MY EXHIBITIONS

NAPOLI – CENTRAL NAPLES (MARCH 2021)
Over the years, My Country magazine has had the pleasure to choose from an amazing collection of photographs depicting different views of Naples, created by Marcello Erardi together with the active Facebook page including more than 60,000 photographs and 2,200 albums: Napoli vista attraverso gli scatti fotografici

Photographic exhibition @ Parrocchia di San Giovanni Maggiore, Napoli
For all of those lucky enough to be situated within the heart of Naples Centro storico – then note the photographic exhibition “Il Cristo deposto” – currently on display at the parish of San Giovanni Maggiore – entrance is free-of-charge

Opening times: 9 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm
Entrance points: 14, Rampe San Giovanni Maggiore or Largo San Giovanni Maggiore

THE ITALIAN ANTI-COVID COLOUR SYSTEM

Italy has adopted a three-tier system dividing the nations 20 Regions based on a colour code as follows:

RED – High risk

ORANGE – Medium risk

YELLOW – Low risk

The Campania Region is currently considered as a Yellow Zone (as of January 2021)  In Yellow zones – shops are allowed to open and restaurants and bars can serve customers until 6 pm.

Delivery/Take-away services are allowed after 6 pm.  At last, various museums and monumental complexes are gradually re-opening – many of which offering free or half-price entrance fees

(including the magnificent national archaeological museum of Naples #MANN Museo Archeologico Napoli and the enchanting Park and Museum of Capodimonte – Real Bosco e Museo di Capodimonte

 

THE LATEST JANUARY 2021 DECREE – DCPM

The Italian government has recently passed the latest decree-law including new Covid-19 containment measures with the State of Emergency extended until April 30th 2021.  Four new ordinances were signed by the Italian Minister of Health – Roberto Speranza on January 15th 2021 with measures enforced starting from January 17th.

The breakdown of the Regions are as follows:

Yellow zones: Basilicata, Campania, Molise, Trento, Sardinia, Tuscany

Orange zones:  Abruzzo, Apulia, Calabria, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Marche, Veneto, Piedmonte

Red zones:  Bolzano, Lombardia, Sicilia

 

The main changes introduced by the new decree are as follows:

MOBILITY BETWEEN REGIONS

The decree confirms the ban already in force regarding any movements between different Regions and autonomous Provinces – with the exception of proven work requirements, health reasons or situations of necessity.

VISITING PRIVATE HOMES

A maximum of two people may travel to visit another private home once a day and between 5 am and 10 pm.  The two persons travelling may take children under 14 years of age or any disabled or dependent persons who live with them.  It is recommended to use a protective mask if non-cohabiting people are present.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Italy is maintaining extensive international travel restrictions.  Travellers from the UK have been barred from entry since December 23rd 2020 – unless they are official residents of Italy or travelling for essential reasons that must be declared in writing.  Travellers must present proof of a negative Covid-19 test result taken not other than 72 hours before departure and to take another test upon arrival in Italy.  People arriving from the UK are required to present themselves to their local health authorities in Italy and self-isolate for at least 14 days – regardless of the test results.  This requirement also applies to travellers from all EU countries and all international arrivals (except those from San Marino and the Vatican) and they must complete a self-declaration form prior to arrival.

A new ordinance has been signed on January 18th 2021 to ban flights from Brazil and against entry for those who have transited through Brazil in the last 14 days.

 

THE 3 FUNDAMENTAL RULES

To protect yourself and others from contagion

<•  Always use a mask – indoors and outdoors unless you are alone or with cohabiting persons

<•  Maintain a distance of at least one-metre from other people

<•  Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol based solutions

 

NATIONWIDE MEASURES include:

Masks MUST be worn in all outdoor and indoor public spaces (Children under six years of age are exempt)

Public transport is limited to operate with a 50-percent capacity

Any form of crowding or gatherings consisting of more than six persons are considered as prohibited

Shopping Centres will remain closed on weekends

The authorities have also confirmed the night time curfew – currently active from 10 pm to 5 am

The travel ban between regions is in act until February 15th 2021

INFO/RULES OF CONDUCT – IN CASE OF SYMPTOMS OR DOUBTS ABOUT HEALTH CONDITIONS

If you have symptoms such as fever (over 37.5°), breathing difficulty or coughing

stay at home and limit all contacts

Do NOT go to the hospital or Doctor but call your medical guard (Guardia Medica) or the regional toll-free numbers:

From Italy – 1500

From abroad – +39 02 32008345/ 02 89619015

Campania region – 800 90 96 99

Contact the emergency numbers 112 or 118 only if strictly necessary.

If you do prove to be subject to “quarantine” isolation measures by testing positive to the Covid-19 virus – then you are strictly prohibited to move from your home/residence.

For detailed information consult your local Embassy, Consulate and the Italian Health board – Ministero della Salute website – with links in English on: salute.gov.it

Please note: Italian authorities may impose, extend or further tighten any restrictions with little-to-no-notice – depending on disease activity and in response to developments regarding the Covid-19 strain

Keep an eye on the My Country magazine’s LATEST UPDATES on www.mycountrymagazine.com and follow our Facebook page on www.facebook.com/paesemiomycountry

PUBLISHED by My Country magazine, Naples- Italy January 20th 2021 – LAST UPDATE January 20th 2021

Interview with Mr Mariano Moreno – Borboniqua Napoli

 

Before talking about BorboniQua, could you tell us about your background and shoemaking industry experiences?

I have dealt with the footwear and clothing industries as a representative for central and southern Italy since 1979.  I have managed both positioning and sales throughout these areas with brands including Timberland, American footwear, Levis, Allen Edmond’s, Justine boot, Polo Ralf Laurent, Tommy Hilfigher, Clarks and Filson amongst others.  I have been collaborating with different brands for over 15 years to enhance stylistic choices and for production purposes.  I have recently given life to a much-desired project of creating a collection of footwear and accessories entirely “made in Naples” reaching to international markets – BorboniQua Napoli.

Could you tell us about BorboniQua?

The name of our collection BorboniQua is strongly connected to the territory of Naples and of course the Bourbon period from what was then the Kingdom of Naples.

Our creative philosophy contains elements of tradition but also innovation reflected in the same values.

 

Read more

Happy & Safe New Year to you all!

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

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

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

@MUSEO E REAL BOSCO DI CAPODIMONTE

on display until NOVEMBER 15th 2020

Vincenzo Gemito was a figurative sculptor born in Naples in 1852. Although considered as the most important Italian sculptor of late 19th century his origins were not so promising. He was a street-orphan adopted by a poor artisan and already assisting the sculptor Emanuele Caggiano aged nine. Gemito moved on to work with Stanislao Lista. After acquiring skills modelling clay and wax he independently exhibited a sculpture at Belle Arti di Napoli  Il Giocatore” (The Card Player) a Neapolitan urchin studying a hand of playing cards.  The bronze-cast of the same work was purchased for the Capodimonte collectionVincenzo Gemito was sixteen years old…

Vincenzo Gemito

Read more

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

 

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