Economy – The economy takes centre stage in the reports dedicated to Italy in the foreign press. Bloomberg speaks of the improved Italian debt outlook, according to S&P analysts, due also to the recently approved “pro-growth reforms” (October 23 – Italy Debt Outlook Revised to Stable by S&P; BBB Rating Affirmed*) and recounts the wager on hydrogen by Snam, “Europe’s largest gas pipeline company,” with a € 33 million investment in ITM Power, a British company that specializes in this energy source (October 22 – The Race to Hydrogen Goes Beyond Brexit With Italy-U.K. Deal*). Foreign investments are also in the news for Trenitalia, partner of Ilsa, the new Spanish railway transport company that is wagering € 1 billion to become the “great rival” of the national leader Renfe (Expansión, October 27 – Fabrizio Favara y Víctor Bañares: “Ilsa invertirá 1.000 millones para ser el gran rival de Renfe”*). Reuters on the other hand, emphasizes the outcome of the € 5 billion investment plan of FCA, which has introduced its new electric 500 ( October 22 – Fiat’s 500 BEV to have entry price of 19,900 euros in Italy, including incentives), while Bloomberg explains how the group’s profits demonstrate the “auto industry’s resilience” (October 28 – Fiat Chrysler’s Surprise Profit Gain Bolsters PSA Deal Prospects).
In economic news, Reuters and The Wall Street Journal recount how, in the third quarter, Campari reported “exceptionally strong growth,” thanks also to the “staycations” of many Europeans and the reaction after the first lockdown (The Wall Street Journal, October 27 – La Dolce Vita Leaves a Bitter Aftertaste*; Reuters, October 27 – Spirits firm Campari cheered as drinkers liven up staycations). On the other hand, according to Bloomberg, the second wave and the confinement measures spreading in the United States as well are driving demand for cold meats and other Italian quality products (October 27 – Stuck-at-Home Americans Crave Italian Deli Meats). Lastly, space is also dedicated to a leading voice in economics, Vittorio Colao, who explains to the economic daily Expansión how Europe must be an alternative model to China and the United States (October 29 – Vittorio Colao: “Europa debe ser un tercer modelo alternativo a China y Estados Unidos”).
Culture – In culture, Financial Times pays a visit to Gallerie d’Italia in Milan, and the exhibition “Tiepolo. Venezia, Milano, l’Europa” (October 27 – New on show: Tiepolo in Milan*), while other outlets devote coverage to shows by Italian artists abroad: The New York Times discusses the show that a New York gallery has dedicated to the 60-year career of Michelangelo Pistoletto, an artist whose work has ranged from Pop Art to Arte Povera (October 28 – Michelangelo Pistoletto Endures. Even Covid Couldn’t Stop Him), while Libération covers the photographer Lisetta Carmi whose work dedicated to Genoa is on show at the Ciaccia Levi gallery in Paris (October 26 – LISETTA CARMI, «RENÉE» DE SES CENDRES*). In other news, Contraerea, one of Pino Pascali’s most renowned sculptures, is to be auctioned by Christie’s and might fetch a € 3.85 million assessment (Expansión, October 22 – ¡Abran fuego!: “Contraerea”, de Pino Pascali, a subasta en Christie’s*). Another auction house, Sotheby’s, is auctioning three Alfa Romeo concept cars designed by Franco Scaglione in the 1950s, and part of the B.A.T. – Berline Aerodinamiche Tecniche series (The New York Times, October 27 – Vintage Alfa Romeos to Be Auctioned at Sotheby’s*).
Lastly, in cinema, Sophia Loren tells Sueddeutsche Zeitung about her childhood (October 26 – Sophia Lorens schönste Kindheitserinnerung).
Tourism – In tourism, Financial Times has published new articles for the FT Globetrotter guide dedicated to Rome: from the best places to eat “artichokes and carbonara” (October 22 – Tips from the top: Orson Francescone’s central Rome*), to Camillo, the restaurant that, during the pandemic, was able to “bring Romans back” to the touristy Piazza Navona (October 25 – Piazza pivot: the restaurant bringing back locals to Rome’s most famous square*). Lastly, there is also coverage of “the coolest, most classic way to experience the Eternal City”: by Vespa” (October 24 – La dolce Vespa: the delights of discovering Rome by scooter*)
Food – Two food reports are dedicated in to Italian cuisine in Spain: El País reports on Fratelli Figurato, the restaurant founded in Madrid by two Calabrian youths, that has broken into the “Top 50” pizzerias on the Iberian peninsula (October 29 – Los hermanos de Fratelli Figurato, la mejor pizza ‘made in Spain’ en 50 Top Pizza: “Es una pena que no podamos aprovecharlo”) and pays a visit to Bel Mondo, the Big Mamma group’s new Italian restaurant, which has opened in the Spanish capital as well (October 23 – Bel Mondo, pizza Margherita en el italiano de moda). Moreover, Der Standard, as usual, devotes coverage to Italian recipes, with a series of autumnal pasta offerings starting with pappardelle in lentil sauce (October 25 – Welt-Pasta-Tag: Die besten Pasta-Rezepte für den Herbst).
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