NOTIZIE ITALIANE

O n November 8 Italy‟s Minister for Interna-tional Trade and European Policies, Hon.

Emma Bonino (photo), paid a short but concen-

trated visit to Israel where, together with Israeli

Finance Minister Avraham Hirchson and Cen-

tral Bank Governor Stanley Fisher, was a key-

note speaker at the Prime Minister‟s Conference. Minister Bonino‟s visit coincided with the Israel Gateway 2006 entrepre-neurial conference and

exhibition where she visited the stand of the Italian Business Desk, which includes the Em-bassy‟s Commercial

office together with the Scientific Attaché, the

Italian Trade Commis-sion (ICE) and the Israel-Italy Chamber of Com-merce.

On the sidelines of the Prime Minister‟s Confer-ence Ms. Bonino held bilateral talks with For-eign Minister Tzipi

Livni and Vice Premier

Shimon Peres The Minister‟s day

concluded with a work-ing dinner at the Italian Residence, organized by Ambassador Sandro De Bernardin, which in-cluded the participation of an influential group of Israeli entrepreneurs and investors. Minister Bon-ino spoke to the group about opportunities for

investments in Italy and confirmed that a priority component of Italy‟s relations with Israel, and the Mid-dle East region generally, is to

promote strong economic and commercial relations. In the context of her presentation at the Prime Minister‟s Conference, the Minister then dwelt on the details of Italy‟s commercial ties with Israel, which have increased by 10.8% over the last year to a

total of approximately $2.5bn. interchange annually. Interestingly, of the three major Italian export sectors, fashion, food and mechanical engineering, it is the latter, together with the chemicals sector, that in Israel reported a significant increase in volume.<>

Trade Minister Emma Bonino visiting the stand

of the Italian Business Desk at Gateway 2006

Newsletter of the Emba ssy of Ita ly in Isra e l No. 43 December 2006

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on visit to Rome

P remier Ehud Olmert‟s official visit to Rome on December 13 was characterized by a

crowded schedule of meetings that included an

audience with Pope Benedict XVI and talks with

Italy‟s President Giorgio Napolitano (below),

Prime Minister Romano Prodi (right) and Dep-

uty Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mas-

simo D‟Alema

Mr. Olmert held an extended discussion with President Giorgio Napolitano, which was fol-lowed by a bilateral summit with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and Deputy Prime Min-ister and Foreign Minister Massimo D’Alema. These talks were characterized by a substantial

convergence of opinions on the major questions that afflict the Middle East such as restarting talks with the Palestinians, support for the Lebanese government and condemnation of demonstrations

of extreme anti-Semitism by the Iranian leadership.

Prime Minister Prodi greeted his Israeli guest as “a friend of

Italy who is strongly committed to advancing in maintaining peace and stability in the re-gion” and urged Mr. Olmert to “restart talks as soon as possi-ble” with Abu Mazen, the Pal-estinian President. In response PM Olmert explained that the

Israeli Government “is fully committed to advancing the peace process with the Pales-tinians on the basis of the Road Map,” and confirmed Israel‟s intention to “create the conditions for modest but rapid steps to improve the quality of life in Gaza and the West Bank.”

Italy and Israel are in full agreement on Leba-non, as corroborated by PM Prodi, who underlined that the two governments share the same objec-tives “to protect the independence and national infrastructure of Lebanon and to assist its govern-ment through its period of difficulty.” PM Olmert thanked Italy for its “huge effort”, to support the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, and for

its presence in UNIFIL. The two leaders also unanimously condemned

the Iranian initiative to deny the Holocaust, which PM Prodi mentioned with “scorn and total disdain.”

Prime Minister Olmert then held discussions with Foreign Minis-

ter Massimo D’Alema on themes related to the peace proc-

ess, and assured his host of his readiness to restart negotiations with the Palestinians, but ex-pressed skepticism on the possi-bility of forming a unity govern-ment which would accept the three principles outlined by the Quartet. PM Olmert also re-

peated that Israel is ready to make significant concessions to establish a climate of peace. He also confirmed that the best way forward is to proceed with mod-

est steps and, in any case, expressed Israel‟s will-ingness to make important concessions to Presi-dent Abbas within the framework of a well de-

fined political horizon. Following the talks with PM Olmert, Foreign Minister D‟Alema noted that “without doubt Israel is making new moves which demonstrate its will-ingness to restart talks [with the Palestinians].”

Mr. Olmert concluded his day in Rome at a meeting with representatives from the capital‟s Jewish community, where he spoke of his satis-

faction with the talks in Italy and about different aspects of life in Israel, a country rich in eco-nomic, scientific and technological develop-ment.<>

Italian Int’l. Trade Minister Bonino attends Prime Minister’s Conference

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with Italian

President Giorgio Napolitano

Warm greetings between Israeli PM Ehud

Olmert and Italian PM Romano Prodi

NOTIZIE ITALIANE December 2006

2

Israeli PM visits Rome p.1

Minister Bonino attends PM‟s Conference p.1

Parliamentary delegation visits Israel p.2

Italian Day in Nazareth p.2

Pasta for the troops p.2

A language with taste p.3

Trenchless technologies p.3

Strengthening ties with Rimini p.4

Skin ageing and sun safety p.4

Conference on desertification p.4

Italian-Israeli oncology seminar p.4

Weizmann Institute honors Jeanne Nissim p.5

Marketing Italian tourism to Israel p.5

Technologies to protect the environment p.5

Meet my country p.5

Prestigious award for Calò Livné p.6

Israelis flock to Fellini retrospective p.6

Rome awards prize to David Grossman p.6

Salesian Coadjutor, 1906-2006 p.6

Giordano Ensemble p.6

Events in Israel p.7

Events at the Nahon Museum p.7

Events in Italy p.8

Italian Trade Fair Calendar p.8

Edited by:

