The “Torre”, the group led by Mr Landini (a former mayor) has just published its manifesto in the run-up to the election in June. The manifesto of the opposing group should be published shortly. Among the proposals in the “Torre’s” manifesto are: road and light improvement, increasing the size of the cemetry, restructuring the cinema into a theatre(?), a new primary school complex for pupils from San Giorgio and Piagge, encouragement of tourism and strengthening of local cultural identity.
Last week we went to Rome for the day with Elizabeth and Peter. We meet Elizabeth at Carbarnardi and Peter in Rome as he comes down from Florence. Expecting bad weather I took overcoat and umbrella. As it turned out we had a beautiful warm, sunny day. We had gone to see the Giotto exhibition – the first exhibtion about Giotto since the 1930s. It was a bit disappointing as there were a few works by him and lots by less talented contemporaries. But we found a good restaurant for lunch. In fact, we found the wrong restaurant for lunch. Someone had recommended a place near the pantheon. I had searched on the internet and found, mistakingly, what was the restaurant. However, the one we found was good. We were able to eat outside and I had, for the first time, “carciofi alla romana” (artichokes roman style). They are cooked globe artichokes in an oil, parsley, mint sauce – delicious. After lunch we had a quick visit to a book shop and a leisurely stroll back to the station.
When we arrived back in the Marche it was obvious that it had been an horrendous day. There was heavy rain and mist. Driving back from Fabriano in Elizabeth’s car was slighly scary. Driving over the “back route” to Carbarnardi in the rain, the mist, and the steamed up windscreen, was not for the faint hearted. At Elizabeth’s house we finished the day with a cup of earl grey tea to help settle the nerves.
In June San Giorgio will be voting for a new Mayor. The present encumbent, Federico, is not standing for election. However, last night, a former mayor Roberto Landini, announced he was running and presented his team who would become assessors (councillors) if he wins the election. Mr Landini is a left wing candidate. In the last election my Landini was defeated by a non-political grouping. At the moment it is not clear if there will be a challenge from a similar grouping or a grouping from the right. Although no-one has openly said they will run against Mr Landini there are rumours that some people are seriously considering it. Could San Giorgio have its own Obama, who, against the odds, wins the race?
On 17th Bill and I travelled to Rome for the day. It was warm and sunny. We were going to meet up with David and Isobel, friends from Belfast, who were in Rome for a few days. We hadn’t seen each other for at least 25 years and had agreed to meet in front of the Pantheon. Despite the years we still recognised each other and settled down for a drink and a chat at the nearest bar. Isobel opted for an orange juice, Bill for a glass of wine, I for an aperol soda and David went a “large beer” – 2 litres/15 euros.
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The Lower House of the Italian Parliament is introducing an electronic voting system based on a fingerprint recognition system. The aim is to stop Members of Parliament voting for their colleagues when they are not in the chamber. Currently, at a vote, each member presses a button to vote. If the person who sits beside you is not there then it is possible to reach across and press his button. People who do this are called Pianisti i.e. pianists because its like a pianist moving hands to reach the end of the keyboard.
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Saturday night was Diploma night in San Giorgio. All those who had attended the cookery course were awarded a diploma with the mayor, Federico, receiving an honory diploma. Family and friends came along to enjoy the event. All the diploma holders had brought food and so after the presentation dinner was served to about 80 hungry Italians. Most of the food was cold with various types of pizzas and sandwiches with lots of desserts but at the mention of hot crepes being served there was a defininte buzz in the place. After dinner drinks took the form of an interesting liquor made from gin, lemon and celerey. |
The Province of Pesaro and Urbino have organised a series of conferences around the Jewish Day of Remembraance and on Sunday afternoon there was a conference in San Giorgio on the theme of The years of the Anti-semetic Laws in the Province.
There were four talks: Anti-semitism: blessing and curse of the Jewish people; The birth of the jewish stereotype in Italy: from Abyssinia to the passing of the race laws (1935-1938); The application of the anti Jewish laws in the Province after 1938; personal testimony of the persecution. (more…)
Went for the lunch to celebrate San Antonio’s day. A good time was had by all. Eating began at 1.00 and finished at 4.30, followed by dancing and bingo. Dancing was “ballo liscio” i.e. ballroom. Most people on the floor were of a certain age and one seemed to have been transported back to the 50s. Most couples moved sedately round the floor but the occasional one or two would show off with a few quick twirls or dips. However the past and present went together as at one end of the large dining room was the group singing Italian ballads with couples sweeping round the floor and at the other end was a giant television screen showing Italian Football. The music and football stopped for a game of bingo with hampers of meat for the winners. Bingo is very popular here and prizes are given for the person who gets 2 numbers in a row, 3 numbers in a row, 4 numbers in a row, 5 numbers in a row, 10 numbers on two lines and the full card. Despite the game have been played countless times there are always problems with deciding the exact rules and whether someone with 2 numbers can include these two numbers to claim the 3 numbers. When someone claims to have won the checking process is eagerly followed and there are shouts of joy if the person doesn’t have the correct numbers. Once again I maintained my unbroken run of never having won in a game of bingo.
Filippo, son of a neighbour, and Lucia arranged to get married on New Year’s Eve. There were 250 guests – a mixture of family, friends and neighbours from the village. The marriage service was in Fossombrone (20 minutes from SG) and was to begin at 5.30pm. By 4.30 the groom was still out with friends in Piagge. He arrived home at 5.00. He didn’t arrive at the church on time.
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On Sunday there was an exhibition of art from people who are born or who live in San Giorigo. The artists have given these works to the comune and this was the official reception. It was a very popular event and the quality of work on display was high.
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