Italy mourns a great talented actor: Luigi "Gigi" Proietti (2 November 1940 – 2 November 2020) was an Italian actor, voice actor, comedian, director, musician, singer, and television presenter. Like Alberto Sordi, Gigi Proietti was typically Roman. He was a man of culture and a man of the people, who could communicate with anybody. Gigi Proietti was a great admirer of Shakespeare and created Rome's Globe Theatre in Villa Borghese park.
2020
THE CITY OF GENOA INAUGURATES ITS NEW BRIDGE SAN GIORGIO
On 3rd August the Italian Prime Minister and dignitaries attend the opening of Genoa's new bridge San Giorgio replacing the tragic collapse of the Morandi Bridge. Architect Renzo Piano designed a solar power bridge producing enough energy to run its lighting and other systems. It is a new feat in modern architecture both for structure and construction speed.
CORONAVIRUS 2020
ITALY, THE FIRST COUNTRY IN EUROPE TO BE AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS AND THE HARDEST HIT IN THE NORTH OF THE COUNTRY, BUT FIGHTS BACK WITH TIGHT RESTRICTIONS
The world has changed and we all had to get used to a new way of life.
Italians were very disciplined in following the rules. Below are chronological developments of coronavirus in Italy over the months.
Over 28,500 deaths were reported until 3rd May.
Phase 2 beginning of Monday 4th May 2020, meaning that the number of cases were going down
- 31st JANUARY: Italy suspended flights to China and declared a national emergency after two cases were confirmed in Rome.
- 20th February: A man in Lombardy tested positive after previously leaving the hospital without a test. He was believed to have spread the disease widely before developing severe symptoms.
- 23ed February: Small towns in northern Italy were hit by the outbreak and were placed under quarantine. Carnival celebrations and some soccer matches were canceled as cases increased.
- 4th March: Schools and universities were closed as by now there were over 3,000 cases.
- 8th March: Several northern provinces were placed under lockdown.
- 9th March: The lockdown was extended nationwide after over 9,000 cases were reported.
- 11th March: All restaurants and bars were closed.
- 22 March: Factories were closed and all nonessential production was halted.
Phase 1 included a number of restrictions, such as: going out only for necessities, such as food and going to the chemist. It became compulsory to wear a mask and carry a self-declaration form indicating one's point of departure and destination with personal identification details. Travel was only allowed within one's local town district.
Phase 1 included a number of restrictions, such as: going out only for necessities, such as food and going to the chemist. It became compulsory to wear a mask, respect 1 metre social distancing and carry a self-declaration form indicating one's point of departure and destination with personal identification details. Travel was only allowed within one's local town district.
Phase 2 beginning of Monday 4th May 2020, meaning that the number of cases were going down
Visits to family members living within the same region will be permitted, wearing masks and respecting at least 1mt distance. Travel between regions is still forbidden, apart from reasons of work, urgency or health. People will be allowed to return home (residence or domicile) from wherever they are, carrying a self-declaration form. Access to parks and public gardens is allowed provided safety measures can be respected and people observe at least 1mt distance. Nurseries, schools and universities remain closed with continued on-line teaching. Masks are compulsory across Italy when in closed public spaces, including on public transport and in all conditions where compliance with social distancing may be more complex. In some regions, gloves may also be compulsory. Children below the age of 6 and people suffering from disabilities which are not compatible with the prolonged use of masks are exempted.
You can find more information on the Italian government’s measures on the Italian Ministry of Health website (in Italian) and the Frequently Asked Questions document on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (in English).
Phase 3 begins in June allowing people to go out more freely and allowing people to cross regional frontiers.
In July coronavirus reduced and international borders opened up. July, August and September allowed people to go about, meet other people and leave on holiday. Visitors could enjoy walking about. Exhibitions, events and shows resumed with the necessary precautions.
Recommendations to be prudent and abide by by the rules of wearing masks and observing distancing continued warning not to let down the guard.
