Application IE Business School
Question K: If all of the world´s cultural heritage (sports, music, fashion, architecture,
literature, painting, etc..) was contained in a time capsule, what would you include to
demonstrate the legacy of your country?
Ferrari Luca
The role of History
Italy, as well as other European countries, is characterized by many ancient cultural heritage sites and a lengthy and dramatic history. I believe it is safe to say that Italy is world-wide famous for its tangible cultural heritages such as the Colosseum and the Pisa tower, and together with its customs, traditions, values and yes, hand gestures, is one of the most iconic country of the globe. History has great role in determining the legacy of a country and Italian history is very much extended and characterized by so many events that is almost impossible to put everything in a time capsule…
The role of history
…But something must be selected and preserved in case there is a need to preserve pieces of our culture to be handed down to future generations. To understand our cultures and believes, history is the best teacher and therefore I selected some of the most important historic periods from our history, where I chose the most representative objects to show what should be conserved.
The Roman Ages
The Roman Emperor was one of the first ones to develop an
organized society characterized by politics, commerce, social life, and laws. The Roman Emperor was vast
and powerful and had a strong influence over the Italian
architecture, literature, and language. The Colosseum, and the
Twelve Tables of Roman Laws, which had, and still have, a huge influence over our contemporary
civil laws, must be insert in the capsule.
The Middle Ages
The middle ages was a dark period of our history characterized by many wars and a slow cultural development. Religion played a key role during this period, in fact the Papal State was born in the middle age. Nowadays the Vatican City as well as the Papal Residence and the Church headquarters are in Rome. The Christian Church consolidated in the Middle ages and since then it always influenced and sometimes even governed over the Italian population and its politics. Italy it’s the country with one of the highest number of churches and cathedrals, in fact, only in Rome there are more than nine-hundred churches. Because of the influential position of the Church in Italy and because Italy, even if not officially expressed in the Constitution, is a Catholic country where around 85% of the population practice the Catholic religion I believe the Gospel is required when demonstrating the country’s legacy.
The Middle Ages
Finally, during this period, the Italian poet Dante
Alighieri was born and with him the “Divina
Commedia”; probably the most important written
piece of literature ever written by an Italian author.
I would have to put a copy inside the Italian time
capsule.
The Renaissence Following the Middle Ages, it comes
probably the most splendid and creative period in terms of the quantity of tangible cultural heritages created, known as the
Renaissance. Geniuses like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci characterized this age with their
innovative ideas and creativity. Michelangelo’s architectural and
sculptural works such as “Santa Maria Del Fiore” and the “David” are unique
treasuries which still today represent a huge national heritage which deserve to
be put inside the time capsule.
The Renaissence
Leonardo’s inventions and paintings such as the “Gioconda” and “Ultima Cena” are
mandatory when studying the Italian history of art; they are tremendous proves of our Italian legacy and therefore both artist’s works need to be present in the capsule.
Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century
From these centuries, I mainly selected two figures whose works were
inspirational for the future generations and still today demonstrate the most
intellectual part of my country. The first one, Guglielmo Marconi, was the pioneer of the Radio Transmission and the second one, the poet Giacomo Leopardi, was the
major exponent of the Italian romance age. His poem “L’Infinito” contains
everything to understand this period. Their scientific findings and literary
writings cannot be left unconsidered.
The Nineteen Hundred
This century has been characterized by two World Wars and an exponential technological and industrial development. In Italy, after WWI, the fascist ideology developed, and Mussolini dictatorship took place. It is our responsibility to study it and to be informed about it and not just to pretend it did not happen. At the same time, I think is vital to put something representing the Partisans; the civilians who courageously fought against the dictatorship and following their democratic ideals mainly contributed to the liberation of Italy.
The Nineteen Hundred
The Costitution entered into force with the beginning of 1948.
Moreover the 2nd of June 1946 the Italian Republic was born followed by the writing down of the Italian Constitution.
The Constitution is an examle of what we achieved as a country through history, and it shows our values and deepest believes. It must be placed inside the capsule.
The nineteen hundred
Beside the historic events, the nineteen hundred is also the century in which the automotive industry had its
main breakthroughs. The Italian company FIAT launched the famous Fiat 500 in those days, and
recently Lamborghini’s and Ferrari’s are between the most beautiful luxury cars and most recognized brands
in the car industry .
Today Some objects today have an intrinsic value which show the word our spirit and traditions.
Even if they are only simple objects they represent Italy in all its shades. In the capsule I
will include a soccer ball; soccer is the national sport and represent our competitive spirit
and attachment to our home. In addition, I will put a dish of
hand-made pasta, which better than anything explains our
relationship with food and our long-lasting tradition of sitting
together with the family.
Today
Italian stylists like Armani, Versace, Valentino and Ferre’ began with designing simple
dresses and now produce one of the most fashionable and valuable product Italy has to
offer to the world. An example of one of these
products I believe is necessary to be inserted in the time
capsule.
Conclusions
Nowadays, it is hard to realize what piece of our heritage will be considered to be part of our legacy; as probably Dante didn’t realize the impact that his work would have had for the following generations. I believe our goal, as students and future generation of Italy, is to follow our passion and believe in what we can achieve through studying and learning. Who knows, maybe the next Dante might be already working on his Commedia.