The Embassy of Italy in Israel (Economic and Commercial Office)

Trade Tower, 25 Hamered Street, Tel

Aviv 68125

Tel: 03-516.1744 Fax: 03-516.1755 www.ambitelaviv.esteri.it sportellounico.telaviv@esteri.it

Pasta for the troops

T he proprietors of Tel Aviv‟s „Il Pastaio‟ restaurant have offered to send 100kg. of

fresh pasta (“so they can feel at home”) to Italian

troops stationed with UNIFIL on the Lebanese

border. Although highly appreciated by Italian

authorities the gesture was not realized because

of logistical difficulties.

Speaking for himself and on behalf of Italian authorities Ambassador Sandro De Bernardin expressed his profound thanks and appreciation to

Mosè and Vittoria Eskenazi of „Il Pastaio‟, who proposed the idea. This worthy initiative and the couple‟s warm attachment to Italy “underlines in a very concrete way the high regard felt by many in Israel for Italy‟s efforts to promote peace in the region,” added the Ambassador.<>

the residents of the city during these difficult times. The Mayor warmly thanked the delegation for its expressions of solidarity,

and Italy for its demonstrated sensitivity to local issues, recall-ing how officials in Rome and Tuscany organized visits to Italy by Israeli youth during the war last summer. President Ranieri confirmed the friendly ties that unite Italy and

Israel and underlined Italy‟s and the EU‟s commitment to peace initiatives aimed at restarting talks with the Palestinians and neighboring states. Italy‟s con-tribution in this regard is best expressed through its member-

ship of UNIFIL and EUBAM, continued Ranieri,

who further affirmed that peace efforts by the international community, led by the Quartet and including the essential support of moderate Arab states, are proceeding in the right direction.

Mr. Ranieri also invited the President of the Knesset‟s Foreign Affairs and Defense Commit-tee, Tzahi Hanegbi, to visit Rome. Accepting the invitation, Hanegbi agreed to organize the visit as

soon as possible.<>

A delegation from the

Commission on

Foreign and European

Affairs of the Italian

Chamber of Deputies, led

by its President Umberto

Ranieri, accompanied by

Members of Parliament

Dario Rivolta and Pietro

Mercenaro, visited Israel

on November 20-22. The

delegation held meetings

with Vice Premier Shimon

Peres and with Deputy

Defense Minister Ephraim

Sneh, as well as with its

counterpart commission in

the Knesset. At Yad Vashem, where

members of the mission laid a wreath in memory

of Holocaust victims (photo), the delegation met with families of soldiers captured during the recent war in Lebanon and then took part in a luncheon organized by Ambassador Sandro De Bernardin

that included members of Comites, the association of Italians living abroad.

Members of the delegation also visited Sderot, where they met with Mayor Eli Moyal and articu-

lated their and the Italian people‟s solidarity with

Italian day in Nazareth

A study day on Italy was held in Nazareth on

October 28, within in the framework of the

Italian Language Week, organized by the Em-

bassy and the Italian Cultural Institute of Haifa,

directed by Edoardo Crisafulli Religious and civilian officials

in Nazareth took part in the realiza-tion of the study day, including the Mayor, Ramez Jaraise, the Bishop of the city, Monsignor Giacinto

Marcuzzo, and the official in charge of the city‟s White Mosque,

Fahoum. Particularly active in the organization of the event was Sharif Amedi, Cultural Advisor to the Mayor of Nazareth.

The idea behind the initiative was to underline Italy‟s strong commitment to and appreciation of Israel‟s Arab citizens, concentrated mainly in the north of the country, in ways similar

to the events held in Beersheba last March 21, which was also intended to reach out to the local Bedouin community.

During the course of the day Ambassador Sandro De Bernardin, wishing to reinforce Italy‟s engagement in Nazareth and the surround-ing areas, met with local authorities, university officials, Arab intellectuals as well as a significant

cross-section of local business leaders. The idea was to give new impulse to the teaching of the Italian language as well as to the promotion of cultural activities in the area. The Ambassador

also recalled the Italian Hospital in Nazareth, the pride of Italy‟s activities in the area, which in 2007 will celebrate its 125th anniversary. In his comments the Mayor of Nazareth underlined the deep ties that unite the Galilee region with Italy. The local Arab community,

continued the Mayor, appreciates Italy‟s position on peace and dia-

logue in the Middle East and hopes to expand its ties with Italy to include more economic and

cultural activities. During the course of the day Ambassador De

Bernardin inaugurated a series of events that

included the opening of the exhibition Between Art and Faith, a conference by Prof. Sergio Guat-

teschi on the theme of Italian Culture and Gas-tronomy, as well as a performance of “Pulcinella e Teresina”, a puppet show presented at the “Diwan El Lajun” theater by Neapolitans Bruno Leone and Cristina Quadrio. The day concluded with the screening of Fellini‟s Amarcord <>

