The results of a year of technical government – Once again, Italian public debt offerings went well, but reform are still underway. This week, the foreign press examined the results of a year of Italy’s technical government (Les Echos, November 12 – L’Italie s’interroge sur le bilan contrasté de Mario Monti) , marked by a decrease in interest rates and the cost of debt (November 14 in The China Post – Italy sees interest rate fall to 1.762% in bond sale worth 6.5 billion euros and Washington Post – Italian government easily raises 6.5 billion euros in 12-month bonds at lower rates). In two interviews with Sueddeutsche Zeitung (November 13 – “Viel zu viel Zeit verplempert”) and the Financial Times (November 15 – Italy urged to cut public spending), Minister of the Economy, Vittorio Grilli, explained however that Italy has to continue with its reforms with the leadership of Mario Monti (November 15 – Business elite desperate to keep Monti).
Leading figures in Italian culture – The foreign press also turned its attention to culture. The Washington Post published an interview by the Associated Press of Riccardo Muti, concerned about the cuts in spending that the financial crisis demands (November 14 – Maestro Muti frets about culture ‘crisis’ because of strained government budgets). The foreign press also published articles on two Italian writers: Giancarlo De Cataldo, the judge and novelist who Die Zeit visited at his home in Rome (November 11 – Alles eine Erfindung?) and Andrea Camilieri, the author who – according to La Nacion – manages to make the dead talk (November 14 – Camilleri hace hablar a los muertos)
Fashion, tourism, lifestyle – Finally, all heads were turned to fashion. The Wall Street Journal explained the secrets of the success of Missioni (November 15 – How Missoni Keeps Iconic Brand Fresh*), while the New York Times reported on how much Made in Italy brands have contributed to the restoration of Italian monuments (November 15 – Fashion Legacies of a Different Kind). Another Italian attraction is its culinary tradition. While The China Post visited Italy’s vineyards (November 15 – Italian wines designed to be enjoyed with good food), the Washington Post reported that Jim Messina, in charge of Barack Obama’s re-election campaign, decided to take a vacation. Where? In Italy with a good glass of wine (November 13 – Obama campaign manager headed to Italy for red wine).
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