summer 2014 web

SUMMER 2014

The American International Club of Rome www.aicrome.org [email protected] Tel. 06-45447625 Fax 06-97254122

AICR NEWS

contents

3 Editor’s Letter

3 New Members

4 Club News

6 Member Profile: Maria Grazia Quieti

9 Interview: Rino Barillari

13 Proust Questionnaire: Fabio Ferrari

14 Art: Spotlight on Els Vink

16 Book review: Gelato!

18 Travel Tips

22 Discounts

23 AICR Business Members

Board of Directors 2013/2014

Honorary President

John R. PhillipsU.S. Ambassador to Italy and to the

Republic of San Marino

Honorary Vice President

David J. LaneAmbassador of the United States to the

UN Agencies in Rome

officers

President: Debra BiaginiVice President: Franco Spicciariello

Treasurer: Carol MarkinoSecretary: Kathy Araco

Board MeMBers

Alexia Maria di FabioL. Chris CurryLoretta Dusini

Marco ElserScotti Rhodes

Martha Scherr

aicr LegaL adVisor

Argia Bignami

aicr news editor

Kathy Araco

aicr news Production

Alessandro Carafa Jacobini

cLuB Manager and coMMunications

Nina Farrell

All articles are based on the information obtained at the time of their writing. Please contact us if you would like to add anything from your experience with AICR.

editor’s letter

The heat is on! Temperatures are quickly rising indicating that it’s sum-mertime here in Rome. Apart from the few initial rain storms we’ve had, getting around the city during the day under this sol leone may prove to be a very “hot” experience. So drink a lot of water and why not cool off with some fresh gelato as well? Scattered all over Rome are plenty of gelaterie, however if you’d like to make your own homemade Italian gelato, then you’ll love reading Danielle DeVine’s superb book review on Pamela Sheldon Johns’ latest book: Gelato! and maybe decide to try out some of her fantastic recipes for yourself.

No matter how inviting nor as tempting as it might be, jumping into the Trevi fountain waters –like the protagonists of Fellini’s La Dolce Vita did– is not an option. Those where the “good old days” according to paparazzo Rino Barillari, marvelously interviewed for us by Alexia Di Fabio, revealing a lot of scoops and why today we are living, paraphrasing his words, “la Vita Dolce”.A better way to cool off, can be to get out of the city and head for the refreshing sea. If you want some alternatives to Ostia and Fregene, just check out my Travel Tips with some great sugges-tions for short and long vacation trips.Not many people consider work, or enjoy it as much, as leisure. Fellow member Dr. Maria Grazia Quieti does. So what’s her secret? Find out by reading her profile magnificently written by our very own Treasurer Carol Markino, who also explains to us why she defines Mrs. Quieti a dynamo.Answering our Proust is Fabio Ferrari, one of our newest Board Members. So read up to get to know him better and when you see him, congratulations are in order.If you’d like to become a contributing writer, don’t hesitate and please contact me. We’d love to hear your stories.Since dues are due, don’t forget to renew your membership to continue to be part of our won-derful club and receive our issues. In the meanwhile, I’d like to wish you all a fun, wonderful, relaxing summer… and of course buone ferie!

Kathy Araco AICR News Editor

AICR news - Summer 2014 3

aicr new membersPlease join us in welcoming the following new members:

Lorenzo Bona

Helen OkoronkoAttorney Fox International Channels

Father GregApparcelRectorThe Church of Santa Susanna

Massimo Zavattaro Italian Teacher

Brenda Di Bari

club news

DUES RenewalDues are now being solicited for the 2014/2015 AICR Club year, which runs from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015. Dues are €70 for returning mem-bers, €60 for retirees (ages 65 and over) and €40 for students and second fam-ily members. The 2013/2014 AICR year ended on June 30th. To be included in the 2014/2015 AICR Annual Directory, dues must be received by October 3rd, 2014. All non-US Citizens who have not renewed by this deadline, will be removed from the AICR membership lists and will need to reapply and go on the waiting list.

Annual Meeting of the MembersDuring our annual meeting of the members, the 2014/2015 AICR budget was approved; we had a year in review as well as discussed event and ideas for the Club. If you were not able to attend, and would like to have a copy of the budget and the minutes, please contact the office.

AICR Summer Office HoursThe AICR office will reopen on August 25th. AICR wishes all its members a wonderful summer break!

club news

AICR Membership Renewal IncentiveBring your friends to join AICR and save on your own membership. Those who bring in a new American member get 50% off your current membership rate. If you bring in a new Gold, Platinum or Diamond Business member, your membership is FREE for one year.If you have already paid your 2014/2015 dues, AICR will put it towards the following year’s membership. The new member must state your name and/or be presented by you when joining to be eligible for the discount. The incentive is valid until September 12, 2014.