Ambassador Sandro De Bernardin with

Ramez Jaraise, Mayor of Nazareth

Italian parliamentary delegation visits Israel

NOTIZIE ITALIANE December 2006

3

fered, starting with two lectures by Rai journalist Guido Barendson on the evolution of Italian taste that initiated the events of the „Week‟. Similar

successes were accorded to the recital of Jewish-Italian songs on gastronomic themes by singer Miriam Meghnagi, held in Beersheba, which included the presence of several local dignitaries, and the performances of Italian actor Mario Ma-

ranzana, one of those was organised for AMITEI ITALIA Association. The week of Italian Lan-guage actively involved Italian lecturers and pro-

fessors at the Israeli Universities, such as Cristina

Rattinghieri, Maria Grazia Guidetti and Profes-sor Sandra Debenedetti from Bar Ilan University. The celebrations were also extended to Beit Wizo Italia, the Cultural Center supported by Wizo Italia, where the Ambassador inaugurated a new branch of the library with 130 volumes donated by

the Italian Foreign

Ministry, and to the Or Ye-huda Center of Libyan Jews, where a conf-e r e n c e w a s held on a com-parison between

Italian and Lybian culinary tradi-tions. The concluding

event of the “Week”, which actually lasted for two weeks, was the gala celebration of Italian cuisine held at the Raphael restaurant in Tel Aviv which featured the creations of master chefs Rafi Cohen and Luigi Ferrara. A large crowd that included

many of Israel‟s leading political, business and cultural leaders attended the two evenings.<>

T he Week of Italian Language, dedicated

this year to the theme of Food and Festivity

in Italian Language and Culture, took place

from October 22 to November 2 and included

over 20 events throughout Israel. Organized by the Italian Cultural Institutes of

Tel Aviv and Haifa the carefully articulated pro-gram, engaging a large and diverse public, lasted far longer than the allotted period and stimulated a considerable amount of media attention.

Participating in the densely packed program,

which included literary and musical events, films, social gatherings and celebrations of Italian cui-sine, were prominent Italian chefs, actors, journal-ists, literary personalities, scholars as well as assorted Israeli friends of Italy. Although most of the events took place in the three large cities, activities were also held in Or Yehuda and several kibbutzim, where participants included representa-

tives from differ-ent ethnic groups such as Jews of Libyan origin and Arab Is-raelis.

In charge of this large and

complex project was Simonetta

Della Seta , Director of the Italian Cultural Insti-tute, with the support of the Embassy‟s Commercial Office, the Foreign Trade Institute and the Israel-Italy Chamber of Commerce, augmented by assistance from the

staffs of the Accademia della Cucina Italiana, the Dante Alighieri Society, the Museum of Italian

Jewish Art in Jerusalem, the Italian Immigrants Association Olei Italia, the Amitei Italia

Association, Beit Wizo Italia and Alitalia. The central event at the reception hosted at the Italian Residence by Ambassador Sandro De Bernardin on October 26 included the perform-ance of three versions of the Song of the Creatures of St. Francis. The

first, in musical form, was performed by the Efroni choir, a mixed chorus of Jewish, Christian and Arab Is-raelis, while the second and third

versions were recited in Hebrew and Arabic by well known Israeli actors Alex Ansky and Selim

Dau. During the evening Ambassador De Bernar-din also bestowed awards on several Israelis who have been particularly active in the promotion of

Italian language and culture in Israel. Hundreds participated at the various events of-

Italian chef Gigi Ferrara (left),

with Israeli chef Rafi Cohen

A Language with taste

Ambassador Sandro De Bernardin with Ms. Claudia

Amati, Director of the Italian Immigrants’ Association Olei

Italia, on the occasion of the donation of books by the MFA

to Beit Wizo

Simonetta Della Seta with actor

Mario Maranzana

I taly was strongly represented at the „Israel Business Conference‟ organized by Globes

newspaper on December 9-11. Opening the

conference was Ambassador Umberto Vattani,

President of Italy‟s Foreign Trade Commission

(ICE), who spoke of the „Made in Italy‟ system

and the potential for collaboration with Israel in

various sectors and competencies. Ambassador Vattani, together with Ambassador

Sandro De Bernardin, also participated in a technology seminar organized by the ICE on the subject of „Trenchless technologies in a Middle

Eastern perspective‟. A number of the most im-portant Israeli public works contracting and engi-neering companies such as Israel Electric Corpora-tion, Mekorot Water Company and NTA attended the event with enthusiasm. Known also as NO DIG, the term „trenchless technologies‟ refers to a group of techniques that enable engineers to install, replace, rehabilitate,

renovate, repair and inspect utility lines such as telecommunications, gas, water, electricity and drainage, with minimum excavation from the ground surface.

The aim of the seminar, which formed part of an agreement between ICE and IATT (Italian Association for Trenchless Technology), was to explore opportunities for collaboration with Israeli companies active in the field. Israel is expected to increase its investments in this important sector and Italian enterprises, with their industrial capacity and

know how, wish to participate in this develop-ment. “We aim to open a new front for Made in Italy, where technological components and logistic flexibility meet in respect of the environment and the need to contain costs,” stated IATT President, Paolo Trombetti (Telecom Italia SpA).