As in other countries in Europe, cases of coronavirus began to increase, but at a slower pace in Italy.
MATERA NOMINATED EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2019
Matera, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, in the region of Basilicata inaugurates its special year as European capital of culture in January 2019.
A whole series of events will be taking place throughout the year. It is best known for its extensive unique cave-dwelling districts, the “Sassi” (stones) providing a stunning backdrop of stairways and narrow lanes, cave-houses carved out of the rock, rock churches with beautiful frescoes and elegant buildings. Like all regions Matera has its local cuisine following typical traditional food of southern Italy.
COLLAPSE OF THE MORANDI BRIDGE, GENOA
The tragedy occurred at around 11.36 am local time on 14 August 2018.
Cars dropped over 20 metres after a 200 metre section of the A10 motorway gave way during a torrential rainstorm, leaving 43 people dead. Rescue teams worked to free people from under the rubble.
This was one of the main motorways linking the Italian and French Riviere. The road was busier than usual due to Ferragosto, an important Italian mid summer holiday on 15 August.
FLOODING KILLS EIGHT PEOPLE IN LIVORNO
Between Saturday night 9th and Sunday 10th September 2017 eight people were killed after
heavy rainstorms and flooding in the Italian city of Livorno, Tuscany,
Pictures from the city showed large areas underwater and
extensive damage.
One resident, Piero Caturelli, said he had never seen such bad
weather.
"It's incredible, incredible. It started around 10pm and
continued until this morning. In my living memory, there's never been anything
like this," he said.
Monday, 21st August 2017, a 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck near the island of Ischia off the Bay of Naples at about 9pm. Two people were killed and several injured. Once again firefighters and rescuers showed their skills when freeing 3 children trapped in the rubble.
TRIBUTE TO ALL WHO LOST THEIR LIVES
On Wednesday 18th January 2017 central Italy was hit again by four medium strength earthquakes in four hours, bringing terror to areas trying to recover from last year's deadly tremors. The quakes were so strong that they caused buildings to shake as far as Rome.
Two months later, in the evening of Wednesday, 26th October, two earthquakes strike again in central Italy followed by an even stronger earthquake on Sunday morning, 30th October, leaving more people homeless.
FURTHER EARTHQUAKES HIT ITALY TWO MONTHS AFTER THE SUMMER EARTHQUAKE:
AMATRICE AND SURROUNDING AREAS IN CENTRAL ITALY 2016
On Wednesday 24th August 2016 a 6.2-magnitude quake struck central Italy in the early hours of the morning. It was felt as far as Rome and other parts of the country waking people up with its strong rumble and shaking.
Our thoughts go out to all those people, their families and the rescuers who worked so hard to save who and what they could.
TO HELP THE AREAS IN CENTRAL ITALY HIT BY THE EARTHQUAKE, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO ONE OF THE TWO ORGANISATIONS THAT ARE OFFERING EXCELLENT ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS, USING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
THE ITALIAN RED CROSS
IBAN: IT40F0623003204000030631681
BIC/SWIFT: CRPPIT2P086
Beneficiary: Associazione Italiana della Croce Rossa
Description/Causale: "Terremoto Centro Italia"
THE ORDER OF MALTA
For Donations in Italy:
Bank account no. 103744409 : Fondazione CORPO ITALIANO DI SOCCORSO DELL'ORDINE DI MALTA
IBAN: IT 50 E 02008 05074 000103744409
Swift code: UNCRITMM
Branch:7483 ROMACENTRO
Indirizzo: Via Alessandro Specchi 16, 00186 ROMA
Description/Causale: "Terremoto Centro Italia 2016"
For UK Donations:
Order of Malta Global Fund for Forgotten People
Hoare & Co, London
Bank Sort code: 15-99-00
Account Number: 27771340
IBAN: GB48 HOAB 1599 0027 7713 40
Please use reference: Italian Earthquake 2016. The Global Fund for Forgotten People is registered in England and Wales as charity number (1148427)
11/11/2022