AICR Business MembershipsAICR has updated Business Membership Packages, giving more exposure via social media and email possibilities to our Business Members. Our programs are a sure way to achieve heightened recognition and credibility in the local international community. Contact the of-fice to review our new packages if interested in becoming a Business Member.

AICR at the Aquasanta Golf ClubAICR thanks members Bob Sonnabend and Maria Grazia Quieti for inviting fellow members to their prestigious golf club. Members were awed by the beautiful setting, the delicious catering, and the elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere. We enjoyed the evening immensely and thank the Sonnabends for being such gracious hosts.

The American International Club of Rome6

member profile

Member Profile: Maria Grazia Quietiby Carol Markino

Our club has so very many interesting members. One of them, who so graciously accepted to meet me for a chat, is the well spoken Dr. Maria Grazia Quieti. Do not let this petite, attractive, soft-spo-ken woman fool you. She is a dynamo! Webster.com defines the noun ‘dynamo’ as someone who has a lot of energy, a forceful energetic individual. In fact, as we spoke, this word kept coming to mind. During our conversation in her sunny of-fice in via Carini, we talked about many things. The conversation moved effortlessly from one subject to another. Work, however, was a big topic of dis-cussion. Maria Grazia said “I enjoy work and, for me, work and leisure are very much intertwined. Work means interacting with others for problem solving, an intellec-tual exercise and an occasion for continu-ous learning and research”.In fact, this quest for knowledge has led her to an anthropology degree from La Sa-pienza, a Master degree from Harvard in Public Administration and a doctoral de-gree from Cardiff University.Roman born Maria Grazia was a curious young woman, but also adventurous and independent. Despite worried parents, she traveled to India on her own and lived in an ashram for a few months. There she ex-perienced an international community. It is the same international environment that she loved when she began her work-ing life at the Food and Agricultural Orga-nization of the United Nations (FAO). In her current position as Dean of Graduate

Studies at The American University of Rome (AUR), she has coordinated the accredita-tion process for Master degrees and the preparation of two graduate level degree programs with more Master level courses in the works. As in building anything from scratch, a variety of skills and talents are required in developing these advanced level programs. Maria Grazia describes her job as “wonderful! I find that it draws from my knowledge and past experience. I am in Italy and in an American academic environment. I enjoy the variety of things involved and working in collaboration with an international group of colleagues and professors. My typical day means there is nothing at all typical. One minute I can be working on the university website, the next minute dealing with professors or teaching and the next minute establishing a whole new information hub regarding food!”. The cornucopia she has created is the Center for Food Studies (www.aur.edu/center-for-food-studies) at AUR.

member profile

It assembles all that AUR is doing regard-ing food in all of its various academic de-partments.Maria Grazia’s former position as Senior Policy Officer at FAO was the impetus for the Center for Food Studies. In that posi-tion, she traveled extensively, to almost ev-ery continent, and worked with universities and governments in both developing and developed countries. She speaks gratefully of the interesting and meaningful work she did within FAO. She would travel three or four weeks at a time working on-site and with all levels of people. She engaged not only with governments but also with farm-ers and civil society organizations. In 1996, Maria Grazia was in charge of the participation of 2000 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the aca-demic and research communities, in the first FAO sponsored World Food Summit which took place in Rome. “It took a lot of effort to organize, but I enjoy managing young staff and pushing them, especially women, to progress, grow and move forward”.In between her years at FAO and AUR, Maria Grazia spent half a dozen years as the Executive Director of The U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission. “After many years of international experience, I was happy to work on the Fulbright Program, a bina-tional program promoted by both the U.S. and the Italian governments to foster cul-tural and academic exchanges between Italy and the United States. It has been a wonderful experience, dealing with stu-dents and scholars and building institution-al relations with universities from the two countries”.

Traveling around the world, how-ever, is how she met her hus-band, Bob Son-nabend. Their complemen-tary personalities have kept them together (and on and off planes) since meeting on a Mumbai-Rome flight in 1986. Sub-sequently, given the travelling involved in both of their professions, they would meet in places like China, Sri Lanka, India, Paris and London.Maria Grazia became a member of AICR in 2006, five years after her husband who, by then, had moved permanently to Rome. This delightful couple has kindly invited AICR members for a cocktail and dinner party to the Acquasanta Golf Club. Acquasanta is the oldest golf club in Italy and AICR members will undoubtedly enjoy an evening there. Apart from golf, Maria Grazia enjoys walking and trekking in the Parco Nazio-nale della Maiella in Abruzzo. She is vice president of the Harvard Club of Italy and an active member of the Italian Green Roof Association. She is also a strong supporter of Ryder Italia, a NGO that provides free home care services to cancer patients and end-of-life patients in Rome.When asked about her future, Maria Gra-zia responded that she cannot imagine not working. In fact, she asks, “who says that one should stop working?”