Sergio Bianchi (Didachè Srl), the project coordinator and MEDA area expert, highlighted

how Israeli companies, which over the past few years have shown great effi-ciency in the public work sector, could, in partnership with Italian companies,

develop significant opportunities for joint expansion in the Mediterranean basin provided they are able to correctly evaluate opportunities offered by Italy for diversification of their investment

funds and venture capital, allowing them to free themselves from reliance on the real estate sector.

In September 2007 the Italian Association for Trenchless Technology will host the MEDI-TERRANEAN NO DIG International Confer-ence and Exhibition in Rome "for a sustainable world.” Seminars on the subject have also been organized in Cairo and Tripoli for the first quarter of 2007.

www.no-dig2007.com

Trenchless technologies in a Middle Eastern perspective

NOTIZIE ITALIANE December 2006

4

A n important international conference on the

theme of „Deserts and Desertification:

Challenges and Opportunities,‟ was held at Ben

Gurion University on November 6-9. The conference was organized in collaboration

with UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) and constitutes the first time that the UN has sponsored an academic/scientific initiative in Israel.

Around one hundred delegates from thirty countries attended the event to discuss the prob-lems of aridity in the world and to evaluate tech-

nological responses to combat desertification, a problem of enormous global significance. The decision to hold this important meeting in Israel is a unanimous acknowledgment of the country‟s leadership role over the years in combating deser-tification and aridity.

Italian representation at the event came within the framework of the agreement on industrial,

scientific and technological cooperation, and included a high level delegation led by Dr. Mauri-

zio Sciortino (ENEA) and Guido Bonati (INEA), both of whom chaired important sessions on the “Impact of climate change on drylands” and “Globalization, agri-business and desertification”.

The presence of the Italian delegation enabled the parties to evaluate the results of ongoing pro-

jects and to program possible areas of collabora-tion within the context of the EU‟s VIIth Frame-work Program for Research and Development. <>

Strengthening ties with Rimini

O ver the last few months the Israel-Italy

Chamber of Commerce and Industry has

strengthened its already long lasting relations

with RiminiFiera by the promotion in Israel of

SUN, the International Exhibition of Outdoor

Furnishing and Equipment (October 13-15), and

ECOMONDO, the International Trade Fair on

Material and Energy Recovery and Sustainable

Development (November 8-11).

The Israel-Italy Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute and the Embassy of Israel in Rome, sent an important delegation of Israeli companies in these innovative

fields, some of them members of the Chamber, to participate as visitors and exhibitors at the two events. Due to the international nature of these exhibitions, which hosted delegations from over 18 different countries, particular success was registered from business meetings organized between companies sharing complementary inter-ests.

Matching 2006

I sraeli companies in various fields were invited by the

Compagnia Delle Opere or-ganization to participate in Matching 2006, an important workshop for small and me-

dium enterprises that took place in the new exhibition grounds of

Milan on November 21-23. The Israel-Italy Chamber of Commerce and Industry was entrusted with promotion of the fair in Israel and worked closely with the offices of Compagnia delle Opere in Jerusalem to encourage Israeli companies to participate at the event.

The organizers of the fair in Milan scheduled business meetings between the Israeli visitors and

their Italian counterparts.<>

www.italcham.org.il

Conference on deserts and desertification

Skin ageing and sun safety

O n December 5 Ambassador Sandro De

Bernardin opened the scientific conference

on “Integration of new technologies in cosmetics

in preventing skin ageing and sun safety” in Tel

Aviv. The conference

was organized by the Embassy within the framework of the Italian Israeli Agree-ment on Industrial, Scientific and Tech-

nology Cooperation and saw the participa-tion of a large number of Italian and Israeli experts in the field. These included aca-demic representatives from universities in Siena, Ferrara and Rome as

well as from organizations such as FEDER-CHIMICA (which represents 1330 Italian compa-nies in 17 sector categories), UNIPRO and leading Italian enterprises involved in cosmetics research.

The Israeli delegation included envoys from MATIMOP, Ben Gurion University, Hadassah-Hebrew University as well as from several leading enterprises.

The conference was intended as a forum for the exchange of ideas be-tween major Italian and Israeli operators on the use of cosmetic products in therapeutic protocols, to demonstrate their effective-ness in dermatological

treatments and to “promote technical innovation and carry out studies and pro-jects which inspire and legitimize entrepreneurial choice.” A series of business meet-

ings were held on the sidelines of the conference

between operators, which contributed to a more accurate image of the chemical industry and under-lined the importance of technology transfer and technical progress across the sector. <>

Italian-Israeli oncology seminar

O n December 13 a delegation of specialists

from Italy‟s Regina Elena Institute, led by

the Director of the Institutes of Hospital Physio-

therapists (IFO) Marino Nonis, took part in the

third meeting between Italy and Israel aimed at

an exchange of transnational progress in clinical

research in the field of oncology (study of tu-

mors). Organized by the Embassy and opened by

Ambassador Sandro De Bernardin, the seminar was intended to reinforce collaboration between the IFO and Israeli centers such as the Weizmann

Institute and the Chaim Sheba Medical Center, the country‟s foremost oncology organization.

