Articles by: Natasha Lardera

Cosponsored by the Writers' Institute, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Comparative Literature Program at the Graduate Center, CUNY, the Center for the Humanities at the Graduate Center, CUNY, held a conversation on Italian sensation Elena Ferrante. Ferrante is one of the very few contemporary Italian writers whose fame has reached the U.S., and now the tetralogy, the Neapolitan Novels, has earned an undisputed place in twenty-first-century letters.

Elena Ferrante in America, thus was the evening titled, featured a panel composed by Kent Carroll, the publisher of Europa Editions, the house that has published Ferrante's books in English translation; Ann Goldstein, the translator of the Neopolitan Novels; Bettina Lerner, Comparative Literature at CUNY Graduate Center; and Giancarlo Lombardi, Comparative Literature at CUNY Graduate Center, also known to be the one of the firsts to speak of Ferrante's work and bringing her work to America.

“When he first mentioned her name, we though he just had mispronounced Elsa Morante's name,” joked the Director of the Center for Humanities in his introduction. He continued to explain that at the moment there is “a fever of Elena Ferrante's stuff. Pretty soon we are going to have t-shirts. There was another event last week at Symphony Space and there will be an event coming up at the Italian Cultural Institute.”

Elena Ferrante is the pen name of an Italian novelist who has dominated the Italian literary landscape for the past twenty years. Her, or we could even say his, true identity is not publicly known. The author's first book was published in 1992 (L'amore molesto) and a few followed, there is a total of ten. The most popular ones are Days of Abandonment (I giorni dell'abbandono, 2002) and My Brilliant Friend (L'Amica Geniale, 2011).

“Ferrante has taken inspiration from growing up on the outskirts of Naples to weave narratives of many strands: the depth and complexity of female friendship, changes in Italian society in the second half of the twentieth century, and possibilities for self-actualization in a world still largely determined by poverty, patriarchy, and corruption.”

In 2004, Kent Carroll and Italian publisher Sandro Ferri started Europa Editions, an American company created to publish European literature in translation as well as US and UK literary fiction. In 2005 Europa published its first novel, Ferrante's Days of Abandonment. “Usually in any romance novel a woman is dumped by her husband,” Carroll explained when recalling how he first got interested in Ferrante's work, “she is initially depressed but then she takes care of herself, becomes hotter, meets an even hotter man who falls for her. The husband tries to come back but she rejects him and everybody lives happily ever after. Not in Ferrante's book. I read it and I thought it was unusually good. It was a common story told in a very different way. I realized immediately though that it was going to be a difficult story, not for everyone. This was going to be a difficult book.”

And indeed it was. Although the New York Times compared it to Anna Karenina, the book was not flying off the shelves. People were reviewing it, who read it loved it but sales were somewhat disappointing. Things started off well but in about a couple of months they were coming to a stop. A year and a half later they published Troubling Love and “everybody had difficulty with that,” Carroll continued. “People who liked the first book put down the second. The third book did not capture any interest either.

The turning point coincided with the publication of My Little Friend and an article published in the New Yorker written by James Wood. “Wood wanted all the books and wrote a five page article not only about her books but about the author herself. He wrote about why this writing. The article gave her stature.” Sales didn't increase immediately but people's interest did and it seemed like everybody wanted to be the one who had discovered this great, new author. James Wood was also the one who “pointed out that in her written correspondence with journalists Ferrante has referred to herself as a mother, implying that she is indeed a woman.” The mystery remains.

And it is indeed the mystery around the writer's identity, the unique stories and narrative forms, the mixture of genres are what make Ferrante such a unique writer. Word of mouth and the hard work of a publishing company who believed in the work of one of their writers is what made Ferrante stand out and now be one of the most talked about contemporary authors.

The Italian Academy at Columbia University has presented a round table discussion, co-sponsored, with the European Institute (Columbia University), the Italian Cultural Institute of New York, and the Center for American Studies in Rome, by the name Food Security, Globalization and Sustainability focusing on the legacy of Expo Milano 2015. 

