Economy – While the Italian economy, as Financial Times explains, has shown “unexpected resilience” in the second quarter of the year, sidestepping recession (June 1 – Italy’s revised GDP figures show country sidestepping recession), companies’ growth plans are continuing to attract the interest of the foreign media.
The English-speaking press focuses on the acquisition of the Jammie Dodgers British biscuit brand by the Ferrero family, which leads the “chocolate empire” that bears its name (Bloomberg, June 1 – Ferrero Agrees to Take Over British Biscuit Producer Burton’s*; The Guardian, June 1 – Ferrero family buys Jammie Dodgers maker Burton’s). Meanwhile, Les Echos joins the leading press agencies covering Generali’s bid, “in the billions,” to acquire Cattolica Assicurazioni (Bloomberg, May 31 – Generali Guards Italy Dominance With $1.4 Billion Cattolica Deal*; Reuters, May 31 – Generali aims to cement home market leadership with $1.4 billion Cattolica bid; Les Echos, May 31 – Generali lance une offre à plus d’1 milliard d’euros sur son concurrent Cattolica*).
Innovation and sustainability are also covered, with the € 27 billion that Enel will invest in Recovery Plan projects (Reuters, May 26 – Enel has projects worth 27 bln euros in Italy’s Recovery Plan – CEO) and with the possibility of Stellantis building a new gigafactory in Italy to support its expansion into electric mobility (Reuters, June 1 – Stellantis discussing conditions with Rome to build gigafactory in Italy – source). Also taking flight on the stock exchange is the tech firm incubator H-farm, which announces having exceeded its 2024 goals (Reuters, June 2 – H-farm shares jump as set to exceed 2024 goals on Depop sale proceeds).
Lastly, coverage is also dedicated to the corporate history of San Pellegrino, “the world’s most renowned mineral water brand” that has seduced Americans and is now seeking the favour of the Chinese” (Les Echos, May 28 – San Pellegrino, l’eau la plus célèbre au monde*).
Culture – Taking centre stage in culture is the commemoration of the life of the late Carla Fracci, the historic prima ballerina at La Scala (Bloomberg, May 28 – Italy’s Carla Fracci, La Scala prima ballerina, dies at 84); “the star of dance” (Die Welt, May 28 – Sie hat der Welt die Ideale der Romantik neu geschenkt; Sueddeutsche Zeitung, May 28 – Primaballerina des Volkes); and a “major figure in 20th-century dance” (New York Times, May 28 – Carla Fracci, Expressive Doyenne of Italian Ballet, Dies at 84*). The Milanese theatre, in addition to celebrating one of its most famed figures, has also announced its new season (Bloomberg, May 31 – La Scala announces 2021-21 season, with hope of fewer limits*).
Meanwhile, in cinema, Franfurter Allgemeine Zeitung interviews Isabella Rossellini with an overview of her acting career (June 2 – Ich mag die Spielerei, aber ich brenne nicht für sie), while The New York Times pays a visit to Florence to cover the innovative restoration being done at the Medici Chapel, thanks to “grime-eating bacteria” that have helped restore Michelangelo’s marbles to their ancient splendour (May 30 – Send in the Bugs. The Michelangelos Need Cleaning*.).
Tourism – Tourism reports emphasize the resumption of activities in Italian cities. To celebrate the possibility of travelling again, The Wall Street Journal proposes walks in Parco Naturale di Portofino, “experiencing the Mediterranean as never before” (May 28 – You Can Travel to Italy Again. Here’s a Delightful Way to Get Reacquainted.*), while Bloomberg includes the roads of Lago di Como among the best European tours by bike (May 28 – The New European Tour Is Best by Bike*).
Fine food is also covered, with an interview with chef Massimo Bottura who recounts the excitement of reopening restaurants (Bloomberg, June 1 – Reopening Is Like First Day of School, Says Bottura*) and with recommendations by Les Echos for the best mozzarella sold in France (May 29 – Top 5 : les meilleures mozzarellas*). For recipes, Frankfurter Allegemeine Zeitung suggests the book by chef Gennaro Contaldo with tips for classics like bread, pizza, and panettone (June 1 – Backe, Backe, Panettone ), while Der Standard tells the story of the age-old Lombard recipe for the raisin-based “pan tramvai” (June 1 – Pan tramvai: Rosinenbrot aus der Lombardei).
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