interview with Rino Barillari

A Spring Conversation with Rino Barillari, “The King of Paparazzi”: From “La Dolce Vita” to “La Vita Dolce”by Alexia Maria Di Fabio

Imagine S., a young boy from Southern Italy, who starts falling in love with Rome at the age of 10, through the movies he saw at his uncle’s cinema. Does this sound vaguely fa-miliar? Although the opening lines of this plot might be reminiscent of Giuseppe Tornatore’s 1988 Academy Award winning film Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, “S.” is the abbreviation of Saverio –or Rino– from Limbadi, a small town in the Calabria region. As I was soon to find out, Rino Barillari’s The King of Paparazzi bi-ography is a classic case where not only life imitates art, but life proves to be, once again, a million times better than a beautiful film.

While at first slightly challenged by Mr. Ba-rillari’s diffident, piercing gaze, our meeting in Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina on the eve of the American Presidential Visit to Rome in March, gradually progressed into a flow-ing, relaxed spring conversation where he shared details of his 52-year career, span-ning from the real “Dolce Vita” of the sixties, into the modern “Vita Dolce” (as he dubbed it), accurately portrayed by yet another Acad-emy Award winning film, The Great Beauty (2013), where Mr. Barillari himself made a cameo-appearance.

Why and when did you arrive to Rome? Were you already a photographer?It was through the movies shown at my un-cle’s cinema that I grew fascinated with “Hol-lywood on the Tiber” and its characters. After watching Fellini’s La Dolce Vita even for three times in a row during a same day, it got to a point where I would dub the film myself, as I knew all the lines by heart (in Italian, of

course.) I would say the “Italy” portrayed in that film is what really fascinated me, since you could not find that life in the province of Catanzaro! In 1959, at the age of 14, I came to Rome and started out helping the “scattini” (literally, “small photo-takers”) at Fontana di Trevi, who shot pictures for the tourists. I later bought my own camera and went hunting for my own pictures.

How so?During my first months in Rome, I would of-ten sleep in Villa Borghese, in the open, and practically spend my entire nights at Rome’s official first disco, “Club 64.” I would wait for the VIPs at the crack of dawn. But, the true stage –or “ring”, if you will– of that glorious period was Via Veneto. In our own (photog-raphers’) jargon, the street was divided into 4 cantons, and I would patrol all of them. The best time would be from 8pm to 4am. I would personally be there starting from 8pm, as there was little competition. My colleagues would also go to the Trastevere, Parioli and Aurelia neighborhoods… but by 11pm, al-most all of them regrouped in Via Veneto.



Outside of the set, it’s sometimes difficult to recognize a famous personality. Aside from your love of movies, how did you manage?Well, regular people would stop and stare at the personalities often times… so one could definitely understand they were famous. I would then take my pictures and sell the negatives to press agencies such as the As-sociated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI) and the Italian agency ANSA. If they were exclusive, then I would be paid well. If somebody else had taken similar photos, the final price would be clearly catastrophic.

Let’s discuss more in depth Via Veneto. Aside from being divided into four cantons, what else was so unique about this street?Aside from being an open-air theater, every club or bar on the street hosted its habitual

personalities. Writers would go to one place, starlets and actors to another place, diplomats would go to yet other places on Via Veneto. Looking back after 50 years, however, I have come to realize that hidden amidst many of these VIPs, there were surely con artists and/or spies. (He utters a surreptitious chuckle…)

The figure of the “paparazzo”, coined pre-cisely in Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, implies a very intrusive –and often times, annoying–nature. Do you feel you fit (or fitted) this description?In a way, yes, but mainly during my younger years. I was inexperienced and quite restless. Some things I did back then, I would never do today. In those days, I would take pictures “in your face”, despite the vetoes and restrictions of the personalities. However, I have matured too and have less energy, so today I would certainly use a different, more “courteous” approach.

Can you give us a concrete example of your past restlessness?In 1963, Peter O’Toole –“Lawrence of Ara-bia”- was leaving a club on Via Veneto ac-companied by British actress Barbara Steele. O’Toole was married, of course, but not to Barbara Steele. I took a couple of pictures and ended up at the hospital with a torn ear, following his aggression. My father filed a suit against O’Toole, especially because I was underage. O’Toole’s passport and lug-gage were withheld and he could not leave the country, until he compensated my father with 1 million Italian Lira. Naturally, O’Toole ended up breaking up his own family be-cause of those pictures. Another similar epi-sode, albeit with no significant personal dam-age, happened in 1964 with Frank Sinatra, always on Via Veneto. He noticed I was tak-ing some pictures, basically starting a brawl. Tables flew in the air and the police arrived,



asking him to stop. But it wasn’t until our very own Domenico Modugno (author of the song Volare) showed up and told him “Frank, go home”, that he finally started to calm down.

