Tue, Sep 20, 2011
There are unexpected places to be found in Italy: there is no need to go to far away countries or seek out unexplored, untamed lands, or even look for them in parks or protected areas. These are places that are created by chance, by a landslide, a flood or other natural disaster that suddenly cuts off an area of land until it is forgotten by man. And so it is given back to the animals, who return as if to their own paradise on earth, no longer fearing even the seasons. A paradise born of the only element able to produce life on its own, a paradise of water.
2011
There's a land between the mountains and the sea, right at the Italian border with France, that recently has become a Regional Park. Its peculiarity, together with the great variety of its environments, is the presence of a landscape that has been colonized by man for centuries and that now has partially gone back to its wilderness: a landscape now protected, which has also been awarded with the Touring club "orange flag" for three of its beautiful villages. A twenty-year old breeder and a young naturalist with a passion for bats, together with a repentant fisherman who studies the river prawns and an old lady who cooks following the ancient tradition of the "white cousine", will guide us in this wonderful park at the border.
2014
100 km off of Rome, we can find the largest crater in Europe: the lake of Bolsena. It was the center of a rich ancient population, the Etruscans, and this territory in now inhabited by people who really love their territory, and who do everything they can in order to preserve their traditions and their history, even in its most obscure and unsettling aspects. Like the story of the two not easily reachable islands at the center of the lake, dominated by obscure legends about brutal murders, cruel penances and magical doors to hell.
2014
The ancient Roman road are one of the most fascinating and long lasting infrastructures in the world. Most of these roads deride from the ancient roads of salt, connecting the coasts to the mountain regions, where this precious resource couldn't be found. At dawn, salt flats are populated by flamingos, little egrets and shelducks, all of them birds of rare elegance. Going south to reach the environment of the Roman coast natural reserve, we can see the damages caused to the underwater resources by the trawlers through the years. Entire grass fields of posidonia, a submarine plant that constitutes a "natural lung" of the sea, where most of the fish lay their eggs, has been eradicated.
2014
In the territory alongside the ancient Aurelia road, we follow the daily routine of some if its inhabitants, who live their lives in a strong relationship with nature. A land of surprising beauty, inhabited by wolves, wild boars and a beautiful bird of prey, the harrier. Their nests are in constant danger, as they are hidden between the sheaves of wheat and might be destroyed by the threshing machines. We're just 100 km off Rome, but there is still space for some of the most beautiful wild landscapes in Italy.
Wed, Oct 7, 2015
We will travel through one of the most important natural areas of the southern part of the Maremma, in a borderland where the marshes ends and the terrain becomes more rugged. With its 17,000 hectares of pristine land near Tolfa, its value is also recognized by Europe, being identified as a Site of Community Interest and a Special Protection Area. The Maremma pastures are very characteristic, with horses and cows still grazing freely in the oak forests. Almost all the land is publicly owned and the forests and pastures are managed for civic use.
Thu, Oct 22, 2015
Since ancient times, many legends have spoken of the origin of the name of Taormina, this beautiful town of "a thousand beauties" founded in 358 BC on Mount Tauron by Greeks from Naxos, one of the most ancient Greek colonies on the island. The inhabitants of Tauromenium were so influenced by this colony that they built the famous Greek Theatre, now a symbol of the city. But Taormina is much more than breath-taking views, stunning coves and lush flora. Particularly beautiful architectural monuments can be found in its streets and among its old buildings, remnants of the various powers that, over the centuries, created the history of the city, like the Romans, Arabs and Bourbons. But today as yesterday, it is the majestic volcano Etna that looms over the town, seeming to rule over the fate of the men. And Taormina, in the past as in the present, continues to be part of its kingdom.
Fri, Nov 6, 2015
Hello, let me translate that for you: The sun, the sea, the wind. It's nature that strikes upon arriving in this strip of land suspended between two seas. Dry stone walls, centuries-old olive trees, wheat, sandy and rocky beaches... This stretch of Puglia, the Salento, is famous worldwide for its ancient traditions, Mediterranean landscapes, and the mystery of an archaic culture. Today, just like yesterday, Salento continues to enchant travelers who traverse it with the charm of its legends and the many secrets hidden within the walls of its historical remains. A crossroads of sounds, songs, and folk music, located at the extreme south of the Italian peninsula, this marvelous landing point from the East for ships of the past still preserves a remarkable artistic heritage and an atmosphere that, more than any other, guards the sense of its own origins. In this glimpse of the Mediterranean, the atmospheres remain unique, wonder overwhelms reality, the rhythms of man meet those of nature and repeat like an ancestral rite.
