giancarlo Innocenzi, at theinvitation of Deputy Prime Minister andMinister of Industry, Trade andCommunications Ehud Olmert.

NOTIZIE ITALIANENewsle t t er o f the Embassy o f I ta ly in I srae l No. 29 May 2004

1

D e a r f r i e n d s ,

(Cont p. 2)

This is my farewellmessage to you as theAmbassador of Italyto Israel, as I shallsoon be returning toRome, to assume mynew duty as ViceSecretary-General ofthe Min i s t ry o fForeign Affairs.

Looking back over the past two years I amreminded of many moments of satisfaction forthe encouraging results of all the work done,occasionally mixed with concern for thisbeautiful country and for its people. I wassincerely touched by the strength, determinationand optimism that the people of Israel areshowing right in the heart of this troubled region.

Throughout my term as Ambassador I haveendeavored, together with my staff, to deepeneconomic, scientific and cultural relationsbetween Italian and Israeli institutions,businesses and people, as well as, in particular,to promote awareness of Italian art, technologyand style in Israel. I am grateful to the Italy-Israel Chamber of Commerce and our TradeCommission who spared no effort to promote,encourage and enhance bilateral relations.

I wish to send my warmest regards and thanksto the Italian Jewish community in Israel andto all our Israeli friends who have manifestedtheir support to Italy and to the Embassy of Italyon countless occasions.

I believe there is no better way to conclude myterm than to introduce, through the pages ofthis issue of our newsletter, the rich agenda ofcultural, scientific, commercial and social eventsthat will constitute the Italian Month in Israel,to be held in May 2004. This is an occasion thatwill encompass and certainly boost manydifferent aspects of the flourishing state ofItalian-Israeli bilateral relations. I thereforeinvite you all to take part in our variousactivities, and to maintain your contact with theEmbassy and other Italian institutions in Israel.

It is my hope that the many visitors and businessdelegations from Italy, who have come to Israelas part of the Embassy’s ongoing activities, nowshare and appreciate my special feelings towardsthis country and its people.

To all of you I wish happiness, success and,above all, peace.

Giulio Terzi

Official visit to Israel of Foreign Minister FrattiniF

(Cont p. 5)

Ital ian Month in Israel

The mission will include representatives fromItaly's telecommunications and satelliteindustries as well as the TV and networksecurity sectors. Minister Gasparri willinaugurate the exhibition Jews of Rome atJerusalem’s Nahon Museum, which cataloguesthe rich traditions and life of Roman Jews (tillJune 20). The second day of the Minister’s visitwill feature a round-table discussion with theparticipation of Italian and Israeli businessleaders.

May 18Opening of the 1st Italian-Israeli IndustrialDesign Forum at the Shenkar College ofEngineering and Design, Ramat Gan.

The Forum includes the participation of leadingindustrialists, top designers and specialists fromItaly’s industrial design community. The 3-dayevent is organized with the participation ofItaly’s Association of Industrial Design (ADI).

The first day of the Forum will be dedicated totracking the secret charm of Italian design, withthe participation of industrial designers whowill lecture and present their experiences. Israeliparticipants include Arch. Eri Goshen and theindustrial designer Hagai Shvadron. In theafternoon a panel of senior experts and designerswill establish working groups of experts in thefields of design, engineering, marketing,sociology, and others, as a basis for anInternational Design Observatory. Amongthe Israeli participants: the industrialist SamiSagol, industrial designers Prof. YaakovKaufman and Alex Padwa, and Prof. AsaKasher of Tel Aviv University

May 18Opening of the Vespa exhibition at theMuseum for Israeli Art in Ramat Gan.

This event is under the patronage of the ItalianCultural Institute and the Shenkar College for

Engineering and Design, with the collaborationof the Museo Piaggio of Pontedera. The exhibitwill illustrate original designs, projects andhistorical documents that made Vespa one ofthe most famous symbols of Italy.

May 19Seminar on Design as a powerful tool foreconomic growth, under the patronage of theIsraeli Manufacturers Association, hosted byindustrialist Zvi Yemini. The seminar will takeplace at the Tel Aviv Fair and Exhibition Center,Building 20.