Did your camera author any controversial/delicate scoop during those days?As I said, Via Veneto didn’t only have movie-stars. There were also diplomats, politicians and their families. There was a case involving the daughter of Sir Winston Churchill, Sarah. One day, she was found extremely drunk at lunchtime, to the point that the police took her to the hospital thinking she was an unknown, homeless person. I knew who she was and I took pictures of the entire episode; however it was not until later that I could speak up and openly reveal her identity.

Changing subjects, on a lighter note, were there any generous stars?Overall, I’ve got to say that life was slower in the past. Stars back then were truly larger-than-life individuals, of a totally different cali-ber of those of today. They were very polite and deep down, still had strong family val-ues; they were very high-class and true pro-fessionals. Our local stars as well, of course. Claudia Cardinale and Sophia Loren, for example, would not hesitate to offer you a cup of coffee. I also have a good memory of Liz Taylor and her daughters shopping by the Spanish Steps. They were extremely proper and well-to-do. On another occasion, always by the Spanish Steps, Audrey Hepburn gave some coins to a poor lady walking on the street with her small child. You also had male actors who were very kind and respectful, even more so in light of the fact that I was very young… in particular, Tony Curtis and Stewart Granger, who would allow me to photograph them without any problems.

Is there a shot that you’re particularly proud of?

Yes, it is a photograph I took in 1965, of Robert Kennedy and Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev, strolling through Via Condotti.

At one point, the Dolce Vita started vanish-ing, ending definitively with the onslaught of the 1968 riots and the subsequent “Years of Lead”, accompanied by the terrorist at-tacks of the “Red Brigades”. How did those years affect your profession?

During those years, I entered the staff of Il Tempo newspaper, covering crime news. At the same time, Cinecittà had halved its movie production. You could still catch some per-sonalities here and there, however the con-tinuous shoot-outs and armed robberies made the environment very unsafe for nightly exits. In those days, Paul Getty was kidnapped as well. I do remember running into Federico Fellini, nevertheless. When we would meet (he lived on Via Margutta, close to the Span-ish Steps), he would ask me for updates of what was going on. Aside from this, he and his wife Giulietta Masina led a very normal life. She would go buy fresh fish every Friday on the nearby Via della Croce… In any case, going back to your question, one’s style has to go hand in hand with the times one lives in.

Which brings me to my next question. In a recent interview, you claimed that con-versely to the past, we are now living in a “Vita Dolce”, which theoretically means the same, but is practically different from the “Dolce Vita”. What do you mean ex-actly?The present times place more emphasis on decorum and morality… or the lack thereof, to be honest. Famous people today are noth-ing like the ones of the past. At most, they last three to four seasons, not to mention that they all look very much alike, and don’t have relevant distinctive traits or talents, aside from



tattoos or different hair colors. Seriously –and I don’t know how to put this in a more polite way– the real scoop today revolves around the relationships they have and the “beds” they change. Back in the Dolce Vita days, you had fascinating characters like Joan Col-lins, Kim Novak, Marlon Brando, Yul Brinner, Jane Mansfield, Paulette Godard and John Wayne, whom, aside from having stage presence (John Wayne was really tall, for ex-ample), could actually act! Today very few people know how to act: the very petite Mer-yl Streep, Jodie Foster, Penelope Cruz, Mat-thew McConaughey… nonetheless, the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood and Cinecittà heyday is gone for good. And in the specific case of Rome, the true protagonist is the city of Rome itself, with its eternal beauty, not the people… (I could perceive a hint of critical nostalgia in Mr. Barillari’s words)

During the course of our interview, you gave me some personal statistics: 164 times at the hospital, 68 broken cameras, 11 bro-ken ribs, 6 operations (some of which were due to stabbings and shootings during the ‘70s), a honorary degree in photography from Xi’An University in China, and a per-manent exhibition of your works at the icon-ic Harry’s Bar on Via Veneto. Considering these numbers and considering that anyone with a smartphone can be a competitor in this day and age, are you still as busy?

After 52 years in the industry, I am still work-ing. I am actually working more than before, although not with the same regularity. I too have “aged” and have adapted my style, as I was saying earlier. In recent times, I have dealt a lot with American Ambassadors, for example. In those institutional, elegant set-tings, any faux pas could really cost you! Ultimately, you really reap what you sow in this business.

Sadly, the clock was ticking. Thus, after taking a few pictures, I quickly bid him farewell. He never-theless walked me halfway towards the Spagna subway stop. In those precious additional minutes, I popped a few more questions on The Great Beauty, where aside from the cameo-appearance, he also shot all the backstage stills. He revealed that the script was inspired by “actual Roman social-ites” (and not merely on hypothetical decadent situations or characters of the “Vita Dolce”), a detail which made its Oscar victory ever more deserved. In his gentlemanly demeanor, he proceeded to kiss my hand. On my part, I could only wish him luck for his future assignments… and naturally, for the coverage of the American Presidential Visit, which would begin the following morning.

