Chinese and American capital in Italy – Last week, the foreign press continued to show interest in international investments in Italy. The Financial Times reported on a new operation from Chinese banks, which are still buying stock of Italian companies, this time Mediobanca, now under 2% Chinese ownership (October 21 – China bank funds buy stake in Mediobanca). The Times on the other hand told the story of Jim Pallotta, an American businessman of Italian origin who has come to Rome to create a soccer empire. The British paper explained that this isn’t a dream of a soccer fan, but a clear business plan (October 18 – Jim Pallotta builds his Roman empire at Roma).
Culture, art and style – There were also several pieces on culture and art. El Mundo wrote about the famous self-portrait of Leonardo Da Vinci, which will be exhibited at the Biblioteca Reale of Turin (October 21 – El ‘selfie’ más famoso de todos los tiempos), and the New York Times Magazine visited Stromboli, where Nicoletta Fiorucci organizes the Volcano Extravaganza every summer, a series of exhibits and artistic events (October 16 – The Last Place on Earth).
Le Monde wrote about Andrea Branzi the animist poet of design, for his first retrospective in Bordeaux (October 21 – Andrea Branzi, le poète animiste du design), and the New York Times dedicated an article to the innovation of style that the Missoni family has been bringing to fashion for the last half century (October 17 – Missoni: Cutest. Family. Ever.).
Finally, there was interest for one curiosity. El Pais visited Chipilo, a Mexican town with a population of Italian origin, where the local language is a mixture of Spanish and the dialogue of Treviso (October 20 – Chipilo, el México italiano).
Chef, recipes and wines – There were again several mentions of wine and cuisine this week. The New York Times and El Pais Semanal wrote about the recipes – and the secrets – of chef Massimo Bottura (October 21 – Don’t Tell Grandma; Elegancia en el plato) and the Sunday Times gave advice on Venetian cuisine, defined as simple, but pleasing to the senses (19 – The Dish: the best of Venice).
Les Echos reported on the offer of Lavazza for some of the French coffee brands (October 17 – Cafés -Lavazza et Strauss intéressés par L’Or et Grand’Mère-sces), while other articles were written about wine. The New York Times explored the best vintages of Barolo (October 17 – Good Barolo Comes to Those Who Wait), and the Wall Street Journal narrated the Italian-New York tradition of Banfi Winery (October 16 – At Banfi Winery, Tuscan Meets Tudor). Finally, Die Welt reported on the Italian-German among young wine makers for a special production of Riesling (October 17 – Deutsch-italienische Zusammenarbeit für Mosel-Riesling).
Tourism, from Alba to Stromboli – There was also interest in tourism. The Wall Street Journal described the spectacular Palio of the Donkeys in Alba (October 16 – In This Race, Beasts Burden Their Riders), a went to Cremona for Mondomusic, the fair of musical instruments, following along the pathway of Stradivari and writing about the city’s lute-making tradition (October 20 – In the Steps of Stradivari). In addition, the New York Times visited the glassmakers of Murrano, which still shines after seven centuries of activity (October 17 – Murano, Italy, Still Sparkling After 700 Years), and Gulf News reported on the new logo that Ethiad-Alitalia have added to their planes for the Milan Expo (October 20 – Etihad Airways, Alitalia unveil two Expo Milano aircraft).
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