May 20A study day on Design Education will takeplace within the framework of the Italian-IsraeliForum on Industrial Design at the ShenkarCollege for Engineering and Design. Industrialdesigners and leading figures from academiccircles in Israel and in Italy will examine theposition and role of design on society, the cultureand the economy. It will also address subjectssuch as the nature of design education, anddefine a profile of the designer of the future.

May 20Presentation of two new postage stampscommemorating 100 years of Rome’s centralsynagogue (photo), in simultaneous ceremoniesin Jerusalem (U. Nahon Museum) and Rome,

with the participation of the Italian and Israelipostal authorities.

’Made in Italy’ at HamashbirHamashbir Lazarchan, one of Israel’s largestand most important chains of department stores,present in all of the country’s main cities, willinaugurate Made in Italy promotion in itsoutlets. The promotion, organized with thesupport of the Italian Trade Commission-ICE

will include fashion wear, undergarments,household and designer goods, textiles,accessories, cosmetics, fashion jewelry andmore. Hamashbir will offer discounts in selectedItalian restaurants throughout the country,discounts on Italian language courses, and more.

May 31 – June 1Official visit to Israel by Minister ofEducation, Universities and Research, Hon.Letizia Moratti.

Minister Moratti (photo) will preside over theItalian-Israeli R&D Day, part of the IsraelGateway international conference at the DavidIntercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv. She will holdmeetings with Science Minister EliezerSandberg, Education Minister Limor Livnatand visit major Israeli scientific institutions.Minister Morat t i wil l announce theestablishment of joint collaborative scientificprojects between Italy and Israel.

June 1The Italian-Israeli R&D Day is intended tounderline the deeply rooted scientificcooperation existing between the two countries,with particular reference to success stories andan emphasis on drafting the priorities for afuture agenda. A specific focus will examineinnovative financial tools for promoting R&D(in Italy, the establishment of new scientific hi-tech clusters). Italian and Israeli scientists andpolicymakers will discuss their experiences instimulating research and bilateral cooperation.The Embassy of Italy, together with the ItalianTrade Commission and the Italy-Israel Chamberof Commerce, will also take part as exhibitorsin the Israel Gateway 2 Conference, organizedby Globes newspaper and Globus GatewayGroup.

June 2Italian National Daycelebrations at theRes idence o f theAmbassador in RamatGan.<>

NOTIZIE ITALIANE May 2004

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Ital ian Month in Israel(cont. from p. 1)

For more information please call the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Italy 03 5161744 econ3@italemb.org.il

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NOTIZIE ITALIANE May 2004

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

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Farewell message from Ambassador TerziItalian Month in IsraelVisit to Israel of Foreign Minister FrattiniParma Cooking School hopes to shineFerrari paints New York redItalians build 'molecular lift'Biotech agreement for LombardyDaVinci database of Italian researchersItalian humanitarian commitment in IraqPsy-Ops to maintain vigilanceItaly leads in broadband'Parco Italia' inauguratedElection of 'Comites' in IsraelJerusalem and Florence collaborateWater Workshop: Report'Academy & Industry' SeminarEvents in IsraelIMTM 2004 Tourism FairEvents in Italy

Trade Tower, 25 HaMered Street, Tel Aviv 68125Te l : 0 3 - 5 1 0 . 4 0 0 4 F a x : 0 3 - 5 1 0 . 0 2 3 5www.italian-embassy-israel.org econ3@italemb.org.il

