For the twenty-fourth year, Orvieto – splendid medieval hilltown perched on a volcanic rock plateau – sweeps in the New Year with five days of jazz (mostly), blues, soul and swing. We’re…
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Like many an Umbrian mountain village, the townspeople of San Pellegrino di Norcia generally celebrate Christmas by bringing it to life – literally! – enacting a “living manger scene” (presepe vivente) on…
The Christmas stage is is set for you even before you enter the Basilica di San Francesco for the annual Christmas concert: a life-size crib scene – set in the Middle Ages…
Assisi’s towering Christmas tree, rising tall outside the entrance to the lower level of the Basilica di San Franceso, is dedicated to all the victims of the central Italy 2016 earthquakes and…
My post-earthquake (August and October, 2016) mantra remains the same: “No, art is not eternal.” I’m more than ever convinced to assiduously continue taking in the infinite bounty of the artistic gems…
On a rainy November Sunday here, Pino and I headed towards Norcia – planning to eat out on the way in a Valnerina trattoria. A deliberate choice: we knew that tourism had…
Pelleting rainstorms and blustery winds are making tent-life challenging for those in Cascia who’ve temporarily abandoned their homes after the October 2016 earthquakes. Volunteers at work have had to salvage tents whisked…
No, art is not eternal. No, Italy’s artistic patrimonies are not inviolable. The earthquake this August with beastly aftershocks in October have taught us this. But earth trembles keep underscoring the point.…
…..and the aftershocks of the August 24, 2016 earthquake continue…..Epicenter of that shake-up: Accumuli and Amatrice in the region of Lazio. Benefit events for the earthquake homeless centered on pasta all’amatriciana. Epicenter…
I still remember the colorful, lyrical charm of Preci – not far from Norcia and close to the epicenter of the October 30, 2016 earthquake – when I visited there a few…