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Diego Armando Maradona

THE FOOTBALL LEGEND

THE HAND OF GOD

THE KING

DIEGO ARMANDO MARADONA

As the world mourns following the death of football icon Diego Armando Maradona from heart failure,

for one city in Italy his passing takes on another meaning.

Last Wednesday 25th November 2020, as Neapolitans saw it, it was not only the greatest football player of all time who had died.

In fact, a clear demonstration of the affection and respect for the Argentine champion was thousands of mourners who took to the streets just minutes after the death was announced,

to commemorate their adopted king of Naples.

Fans flocked from the Quartieri Spagnoli to the immense Piazza del Plebiscito

and to the stadium Stadio San Paolo – to the Curva B entrance…

which has become an open-air shrine adorned with flowers, candles, scarves, T-shirts, posters, photographs, written tributes and dedications…

 

Read more

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BREXIT TRANSITION: TIME IS RUNNING OUT…

BREXIT TRANSITION: TIME IS RUNNING OUT

Yes, time is running out so make sure you are ready

Your business, family, personal and travel circumstances will be affected by the Brexit transition.

The Withdrawal Agreement set a transition period lasting until 31 December 2020.

The British Embassy in Rome and the British Consulate General Milan are currently holding online meetings across Italy to update British citizens working and living in the country and answering their questions regarding Britain’s departure from the European Union. There are new rules (and requirements) for businesses and UK citizens from 1 January 2021

Changes for businesses and citizens

You need to act NOW if you’re:

* importing goods from the EU * exporting goods to the EU * moving goods to or from Northern Ireland *

travelling to the EU * living and working in the EU * staying in the UK if you’re an EU citizen

GUIDE ON RESIDENCY: Under the Withdrawal Agreement ratified by the European Union and the United Kingdom,

European rules on free movement will continue to apply to UK nationals and their family members through the transitional period until 31 December 2020.

The registration office (anagrafe) at the local town hall (comune) remains the competent authority for registering UK nationals.

Residency   If you are resident in Italy before the transition period ends on 31st December 2020, you will be able to stay.  You must register as an Italian resident (in Italian) if you want to stay in Italy for more than 3 months. You will get one of the following from the local town hall or comune:  an attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica or attestazione di soggiorno permanente (if resident for 5 years or more)

Read more

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Seasonal Delights – Vino Novello & Castagne

MY TASTE OF NAPLES

So, what is Vino Novello?

A SEASONAL DELIGHT

Like every year, starting from mid-October until the end of November, the so-called Italian “new” wines appear.

Vino Novello is a fresh, sparkling deep-red coloured wine with purple reflections, commonly confused with young wines or recent vintages, that is – wines that have not yet aged.

Novello wines follow a production process unlike any other wine with a distinctive feature – fermentation by carbonic maceration.  Another great difference between Novello and “normal” wines is the low-alcohol content as whole grapes are fermented and not pressed therefore limiting the percentage of sugars converted into alcohol content (11%).

Carbonic maceration is a fascinating wine-making technique originally created back in the 1930’s by a French researcher called Flanzy.  Grape fermentation is favoured by the absence of oxygen. This contemporary method was developed throughout the Beaujolais wine region of Burgundy introducing the renowned vin primeur and vin nuoveau.

Novello wines are a perfect match with mushrooms, artichokes and of course roasted chestnuts commonly known here as “Caldarroste”

MY TASTE OF NAPLES

ROASTED CHESTNUTS  Castagne – Caldarroste

QUALITY FRUITS OF THE CAMPANIA REGION. The Campania region is not only rich in art and archaeology but offers a great range of certified agricultural products.  Following last month’s TASTE OF NAPLES – Local Fruit & Veg (Frutta e Ortaggi) the month of November and the Autumn season includes a fantastic selection of fruit – just waiting to be discovered.

 

The provinces of Avellino and Benevento are renowned for the chestnut varieties: Castagna di Montella and the Castagna di Serino.

Other typical varieties include the Castagna del prete (traditionally linked to the Christmas season), Castagna di Acerno and Marrone di Roccadaspide.