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4

NOTIZIE ITALIANE May 2004

n April 8 New York City celebratedFerrari's 50th year in the United States

with the Empire State Building bathed inred light.The United States is Ferrari's biggest marketand last year a total of 1350 of the cars weresold to US clients. The first Ferrari arrived inthe United States in the Spring of 1954 and theevent was celebrated at this year's New YorkInternational Auto Show gala evening. "Therehas always been a great feeling between theUnited States and Ferrari," said Ferrari CEOLuca Cordero di Montezemolo (recentlyelected as the President of the ItalianManufacturers` Association). "In 1949 anAmerican of Italian origin, Luigi Chinetti wasthe first man to win the Le Mans 24 hour racein a Prancing Horse car. We have a very strongpresence here now. There are over 20,000Ferraris on US roads and America's passion forthe marque is growing all the time. The factthat Ferrari's 50 years in the US are beingcelebrated by illuminating the Empire StateBuilding with red light would have thrilled EnzoFerrari as much as it does me and anyone elsewho is proud to be Italian." <>

n Italian research teamhas come up with the

world's first 'molecular lift,'a b r e a k t h r o u g h i nnanotechnology that could beused to take drugs into thebody or build tiny computerssimilar to the human brain.The most complex and efficientnano-machine ever realised,which works in a liquid solution,it measures just 3.5 billionthsof a metre across. Conceived and designed inItaly at Bologna University's chemistrydepartment, it has been hailed in the scientificworld and published in one of its mostprestigious journals, Science. The prototype ofthe molecular lift, put together by the Bologna

group in collaboration with theUniversity of California at LosAngeles, caps a three-yearproject led by chemists AlbertoCredi and Serena Silvi togetherwith one of the Italian pioneersi n t h e f i e l d o fnanotechnologies, VincenzoBalzani. The Italian inventionis the strongest nanomachineever built. Its power, theresearchers say, is "not only

greater than that of previous prototypes ofartificial molecular machines but also greaterthan that of molecular engines of the biologicalworld based on proteins."http://pubs.acs.org/cen/topstory/8212/8212notw8.html <>

Italians build first ‘molecular lift’A

Molecular platform can move up anddown the legs of the molecular tripod.

O

AVINCI isan Internet

accessible database set up by the ItalianMinistry of Foreign Affairs that gathers data,voluntarily provided by its participants, onthe activities, research interests andcompetences of Italian researchers workingabroad.The data supplied are useful for the purposesof making connections, getting information andgenerating dialogue. The information containedwill be made public to all end-users. Inaccordance with European directives and Italian

law no. 196/2003no sensitive data

will be issued to third parties and in no case wille-mail address lists be compiled or transmitted.Access to DAVINCI is open to everyone. Thefree, on-line registration also provides accessto the Forum and Newsletter. The systemmanagers and the expert personnel assigned bythe Italian Embassies can verify the correctnessand soundness of the data provided, making anycorrections or exclusions and informing usersof the same. <>www.esteri.it/db/davinci/index.asp?lang=eng

DDaVinci database of Italian researchers

LMA, the InternationalS c h o o l o f I t a l i a n

C u i s i n e , w a s r e c e n t l yinaugurated by Agricultural andFores t ry Minis ter Hon.Giovanni Alemanno. Housedin the former Farnese DucalPalace in Colorno, some 15kilometers outside of Parma,the school describes itself as theworld's leading internationaltraining center for Italiancuisine. It hopes to drawprofessional and budding chefseager to learn the secrets of thet r a d e f r o m G u a l t i e r oMarchesi, the school's master chef, and otherculinary luminaries, like Alfonso Iaccarino,the brains (and hands) behind top restaurantDon Alfonso in Sant'Agata sui due Golfi, nearNaples. The course lasts 11 months, six at theschool and a five-month placement in animportant Italian restaurant. The fall will alsosee the inauguration of the Colorno campus ofItaly's first University of Gastronomic

Sciences. Launched and run by the Slow FoodAssociation, the university will train a newprofessional category: food and drink experts.Prof. Ariel Toaff of Bar-Ilan University in TelAviv, director of the newly inaugurated Israelibranch of the Accademia Italiana della Cucina,is part of the teaching faculty at the University.www.unisg.it/eng/index.htm <>