The seminar, the second to be held in Haifa in collaboration with the Rambam Health Care Cam-pus‟ Department of Oncology and its Director Prof. Abraham Kuten, examined recent clinical developments in colon, liver and lung tumor re-search. Israeli expertise in this field has always

attracted young Italian researchers, many of whom take courses at the Weizmann Institute. “Israel is not only a nation at war,” explained Dr. Giovanni

Blandino, scientific advisor of the event and Director of Rome‟s Oncogenomic Center (ROC), “but a place rich in scientific research, particularly in genomics.”<> www.ifo.it

NOTIZIE ITALIANE December 2006

5

Technologies to protect the environment

the Institute. Ambassador Sandro De Bernardin and his

wife Anna De Bernardin were both present at this important event in recogni-

tion of Mrs Nissim‟s warm, long-standing and treasured friendship for the Weizmann Institute of Science, and for her commitment and tireless en-ergy to expand and nurture the Institute‟s network of support-ers in Italy, sustaining its

fruitful collaborative venture with the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research. As President of the Negri-

Weizmann Committee, her commitment to scientific cooperation at both Institutions has led to long-lasting friendships and fruitful ventures in the area of cancer, transplantation biology and the neurosciences. <>

E ach year, during the International Board of

Governors meeting of the Weizmann Insti-

tute of Science, the Scientific Council confers the

title of Ph. D. Honoris Causa

upon several individuals whose

actions and achievements in a

number of fields have made

them worthy of this honor. Among this year‟s honorees

is Mrs. Jeanne Nissim, one of the pillar‟s of support of the Institute‟s activities both in

Israel and in her native Italy, where she has devoted much of her time and energies to the Weizmann Institute‟s Milan Committee of Friends. As its energetic and spir-ited leader, she has worked ceaselessly to promote the Institute among friends and acquaintances in Italy, and has introduced major Italian donors to

Weizmann Institute honors Jeanne Nissim

Italian company to market tour packages to Israel

T he Israeli Ministry of Tourism, in col-

laboration with „Turisanda‟, has agreed

to an important initiative to increase the flow of

Italian tourists to Israel

Italian tour operator Turisanda has selected Israel as its preferred destination for 2007 and will begin a mas-sive campaign to mar-ket Israel to Italian travelers. Turisanda is

one of Italy's biggest tour companies, spe-cializing in high-end leisure travel and educational tours. Turi-sanda will sell tour packages to Israel through a network of 4,000 travel agents throughout Italy, about 500 of whom

recently visited Israel on a fact finding tour.

The Italian visitors were welcomed by Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog and Ambassador Sandro

De Bernardin during the course of a gala dinner on December 7. Anticipating the group‟s arrival

the Italian Cultural Institute organized a brief course in Italian, complete with a spe-cially prepared diction-ary and menu in Ital-ian, for hotel workers where members of the

group were lodged. The contacts with Turisanda are part of the Israeli Tourism

Ministry's wider strategy to broaden Israel's appeal

beyond traditional markets. Between January and October of this year, about 60,000 Italian tourists

visited Israel, a rise of 75 per cent over last year. <>

Ambassador Sandro De Bernardin with Israeli Tourism

Minister Isaac Herzog and a representative from Turisanda

Meet my country

O n November 7 Mrs. Anna De Bernardin,

the Ambassador‟s wife, hosted a meeting

at the Italian Residence of the International

Women‟s Club, on the theme „Meet My Coun-

try‟, dedicated on this occasion to the discovery

of Italy, in particular Sicily. “I decided to devote the meeting to Sicily”, explained Mrs. De Bernardin, “because it is one of Italy‟s most beautiful regions and still largely unknown to Israelis. The island‟s clear skies, bright sunshine and mild weather add to the image

of Sicily as the „Paradise of the Mediterranean‟,

offering deep, clear seas, a coast-line rich in unend-ing discoveries,

history, culture, rich artistic heritage and the pas-sion of people who have been protagonists of countless historical events.”

Over 120 guests attended the event, which included a documentary film describing the attrac-tions of Sicily and a wide variety of traditional Sicilian dishes, which guests were able to enjoy accompanied by a live performance of traditional

Sicilian music. <>

www.regione.sicilia.it

Mrs. Jeanne Nissim with Prof. Ilan Chet,

former President of the Weizmann Institute

T he Italo-Israeli Forum on new technolo-

gies for environmental protection took

place in Tel Aviv last November 8.

Organized by the Embassy within the frame-

work of the Bilateral Agreement on Industrial,

Scientific and Technological Collaboration, and

with the cooperation of MATIMOP and the

Trento Region‟s Industrial Development Agency,

the event attracted a large crowd that included

scientific and business leaders from both coun-

tries. On the Italian side participants included Dr.

Patrizia Ballardini (advisor to the Trento Devel-

opment Agency), Dr. Mauro Casotto (Vice-

President of the Trento Development Agency and

responsible for its industrial incubator) and Eng.

Luca Capra (Manager of the Green Tech Village

in Bolzano).

The event, characterized by its business-like

approach, included the participation of leading

Israeli companies as well as the Israel Export &

International Cooperation Institute.

The principal aim of the Forum was to pre-

pare the ground for future collaborative research

projects and to establish conditions for out and out

industrial cooperation. If Israel can consider itself

at the forefront of developments in research and

technology for this important sector, Italy, with an

economic system based on skills and know how

and a natural affinity for sustainable development,

could translate the needs of this market into viable

business propositions.

Particular interest was shown at the Forum

for the recently constituted collaboration between

Heidi S.p.A. of Trento, part of the BIC incubator

in Rovereto, and the Israeli National Water Com-

pany Mekorot. With a balance sheet of over $2bn.

and a strong commitment to the development of

new technologies, Mekorot is at the vanguard of

Israel‟s struggle against aridity and desertification.