Mon, Nov 9, 2015
The charm of the Val d'Aosta mountains is timeless: simply stop in the ancient capital of the valley and look upward and gasp, enchanted by the beauty and hues of Europe's highest peaks. The Matterhorn, the Gran Paradiso, Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa frame the blue sky and make the valley - with its approximately 330 km of mountains - one of nature's masterpieces, with its glaciers, forests and valleys stretching as far as the eye can see.
Mon, Dec 7, 2015
The Agrò Valley lies on the eastern slope of the Peloritani Mountains, in the Province of Messina, and takes its name from the homonymous "fiumara" (stream) that runs along its entire length. Captivating landscapes, boundless horizons, clear sea, green countryside, and age-old Sicilian traditions still vividly "present": this strip of Sicily offers "a dive into the emotions of the past" and is still influenced by diverse, deep-rooted cultures that weave between the sacred and the secular. Due to the characteristics of its territory and its location, the Agrò Valley has been a crossroads of many dominations: Greek, Roman, Arab, Byzantine, Norman, and Bourbon. Today, as in the past, it preserves a great artistic wealth and an excellent culinary tradition, linked to products from the land and the sea. Here, the legend of the past has transformed into the reality of the present.
Thu, Sep 29, 2016
Afascinating journey through this magical land and through its history, which winds between the past and the present. An extraordinary historic center, churches and buildings of great artistic value, ancient walls, towers, fortresses and abbeys founded in the mists of time: these are the first images that welcome visitors to Cesena. A port dating back to the sixteenth century, a medieval tower, ancient columns, historic memories and maritime traditions: this is Cesenatico. In our journey we meet characters who live in Cesena and Cesenatico and who guard their cultural identity like a precious treasure.
Thu, Mar 16, 2017
In ancient Emilia, there is still a city on a human scale, where the charm of history sits alongside the works of modern artists: it is Modena. The central streets evoke the splendor of the Middle Ages and the exceeding greatness of its monuments, such as the Duomo and the Ghirlandina Tower, two true masterpieces built centuries ago. City founded over many channels, such as the historic Canal Chiaro where there were numerous workshops of master tanners, Modena still has many traditions. Modena has given birth to Luciano Pavarotti and is considered the capital of music "beat", born between the counters and the tables of the legendary "Italian Bar". Outside the city walls, however, the rhythms and habits are still marked by the cycle of the seasons, as eight centuries ago, and the characteristics of its food, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, retain the same authenticity of time. In the province of Modena coexist, however, different universes, like the passion for mechanics and the myth of speed, embodied by the timeless legend of Ferrari.
Tue, Mar 21, 2017
Procida with its multi-colored houses, its rich vegetation that blends with the typical Mediterranean architecture, its limpid, glimmering sea and beautiful coastal rocks, offers visitors breath-taking views. The documentary focuses on the natural beauty of the island, trying to capture the rich charm of its history and the ways and customs of Procidan culture.
Tue, Mar 28, 2017
Acireale rises in the shadow of the majestic Mount Etna, and with its splendid narrow streets, centuries-old houses, and volcanic portals adorned with grotesque masks, it is a charming town, also renowned for its delightful rice timbales known as arancini. One of the most engaging events in the island's folklore is the Acireale Carnival. Another splendid seaside village is Acitrezza. Every night, the ancient "Fish Market" opens here. One can find a variety of fish species, from tuna caught off the cliffs to swordfish, from shellfish to bream, and from amberjacks to sardines. For the inhabitants of these small villages, preserving their own identity is a value that must be safeguarded. They are unwilling to relinquish their roots, despite historical and social transformations.