AICR news - Summer 2014

proust questionnaire

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Peace of mind.

What is your greatest fear? My wife following tv programs such as “the real housewife of Orange County” etc.

Which living person do you most admire? Pope Francesco.

Who are your favorite writers? Many: John Steinbeck, James Joice, Robert Musil, Herman Hesse, William Faulkner, Albert Camus, Gabriel García Márquez, Samuel Beckett, Mario Vargas Llosa, Lev Tolstoj, Anton Cechov, Mark Twain, Francis Scott Fitzgerald, Marcel Proust, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Luigi Pirandello, Umberto Eco, etc.

Which talent would you most like to have? To play a musical instrument, such as the sax.

What is your most treasured possession? I don’t think of it as a possession, but my family is what I treasure most.

When and where were you happiest? Here and now.

What is your most marked characteristic? Ability to listen and attention to detail.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Keeping my promises to my dad when he died when I was fourteen and raising my son.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Klaus Kinski character in Aguirre, the Wrath of God.

Born in Rome, Fabio Ferrari is one of our new Board Members. He has an Italian and American High School diploma, a university degree in Architecture and a specialization in Regional Planning from the Sapienza University. After working for almost 27 years (six of which as expatriate in Kazakhstan, Turkey and Moscow) in the sales department of international engineering companies (like ENI, GEPS, ENEL, etc.), from 2010 he works in Rome as consultant in both the design/construction and real estate fields.

AICR Proust Questionnaire with Fabio Ferrari

13

art


Biography of artist Els Vink, who kindly donated the first prize, of a value of over €3.000, to last years’ AICR American Independece Day Celebration Raffle.

Do you sometimes experience an emotion when listening to music, reading a book or looking at a painting... and you wonder at the effect it has on you?Throughout the centuries experts and laymen alike have tried to define ‘art’. Not an easy task mind you, and often a topic for heated debate. For me personally, true art repre-sents skill, craftsmanship and talent. More-over, ‘passion’ is an absolutely necessary ingredient! I believe that a beautiful piece of artwork, one that speaks to your heart, is more than the sum of the materials and techniques used.My parents both came from large Catholic families. They were working-class people, who grew up just after the Second World War. Only one of their brothers was allowed to study, so that he might preferably become a priest. The other children only received el-

ementary education. I was born in 1961, in the city of Leiden, the Netherlands, the eldest daughter. During the sixties and seventies, we became more prosperous, so in mate-rial terms my little brother and I did not lack anything. We made ‘wish lists’ for birthdays and Sinterklaas (the predecessor of Santa Claus). On top of my list there was always a painting easel. When I told my parents I really wanted to go to the arts academy, this seemed like a rediculous idea to them. “You are a girl. You will get married anyway, and why art?? What foolishness is THAT?!” And that is how, at the age of sixteen, I started my working career getting a job as a Delft Blue painter of pottery. This way I could bring home some money and still be a painter...in a way :-)Many years and several employers later, I bought my first painting-easel. At first draw-ing and painting still remained a hobby, un-til one fine day, I met a contemporary Dutch Master; Cornelis Le Mair. He took me on as one of his students. What happiness, such luck! I learned so much from him. I could not get enough and studied various techniques with several other Masters. I have never stopped learning ever since. It was during the nineties that I started my own graphics and design business, which I did alongside my artwork. After my husband and I moved to Denmark, the first exhibitions soon fol-lowed, and I started selling my art work. I also organized oil painting courses, not only in Denmark, but in Holland, Spain, Greece and Italy as well. Currently we live and work in Umbria, Italy. Seven years ago we bought an old neglected house, and after a huge renovation I am so glad I have my very own studio now and I’m able to focus on painting again! Another turning point in my life - which hap-pened at a moment when I was feeling very low, thinking I could not go on anymore -