Enormous progress has been reported in this field,

such as the investments made in “reverse osmo-

sis” and in the remote control of irrigation sys-

tems. The latter field is the area of partnership

proposed by the agreement between Mekorot and

Heidi S.p.A Participants at the Forum also ex-

pressed great interest in the activities of Habitech,

Trento‟s environmental energy district, which

could be the focus of future cooperative initia-

tives. <>

NOTIZIE ITALIANE December 2006

6

Prestigious award to Angelica and Yehuda Calò Livné

arts, the theatre, workshops and personal encounters. Based in the Galilee region but operating throughout the country, the Foun-

dation offers multicultural work-shops for young people from different countries and ethnic origins, such as the touching „Bread for Peace‟ initiative, which was held simultaneously in three locations in Italy (Rome, Varese and Milan) and in the Palestinian

Authority (Betania). Another highlight of the Foundation‟s activities in 2006 was the presentation of Pinocchio‟s adventures, performed in Hebrew, Arabic and Italian, by young people from the group. This month the theater company of “Beresheet Lashalom” will be on a tour

of Italian schools with a new show based on the diaries of Anne Frank (“Anne in the Sky”), which will be performed as part of the program for the Holocaust „Day of Memory‟ held on January 27.

Angelica and Yehuda Calò Livné are also in charge of all activities for children organized by the Italian Cultural Institute, including the Italian

summer camp for kids, which recently celebrated its third successful year of operation.<>

T he Senate of the Cart-

ago International

Academy has awarded its

annual prize to Dr. Angelica

Calò Livné and her husband

Yehuda Calò Livné. The

award ceremony was held in

Trani on August 27 in the

presence of an international

public. The prestigious Cartago

Academy Prize is awarded in

recognition of those who have contrib-uted in an extraordinary way to social and cultural development in Italy and abroad; recognition and distinction for developing and carrying out plans for social and educational advancement among different peoples and cultures, research and development in various

fields for the good of society, for de-veloping social justice, equality among human beings, human freedom and peace and brother-hood between peoples.

The 2006 prize was awarded to Angelica and Yehuda Calò Livné for their work as “Educators for peace through the arts”. The “Beresheet Lasha-lom” (“A Start toward Peace”) Foundation, which

the couple founded and manages, was established to teach tolerance and mutual respect through the

Israelis flock to Fellini retrospective

T he retrospective of all 24

films made by the great

Federico Fellini, held in the

cinematheques of Jerusalem,

Tel Aviv and Haifa and organ-

ized by the Italian Cultural

Institute with support from

Cinecitta‟ International, was a resounding suc-

cess with the public, which demanded and re-

ceived extra screenings of several of the films.

As a result of considerable media attention, Israeli cinema enthusiasts crowded box offices and many who were unable to gain entry to the films insisted on extra screenings, which were duly provided by

the organizers. Further retrospectives of films by celebrated Italian directors such as Visconti, Rossellini and Risi are planned for the future.<>

T he „Ensemble Umberto Giordano‟ composed of an

Italian piano trio and two singers,

presented a pair of highly successful

stagings of their show “All‟Opera dopo l‟Opera,”

a revew of music from the salons in 19th century

Italy, to enthusiastic audiences in Haifa and Tel

Aviv. The Ensemble performed a selection of famous

Italian arias including original paraphrases taken from operas such as Elisir d'Amore, Norma and Barbiere di Siviglia, as well as music by the

group‟s namesake, Umberto Giordano. The concert, attended by a large and enthusias-

tic crowd, was organized by Dr. Lucio Izzo of the Italian Cultural Institute, in cooperation with the Municipality of Foggia and the Puglia Region, who sponsored the event. The tour was part of a three year project which, starting in Israel, will extend the Puglia region‟s cultural contacts with

six countries, from Israel to China, following the course of the ancient trade route known tradition-ally as the Silk Road.<>

Salesian coadjutor, 1906-2006

A mong the many ties that unite Italy and

Israel are those of the religious commu-

nity that lives and works in the Holy Land. In

this context it is our sad duty to report the death

of the Salesian Coadjutor, Vittorio Urbani, at

his home in Bet Gemal on November 18, at the

age of 100 years, 7 months and 10 days.

Mr. Urbani was born in Valdango (VI) in

1906, was introduced to the Salesian way of life during his military service after which, in 1933, he emigrated to the Holy Land, where he re-mained until his last day (in Cremisan for 28 years, thereafter in Bet Gemal).

An expert horticulturist, for the orchard at Cremisan and the cereals, grapes and olives at

Bet Gemal, Mr Urbino pursued a life of simplic-ity, joy in work and prayer.<>

Rome awards author David Grossman

T he Israeli author David Grossman has been

awarded the Rome Prize 2006 humanitar-

ian award “for his prolific commitment in favor

of peace, dialogue, mutual knowledge and faith

between Israelis and Palestinians.” The award was conferred on the Israeli author

by President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano

on December 21 at a gala Christmas concert at Rome‟s Santa Cecilia Academy. “For all of us,” affirmed Mayor of Rome Walter Veltroni, “Grossman is an inspiring example of hope for the way in which he has interpreted his role as author

and intellectual in his country.”<>

Giordano Ensemble

NOTIZIE ITALIANE December 2006

7

Jews of Rome Dec. 31 – Jan. 3, Jerusalem

International conference and exhibition dedicated to the Jewish community of Rome, the oldest in