Thu, Apr 6, 2017
Awonderful island of volcanic origin overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the largest and most enchanting in the Gulf of Naples: this is Ischia. A world of beautiful landscapes, of ancient settlers, spas, monuments and gorgeous sunsets, Ischia has an ancient history. The documentary is an extraordinary journey through the most fascinating places on the island and tells the stories of some island characters who, today as yesterday, continue to carry on their traditions, to carefully guard their customs and traditions, and respect their cultural identity.
Mon, Oct 16, 2017
In a region of Basilicata, between the Vallo di Diano and the Pollino National Park, rises the picturesque Sirino Massif, a group of mountains in the Lucanian Apennines. In this hidden corner of Basilicata, modernity advances, but the church bells still mark the rhythms of these southern peoples, a crossroads of civilizations influenced by Greek and Saracen cultures, as well as Roman and Bourbon influences.
Mon, Nov 13, 2017
In Pollino National Park, between Basilicata and Calabria, there are numerous water springs, protagonists of the beauty of the landscapes. This territory is, however, well-known for the sulfur waters of "thermal baths", which have always given health and well-being due to their mineral properties. In this universe marked by the repetition of the seasons, the paths still breathe the fascination of the customs and culture of the peoples who live in the Pollino Park.
Wed, Nov 22, 2017
In winter, the magic of the Dolomites and the Trentino Alps enchants travelers: just look at its snow-capped peaks to be enchanted by the beauty of landscapes. Surrounded by the Presanella glaciers, stands the beautiful Madonna di Campiglio, an elegant resort set at 1,550 meters altitude, one of the most renowned villages in the entire Arco Alpino, famous not only for its beautiful nature and its skiing facilities but also Even for keeping the richness of its culture. Few steps away from the town center, you can admire lakes, streams, mountain pastures and shelters, which keep the memories of heroic gestures.
Tue, Dec 5, 2017
Beneath the beautiful Monte Rosa mountain chain, which lies between the boundaries of Valle d'Aosta and Switzerland, is the Gressoney valley and the town of Gressoney-Saint-Jean, home to the Walser culture. Handed down from archaic populations of Germanic origin that settled on the slopes of this beautiful Alpine region during the Middle Ages, the Walser culture and its oral traditions have a timeless appeal. From the ingenious architecture of its wooden houses to its Germanic cuisine, from the mysterious "Titsch" language spoken by their German ancestors and the characteristic costumes and headdresses, the Gressoney valley has carefully guarded its ancient roots as well as the beauty of its mountains, also beloved by Queen Margherita of Savoy. Among those who refuse to give up their cultural identity, we find Rudy, a craftsman who works wood just as his father did, Signora Mercedes, who guards the secrets of the Gressoney cuisine, and Carla, a skilled seamstress who designs typical Walser costumes and also teaches skiing. Finally, great ski champions like Arianna Follis, World Gold and former Olympic champion cross-country skiing, and Federico Pellegrino, five times world cross-country champion, live and train in Gressoney.
Fri, Jan 5, 2018
In the south of Trentino, on the border with the beautiful countryside of Verona and Vicenza, there are some magnificent valleys where dominate uncontaminated landscapes and secular traditions. Vallagarina was also one of the most significant theaters of the First World War on the Italian-Austrian front.
Thu, Mar 29, 2018
From the Gianicolo hill, where the magnificence of Rome is captured, the Ancient Aurelia began, the largest of the great consular roads, which in the Imperial era, even reached Arles, in France. Outside the perimeter of Rome, the ancient consular road runs along the sea near the Norman castle of Santa Severa, built around the year 1000. From Santa Severa, the mountains of Tolfa begin, and the road is lost inside the heart of the Lazio Maremma. Although the ancient Aurelia no longer exists in the form it had at the time of the Romans, the places it passes through still bear its memory, a certain flavor and perhaps even the traces of the horses that have traveled through the centuries.
Wed, Apr 4, 2018
Cassia road crosses the center of Italy and from 2,000 years its path winds through a landscape of extraordinary beauty. Starting from Florence and descending towards Rome, the scenery enchants the gaze that rests on the rows of cypress trees, on the hills, on the castles and on the lands of different colors.