Read more

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La Speranza – Hope in Naples

MY HOPE   LA SPERANZA

GIANNI RODARI

Only in Naples…

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION DEDICATES RODARI POEM TO ITALY

The poem “Speranza” (Hope) by Gianni Rodari was read at the closure of a UE meeting at Brussels.  “Special thoughts go to our European compatriots in Italy, where at the moment they are facing an extremely serious situation,” commented the EU spokesperson Erica Mamer – referring to the coronavirus emergency.  The poem “Speranza” was then read to end the briefing “Keeping hope to be here once again tomorrow” concluded Mamer.   (MARCH 2020 – BRUSSELS)

SPERANZA – Gianni Rodari

Se io avessi una botteguccia

fatta di una sola stanza

vorrei mettermi a vendere

sai cosa? La speranza.

“Speranza a buon mercato!”

Per un soldo ne darei

ad un solo cliente

quanto basta per sei.

E alla povera gente

che non ha da campare

darei tutta la mia speranza

senza fargliela pagare

 

HOPE – Gianni Rodari

If I had a little shop

made of a single room

I would like to start selling

you know what? Hope.

“Cheap Hope!”

For just a penny

I’d give one customer

enough for six.

And to the poor people

that have nothing to survive

I would give all of my hope

without making them pay

ONLY IN NAPLES…

SCHOOLTEACHER READS TO PUPILS ON THE STREETS

FROM DAD TO DAB

A local teacher from the heart of Naples has started a fantastic new craze – teaching to children directly from the streets and alleys to children (and families) on balconies.

Obviously, this is not an easy time for the younger generation and the formation for the future.  This idea has also lead to a number of initiatives including reading Rodari from the rooftops. Only in Naples!

Following the last dark lockdown period, children and students are back once again to distance-learning known as DAD (Didattica a distanza), that’s sitting in front of computers, tablets and mobile phones.

But not with DAB (Didattica ai balconi) – learning from Balconies!  So, if children cannot go to school, then school can go to the children.

The local teacher Tonino Stornaiuolo had this in mind when unable to go to school he went to his students – walking throughout the characteristic alleys of the Spanish Quarters – Quartieri Spagnoli.

He chose to read (and explain) who else but Gianni Rodari.  As families, parents (and grand-parents) looked on – the lesson turned into a moment of collective joy and instantly became a viral Facebook event.

Read more

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Remembrance Day 2020

Remembrance Day 2020 – the date and events affected by the Covid pandemic

OK, so Remembrance Day/Remembrance Sunday will be slightly different this year – due to the general emergency situation.

Usually this November date is powered by an army of volunteers working around-the-clock to celebrate veterans, serving troops, families and the younger generations – to unite in appreciation for the fallen who fought during the two world wars.

Obviously as with many things, the 102nd Anniversary of the armistice which finally ended the First World War will be “somewhat different this year” according to the Veterans minister Mercer.

The traditional Cenotaph service will take place this year as usual at 11 am but will be closed to the public – for the first time in its century-long history.

Mel Waters, chief executive of military charity Help for Heroes, said: “Remembrance is an important time to remember the fallen, but also to remind the nation that many veterans are living with illness or injury and continue to need support.

“We are sorry to hear that the annual Cenotaph event is not going ahead, but the safety of those participating must be the priority.”

The Celebrations

The celebration known as Remembrance Sunday takes place on the second Sunday of November – closest to the 11th – as the guns of WWI fell silent on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 – exactly when the Armistice was signed – marking the end of years of sufferance.  From the official Armistice Day celebrations held at Buckingham Palace in 1919 this date is celebrated throughout all nations of the Commonwealth together with many nations marking the anniversary as a day of memorial.

Every year in November, the nation marks the wars that have scarred our past and the bravery of the men and women who fought them. Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, which fall on Sunday November 8 and Wednesday November 11 this year, offer us all a chance to remember not just those who fought, but what they fought for.

 

Read more

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The lucky horn O’curniciell amulet of Naples

MY LUCKY TRADITIONS

TRADITIONS SYMBOLS SUPERSTITIONS LUCK

The lucky horn

O’curniciell

amulet of Naples

“tuosto, stuorto e cu ‘a ponta”

Naples is a magical city full of miracles, mysteries and superstitions

– many of which have legends to tell from hundreds of years ago.

From Saints to throwing salt over your shoulder

– if you have been to Naples then you must have seen the red horn somewhere.

So, what’s it all about?

THE ORIGINS   The red horn – commonly known as o’curniciell – corniciello or simply corno – resembles a hot pepper and is an important symbol and renowned amulet of Naples – regarding both tradition and superstition – with antique origins dating back to the Middle Ages when primitives associated the physical power of animals with the emblematic size of their horns… and to when populations of hunters hang bloody horns of large prey at the entrance of their homes to ward off enemies…

Well, there’s just a few of many explanations.