AParma hopes to shine with cooking school

Minister Alemanno (rught) during his visit to Kibbutz Naan last December

Ferrari paintsNew York red

We have signed an agreement for 30million euros over three years to

develop the biotechnology sector in theLombardy region", said the Minister forEducation, Universities and Research, LetiziaMoratti, at a press conference at the Region'sgovernment headquarters. On March 22,Minister Moratti co-signed an agreement forthe creation of a centre for biotechnology withthe region's President, Roberto Formigoni. Itwill be the first of three centres dedicated tonew equipment and communication technologyin addition to biotechnology, provided for inthe December 22, 2003 agreement. <>www.assobiotec.federchimica.it/assobiotec

Biotechnology: 30m.agreement for Lombardy

“

economic issues.The Min i s t e r ' sagenda included ameeting with theI t a l i a n J e w i s hcommunity in Israelat the ConeglianoVeneto Temple inJerusalem, and avisit to Yad Vashem,where he laid awreath.“ I s rae l g rea t lyappreciates Italy'sbalanced approach to the Middle East and hopesit is shared by other nations”, Israeli PresidentMoshe Katsav told the visiting Minister duringthe meeting on March 16. Prime Minister ArielSharon expressed Israel’s satisfaction with thestate of bilateral relations (“we consider Italyour best friend, together with the US”), andarticulated his personal esteem and appreciationfor the role taken by Prime Minister SilvioBerlusconi. The two leaders then discussed awide range of issues and Mr. Sharon, thankingthe Italian government for including Hamas onthe list of terrorist organizations while acting asthe EU’s duty president, assured the Minister ofIsrael’s support of Italy’s candidature for a seaton the Security Council for the years 2007-8.Thanking Prime Minister Sharon, MinisterFrattini praised Sharon’s "good will in hisunilateral decision to withdraw from the Gaza

S t r i p " . A f t e rrecalling Italy’sefforts towards asolution for theIsraeli-Palestinianconflict during itsterm at the helm oft h e E u r o p e a nUnion, Min. Frattinisaid that fightingterror groups likeHamas was one ofthe priorities of theEU duty presidency,

"a priority we will continue to pursue." Italy alsostrongly reaffirmed Israel's right to self-defense.Over 100 parliamentarians, business leaders,educators and representatives from hi-tech tookpart in a lunch hosted by Foreign Minister SilvanShalom in honor of his Italian guest. Min. Frattiniemphasized the importance placed by Italy onthe Euromed process in which Israel should takea fully active place, and presented Italy’s ideasabout a larger NATO role in the Mediterranean.He also outlined details of Trieste’s candidatureto host the 2008 International Exhibition. Thetwo ministers then signed a three year ExecutiveProtocol to the bilateral cultural agreement, inforce between the two countries since 1971.Minister Frattini also noted that an Internationalconference on the fight against anti-Semitismwill be held in Rome in June. <>

w e l v ec o n t a i n e r s

filled with medicalitems collected inI t a l y b y t h e

Carabinieri of the 7th Regiment ‘TrentinoAlto Adige’, together with the Sacred MilitaryConstantinian Order of San Giorgio, whicharrived to Nassiriya through the port ofMonfalcone, have been distributed to medicalfacilities, especially pediatric hospitals andclinics, throughout the province of Dhi Qar,beginning with the hospital of Nassiriya.

"The humanitarian initiative”, states theCarabinieri headquarters in a release, “isrepresentative of the continuous assistance andsupport that the Carabinieri Service has alwaysprovided and that, thanks to the generouscontributions of numerous Italian companies,is allowing us to bring concrete aid to a localpopulation now suffering from acute medicaland sanitary problems ". Within this samecontext, the Carabinieri of the MSU (SpecialMultinational Force) have recently distributedan enormous amount of medical equipmentand medicine (“especially expensive and

difficult to find”) to medical facilities in thearea of Nassiriya. "All of this was madepossible – stated the Carabinieri headquarters– thanks to the donations of companies suchas Kedrion, Ethicon and Aventis/Lepeti, whoprovided antibiotics, emergency surgeryequipment, dermatological products, bloodderivatives (transported in 4 refrigerated lockersprovided by the Autogrill company) andmedications required for expectant mothersand infants ". The items were brought to Iraqby military aircraft from the 46th air Brigade,based in the Italian Air Force base in Pisa. <>