Painter & Artist Els Vink

art


came when I read A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. This book was a true revelation to me. I am grateful for all the good and wonderful things in my life, and it’s my ambition that this deeply felt spirituality will show through in my work. A good painting is timeless. In Eckhart’s words, “an expression from inner stillness”.The top photo, you see here on your right, is the portrait of Amy, an American lady, who recently returned to the USA after having lived in Rome for many years. She is last year’s win-ner of the AICR Independence Day raffle. This portrait is her ‘first prize’. Perhaps, there’s no such thing as ‘coincidence’, because when Amy and I met to discuss the details of the painting, we discovered that we had a lot in common, that we shared the same beliefs. Her portrait is painted with much love and care, with symbols that are meaningful to her, like the Ponte Sisto and the rosery.I have always admired and revered the Old Masters. They set up all the required tech-niques which are still used today. Nowa-days, handmade paints have been replaced by excellent modern ones, readily available in tubes. We can use lamps to have the right light for a model. A photograph can also be very helpful, having captured the object, land-scape or a person the way we want to portray them. The old Masters would be so jealous if they knew...Nevertheless, in modern times the making of a painting, and the story it tells you is essentially the same. The painting shows you the world through the eyes of the painter. It makes you stop for a moment and realize how wonderful and beautiful people are, no matter their age or size. In art work, dull ev-eryday objects may suddenly seem to sparkle in a new light, making us look closer, to really see... and wonder.

Calvi dell’Umbria, Els Vink www.dutchoilpaintings.com

Portrait of winner 1st Prize AICR Raffle 2013 painted by Els Vink

Painting by Els Vink

delizie gastronomiche

Book review: Pamela Sheldon Johns’ Gelato!by Danielle DeVine

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Gelato... and Then Some (Recipes!)

Pamela Sheldon Johns, author of sixteen cookbooks, is an American living in Tusca-ny who began as a cooking school direc-tor in California, and has since travelled the back roads of Italy exploring the food culture of il Bel Paese’s regions. An expert on everything from Parmesan cheese to balsamic vinegar (her titles include Par-migiano and Balsamico!), she is also the author of Gelato! Italian Ice, Creams, Sorbetti and Granite, and seemed like the perfect guide to the history and nuances of one of Italy’s most beloved exports.As she explains in her introduction, frozen desserts have pretty much been around since the beginning of the written word, with Biblical references to goat milk mixed with snow offered to Isaac by Abraham. By 200 B.C., the Chinese mention a re-freshing ice mixture, and it is likely that this treat made its way to India and then Persia, where it then made its way to Italy via the Moors in Sicily. In fact, the ruins of Pompeii’s taverns, brought to light a de-vice that may have been a cooling unit, containing residues of lemon, wild berries, and fish gelatin and the Emperor Nero was known for having slaves bring him snow and ice flavored with honey and fruits.By the seventh century, sharbet, a crushed ice drink made with local fruit, was com-mon to the Arab population in Sicily, and the Greeks and Turks enjoyed a lemon ice called sharbat or serbet, meaning “fresh beverage.” There are other sources claim-

ing that Marco Polo returned to Italic shores with a recipe for sherbet in the twelfth century.Whatever its or-igins, one thing is certain: we have Italians to thank for gelato as we know it to-day. Beginning with Caterina de’ Medici, who brought sor-betto to France during her reign as queen to Henry II, Italians were responsible not only for the spread of gelato abroad, but also for developing it and re-inventing it in the form we enjoy it nowadays. Before Caterina’s move to France, the Florentine de’ Medici court threw a contest to find a “singular plate that has never been seen”, a contest won by a chicken vendor named Giuseppe Ruggieri, who vanquished the competition with an exquisite sorbetto. Ruggieri accompanied Caterina to France, where his fame grew as he created deli-cious concoctions for the rulers of Europe. Eventually, he became so famous that he attracted the envy of other cooks in Paris and he was physically accosted for refus-ing to reveal his secrets. At one point he could take no more, and he left Paris after putting the recipe in an envelope for Ca-terina and writing on the back “with your permission I return to my chickens, hoping that they won’t remind me of the pleasures of my gelato.”Another major contributo to the creation of gelato as we know it, was Florentine artist and architect Bernardo Buontalenti, who invented the first gelato to be churned



with salt and ice. He also invented a way to blend and then freeze sweetened milk with a zabaglione of Malavasia wine and egg yolks. Today the Buontalenti fla-vor, rich, eggy, and golden-colored due to the yolks of corn fed chickens, does homage to him.By the early 17th century, carts selling sor-betti were common sights in most Italian squares and were a popular treat after re-ligious gatherings. In France, gelato was born as a commerical success at the Cafè Procope in Paris in 1686 when Sicilian Francesco Procopio carried on his grand-father’s failed attempts to invent a sorbetto making machine. After much experimenta-tion, Procopio discovered that the secrets to modern gelato were to use sugar in place of honey and to add salt to the ice to make it last longer. Alessandro Tortoni, another Italian, became famous in Paris at the end of the 17th century for the frozen dessert at the Cafè Napolitain.After providing the fascinating historical background of gelato, Johns goes on to explain the various forms it can take (ge-lati are usually made from milk-based mix-tures, while sorbetti and granite are fruit-based). Sorbetto is made from strained fruit purée or juice, while cremolata is made with unstrained puréed fruit and granite is made from icy granules that are fruit flavored and so slushy that it is best served in a glass.The good news for health conscious gelato lovers is that it is much lower in fat than ice cream. Ice cream normally has a fat con-tent of at least 10 percent, versus gelato’s typical 6-7% butterfat. Moreover, gelato is much more flavorful since fat tends to coat