Expo Milano 2015, is a universal exposition currently taking place (running from May 1st to October 31st) in Milan, Italy, whose motto is Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life. 145 countries, 3 international organizations, numerous civil society organizations and private companies have come together to take action in regards of  food security, safety, and health.

Speaking at Food security, globalization and sustainability were Maurizio Martina, Italian Minister of Agricultural, Food, and Forestry Policies and Government Coordinator for Expo Milano 2015; Glenn Denning, Professor of Professional Practice, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) & Senior Policy Advisor, Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), Earth Institute, Columbia University; Livia Pomodoro, President of the Milan Center for Food Law and Policy; formerly Magistrate, Supreme Court of Cassation of Italy, and President of the Juvenile Court of Milan.

Introduced by Dr. Barbara Faedda, Associate Director of the Italian Academy, the round table discussion focused on “the right to food and the problems of food security, including geopolitical factors around food production and the linked issues of energy consumption and environmental challenges, as part of an institutional mission at the U.N.’s Headquarters in New York.”

The general idea is that agriculture is vital. “As the primary sector of the economy, it is a national security matter for many countries that are concerned with food security, safety, and health. But agriculture also involves economic growth as a whole, increasing incomes, encouraging investment, and mobilizing scientific, technological, and social movements. Improving agricultural policies and promoting sustainable agricultural development is also a key challenge for restoring the ecological balance of our planet. It’s crucial to support agriculture in becoming more resilient and to stop the consumption of land for non-agricultural purposes.”

“The Italian agricultural system is one of the economic pillars of our country,” Minister Martina has said, “At the Ministero delle Politiche Agricole we concentrate daily on supporting national agricultural enterprises: by deciding how to use the 52 billion euros of EU funds allocated to the sector, by adding actions to the Stability Law, by sustaining small-medium sized businesses and favoring generational succession. Italy boasts an extraordinary and diversified rural landscape that we have to protect but that we also need to respect and promote. I believe that thanks to Expo 2015 we can revive the Italian agricultural business. The world wants more and more Made in Italy products and we must meet this request. Our potential is great but there is still much we have to learn, especially in collaborating with other countries.”

And as October 31st is getting closer, what is Expo Milano 2015 doing for Italy?  

“This is an unbelievable opportunity. The Expo has been a terrific platform that favors exchanges of knowledge, of technologies and techniques. All to find together an answer to the question on how to guarantee enough healthy food to the ever growing world population.”

At Expo Milano 2015 the main concerns for all, not just for Italy, have been: Science for Food Safety, Security and Quality; Innovation in the Agro Food Supply Chain; Technology for Agriculture and Biodiversity; Dietary Education; Solidarity and Cooperation on Food; Food for Better Lifestyles and Food in the World’s Cultures and Ethnic Groups. In the light of new global scenarios and emerging issues, it is vital to come together in our right to secure and sufficient food.

It s not even the end of September and stores already have Halloween treats and tricks, Thanksgiving turkey extravaganza and Christmas decorations galore. Holidays traditionally call for some bubbly and the Italian bubbly par excellence is Prosecco. 

Prosecco, for many nicknamed “Italian champagne,” is a sparkling white wine from north-eastern Italy known for its fine and persistent bubbles and for both its flavors and aromas which are characterized by subtle complexity. 

Since July 2009, the name Prosecco has been regulated and protected under DOC law, ensuring that wines labeled with the name come only from the specified areas of north-eastern Italy. 

In this case specifically from Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia wine regions, where Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene is produced. Conegliano Valdobbidene, represents the top of the quality pyramid for Prosecco.

Those who want to experience more than a bottle of bubbly and want to know more about their favorite wine cannot find a better destination than the “Strada del Prosecco.”

First known as the “Strada del Vino Bianco,” which officially opened in 1966, the Strada del Prosecco is a stretch of road that winds up and down the hills of Conegliano, Feletto, Quartier del Piave and Valdobbiadene all the way to the base of the Prealpi mountains in the Veneto region.

The so-called Strada del Prosecco and the Wines of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Hills was officially founded in 2003 and it maintains extensive tracts of the original historic itinerary but they have been supplemented by diverse routes that really boast the beauty of the area with its diverse viticultural landscapes and many historical and artistic treasures that are scattered amidst the hills.