5

NOTIZIE ITALIANE May 2004

TItalian humanitarian commitment in Iraq

or foreign armies in Iraq, one of thegreatest risk is if routine lowers the level

of alertness. To make sure this does nothappen the Italian contingent also makes useof psy-ops, or psychological operations, amongother measures.''The main objective is to guarantee the safetyof our personnel”, explained Major Angelo

Tarantino, who is in charge of this sector. ''Andamong the methods used are various types ofmessages. They’re usually simple ones but theyget everyone’s attention. For example, thereare messages in which we ask that everyonemaintain a high level of attention. Posters,signs, flyers are placed on walls or distributedin the mess or in the base store. Comic strips

are also used: anything goes, as long as thesoldier reads it. And thinks''. One brochure usesphotographs to tell a story about a soldier whofinds an unexploded device: the messageconveyed is to never pick it up and toimmediately call the bomb experts. <>

Psy-ops to maintain vigilanceF

The European Commission figures showItaly to have one of the highest rates of

growth in the broadband sec tor, "Communications Minister, Hon. MaurizioGasparri said in Rome on March 16. Today's2.7 million active connections are the fruit ofmeasures aimed at development in the sector.Incentives for the activation of new broadbandconnections have given vigour to companies,and have contributed in a decisive way to theconfirmation of the national industry inEurope. The latest data see Italy in secondplace in Europe for the number of connectionsactivated in the last semester, and in fourthplace for active connections. <>

“

Min. Gasparri (center) at Telecom Israel 2002, with Amb.Terzi and former Minister of Communications, KnessetSpeaker Reuven Rivlin (left).

Gasparri: Italy among EUleaders in broadband(cont. from p. 1)

Foreign Minister's first official visit to Israel

or the first time,on March 26,

the Italian communityin Israe l , whichnumbers just over10,000, elected themembers of ‘Comites’( C o m m i t t e e o fItalians Abroad), arepresentative body sanctioned by Italianlaw. The only list presented, called‘HaItalkim – Comites List’ received the 12available seats with 1355 votes. The mostpopular candidate was lawyer BeniaminoLazar (photo), who received 630 votes. <>

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NOTIZIE ITALIANE May 2004

he Keren KayemetLeIsrael recently

inaugurated Parco Italia, alarge park in a coastal areaof Israel that had previouslysuffered from neglect anddeterioration.

The park was constructed with financial supportfrom the Italian branch of Keren Kayemet. Theinauguration took place at the residence ofAmbassador Terzi in the presence of KnessetSpeaker Reuven Rivlin, business and culturalleaders as well as representatives of Israel’sItalian community. Parco Italia is situated nearNetanya and is crossed by the Alexander Riveron its way from Nablus to the Mediterranean.The park has already garnered internationalrecognition for its conservation and care of the

rivers, animal life and protected species. In hisremarks Knesset Speaker Rivlin underlined theimportant role played by Italian Jewry in defenseof environmental issues and in the greening ofthe area; he also commended Italy for itsposition on the peace process in the MiddleEast, including its contribution to regionalsustainable development (‘Marshall Plan’) andto the improvement of ties between Israel andthe EU during the recent Italian Presidency.Ambassador Terzi recalled how the work doneby the Keren Kayemet was recognized onseveral important occasions, such as the visitto Israel by President Carlo Azeglio Ciampiin 1999, and the November 2003 visit of DeputyPrime Minister Gianfranco Fini, both of whomplanted trees in Jerusalem’s Peace Forest. <>

T‘Parco Italia’ inaugurated

he conference, onMarch 10-12 2004,

coordinated by theEmbassy of I ta ly,s t i m u l a t e d m u c hinterest in academiccircles and institutions.Attending on the Israeliside was a large group ofscientists from Ben-Gurion University, ledby Dr. Eilon Adar,Director of the Institutefor Water Sciences and Technologies, andresearchers from Jerusalem’s Hebrew University,Tel Aviv University, Haifa’s Technion (IsraelInstitute of Technology), Haifa University, theVolcani Center, as well as representatives fromthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of

the Environment, the IsraelWater Commission and theWater Company Mekorot.The Italian delegation wascoordinated by Dr. RossellaMonti of the LandauNetwork-Centro Volta inComo. A group of tenPalestinian water experts,including a representativeof the Palestinian WaterAuthority, was invited byBen-Gurion University to

attend the workshop, which consisted of threesessions covering the following topics: Efficientwater management; Pollution, prevention andsafeguarding of water resources; Improvementand implementation of technologies foralternative water resources.

