2008 - August/September
Business
Overcoming the Emergency Syndrome
From the crisis of the American subprime to the race of the Brent up to the unchecked price increases of the agricultural products. The spectrum of crisis is hovering over the planet.
The global macro-economic scenario has been modified as a result of the increase of energy and oil costs, which clashes with the Dollar’s weakness. Even the surge of the agricultural products’ prices is conditioning the global economy. What are needed are medium-long term actions in the energy and agricultural sectors, so not to be overrun by the syndrome of emergency. The considerate advice comes from Giacomo Vaciago, an outstanding economist and Professor at the University Cattolica of Milano. Full Story
Culture
Ermanno Olmi: Praise To Simplicity
The 65th edition of the Film Festival of Venice awards to the maestro of “L’albero degli zoccoli”, the “Leone d’Oro” for his career.
Although overdue and eventually arrived is the Leone d’Oro to the Career of Ermanno Olmi, on the stage of the 65th International Film Festival of Venice. He, a bit distant, a bit solitary and absorbed in a magic that sinks its roots in the slowness of time, in nature and the eyes of the plain folks, has already imposed his conditions. The maestro has let it know that he wishes to receive the award from the hands of Adriano Celentano, the self-proclaimed “King of the Ignorants”. Even in this, the Bergamo’s own director has not failed his eternal affection for those who, in the world, become successful tiptoeing softly, without any proclamations and without the red carpet. Full Story
Culture
Love amidst the Clouds
The lifestyle of a courtesan during the period of the Serenissima is described in the famous ‘Memoirs’ of Giacomo Casanova. Extravagance and transgression, at the time of splendor of the “Dominant”, when even physical pleasures could have been intellectual exercises.
Black gondolas floating silently on the calm waters of the Lagoon, while the night fog blankets the canals. Nobles wrapped in robes hiding their faces with the collars and tricorns, while the gondolier lies alongside the shore. The lord hides his look and with slow paces crosses the threshold of a main door without any sign. It is a scene relived many times in some areas of the timeless city during the nights of every season. Full Story
Venetian Itinerary
Venice Code Red
In only five minutes, 24 hours a day, water-borne ambulances from the Venice’s hospital can lend assistance in any point of the city. Marco Citon is the coordinator of pilots of the medical urgency and emergency Service.
Like arrows hovering on the Lagoon. Water ambulances, with heir load of hopes, are the fastest boats navigating the canals of Venice. To tame the 200 hp of these boats, equipped for mobile accident unit on the lagoon, able pilots are needed, who are perfectly familiar with the morphological structure of Venice and its lagoon, and who are capable of taking to destination medical personnel at any time and under any type of weather. Full Story
Business
A new ecosystem for innovation
Transforming savings into financings through “private equity” or “joint ventures” for the expansion of innovative companies. USA ambassador Spogli promotes Italy-USA projects of exchange, because the Silicon Valley model is replicable.
“The key element for creating a new ecosystem favorable to risk capital is represented by the development of new capital funds in the private sector.” It was stated by the American Ambassador Ronald P. Spogli at the summit “Partnership for Growth” organized by the American Embassy at Vega, the scientific technological center of Venice, in cooperation with the Metadistretto Digital Mediale. Full Story
Dossier
Tsunami Brunetta
Renato Brunetta, Minister for Public Administration, is urged by the private sector to restart the engine of the Italian Public Administration. Bonuses and incentives for those who produce, disciplinary measures for those just warming-up their chair.
The ‘Fantozzi’, an Italian film character of a clumsy and unlucky clerk, dwelling inside every state employee, even at its starting stage, is about to face hard times. Our civil servants will not be able to read the “Gazzetta dello Sport” anymore under the desk and pretend to be working, have his or her time card stamped by a colleague or go for a medical visit. Goodbye to the “fannulloni”, (loafers), dragging their feet until the 27th of every month for their salaries. Full Story
Culture
Journeys of Cultural Tourism between Venice and New York
The desire for traveling and investing in “culture of the art” fosters a gradual approach between the two cities. A project with a goal to strengthen the artistic identity status of Venice and New York.
A museum, a foundation, or an exhibition space hold within not just the passion and enthusiasm of the tourist or lover of works of art, but also the pleasure and excitement that very often find their specific basis in the exclusive places we cross or come upon during our trip. Thus, every trip stands out just as much as every moment of time we spend in that chosen, desired or recalled location: every exhibit we visit, every attraction in which we spend our time in, every space we experience up-close bring moments of contact often very suggestive and destined to become a baggage of emotions Full Story
Culture
Mickey-Mouse among Calli and Campielli
Giorgio Cavazzano, one of the most famous Disney’s artists in the world, tells about his world of ducks and mice.
There is a world made of dreams, magic and imaginations. Stories drawn on white sheets of paper impregnated with the scent of ink, but with enough power to put wings on imagination. For some of us they are the comics, for others, like Sergio Monelli, the most important and influential Italian publisher of comics says, they are “talking clouds”. The little world of an hour of reading, transporting us out of reality, while seated on a sofa or lying down on a bed.
They are the comic strips, whose stories of adventures, imagination, or just an amusement covered in Italy and America as one of the largest producing and consuming countries. Full Story
Culture
“It’s the Press, champ”
In Washington, halfway between the Capitol Hill and the White House, the “Newseum” has been raised, a temple dedicated to the media, to celebrate information and its heroes.
The biggest interactive museum dedicated to journalism and media has been raised right in the middle of Washington D.C.: the “Newseum”. The 60,000 square meter structure was planned by the architect James Polshek at a cost of $450 million dollars, entirely collected from private investors. The front of the building is dominated by a huge 50 ton marble plaque reproducing, in big block letters, the First Amendment of the US Constitution. Full Story