Read more

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LATEST MUSEUM BUS ROUTE Linea 3M

GETTING AROUND NAPLES

The Linea 3M minibus runs daily circular routes – 7 am to 8.05 pm

  Ticket Fees: ANM one-way Urban-zone tickets cost 1.10 euro

  Major info: www.anm.it

Linea 3M – Three Museum Bus line connects:

  Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte – Catacombe San Gennaro – Museo Archeologico MANN 

(ACTIVE FROM SEPTEMBER 12th 2020)

  Circular Route:  Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte (stops: Porta Miano & Porta Piccola)

– via Capodimonte – Catacombe San Gennaro – corso Amedeo di Savoia – via S. Teresa degli Scalzi –  via Pessina – via Conte di Ruvo – via Costantinopoli – MANN (P.za Museo Archeologico Nazionale)

Daily departures:

07:00 – 07:15 – 07:30 – 07:45

08:00 – 08:15 – 08:30 – 08:45

09:00 – 09:15 – 09:30 – 09:45

10:00 – 10:15 – 10:30 – 10:45

11:00 – 11:15 – 11:30 – 11:45

12:00 – 12:15 – 12:30 – 12:45

13:00 – 13:20 – 13:45

14:05 – 14:30 – 14:50

15:15 – 15:35

16:00 – 16:20 – 16:45

17:05 – 17:30 – 17:50

18:15 – 18:35

19:00 – 19:20

* 20:05

* FINAL RUN FROM From Real Bosco di Capodimonte to piazza Museo Archeologico Nazionale MANN

CONTACT CENTRE ANM CALL:  800-639525

 

Source © My Country magazine – Naples, Italy

October 2020 – page 14

 

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Visit the royal palace – Palazzo Reale di Napoli

Rosa Parks

VISIT NAPLES

Palazzo Reale di Napoli

@ PALAZZO REALE DI NAPOLI

The magnificent Royal Palace Palazzo Reale di Napoli is situated within the heart of Naples and has been frequently highlighted by My Country magazine.

Well, we are back again this month with some latest updates

The Royal Palace houses the national library Biblioteca di Napoli – transferred here in 1925, but seriously damaged due to WWII bombings and the subsequent military occupation. The library holds a fascinating collection of documents including a large collection of papyrus scrolls from the ancient Roman archaeological site of Herculaneum – Ercolano (Villa dei Pisoni destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD and original documents written by Alfonso d’Aragona (1455); the composer Giuseppe Verdi and major 19th century composers including Gioachino Rossini.

  • The beautiful halls and historic apartments and studio’s with paintings and tapestries… a blast from the past.

The statues dominating the external western side of the palace facing the main square of Piazza del Plebiscito portray the rulers of the Kingdom of Naples dating from the 10th-century and are positioned in chronological order. The Palace was enriched by Murat and his wife Caroline Bonaparte with rich Neoclassic decor and furnishings during the Napoleonic occupation. It is notable that no statue along the façade of the royal palace Palazzo Reale refers to the Bourbon reign – not even Carlo di Borbone, engraved as Carlo III – Charles III the King of Spain.

  • LATEST INFORMATION for visitors:
  • All visitors are obliged to follow indicated routes, to be equipped with masks and to maintain a safety distance of at least 1.2 metres from others. Current anti-Covid 19 entrance methods are placing groups of up to 8 visitors a time for a maximum of 50 visitors per hour.
  • Admission tickets are available directly at the ticket-office/info-point – but why not avoid the crowds! Reserve your tickets without added costs online here  https:// www.coopculture.it/
  • The garden “Giardino Romantico” and the “Cortili” Courtyards are open to the public without charge from 9 am to 7 pm except Wednesdays.
  • The Guided Tours of the garden “Giardini Pensili” (as highlighted last March) are temporarily suspended until further notice. Bag storage and the use of audio guides are also temporarily suspended.

Fees: Standard admission – Euro 6,00; Reduced Euro 3,00; 18 – 25 yrs Euro 2,00; Under 18’s – Free    Opening times: Daily from 9 am to 8 pm except Wednesdays. Last admission by 7 pm.   Info: +39 081 580 8255

APP “ENJOY ALL PALAZZO REALE”

TOUR the MAIN WORKS: of Palazzo Reale, the library Biblioteca Nazionale di Napoli “Vittorio Emanuele III”, the theatre Teatro San Carlo and the castle Maschio Angioino/Castel Nuovo

by Smartphone or Tablet – So,  scan the QR-code and Buon Viaggio!