Around 30 scientific and technical presentationswere submitted, which were followed by livelydiscussions. Subjects covered by Italian expertsdealt with the management of water resourcesand environmental problems; others illustratedaspects of I tal ian law regarding theadministration of water resources, environmentalprotection initiatives and the purification ofwater. Presentations were also given by the Tiberand Adige River Basin Authorities, whichillustrated how modern Italian water authoritiesare trying to unify and define the administrationof all aspects of water management, in acomprehensive policy that has been sanctionedby Italian law. The Italian delegation also visitedtwo water installations, a desalination plant andan agricultural research center, located in Israel’sNegev desert. <>

T

seminar be tween the I s t i tu toUniversitario di Architettura (IUAV) of

Venice and the Negev Academic College ofEngineering (NACE) of Beersheba, on thetheme of industrial design, took place onMarch 3 at the NACE campus. The seminar,opened by Ambassador Terzi and the Presidentof NACE Prof. Oscar Levy, is part of the‘Memorandum of Understanding’ signed inVenice last November between NACE andIUAV. The Venetian institution was representedby Prof. Marco De Michelis, Dean of theFaculty of Design and Arts, and by Prof.Medardo Chiapponi, director of its IndustrialDesign program, whose presentations on howthe IUAV interacts with local Venetianenterprises aroused particular interest. <>

A

F

‘Academia &Industry’ seminarn February 24-25

a group o f s ixIsraeli experts includingarch. David Cassuto(photo), President of theAssociation of ItalianJews in Jerusalem, andarch. Uri Shetrit, headof urban planning at the Jerusalemmunicipality, took part in a seminar organizedby the Region of Tuscany and the City ofFlorence on the maintenance and developmentof historic city centers. The seminar highlightedtendencies in urban development, in particularthose currently under consideration by politicalinstitutions of both countries. <>

O

Water: ‘Management and environmental issues’ workshop

The workshop was held at the George Evens FamilyAuditorium at Beersheba's Ben-Gurion University

First election of‘Comites’ in Israel

Jerusalem, Florence collaborate on historic city centres

Women in the films of FelliniMay 4, Tel Aviv

Prof. Gabriel Ben-Shimhon, author of Le donne nelcinema di Fellini, will discuss the works of thelegendary director through the analysis of femalefigures in his movies.Italian Cultural Institute Tel. 03-516.1361

Concert : Musica Nova ConsortMay 15, Tel Aviv Museum of Art

The concert, directed by Maestro Renato Rivolta,will feature music by: Rivolta, Galin, Tan Dun, Keren,Rosenboim and Anton Webern.Shamaim Hafakot Tel. 03-573.26.22

Exhibition : Jews of RomeMay 20 – June 20Museum U. Nahon, Jerusalem

This exhibition shines a new light on the life andtraditions of the Jewish community in Rome, whichis one of the most ancient in the western hemisphere.Museum U. Nahon, Tel. 02-624.16.10(see also pages 2+3)

Israel Festival 2004May 22 – June 17, Jerusalem

At this year`s festival Massimo Mercelli (guitar) andMassimo Felici (flute) will perform two concerts on

June 4 – 5 at the Y.M.C.A. auditorium and at theDormition Abbey. The duo will perform pieces createdespecially for them by Giovanni Sollima.Israel Festival, Tel. 02-561.14.38

Baroqu' EnsembleMay 26, Acco

Concert marking 900 years of the presence ofthe Italian sea Republics (Venice, Genoa, Pisa,Amalfi) in Acco.Information and tickets: 050 749 8854