Fri, Apr 20, 2018
There is a material that, from the dawn of time, was extracted from the sea and sold to the peoples of the mountains, as precious as gold: salt. And yet today, if one names the Via Salaria, the Roman consular road that was used to transport it, no one thinks of it in the halls. But the road, over the centuries has united two peoples (the Romans and the Sabines) and two seas (the Tyrrhenian and the Adriatic) as a way of continuous exchange of goods and activities. Like the olive oil, which in Sabina is the main product, with archaic oil mills like that of Marco, at Poggio San Lorenzo, or the ford to dye the fabrics, as Alberto shows us, who cultivates it at the edge of Lake Ripasottile , in the plain of Rieti. A road that climbs the mountains, reaches the areas affected by the earthquake of Amatrice, where volunteers like Roberto help farmers like Amelia and her brothers, to resume activities destroyed by the earthquake. A path that after passing Lazio and Abruzzo reaches the Marche in Ascoli, where Miro and Ottavio climb huge oaks and plane trees to be able to deliver them to eternity, with a careful work of agriculture. A road that reaches the Adriatic after cutting "the navel of Italy", the exact center of the peninsula and reminding, even in the name, what is today the "salt of life": solidarity for those who are going through difficult times and a cure that thinks of the future, of the generations to come.
Fri, May 18, 2018
In the heart of the capital there is a square with ruins now inhabited only by cats, from which one of the oldest Roman consular roads started: the Tiburtina road. The aim of this road, at the beginning, was only that of uniting the Capital to an older city of Rome itself, following the course of the river Aniene: the city of Tivoli.
Tue, Jan 15, 2019
Land of the Leopard and its author, Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, Santa Margherita di Belice rises in the southwest of Sicily, at the confluence of the provinces of Palermo and Agrigento. Amidst narrow streets, the flavors and scents of yesteryear reign; in the bakeries, tumminia bread, a local variety of aromatic wheat, is baked. Numerous are the typical sweets, linked to the century-old confectionery tradition of the families of Belice. Santa Margherita di Belice has always been an agricultural town, and not far from the center, there is Solsì, a place specialized in the production of artisanal preserves. Another typical crop in the area is the prickly pear. Moreover, until the 19th century, the donkey lived in the stable next to the peasant family and was "washed" with a special machine called "muli-lavaggio," unique of its kind in all of Italy. Between symbolism and sacredness, stands the artistic production of this town and its sounds, evoking the history of brigandage. Thus, a journey through the beauties of Santa Margherita di Belice also represents a journey into the millennia-old Sicilian culture.
Tue, Mar 12, 2019
In Sicila, in the province of Agrigento, Sambuca di Sicilia lies at the foot of Mount Adranone, on a hill sloping down towards the Orange Lake. Here, among the cultivated hills, vineyards and golden wheat stand out. In addition, the grape has excelled in quality since it was brought by the conquering peoples, the Greeks, the Arabs and the Phoenicians. Entering the alleys of the old town, it turns out that Sambuca was built on an Arab architectural structure. Besides the courtyards, artists and craftsmen work in the bazaars, creating works of art, textile sculptures, ceramics and pottery. In addition, the flavors of the past are handed down, like those of the "minni di virgini", the typical shortcrust pastry. Outside the walls, in the quiet of nature, ancient culinary traditions can be found, such as those linked to the Vastedda del Belice, the only spun cheese in Italy. In the Masserie, it is produced at kilometer zero. Between present and past, Sambuca tries to bring forward a deep link between the history of the territory and popular wisdom.
Tue, Oct 1, 2019
Valdobbiadene and the famous "Prosecco Road" represent a splendid natural amphitheater nestled in the hills of the high Treviso area. In this land rich in ancient landscapes lives CHRISTIAN ZANATTA, who dedicates himself to the production of Prosecco in the vineyard of Bastia di Mondeserto. In this area, the ancient hills of Cartizze also rise, where the clayey soil and a ventilated microclimate create an extraordinary oasis for the production of a unique and precious wine. Immersed in these millennial atmospheres, PASQUALE REBULI also works, a "cechèr" by profession, an artisan who crafts traditional wooden footwear in his workshop. The values of this historic valley are also reflected in the eyes of LUIGIA RUGGERI, who recently celebrated her 107 years and personally experienced being a "refugee." In Guia, on the other hand, GINO BUSO is located, known as "Scarpèr," "one of the last cobblers" in the area, a witness to a disappearing profession. Further on, in Bigolino di Valdobbiadene, the protection of the coastal territory is carried out by the sculptor GIOACCHINO VETTORELLO, known by the name "Gioki." In the bed of the Piave, on which the logs used to build part of Venice were transported, Gioki selects the most suitable stones for his works of art. Finally, the tradition of choral singing is still alive here, carried on by the "Coro di Valdobbiadene," which combines the memory of the past with innovation.