Europe, inside and outside the ghetto during its moments of grandeur and desolation. International conference will include Riccardo Di Segni (Chief Rabbi of Rome); Rabbi Roberto Della Rocca (Educational Director, UCEI); Prof. Francesco Lucrezi, University of Salerno; Profs. Mauro Zonta, Eugenio Sonnino and Daniel Spizzichino of La Sapienza University, Rome; and Claudio Procaccia, Archivist of Rome‟s Jewish

community.

musical performances. In celebration of the open-ing of Hillel street after its renovation, events will follow in an atmosphere inspired by the Carnival of Venice, including a parade of masked actors, a

sound and light show and side attractions. Unfor-gettable evenings for the entire family.

Israel: a lawless state? Aspects

of Israeli democracy Jan 8, 20.00

Debate with Profs. Tania Groppi, Suzie Navot and Andrea Lattes, co-authors of the book The Consti-tutional System in Israel (edited by T. Groppi, E.

Ottolenghi, A. M. Rabello, Giappichelli – Turin, 2006) Moderator: Prof. Alfredo Mordechai Rabello. The debate will be held in Italian.

Purim at the Museum Feb. 4, 5

Exhibition of Megilot Esther from the museum‟s collection, accompanied by activities for children

including a „Happening‟ in Venetian style and

in a co-production with Teatro Regio of Turin, El Teatro Real of Madrid and the Theatre du Capitole in Toulouse.

Tel. 03-6927777

Italian Pavilion at the Jerusalem International Book Fair Feb. 18 – 23, Jerusalem

The Italian stand at the Jeru-

salem International Book

Fair will serve as a focal point

extending the already active

and lively culture of literary

exchange between authors, editors and

readers from the two countries. Alberto

Moravia and Oriana Fallaci will be the

subject of special commemorations.

Among the guests of the ICI will be Alain

Elkann, Erri De Luca and Enrico Men-

tana.

Concert of guitar music Feb. 27, Tel Aviv

The guitarist Emanuele Segre will perform with the Israel Sinfonietta of Beersheba conducted by Doron Salomon. On the program Rodrigo‟s Concierto de Aranjuez and H. Villa-Lobos‟s Concerto pour guitare et petite orchestre.

Tel. 6077000

Events at the Museum of Italian Jewish Art

27, Hillel St., Jerusalem, Tel: 02-624.1610 Fax: 02-625.3480 www.jija.org jija@netvision.net.il

Jews of Rome Dec. 31 – Jan. 3, Jerusalem

International conference and exhibition dedicated to the Jewish community of Rome, the oldest in

Europe, inside and outside the ghetto during its moments of grandeur and desolation. (see below)

www.ybz.org.il Tel. 02-5398844

Moshe Pinhassi: Barefoot on the dunes of Leptis Jan. 4 – Feb. 28, Rishon Lezion

Exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Moshe Pinhassi opens on January 4 at 18.30 in the pres-ence of Ehud Gross, Director of the Rishon

LeZion Cultural Center, and Simonetta Della Seta, Director of the ICI.

Tel. 03-9484800

Verdi’s ‘Il Trovatore’ Jan. 11 – 27, Tel Aviv

The story of Count Luna and Leonora‟s love for

the mysterious troubador goes on stage for the first time at the Israel Opera. Massimiliano Stefanelli conducts, with Piero Giuliacci as Manrico and Annalisa Raspigliosi in the role of Leonora.

Tel. 03-692777

Israel Camerata Jan. 16-22

The Israel Camerata Orchestra conducted by Rinaldo Alessandrini, on tour in Israel with the

Events in Israel Italian

Cultural

Institute

Tel:

03-5161361

Philharmonia Singers directed by Ronen Bor-shevsky and soloists Veronica Winter and Ivan Ludlow. On the program: A. Corelli - Concerto Grosso in D, J. S. Bach - Cantata BWV 47, G.

Fauré – Requiem. Tues. 16/1, 20.30, Wix Auditorium, Rehovot Wed. 17/1, 20.30, Rappaport Hall, Haifa Thurs. 18/1, 20.30, Cultural Center, Petach Tikva Fri. 19/1, 14.00, Museum of Art, Tel Aviv Sat. 20/1, 20.30, Museum of Art, Tel Aviv Sun. 21/1, 20.30, Museum of Art, Tel Aviv Mon. 22/1, 21.00, Henry Crown Hall, Jerusalem

Trade Fairs and Studies expo Jan. 24, 25, 28, Tel Aviv

The Italian Cultural Institute will share a stand with the French Institute, the Goethe Institute, the Cervantes Institute and the Dutch Embassy Tel. 03-5161361; 03-6736400

www.israel-trade-fairs.com

Day of Memory Jan. 31, Jerusalem

Presentation at Yad Vashem of the definitive „History of the Shoah‟, published by UTET, with contributions by over 50 Italian and foreign schol-ars. Speakers will include Prof. Marcello Flores (University of Siena), Prof. Simon Levis Sullam

(Ca‟ Foscari University of Venice) and Dr. Sergio Colleoni (Managing Director of UTET). Also present will be Ambassador Sandro De Bernardin and Prof. David Bankiz of Yad Vashem.