the mouth and inhibits the full apprecia-tion of fresh and natural flavors. Another reason gelato boasts much more intense flavors than ice cream is that gelato is kept at a warmer freezing temperature (about 15 degrees on average) than ice cream, and therefore does not numb the taste buds. Ice creams are also churned far more and increase in air column by at least 25 percent and up to 90, which makes ice cream fluffier, but with a flavor that is far more diluted than the denser, more compact gelato.Johns then embarks on a tour of some of Italy’s most famous artisan gelato makers, from Sicily to Tuscany to Emilia Romagna. Along the way, she even manages to per-suade a few to part with some inspirations or hard-earned tips of the trade for home-made gelato creations; and she concludes the book with 50 recipes for all kinds of gelato, including traditional ones such as pistachio, mascarpone and hazelnut, to slightly more adventurous persimmon or honey chestnut gelato, even a caffe latte gelato. She also provides recipes for sorbets ranging from cactus pear to a rose petal one to a Bellini sorbet. Nor are granite neglected, and there is even a section devoted to how to make the bri-oches used to make gelato breakfasts in Sicily, and other treats such as tiramisu, chocolate soufflé, semifreddo, and even pizzelle cones.Gelato! is a visual treat with lush photo-graphs as well as an incentive to get out there and try making some homemade gelato, the healthiest, freshest and best-tasting gelato of all.

delizie gastronomiche


travel

Travel Tipsby Kathy Araco

Work is important, but also relaxing and recharging your batteries. So why not spend some time travelling to a wonderful location, meeting new people and just having fun? For those who are undecided where to go, here are some “fresh” suggestions and “hot” tips for summer vacationing, you might like to check out.

Long Distance Travel features California (USA)

If you’re going back to the States this summer, why not plan to spend some time on the mythical West Coast? Since there are so many things to see and do in California, you’ll never get bored. For instance start with going to see the Joshua trees in the desert; then cool off by the ocean at the famous beaches of Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice Beach; drive up the pacific coast highway to Big Sur: the sights and the aromas of the plants, flowers and trees in this area are incredible; check out the major cities like San Francisco, which is considered by many to be the most beautiful city of the US. While you are there, you can drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, stroll around Little Italy and Ghirardelli Square, hop on and off the cable cars, go see the sea lions at Pier 39 and be sure to stop at Fisherman’s Wharf to taste some of the best clam chowder I’ve ever eaten. However, if the city gets too hectic, I recommend going out in the wilderness to recharge your batteries, by visiting Lake Tahoe and the famous national parks like Yosemite, Redwood and (be sure not to miss!) Sequoia. In comparison to these HUGE beautiful two thousand year old (and some) trees –like the one named General Sherman which stands 275 ft. tall and measures 102 ft. wide– all your problems will suddenly seem small and insignificant. You will remain in awe in front of such beauty and majesty. This trip will surely become one of the most touching lifetime experiences you’ll remember and cherish forever in your heart.

travel


Medium Distance Travel features Les Chateaux de la Loire

If you are fond of nature and like architecture you’ll love visiting the castles of the Loire Valley in France, for it’s a perfect combination of both elements. The well kept green parks and gardens full of beautifully arranged flowers and plants surround these extraordinary castles built on the river Loire (and its tributaries), whose architec-ture and settings create an almost fairytale like atmosphere. It’s not hard to imagine how they were centuries ago when the French royalties made them their summer residence. Among my personal favorites are Chambord, Chenonceaux, Azay le Rideau, Ussé, Cheverny and Chaumont. Such a wonderful sight to see! Admire their reflection sparkling in the waters, the colorful ducks swimming about, the bending branches of the lovely weeping willows swaying softly, the sun setting behind their frames and seeing them illuminated at dusk. If you are very sporty and adventurous, you might even consider renting a bike and pedaling your way through this heavenly region, otherwise you can always opt for a guided bus tour. However, in my opinion, the best solution is to just rent a car and stop whenever and wherever you like to visit and admire your favorites. This region is also famous for its wines, so if you are a wine lover, at the end of the day you might want to chill out by sipping a glass of their finest red or rosé accompanied by some of their typical exceptional cheeses. You won’t be disappointed.