Wed, Oct 16, 2019
Anacapri, perched atop the renowned island of Capri, offers stunning views of the Gulf of Naples. Once connected by the historic "Phoenician steps," today, a chairlift ascends to Mount Solaro, providing breathtaking panoramas. The Cetrella Valley hosts the Santa Maria a Cetrella hermitage, guarded by Ottavio Russo, and leads to the residence of writer Compton Mackenzie. The island's name, derived from goats, echoes its historical connection. Olive groves in the Orrico Valley overlook the "Path of the Forts," adorned with Sergio Rubino's book-shaped majolica tiles. Anacapri features fishermen like Giovanni Anastasio and the famed Blue Grotto. Modernity, brought by Antonio De Gregorio's family taxis, complements the island's cinematic allure. Ascending Anacapri reveals Villa San Michele and the Migliera area's "Philosophical Park," where nature lover and blacksmith Antonio Parlato resides. Lena Gargiulo's kitchen produces the symbolically rich "ravioli capresi." The Baroque Church of San Michele Arcangelo boasts a prestigious majolica floor and an 1800s organ. Anacapri's vibrant spirit persists through lively tarantellas composed in this enchanting land.
Fri, Oct 18, 2019
The Itria Valley, located on the Murge plateau in Puglia, hosts one of the most peculiar forms of human habitation that has endured to this day: the trulli. The town of Alberobello is undoubtedly the place that has preserved the largest number of these structures, and for their maintenance, an art has developed over time, specializing in the skills of the trullari masters. In Locorotondo, a similar structure takes shape in another type of construction: the cummersa. The Itria Valley then descends from the plateau to Fasano, where inside caves carved into tuff, the ancient trades of this area closely tied to traditions come to life in a living nativity scene: from underground olive oil mills to the cultivation of the prized "pomodoro regina" (queen tomato), an excellence of the region.
Fri, Dec 20, 2019
Molise is one of those regions known to few, also because its mountainous shape and the absence of large cities, keeps it outside the main routes. In these evocative but isolated landscapes, traditional activities unique in Italy are maintained. Like that of the construction of the bagpipes, in Scapoli, a village on the border with Lazio and Abruzzo. Or the art of lace, kept by the women of Isernia as well as the perforated steel in Campobasso. But the most significant capital for Molise craftsmanship remains the city of Agnone, where the art of copper develops alongside the oldest bell foundry in Italy, an authentic glimpse of the Middle Ages that has remained intact to this day.
Thu, Jan 2, 2020
Is it possible in 2000 to live without electricity, without television, without a telephone, without internet? Pietro has lived for over 25 years in a hut lost in the mountains of central Apennines, far from everything and everyone. We follow him in his days, in his difficulties and in the pleasures that nature reserves him. And when, at the end of the shooting, we leave him in "his kingdom" we start to share his choice.
Fri, Jan 3, 2020
Pescasseroli, a small jewel of the Abruzzese Apennines in the province of L'Aquila, is immersed in the nature of the Monti Marsicani, 1167 meters high. A place that the writer Dacia Maraini frequents assiduously, where she often takes refuge to write. Here was born in 1866 Benedetto Croce, philosopher and writer. During the winter months, the country and the nature that surrounds it have learned to live with the snow. Rich in beech woods, Pescasseroli is also the cradle of the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise, as well as old crafts.