ALMOST HOME – THE ROSA PARKS HOUSE PROJECT – RYAN MENDOZA

SEPTEMBER 15th 2020 to JANUARY 6th 2021

@ PALAZZO REALE DI NAPOLI   1, Piazza del Plebiscito

Rosa Parks

The royal palace of Naples Palazzo Reale di Napoli is currently hosting the free installation within the central courtyard – “Almost Home – The Rosa Parks House Project” created by the US artist Ryan Mendoza.

So, who was Rosa Parks?  Rosa Parks was an Afro-American activist who became an important symbol during the struggle for civil rights in the USA during the 1950’s.  She refused to give her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Alabama in 1955 and was arrested for civil disobedience.  The incident led to a one-year long bus boycott throughout the city.

After her famous act, Parks became known as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement” whilst losing her job and enduring death threats for years to come.  She passed away in Detroit October 2005 – aged 92.

Rosa Parks house was originally located in the city of Detroit and was saved from demolition after her niece Rhea McCauley bought it from Detroit city authorities.  She then tried to raise funds to renovate the then long-abandoned structure. She approached Mendoza on 2016 after struggling to find institutional support.  Mendoza purchased and transported the house to his back-garden in Berlin in the same year.

Ryan Mendoza was born in New York in 1971 and created the projects “The White House” (2015), “The Invitation” (2016) and the renowned “The Rosa Parks House Project” (2017).

His art projects and paintings have been displayed in numerous museums and galleries throughout Europe, including – White Cube/ London, Galerie Lelong, Paris / New York, and Museo Madre/Italy Naples.

The 2017 award-winning documentary directed by Mendoza’s wife Fabia “The White house” offers an ample insight regarding Mendoza’s artistic activities and tells the story of The Rosa Parks House Project.

The Rosa Parks House Project may be considered as keeping alive not only the memory of Rosa Parks, but of all of those who lived there – during a dramatically conflictual historical moment of American history – with an identity unfortunately still under discussion today…

Entrance to the installation is without charge – on display until January 6th 2021

“Almost Home – The Rosa Parks House Project” is promoted by: Fondazione Morra Greco, Regione Campania, Direzione regionale Musei Campania

INFO: +39 081 19349740    info@fondazionemorragreco.com    http://www.fondazionemorragreco.com

The Rosa Parks House Project at Palazzo Reale di Napoli

© My Country magazine

OCTOBER 2020 – pages 12-13

My Country magazine - October 2020 - page 12

 

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DISCOVER PISCINA MIRABILIS – BACOLI

Bacoli, Piscina Mirabilis

FREE WEEKEND TOURS & WORKSHOPS

StraMirabilis in famiglia

@ PISCINA MIRABILIS

Miseno, Bacoli

12/13th, 19th/20th, 26th/27th SEPTEMBER 2020

 

My Country magazine highlighted the Parco in Maschera programme in last month’s August edition with a great choice of events, dance, music and theatre taking place throughout the Phlegraean Fields (Parco Archeologico dei Campi Flegrei)

Two archaeological icons of the territory – Macellum (Tempio di Serapide) and Piscina Mirabilis will host various upcoming events.  The Macellum site, considered as one of the major symbols of Pozzuoli will host an innovative musical light show “Ouverture, verso il mediterraneo e oltre” organized by ATI Macellum and scheduled from dusk to Midnight on 25th and 26th September.

The Mirabilis cistern is located in the higher part of Miseno and was the final point of the aqueduct connected to Acquaro di Serino situated in Irpinia.  This unique and imposing structure measures 15 metres in height and 70 meters in length, originally supplying water to the major military port of Misenum and the imperial fleet Classis Praetoria Misenensis.