Short Distance Travel features Malta

Just off the southern coast of Sicily, lies Malta, an independent republic since 1974. Many are the reasons which make Malta a favored tourist destination for all ages, how-ever its warm climate, numerous beaches, many shops and restaurants, lots of nightlife


travel

(in St. Julienne) tend to attract a younger crowd. Yet, the two beautiful quiet smaller islands of Gozo and Comino, the many interesting historical churches and monu-ments in Valetta –which house even a couple of famous frescos painted by Caravag-gio– and most importantly, its architectural and historical sites, can satisfy even the most demanding tourist. There are nine UNESCO World Heritage sites in Malta like Hal Saflieni Hypogeum and seven Megalithic Temples (Ggantija temples, Hagar Qim, Mnajdra, Ta’ Hagrat Temples, Skorba Temples and Tarxien Temples), which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world dating back as far as 3600 B.C. and probably even earlier. So don’t leave without visiting at least one. All in all, whatever your budget, the Malta experience can turn out to be a short affordable, fun-loving and cultural vacation for you and your friends.

Weekend Travel features Amalfi

Also included among the UNESCO World Heritage sites is Amalfi. The town with its characteristic white houses, small alleys and many steps lies below a very steep cliff on the Gulf of Salerno sea. You will immediately fall in love with it, for its breathtak-ing scenery. Historically a very important maritime republic, Amalfi has become a very famous tourist destination, which draws numerous visitors especially during the days of three local traditional events: the patron celebration festival of Saint Andrew (from June 25th till 27th and on November 30th); the “Byzantine New Year’s Eve” (on August 31st) which celebrates the beginning of the New Year according to the ancient civil calendar of the Byzantine Empire and the Historical Regata (on the first Sunday of June), a tradi-tional boat rowing competition among the four main Italian historical maritime republics: Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice. Since each city yearly takes turns hosting this event, in Amalfi it takes place only once every four years. Worth visiting are, with a mere 57-step climb, Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, dating back to the 11th century and over-looking the main square, which is considered to be the heart of Amalfi; the Cloister of Paradise built by Filippo Augustariccio during the 13th century and the Museum of Handmade Paper, which celebrates the long established paper making tradition of Amalfi acquired anciently from the Arabs. No visit is complete without tasting its famous limoncello, a liqueur made from the typical large lemons cultivated in this area.


aicr silver business members & discounts

Ciao Italia, Italian language and Cultural Center. Discount on all courses of 10%. Intensive/Non intensive courses. Day/Evening. Small groups. CILS/CELI certification. Courses at home/office.Extensive courses (E2): Twice a week, 145 euro per month + registration feeTel 064814084 Via Delle Frasche 5, (Via Nazionale) Metro B-Stop Cavour.www.ciao-italia.it [email protected]

Order personalized floral designs by DebraFlower for that special touch and have them delivered free (Rome and within 5 km. outside Raccordo). Weddings! Events! Parties! [email protected], www.debraflower.com, www.debraflower.blogspot.com, www.debraflowerit.blogspot.com

10% Discount off Intensive Italian Courses (60 hours) Koiné - Italian Language Centre. Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, 48. [email protected], www.koinecentre.com

Catering services: International cuisine – Thai, Indonesian, Indian, Moroccan, Middle Eastern, Mexican and European... Cooking classes for adults and chil-dren. Food tours. Contact Francesa Flore of La Luna nel Piatto Tel. 339 6230393 [email protected], www.lalunanelpiatto.com

C.R.E.T.A. rome: Ceramics, Residencies, Exhibitions, Teaching & the Arts: 10% discount on ceramic courses for children. 10% discount on creative, relaxed ceramic courses for adults.www.cretarome.com; www.cretarome.blogspot.it; via dei Delfini 17Tel. 347 8024581

Margrit Ch. Mau, Independent Distributor Forever Living Products 15-48% discount on natural and certified products of FLP, Leader in growing, producing and distributing ALOE Vera – Products. Opportunity: 2° income with worldwide activity. www.idffy.it/mmau [email protected] Tel.: 06 5258280 Cell.: 347 3639178

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Avis Autonoleggio - Rent a CarItalian Headquarters: Viale Carmelo Bene 70, 00139 [email protected] Reservations: www.avisautonoleggio.it/aicromeCall Center: 199 100 133 (Outside Italy + 39 06 45 21 08 391)Quote Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number W465200

Rome International SchoolTel. 06 84482650/1www.romeinternationalschool.itoffice@romeinternationalschool.itfacebook.com/romeinternationalschool

St. John’s UniversityVia Marcantonio Colonna, 21A Rome Italy 00192Tel. 06-393842 or Toll Free Number in Italy: 800 971736Fax: +39 06 39384200 US Tel: +1 (212) 815-9216 Ext. [email protected] www.stjohns.edu/rome

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Koiné - Italian Language CentrePiazza San Giovanni in Laterano, 48 - 00184 RomaPhone (+39) 06.96038365www.koinecentre.comwww.facebook.com/KoineItalianLanguageCentre

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AICR American Independence Day Celebration - Cocktail and Dinner Party at Acquasanta Golf Club

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