Italy in the time of coronavirus – The international media continue to cover stories from an Italy restarting after the peak of contagion. The New York Times, in its The World Through a Lens series dedicated to “virtual” travel, pays a visit to Abruzzo to recount the “centuries-old tradition” of the saffron harvest (May 12 – An Intimate Look at Italy’s Saffron Harvest*), while El País tells the feel-good story of Barikama, a cooperative formed by African migrants who managed to free themselves of exploitation and now deliver farm products to the home, “helping Rome’s inhabitants” during the acute phases of the epidemic (May 13 – Barikama, la cooperativa agrícola de migrantes explotados que ayuda a sus vecinos en Italia
Other articles focus on how athletes are continuing to train: this is the case of gymnast Marco Lodadio who “cultivates his garden to stay fit” (Reuters, May 9 – Gymnastics: Italian Lodadio cultivates his garden to stay fit; this story also appears in The New York Times – Gymnastics: Italian Lodadio Cultivates His Garden to Stay Fit*).
Culture – Several reports are dedicated to culture: the American dailies cover the “virtual tour” organized by La Scala in Milan (May 7 in The Washington Post – La Scala opens virtual tour during coronavirus lockdown and The New York Times – La Scala Opens Virtual Tour During Coronavirus Lockdown), while Spain’s El Mundo offers new images of the excavations in Pompeii, taken by a drone, and recommends other resources for “enjoying the archaeological site online” (May 11 – Pompeya: así muestra un dron los nuevos hallazgos de la ciudad sepultada por el Vesubio).
Libération also goes on a virtual journey, reporting on Emilia, the “landscape of those mythical places that galvanized artists” like Giorgio Morandi and Luigi Ghirri (May 7 – GIORGIO MORANDI ET LUIGI GHIRRI, DANS LES YEUX DE L’EMILIE*), while Le Monde recounts, through the words of the architect Philippe Prost, the fortress of Rocca d’Anfo in the Brescia area (May 7 –Voyage immobile avec l’architecte Philippe Prost à la forteresse de la Rocca d’Anfo, en Italie*).
Economy and investments – Foreign publications also cover the economic news: Reuters reports that Anima Holding is preparing € 400 million for new asset management acquisitions (May 7 –Anima Holding could spend up to 400 mln euros to buy smaller European rival: CEO) and explains Enel’s strategy as the company aims at growing by outside lines in grids and in distribution and electrification services (May 13 – Enel to focus acquisition strategy on grids, services). The press agency also reveals the US$ 1.5 billion investment Microsoft has planned for its first datacentre in Italy (May 8 – Microsoft to invest $1.5 billion in Italian cloud business).
Style and design – In style, The New York Times Style Magazine dedicates a long report to the making of the Galleria, “Prada’s most iconic handbag,” manufactured in over six hours of work by artisans at the Scandicci factory, thanks to “Italy’s rich tradition of leather work” (May 13 – The Making of Prada’s Most Iconic Bag*). Die Welt, on the other hand, pays homage to Pininfarina, who is celebrating his 90th year with the Battista supercar, named for the company’s founder (May 11 – Tradition 90 Jahre Pininfarina).
Cuisine – As usual, Italian culinary tradition is also covered. While Bloomberg proposes to the American public a recipe for spaghetti carbonara at home (May 8 – Top Italian Chef’s Easy Recipe for Spaghetti Carbonara at Home), la Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung recounts the “glorious history” of pizza (May 11 – Liebesglück im Mondscheinlicht). Lastly, Der Standard offers a recipe for asparagus alla milanese (May 12 – Spargel nach Mailänder Art).
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