Concert with Coro Bnei ShirMay 30 - June 1Ben Gurion University, Beersheba

The Bnei Shir chorus, conducted by Maestro EriDoron, will perform the Concerto Italiano, ArcangeloCorelli’s Concerto grosso di Natale and songs in Latinand Italian, accompanied by a string ensemble.Italian Cultural Institute, Tel. 03-516.13.61

Rosario Giuliani Jazz QuartetJune 22-26, Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem

The Rosario GiulianiJazz Quartet will closethe Hot Jazz Series2003-2004 : Herzlia,June 22 (Camelot) ;Jerusalem, June 23( R e b e c c a C r o w nAuditorium) ; Tel Aviv,June 24 – 25 (Museumof Art ); Haifa , June 26(Beit Aba Kushi). Am a s t e r c l a s s f o r

saxophone players will also take place at the RimonMusic School in Ramat Hasharon.Italian Cultural Institute Tel. 03-516.13.61 <>

7

NOTIZIE ITALIANE May 2004

Events In IsraelNahon Museum ofI ta l ian Jewish Ar t ,Jerusalem

Encounters with an Italian chefMayA new initiative of the Museum, starting inMay, will introduce Israeli audiences to anItalian chef. The encounter will include gettingto know the art of Italian and Italian-Jewishcuisine, food tasting, and opera.

Italian SpringFrom May 30Concert seriesfeaturing oldand new Italianmusic will takeplace at themuseum everySunday at 8p.m. startingM a y 3 0 .Before eachconcert, theaudience willbe treated to asurprise from the world of Italian culture andart.

The Jewish Theater Group of RomeJune 3The Jewish theater group of Rome (photo)will perform at the Museum

Nahon Museum of Italian Jewish Art27, Hillel st., JerusalemTel: 02-6241610 Fax: 02-6253480www.jija.org jija@netvision.net.il <>

n 2003 there were 3.3 mill iondepartures recorded of Israelis abroad;

of these, about 807,000 presences wereregistered in Italy alone. Italy is in fact thesecond destination of Israeli tourism abroad.IMTM is Israel’s main tourism event andthe largest annual professional tourismgathering of its kind in the EasternMediterranean.In order to promote and present Italy to Israelitravelers, the Israel-Italy Chamber ofCommerce organized the participation in thefair of Italian exhibitors from the Province ofCatania (Sicily) and Vicenza (Veneto). OtherItalian exhibitors at the fair were the FriuliVenezia Giulia region, Bologna Turismo from

the city of Bologna and Italy & Italy magazine.The Italian presence at the exhibition, not onlyby professional tour operators but also peopleinterested in holiday deals, was extremelysuccessful. The wide range of destinations andtypes of holiday on offer, in particular for Sicilyand the Veneto region, enabled new cooperationagreements with operators, which is expectedto bring more Israeli travelers to Italy. This yearthere were around 27,000 visitors to theexhibition, of whom around 1000 came fromforeign countries. More than 100 Israeli and 60international exhibitors from 22 differentcountries attended the event.www.ortra.com/imtm2004 <>

IIMTM 2004 Tourism Fair

Turin Book ForumMay 6-10, Turin Lingotto

T h e F i e r aInternazionaledel Libro diTorino, Turin's

international book forum, is the largest eventfor Italy's publishing industry, with around 1000exhibitors and more than 200,000 visitors. TheTurin Lingotto welcomes both professionalsand the general public for five days of literaryactivities. In 2003 publishers from France,England, Spain, Germany, Portugal and Canadaattended the event. The fair also hosts a tradingfloor entirely devoted to professionalsnegotiating international publishing rights -aiming to establish itself as the stock exchangeof publishing copyrights, where Italianexhibitors can meet their foreign colleaguesand literary agents hunt new authors and titles.Next to the general fair, there are smallerthematic exhibits on specific subjects.www.fieralibro.it <>

Spoleto - Festival dei Due MondiJune - July, Spoleto

Situated in the green heart of Umbria, Spoleto istaken over by a whirlwind of artistic activity duringits annual festival: enjoy quality classical music,theatre, ballet, visual arts and cinema in one of Italy’smost beautiful, romantic cities.www.spoletofestival.it