The itineraries are numerous and take the visitor between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. the two main towns, situated in the heart of the upper Marca Trevigiana, the cradle of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore. 

This is a landscape like no other: steep hills alternate with gentle slopes, covered in a never ending patchwork of vineyards. In this magical area, the air is scented by a whiff of wine and of food delicacies, while the land is impregnated by centuries-old winemaking and culinary culture. The people here love their territory and its traditions, which are always kept alive, especially the culinary ones.

Among the area's most renown products, that can be tasted in all restaurants, big and small, that are scattered around the different itineraries, we find cured meats (Sopressa Vicentina PDO, Prosciutto Veneto Berico-Euganeo PDO, Cotechino di Modena PGI, Mortadella Bologna PGI, Salamini italiani alla cacciatora PDO, Zampone di Modena PGI), pork, beef and horse meat, cheeses (Asiago PDO, Grana Padano PDO, Montasio PDO, Monte Veronese PDO, Taleggio PDO, Provolone Val Padana PDO), wild vegetables (Radicchio Variegato di Castelfranco PGI, Asparago bianco di Cimadolmo PGI, Fagiolo di Lamon della Vallata Bellunese PGI, Radicchio Rosso di Treviso PGI), chestnuts (Marrone di San Zeno PDO), rice (Riso Nano Vialone Veronese PGI) and honey, all of which contribute to the rich and varied gastronomic offerings from this area.

The cuisine of Veneto is indeed pretty rich: much of the diet is based on fresh seafood, such as clams, mussels, scallops, prawns, crabs, octopus and even sea snails. Risotto nero, a creamy black rice dish made with squid ink is pretty popular as is Baccalà alla Vicentina, stockfish cooked in milk and served with onions and polenta. 

There is plenty of room for various meats, including game birds and horse. The famous Italian dish Carpaccio originated in the Veneto region: it consists of paper thin slices of beef served, according to tradition, with a mustard and Worcestershire flavored mayonnaise. Another local specialty, which happens to be enjoyed all through the peninsula, is Fegato alla Veneziana, veal liver sauteed with onions and flavored with sage, parsley and a touch of red wine or vinegar in a sauce of oil and butter. Meat, including birds, is often served alongside polenta, ground corn.

Radicchio rosso is the region most prized vegetable. Radicchio is an ingredient used in many preparations: it's used in risotto (in Veneto rice is mostly preferred to pasta), grilled as a vegetable, cooked into soups and eaten raw in salads.

Many of the locales that serve this amazing food almost seem to be hidden away in the valleys and in the little villages that dot the area, that's why it's recommended to wander off and discover treasures that date back centuries. Many of the restaurants feature a plate that reads “Bottega del Vino.” 

The meaning of this is that the business has been carefully reviewed by a group of experts in terms of quality of wines available, both for tastings and for sale, authenticity of the place and oenological knowledge of the staff. Restaurants are carefully reviewed year after year and if they don't match the qualifying criteria the plate is removed. In order to be considered for qualification, each place has to sell, Bianchi dei Colli, in the dry and sweet varieties, and Prosecco and Cartizze, in dry, amabile (sweet), frizzante (sparkling) and spumante varieties.

Along with the aforementioned delicious food, a visitor can experience the area’s many sights and landmarks, historic castles, decadent villas, of pristine monuments, sacred churches and ancient thermal springs, as well as its most prestigious vineyards.

No matter where you are, all around, the vines, kissed by the sun, await endlessly.

It's 1954. Eva is a young woman living in New York. After her wedding is unexpectedly called off, she spends the time set aside for her honeymoon walled up alone in her apartment, taste-testing for a new dietary soft drink.

Her only distraction is living vicariously through the neighbors outside her window, and her 
only visitor is Aunt Nora, a not-so-ladylike Park Avenue lady who will do anything to escape her perfect uptown life. This is a recap of The Window, the 2014 play by Italian playwright, actress and director Marta Mondelli, a prominent representative of Italian Theater in the City. Produced with the help of Teatro Italiano Network and a successful crowd funding campaign with Kickstarter, the play, starring Mondelli herself and Cristina Lippolis, was presented at The Cherry Lane Theatre for ten sold-out runs in January 2014.