Mon, Jan 13, 2020
The Treviso region, crossed by Europe's longest resurgent river, the Sile, boasts a deep connection between its city and the waterways. Notable is the Pescheria fish market near the Loggia dei Cavalieri, where stockfish and cod take center stage. Beyond the city, the Oasis of Cervara sees Erminio Ramponi dedicated to stork nesting recovery. Marco Varisco continues the tradition of glass making, inherited from his ancestors. In the countryside, the prized White Asparagus of Badoere stands out. Giancarlo Zanardo's passion for flight gave rise to the "Jonathan Collection" Foundation, preserving historical aircraft models. Castelfranco Veneto maintains its ancient military structure, while the banks of the Sile pass on a passion for artisanal boats, embraced by enthusiasts like Stefano Marini. Finally, the valleys inspire the Male Choir "Voci del Sile," directed by Raffaela Pupo in Quinto di Treviso.
Tue, Mar 3, 2020
Set in the Gulf of Policastro and overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, Maratea is a town of Basilicata with legendary beauty thanks to its landscapes and the heady scents that cover it in every corner. Overlooking the blue sea and the green of the Mediterranean vegetation, it embraces the rocky cliff and the surrounding nature. Entering its ancient historical center, enriched by portals and alleys, arches and eighteenth-century buildings, caves and towers, you can reach, thanks to an old coast, also the top of Mount San Biagio, on which stands "The Christ of Maratea", a statue second in size only to that of Rio de Janeiro. In an alley of the historic center, instead, you can taste the old flavors of the past, like the typical bocconotti biscuits. To enhance the beauty of the city is its port, where Maratea has preserved a universe linked to fishing and maritime activities, as well as customs, traditions and knowledge related to an ancient peasant world, which has always coexisted with the traditions of the coast.
Tue, May 12, 2020
Lecce, the Pearl of Salento, the Florence of the South, is one of the southern cities most visited by tourists, second only to Naples. Perhaps the aspect that most attracts, already in the floral baroque of its churches and in the elegance of its palaces, is the feeling of a city always in celebration. From the works in Lecce stone of an original stonemason to those in colored wrought iron, passing through the terracotta whistles and the art of papier-mâché, the city is filled with lights and lights up the overwhelming energy of a band a little out of the normal.
Thu, Sep 10, 2020
The Euganean Hills, a magical corner in Veneto, offer an enchanting landscape with ancient villages like Arquà, where Francesco Petrarca spent his last years. This region, rich in products from lavender to "risi e bisi" peas to jujubes, reflects the care and industry of its inhabitants. The sumptuous villas and trachyte mines are tangible signs of its beauty and history, confirming that even work in this territory has a poetic side.
Thu, Oct 8, 2020
The history of Cervia is indissolubly linked to salt. Salt is life, the white gold of our civilization since ancient times. Cervia boasts the northernmost salt pans in Italy, covering an area of approximately 827 hectares. With the expertise of skilled workers, we trace the various processing phases, from extraction to washing, after which the product is ready to be sold in the market: the sweet salt of Cervia. The techniques employed are artisanal, following a robust tradition rooted in the past. Utilizing modern supporting machinery ensures the constant excellence of the product. Additionally, the basins are immersed in a vast natural area protected by the Emilia Romagna region, where we immerse ourselves to enjoy the diverse ecosystem that the Salina di Cervia Park Society is committed to preserving daily.
Thu, Oct 15, 2020
The first lights of the sun penetrate the morning haze of the Calanchi Valley, a land out of time located in upper Lazio, between Lake Bolsena and the Tiber Valley. In the middle of the valley stands Civita di Bagnoregio: an ancient village gathered on the summit of a spur that is inexorably corroding year after year.
Tue, Nov 10, 2020
The Paganella is a splendid Trentino plateau nestled in the Brenta Dolomites, surrounded by the towns of Andalo, Molveno, Cavedago, Spormaggiore, and Fai della Paganella. In winter, amidst the majestic snowy rocks, Franco Nicolini and his children Elena and Federico passionately practice ski mountaineering, a sport in which the Nicolini family has achieved great feats and won numerous medals. An enthusiast of these locations is Simone Elmi, an alpine guide and expert climber whose goal is to make people understand that we are all equal in the face of the mountain. Traveling through the trails of these valleys, you reach Lake Molveno, the deepest in Trentino. Overlooking the centuries-old fir trees, the village of Andalo rises. Here, Graziano Costner lives and works, one of the discoverers of the original "carta di regola" dating back to 1623, offering insights into the way of life of the ancestors of these villages. On the slopes of Andalo, the "Biblioigloo" was also built, the first Italian library on ski lifts, at an altitude of 1333 meters. At "Laghet-Pra di Gaggia," there is a chalet managed by Ottavio Sartori, preserving the secrets of local gastronomy recipes. Thanks to the regular and calm winds, the peaks of Paganella are a sought-after destination for paragliding champions like Luca Donini and his son Nicola, who launch from the highest summits. Finally, in Molveno, the "Campanil Bas" choir was founded in 1951, one of the longest-standing and significant choirs in the Trentino choral tradition.