The archaeological treasure Piscina Mirabilis/Cisterna Mirabile will be hosting StraMirabilis in famiglia  – FREE GUIDED TOURS and family educational workshops throughout September 2020 – organized by ATS StraMirabilis (Associazione culturale Misenum, Cooperativa Sociale Tre Foglie, Coop4art)

 

 

Where: Start your tour with a free welcome drink

at the Piscina Mirabilis ticket office

– Palazzo del Pio Monte della Misericordia (Istituto Luigi Illiano)

1 Via Campi Elisi, Bacoli, Napoli.

Meeting point: Villetta Campi Elisi (stairway to Piscina Mirabilis)

When: Saturdays (September 12th, 19th, 26th) at 4 pm and 6.30 pm;

Sundays 10.30 am and 12.30 pm (13th, 20th, 27th)

How: Events are free-of-charge prior to reservation only

+39 081 0140916   prenotazioni@piscinamirabilisbacoli.it

source © My Country magazine – September 2020 (page 14)
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San Gennaro The Saint, the Miracle, the Museum and the Treasure…

San Gennaro ampoule

St. Januarius  SAN GENNARO

the Saint and the Miracle…

Throughout the year the city of Naples celebrates over fifty different Saints

– but the Saint Januarius San Gennaro may be considered as the most important.

If you are new here to Naples, then the history and traditions regarding San Gennaro

together with the alleged miracle may just be worth learning about.

 

Three yearly events take place dedicated to the patron Saint San Gennaro and are not only religious celebrations but mass events which today continue to boast an enormous public participation.  The annual dates are held on the Saturday before the first Sunday of May, on September 19th and December 16th and celebrated in central Naples at the “Duomo” Cathedral of Naples, Museo del Tesoro di San Gennaro and at the Sanctuary of San Gennaro where it is believed he was beheaded – Santuario di San Gennaro all Solfatara, situated at Pozzuoli.

The traditional procession was originally established aiming to end the plague and passed from the Solfatara arriving to the Amphitheatre Anfiteatro Flavio to return to the statue of San Gennaro held within the Sanctuary.  The “miracle” has been regularly recorded since year 1389…

Regarding “the Miracle”, the faithful and not only gather in Naples to witness the mystifying liquefaction of what is claimed to San Gennaro’s blood.  Numerous legends depict that if the blood conserved within the glass ampoule fails to liquefy, then disaster will hit Naples.  Coincidentally or not, disasters have actually struck on several occasions when the liquefaction failed – including the plague epidemic that struck Pozzuoli and the earthquake dated 1980 creating over 3,000 victims.

the Museum…

The astounding museum Museum of the Treasure of Saint Gennaro – Museo del Tesoro di San Gennaro was founded in 2003 due to a project supported by European funds, by local institutions and private companies and is situated next to the Duomo of Naples.  The Treasure (il Tesoro) and vast collections of art works held within this museum covering over 700 square metres have been estimated as richer than the Crown Jewels belonging none other than to Queen Elizabeth II.  The untouched collection of works is guarded by an ancient institution – the Deputation of the Royal Chapel and Treasure of San Gennaro – which was established back in 1527 and is an organisation that still safeguards its preservation today.  Two ampoules are held within the main altar of the Royal Chapel.  The Royal Chapel is part of the Cathedral but independent.  Exhibits include jewellery, fabrics, paintings, frescoes, the renowned “mitre” –the Bishop’s hat embedded with diamonds, rubies and emeralds and a priceless collection of numerous silver busts – dating from 1305.

MUSEO DEL TESORO DI SAN GENNARO   149, via Duomo – Napoli

OPENING TIMES: Mondays to Saturdays: 9.30-5.30;  Sundays: 9.30-1.30

CONTACT:  +39 081 294980/338 3361771   info@museosangennaro.it

TICKET FEES:   Standard Euro 5; Guided Tour Euro 12;

2 Museum’s – Museo del Tesoro di San Gennaro including entrance voucher to Museo Civico Filangieri Euro 8.

View the QR code to download the museum’s multimedia guide app. without charge at the ticket office (situated at the entrance)

Online Ticket Office Info and Reservations:

+39 081 294980/ 366 1319973  prenotazioni@museosangennaro.it

Full details and any time changes will be updated with official notices on http://www.museosangennaro.it

Discover San Gennaro at:

Duomo di Napoli Cathedral Santa Maria Assunta 147, via Duomo Naples;

Santuario di San Gennaro all Solfatara 8 via San Gennaro alla Solfatara and the Catacombs Catacombe di San Gennaro 13 via Capodimonte Naples.

(For the complete article – read more on pages 8 to 11 – September 2020 edition)

 

source © My Country magazine – September 2020

Photographs courtesy: Marcello Erardi – Napoli vista attraverso gli scatti fotografici