Mondelli studied acting and also graduated in Ancient History at the University of Bologna. She has been acting professionally since 2002 and moved to New York in 2002 where she now writes and acts. New York is a place that matches her energy and her love for challenges. She is now working on her upcoming play: Toscana.

Tell us about your latest project. Where is Toscana coming from?
Toscana, my latest play, takes place at a deserted hotel's pool off-season in Tuscany where two American couples meet. After an initial comedic introduction to these four characters, unexpected tragedy ensues and, through that, we discover what these people really are. Like in my previous play, The Window, a thriller set in 1954 New York City, I will be performing, but not directing. I prefer to leave the direction to another person: it is a fresh look at my writing and I have more fun as an actress.We are now in the process of gathering cast and crew, including the director of the play. Pre-production is a very exciting time and I'm looking forward to all the challenges and rewards! The play will be performed for 3 weeks starting on March 21st 2016 at the Paradise Factory theater in Manhattan.

Of all Italian regions, how did you pick Tuscany?
Both my latest projects, a short film currently in post production and my second play, Toscana, are set in Tuscany. My inspiration for both locations comes from the "summer job" I have since 2011 in Capalbio, Tuscany. Every summer I host the literary festival Capalbio Libri and I meet very interesting authors and guests. Since I go there every summer, I'm influenced by what I see there, the Italian books I get a chance to read, and the wonderful locations. That's why, when it came time to find a location for my short film or the setting for my play, my mind instantly went to those hills and those beautiful surroundings.

Did you always write? Did you ever imagine becoming a playwright in the city of Broadway and theater?
I always loved writing but it is after moving to New York in 2002 that I found more inspiration and energy than ever! I don't know if this is truly the land of opportunity for everybody but it definitely gave me a lot. On top of that, I believe that homesickness gives you a chance to be more introspective. So these two forces propelled me to write: the amazing energy this city has on one side, and the chance to reflect about my life in Italy from afar on the other.

In New York I wrote my first novel, published in Italy by Cairo Editore with the title Occhi di cane cuore di cervo, and in New York I started writing initially as a journalist and a blogger for the Huffington Post and then I found that I loved writing dialogue and that I was good at it so I moved away from novels (not for good, but for now!) and I wrote a feature film, The Contenders, that I have also directed. Now I'm doing both: movies and theater. I had no idea that I would become a playwright but I think that this city rewards bold choices and talent. It's not easy, but I feel that it is easier than in Italy.

Does being Italian make any difference?
I think my writing reflects my culture in a subtle way: my stories are never set in Italy but in Sweden, Greece, the New York of the 50s, my characters are never Italian. I need to write from a distance, I guess. With the play Toscana I return to Italy for the first time. It is not easy to be a foreigner in this city. Obviously New York welcomes and accepts everybody, but as an Italian actress and writer in New York, it is easy to fall into stereotypes and to be labeled in a way that doesn't really reflect my nature. But apart from that, I never felt undermined by the cultural scene in New York, I feel inspired and engaged by its diversity and opportunities.

There is a new wave of Italian kids moving to the US, how is it different now from when you moved here years ago?
I've heard that there are more and more young kids moving to New York and I welcome this new, fresh blood. Now, next to the historic tradition of Italian American culture, there is also the presence of us, new Italians, who bring contemporary Italy to this country and thanks to which even the culinary landscape of New York is changing (better pizza, better ice cream, more and more espresso bars)!

Who inspires you? Italian and not?
The authors who inspire me are many. For Toscana, I think that it was definitely a combination of Edward Albee and Tom Stoppard, but it depends on what I read at the moment. Right now I'm reading a lot of plays, which is a very interesting read, since a written play is actually meant to be a tool for theater, not necessarily reading material, but I enjoy reading Christopher Durang and Eugene Ionesco: they remaster classes in dialogue. The Italian authors that I get inspiration from are definitely Italo Calvino (his "Lezioni Americane" is a great manual for writers) and Pirandello, but I'm also reading contemporary authors such as Marco Calvani, who is in the US at the moment.