Mon, Dec 7, 2020
The Sicilian island of Alicudi, in the Aeolian Archipelago, preserves a wild and ancient atmosphere. In summer, the days are marked by the sound of fishermen's boats, such as Silvio Taranto's, deeply connected to the island. The western part is dominated by goats, while houses on the eastern slope are accessible only through ancient mule tracks. There are no roads, and donkeys handle the transport of heavy materials, a passion for Piero Virgona. The inhabitants, like Pino La Mancusa, have learned to survive in this challenging place. In summer, Pino entertains tourists while his wife Adriana prepares seafood specialties. Teresa Perre was the teacher in the "smallest school in Italy," now with 8 students and a library dedicated to Franco Scaglia. Old paths have recently been mapped for island exploration through trekking. At high altitude, the islander Aurora Barbuto also collects capers. The lack of springs is partially resolved through a rainwater collection system. Alicudi has always attracted those seeking a unique existential dimension, such as the intellectual Andrea Barzini, while Paola Costanzo, an Aeolian weaver, chose to work here only in summer. Finally, the island has no streetlights, and the only nighttime lights come from private homes.
Thu, Dec 31, 2020
In Trentino, among the towns of Folgaria, Lavarone, and Luserna, stretches the Alpe Cimbra, one of the largest alpine pastures in Europe, a charming place especially during winter. Alpe Cimbra has always been a land of great skiing champions, such as Giulio Corradi, who now works with wood but was part of the legendary "blue avalanche," and Aldo Forrer, a champion of "speed skiing." Near the village of Guardia, known as the painted village, Florian Grott also lives and works as a wood sculptor, drawing inspiration from nature. Among these mountains, the Cimbrian language is still spoken, an ancient language introduced by Bavarian settlers around the year 1000, considered a great cultural treasure by the expert Andrea Nicolussi Golo. Above Luserna stands the "Rifugio Malga Campo," where traditional dishes like "potato polenta" are cooked. On Lake Lavarone, every year, the "Under Ice" event takes place, dedicated to ice diving. Myths and legends surround the atmosphere of San Sebastiano di Folgaria, where Maso Guez is located, a farm managed by Andrea Incani that breeds two goat breeds: the Camosciata delle Alpi and the Bionda dell'Adamello. Additionally, Andrea has created the "slambrot" cheese, dedicating it to the ancient dialect spoken by the shepherds of these valleys, where the "first snow cat" was also invented. Finally, the Martinella di Serrada Choir was founded here. Its repertoire spans every part of the world, celebrating the unity and friendship among peoples.
Mon, Jan 25, 2021
Trani is one of the most important ports in Puglia, a protagonist in recent years of significant urban revitalization. In spring, its beauty dazzles travelers. Here, the brothers Cristoforo and Pasquale Pastore produce an ancient Moscato, and you can meet Francesco Caffarella, passionate about this city, one of the first "slow cities," famous as "the city of stone." Trani was the birthplace of the first maritime code, and today, its relationship with the sea is also enhanced by the Naval League. Trani has been the cradle of religions, such as the Jewish and Orthodox, with the church of San Martino. There is also the Catholic community, with the magnificent Cathedral and the Church of Ognissanti, built by the Knights Templar. Facing the sea is the Museum of Typewriting Machines, while towards Andria, amidst monumental olive trees, Savino Muraglia produces excellent oils from Coratina and Peranzana olive varieties. Not far away, in the historic Barletta, Constantina Loscocco creates original historical costumes. Finally, following in the footsteps of Astor Piazzolla and his special connection with Trani, we accompany the writer Maria Pagnotta and Maestro Rosario Mastroserio.