San Gimignano MedievalFestivalJune 2004, San Gimignano

This colourful two-day festival brings jugglers,acrobats and jousting knights onto the streets of SanGimignano. The event is staged both for theentertainment of tourists and for the townspeoplethemselves, who take great pride in their richhistorical traditions.www.sangimignano.com

Chianti Wine Festival30 May - 6 June, Montespertoli (FI)

Montespertoli, in the center of the Chianti region,is situated high on a hill and thus features spectacularviews of Florence and other Tuscan cities. TheChianti Wine Festival is held there from the lastSunday in May to the first Sunday in June. BecauseMontespertoli is one of the wine capitals of Tuscany,it's the perfect place for a festival that features thebest of the year's vintage. This year, the town willswarm with wine lovers and professional buyersalike for the 47th annual festival.Montespertoli Tourism Tel. +39 0571 609 412ctm@leonet.it

Strawberry and Flower FeastJune 2004, Nemi, Rome

A veritable feast for lovers of strawberries, this localsummer rite in Nemi offers a wide-ranging and variedprogramme of folkloric events, Music, dancing andmerriment, exhibitions and of course, vast quantitiesof the justly-famed local fruit. The event concludeswith a spectacular firework display over the Nemilake at night.Nemi City CouncilTel. +39 06 936 8001 Fax +39 06 93 68 071editoria@apt-roma.it

Verdi Festival 2004Until June 15, Parma

Parma celebratesits most famousc i t i z e n ,Giuseppe Verdi,with a month-long festival ofo p e r a s a n dconcerts at theTeatro Regio.The programmeincludes Verdi operas Simon Boccanegra, conductedby Bruno Bartoletti, and The Corsair, directed byRenato Palumbo. Florence's Maggio MusicaleOrchestra, directed by Zubin Mehta, playsBeethoven's Fifth and Seventh Symphonies, Leipzig'sGewandhausorchester directed by HerbertBlomstedt plays Richard Strauss and Tchaikovsky.Berlioz's opera The Damnation of Faust is directedby George Pehlivanian and the Rai NationalSymphony Orchestra directed by Rafael Frubeckde Burgos plays Stravinsky's Sacre du Printempsand orches t ra l ex t rac ts f rom Wagner ' sGotterdämmerung. Finally, Zoltan Pesko conductsthe Teatro Regio Orchestra in Stabat Mater in honourof the centenary of Antonin Dvorak's death.www.teatroregioparma.org <>

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NOTIZIE ITALIANE May 2004

This yea r ' se d i t i o n o fUmbria Jazz,one of Italy'smost importantjazz festivals,w i l l a l s ofeature guestsfrom the bluesa n d p o p

worlds, including BB King, JamesBrown and Burt Bacharach. Thelineup confirms the trend towardsa more mainstream public andaway from the tastes of diehard jazzfans. The main acts of Umbria Jazzwill be staged at the Santa Giulianaopen air arena, while smaller andmore jazz-oriented concerts will beheld in local theatres and clubs andin nearby towns.www.umbriajazz.com <>

Umbria Jazz 2004 to include blues and popJuly 9 – 18

500 artists, 200 concerts, 3 outdoor stages, 3 theatres, midnight clubs, streetparades

July 9Dr. John, B.B.King

July 10Blues Brothers,George ClintonParliament/Funkadelic

July 11Keith Jarrett,Gary Peacock,Jack DeJohnette

July 12Angie Stone,Giorgia

July 13M a n h a t t a nTransfer, CountBasie Orchestra

July 14M i l v a - E lTango de AstorPiazzolla,D e e D e eBridgewater -Lat in SoundEscape

July 15Alic ia Keys

July 16Michael Buble',Burt Bacharach

July 17James Brown

July 18H i r o m i ,H a n c o c k ,S h o r t e r ,Holland, BladeQuartet

Highlights of this year's evening concerts(Arena Santa Giuliana 8.45 pm):

Events In Italy