The economy, on its feet again – In a week where electional news predominated, the positive news from Italy was first of all about the economy. The Financial Times in particular analyzed the improved circumstances in Italy on its comments pages, discussing the changes underway and then still to come (May 29 – Italy: Back on its feet*). Statistics are encouraging. The Wall Street Times, for example, explained how Italy, along with Spain, is leading the recovery of manufacturing in Europe (June 1 – Spain, Italy Lead Pickup in Eurozone Manufacturing Activity*). Interest in the Italian market can also be seen with the arrival of foreign investments, such as Qatar Airways interest in saving Meridiana (Les Echos, June 3 – Ca se passe en Europe : Qatar Airways prêt à voler à la rescousse de Meridiana en Sardaigne*)
Fashion – There are other reports on one of Made in Italy’s most important sectors, (and increasingly reported in the Italian press): fashion. The Financial Times dedicates a long profile-interview to the founder of Yoox, the luxury e-commerce group, Federicao Marchetti (May 29 – Lunch with the FT: Federico Marchetti*), and the Wall Street Journal tells its readers about the chic of designer Francesca Ruffini (May 29 – Francesca Ruffini Debuts Chic Loungewear Line*). El Mundo, on the other hand, published an article on the Ferragamo proposal with Lungarno Collection for an exclusive luxury hotel (June 1 – La exclusividad de Ferragamo en versión hotel).
There was also interest in the high end automobile sector, with the new Zagato Monster, just introduced by the famous Italian design house together with Maserati (Valor Economico, June 2 – Um Maserati de ar retrô para poucos*).
Tourism – There were also several articles on tourism, with the Washington Post running a photographic journey around the pavillions at Expo (June 2 – Visiting the world’s fair), The Times disccovering the charming Lazio landscape (May 30 – Ancient towns, hot springs and blissful scenery in Lazio*) and the Financial Times that showed its readers a symbolic photo of Italian Republic Day, as celebrated in Italy’s capital (2 – Photo Diary – Italian Republic Day ). Again in Rome, Le Monde spoke about the rebirth of the frescoes in the Farnese Palace (May 29 – Dans la galerie des Carrache, à Rome, les dieux renaissent*), while Liberation traveled though the history of the Eternal City, using documents found in the State Archives (May 31 – Voyage dans les archives de la ville éternelle : Rome*).
The dream of an Italian vacation appeared on TV as well as in the papers. The American TV anchor Kathy McCabe explained to the New York Times why she loves Italy so much that she dedicated the program Dream of Italy to the country (3 – Why Kathy McCabe Loves Italy).
Finally, there was interest in travel literature with a review of Gironimo, where the author, Tim Moore, traced the events of the 1914 Tour of Italy (New York Times, May 29 – ‘Gironimo!’ and ‘Lanterne Rouge’*).
Food and wine – Cooking is another ongoing theme, with reports that the Osteria Francescana has taken second place in the rankings of the 50 best restaurants worldwide (Bloomberg, June 1 – El Celler de Can Roca Takes First Place at World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards; Financial Times, June 1 – Old-world dominance of cuisine shifts*). The New York Times magazine ran an article on the Sardinian chef Simone Tondo success in Paris (June 3 – A Sardinian Chef Dishes on His Parisian Pleasures). Finally, reguarding coffee, Andrea Illy told the Brazilian paper Valor Economico about his company’s obsession for quality (June 3 – “O cafe custara mais caro” diz Andrea Illy*).
Culture – The foreign press spoke about literature last week: The Times explained on its editorial page why it is still interesting to read Dante today (May 30 – 750 years on, why take Dante off the shelf?*) and Le Monde interviewed Umberto Eco on his latest book (May 30 – Umberto Eco : “Que vive le journalisme critique!”*). The French paper also made room for Dario Fo and his most recent work “Un uomo bruciato vivo” (June 4 – Dario Fo, en mouvement perpétuel*).
Le Monde also wrote about theater, with articles on dancer Alesandro Sciarroni (June 1 – Alessandro Sciarroni : la danse comme un jeu de quilles*) and director Romeo Castellucci (June 1 – Romeo Castellucci, fauteur de trouble*).
There was also interest in photography with 50 portraits by Tima Modotti, shown for the first time in Spain (El Pais, June 2 – Tina Modotti, retratista de México), and for music by the Italian duo Voices From The Lake, which presented its latest album, “Live at MAXXI,” in Paris (Liberation, May 29 – Voices From the Lake : langueur d’onde).
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