Economy & finance – News about the Italian economy and finances continues to feature in the foreign press. On 7 September the Financial Times highlighted the current strength of the Milan Stock Exchange in comparison to those elsewhere in Europe – Italy shines among euro stock gloom* having previously, on 6 September, written about the change of pace that Mario Greco has brought about in the Banca Generali – Mario Greco, CEO, Generali: a change of gear in Italy*.
One of the latest developments of Italy’s financial affairs, Poste Italiane’s partial flotation has also attracted some interest as it prepares its prospectus for potential investors and the date for its debut on the Stock Exchanges draws closer. On 6 September the Financial Times wrote – Poste Italiane on track with partial privatization this year*, and 2 days later, Reuters had this to say – Italy’s post office to test IPO appetite next week.
The Energy sector has also warranted a mention, with Bloomberg reporting, on 5 September, that Enel is likely to reach its financial objectives this year – Enel on Track to Meet 2015 Financial Targets, CEO Starace Says, whilst on 9 September, Les Echos set out how Ansaldo Energia may well become the symbol of Italy’s “industrial renaissance” – Ansaldo Energia veut être le symbole de la renaissance industrielle de l’Italie.
Also on 9 September, Brazil’s Valor Economico, wrote about Chiesi Farmaceutica’s plans to double its presence on the Brazilian market – Italiana Chiesi quer dobrar de tamanho no Brasil até 2020.
Cinema – This week, the foreign press has continued to spotlight the Venice Film Festival. On 4 September the New York Times ran a piece that spoke of the festival in general terms, also describing what it was like to experience the world’s oldest film festival – Venice Film Festival Offers a Chance to Watch Suffering, Then to Quaff Champagne*. The Washington Post, on the other hand, chose to republish the Associated Press ‘Venice Watch’ feature – that provides a daily account of which competing films are being screened – on its own website – Cunningham sees ‘Game of Thrones’ career boost. Other articles also featured individual films: on 7 September the New York Times dedicated one to Argentinean film ‘The Clan’ – True-Crime Film Thriller ‘El Clan’ Wows Argentina and Venice), and another, on the same day, to the film featuring former Israeli Prime Minister, Rabin, – Venice Entry ‘Rabin, The Last Day’ Probes an Israeli Trauma. ‘Winter on Fire”, a documentary on the Ukrainian revolution was the Washington Post’s choice on 4 September – Ukraine revolution inspires Venice documentary, and on 8 September, El Mundo featured animated film ‘Anomalisa’ – ‘Anomalisa’, una anomalía genial. That same day, it was ‘Sangue del mio Sangue’ by Italy’s very own Marco Bellocchio that was Reuters’ pick – After 50 years in film, Italy’s Bellocchio calm in Venice. On 4 September, The Financial Times chose, momentarily at least, to ignore what was happening in Venice, and instead published its interview with Abel Ferrara, to mark the release of his film about Pierpaolo Pasolini in Britain – Interview: Abel Ferrara on film ‘Pasolini’*.
Tourism – As the summer draws to an end, tourism is still a topic of interest with Milan attracting the lion’s share of attention and not just because of Expo. On 8 September Reuters noted that in recent years, the city had experienced something of a renaissance – Milan scrubs up after years as Italy’s ugly sister, whereas on 7 September, El Pais published an article on the Arts&Food exhibition that is, in fact linked to the Exposition – Milán propone un viaje histórico por la relación entre comida y arte) and another piece on Ermenegildo Zegna’s project that aims to combine style and culinary art – Estilo a la mesa.
Also on 7 September, El Mundo chose to focus on Florence, suggesting readers should consider heading there to discover all that was new in the city as it re-launches itself as a champion of contemporary culture – Florencia más allá de Stendhal).
Fashion is a topic that always attracts newspaper coverage and in fact on 7 September, the New York Times published its interview with Angelo Bonati, the CEO of Panerai in which they talked about this ‘made in Italy’s label and its fascination with watches – Angelo Bonati: A Constant Presence at Panera *. On 6 September, Germany’s Die Welt, on the other hand, chose to write about Dolce&Gabbana’s latest runway show – Dolce Italia, and two days later, it was Italia Independent’s glasses that featured in both El Mundo and El Pais that published an interview with Andrea Tessitore in which he explained the company’s strategy for growth – ‘Estamos felices de que copien nuestras gafas’ which El Pais followed up 9 September with a profile of the company’s founder, New York born Lapo Elkann – Lapo Elkann, heredero millonario y ahora chico anuncio).
* marked articles viewable online upon payment or registration