Opera: Tales of Hoffman Feb. 16 – Mar. 3, Tel Aviv

Production of Jacques Offenbach‟s comic opera,

NOTIZIE ITALIANE December 2006

8

Events in Italy

Italian Trade Fair Calendar January - February 2007 Jan. 10 – 13, Florence

PITTI IMMAGINE UOMO

Menswear

www.pittimmagine.com Jan. 13 – 16, Riva del Garda

EXPO RIVA SHUH

Footwear and components

www.exporivaschuh.it Jan. 14 – 21, Vicenza

VICENZAORO 1

OROMACCHINE

Gemmology fair

www.vicenzafiera.it Jan. 14 – 19, Milan

MILAN MODA UOMO

Menswear

www.cameramoda.it Jan. 17 – 21, Milan

G! COME GIOCARE

Int’l toy fair

www.salonedelgiocattolo.it Jan. 19 – 21, Florence

PITTI IMMAGINE BIMBO

Children's wear

www.pittimmagine.com Jan. 19 – 21, Padua

BIKE EXPO

www.bike-expo.it Jan. 19 – 22, Milan

MACEF PRIMAVERA

Tableware, houseware, giftware

www.fmi.it Jan. 20 – 24, Rimini

SIGEP

Ice-cream, confectionery & baking

www.sigep.it Jan. 25 – 28, Bolzano

KLIMAHOUSE

Energy saving

www.fierabolzano.it Jan. 25 – 29, Bologna

ARTE FIERA

Contemporary art fair

www.artefiera.bolognafiere.it

Jan. 27 – 28, Milan

CANINA DI MILAN

Dog show

www.gruppocinofilomilanese.it Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, Florence

PITTI IMMAGINE FILATI

Yarns, fibres and fabrics

www.pittimmagine.com Feb. 1 – 3, Carrara Marina

SEA TEC

Boats and ship building

www.carrarafiere.com Feb. 3 – 7, Naples

EXPOSUDHOTEL

Hotel trade fair

www.mostradoltremare.it

Feb. 6 – 10, Milan

ENERMOTIVE 2007

Home automation, lighting

www.fieramilantech.it Feb. 10 – 13, Rimini

PIANETA BIRRA

Beer, beverages and equipment

www.riminifiera.it Feb. 10 – 18, Verona

NAUTIC SHOW

International Boat Show

www.nauticshow.com Feb. 15 – 18, Bologna

QUADRUM SACA

Frames, printing and graphics

www.quadrumsaca.com

Arturo Martini (1889-1947) Ends May 13, Milan and Rome

Arguably the greatest Italian sculptor of the 20th century, Arturo Martini expressed himself equally well in wood, stone, clay or bronze. The masterful and eclectic talents of this artist have had to wait for almost sixty years before being fully acknowl-edged and exploited in this exhibition, which includes over 100 of his works

www.arturomartini.info

Laocoon: origins of the Vatican Museum Ends February 28

The exhibition celebrates the 500th anniversary of the existence of the Vatican museums and is

dedicated to the marble statue of Laocoon discov-

Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici Ends April 15, Florence

Daughter of Grand Duke Cosimo III and Mar-guérite-Louise d‟Orléans, Anna Maria Luisa de‟ Medici (1667 – 1743) was the last member of the powerful Medici family. In 1691 she married Johann Wilhelm von Pfalz-Neuburg, Elector Palatine and moved to Düsseldorf with the title of Electress Palatine. The exhibition offers the public a broader picture in art and collecting, centred on the figure of the Electress Palatine and,

through her, on that of her father Cosimo II, her brother Ferdinando, and her husband Johann Wilhelm, among the greatest patrons and collec-tors in Europe at that time.

www.firenze2006.it/palatina_pres.htm

The models of Narcissus Ends February 11, Genoa

Visitors to this exhibi-tion can admire self-

portraits by numerous Italian and interna-tional masters, includ-ing Giacomo Balla, Giorgio De Chirico, Antonio Ligabue, Fernand Léger, Henri Matisse, Giacomo

Manzù, Ottone Rosai, Georges Roualt, Mario

Sironi and Victor Vasalery.

www.gamgenova.it

Teatro alla Scala 2007 Season, Milan

Operas: Giuseppe Verdi, Aida (January 3, 5, 9, 12 ), Richard Wagner, Lohengrin (January 17, 20, 23, 25, 28, 30, 31 and February 4 ), Giacomo Puccini, Madama Butterfly (February 9, 11, 13, 16, 21, 22, 24, 27), Gaetano Donizetti, La fille du

régiment (February 20, 23, 25 and March 1, 3, 7, 9, 14, 16). Ballet: A Midsummer Night's Dream. (January 26, 27 and February 1, 8, 10)

www.teatroallascala.org

Jacopone da Todi Ends May 2, Todi

„Jacopone da Todi and Art in Umbria in the 1200s‟ has been organized on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the death of Jacopone da Todi, reconstructing his life, works and personal-ity in relation to the historical and cultural climate

of the latter half of the 13th century. The show also investigates the intriguing dialogue between his poetry and Umbrian figurative art in the 1200s.

www.iacoponedatodi.it

ered in 1506. The muse-ums have constantly promoted art and culture thanks to a succession of

Popes who have been committed to safeguard-ing the country‟s artistic heritage. The Vatican museums are currently the museum complex that attracts the most visitors nationwide.

http://mv.vatican.va