Fri, Apr 16, 2021
There are places that have become part of everyone's imagination because of their beauty. Sorrento is one of these, and as the song says, once you leave it, you can't wait to go back. The pearl of the peninsula with the same name, Sorrento encapsulates in its center, perched on a tufa cliff, a high level of artisanal expertise. From inlays to terracotta, from the art of tufa processing to boating, to limoncello, the most typical product extracted from its unparalleled lemons, the most widespread fruit plant across its entire territory. It's an enchanting territory, where one would always want to return.
Fri, Apr 23, 2021
Filicudi is a Sicilian island in the Aeolian Archipelago, an ancient land of volcanic origin, enveloped in the colors of the Mediterranean scrub in summer. In 3000 BC, the first settlements appeared at the prehistoric site of Capo Graziano, where goats were sacrificed to appease the gods. Since the late 19th century, many Filicudi residents have emigrated abroad, but there are also those, like the fisherman Giuseppe Taranto, who chose to stay. On this rugged island, where electricity arrived in 1986 and, until the 1960s, people moved only on old mule tracks, Pietro Anastasi lives. He was the island's postman and remembers a time when there were oil lamps, and water was drawn from wells. Today, water is supplied by a tanker that reaches the island. Time-honored culinary recipes, like the delicious Spicchitedda cookies, have been passed down, and in the Val di Chiesa district, Iona Bertuccio, along with her son Domenico Mazza and other family members, cultivates vineyards, producing Malvasia. In the Serro district, Annuzza Cappadona, an expert in preserving vegetables grown on terraced fields, lives. In recent years, thanks to the paths created by Giusi Murabito, Filicudi can be explored through "experiential trekking," allowing relaxation and immersion in local culture amidst landscapes adorned with prickly pears. Finally, in a cave carved into the mountain, Gisbert Lippelt, a former officer in the German navy, lives a contemplative life after bravely abandoning everything.
Mon, May 17, 2021
From the central Piazza IV Novembre with the beautiful Fontana Maggiore to the Cathedral of San Lorenzo; from the Palazzo dei Priori (with the Collegio del Cambio frescoed by Perugino) to the Arch, the walls, and the Etruscan well, Perugia is one of the beautiful regional capitals in Italy. We tell the story of this beautiful city through 5 enterprising women who have managed to sustain extraordinary artisanal activities in the historic center of Perugia, passing down centuries-old traditions. Marta, with her twenty-eighteenth-century looms inside a deconsecrated church, Antonietta who scatters her ceramics throughout the city, Luisa, who preserves the art of chocolate from her great-grandmother of the same name, Annamaria and her sister, in a workshop of upholstery, and finally Maddalena, a refined artist of historical stained glass descended from a family that has written pages of Perugian art history. These 5 women narrate their city through the centuries.
Thu, May 27, 2021
The Sannio of Benevento area develops between Campania, Molise and Puglia. In this strategic crossroads between different populations, the Samnites have developed some artisan excellencies that have allowed them to trade and develop more than any other province of Campania: as in Cerreto Sannita, where after a terrible earthquake, an economy of reconstruction was reborn that has favored the flowering of local ceramics, or to San Marco dei Cavoti, which has become the home of torrone and croccantino, or to Sant'Agata dei Goti, in the center of an important wine-growing valley, where one of the most prized Campanian wines has developed: Falanghina. But the center of this Samnite land remains Benevento, a city full of history and dominated by a legendary figure that inspires one of its most famous liqueurs, the witch.
Wed, Oct 27, 2021
In Barbagia, Sardinia, Gigi Sanna, a shepherd and frontman of the band Istentales, embodies the agropastoral culture. The band, named after a star in Orion, captures the essence of the wild territory. Istentales' sound, using traditional instruments, reflects Sardinia's identity. Gianni Atzori, another musician, created the "erbekofono," an instrument made of sheep bells, expressing his connection to the land. The bells, tuned like an orchestra, adapt to each grazing area's characteristics. Marco Floris, a blacksmith in Tonara, tunes these bells, ensuring each sheep's unique sound is as distinctive as every living being.