Thursday, December 15, 2016

RIP Alessandro Levi Sandri, Ambasciatore d’Italia in Nuova Zelanda e Territori del Pacifico dal 2011 al 2014


Oggi la lettura di un necrologio dal Corriere della Sera sulla rassegna stampa del Ministero degli Esteri mi ha lasciato rattristato: “il Ministero degli Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale esprime profondo cordoglio e si unisce al dolore della famiglia per la scomparsa di Alessandro Levi Sandri”. Ambasciatore d’Italia in Nuova Zelanda e Territori del Pacifico dal 2011 al 2014, Alessandro ci ha lasciati a soli 67 anni.
L’ultimo ricordo di Alessandro e’ legato al suo entusiasmo all’inizio di settembre quando, saputo del mio nuovo incarico, mi parlava del suo periodo qui a Wellington: “vedrai ti troverai benissimo in Nuova Zelanda”. Dal mio arrivo qui ho avuto due conferme. La prima, Alessandro aveva ragione. Mi trovo benissimo, la Nuova Zelanda e’ un Paese meraviglioso. La seconda, che conferma la simpatia e l’affetto che provavo nei confronti di Alessandro. Aveva lasciato qui dietro di se’ un ottimo ricordo in tutti gli ambienti. Unanimi i pareri che ho sentito sulla persona da colleghi stranieri, autorita’ neozelandesi, personale dell’ambasciata e connazionali: intellettuale raffinato e non pretenzioso e uomo buono.
Qualche giorno fa Annibale, l’autista dell’Ambasciata,
mi aveva informato che amici comuni in Italia gli avevano detto che Alessandro era stato ricoverato d’urgenza e versava in condizioni critiche. Oggi la notizia che colpisce come un bastonata.
SIT TIBI TERRA LEVIS
Da un articolo di Barbara Pezzotti una delle magistrali iniziative portate a termine da Alessandro per rinsaldare i legami fra l’Italia e la Nuova Zelanda.
Fabrizio Marcelli
Ambasciatore d'Italia in Nuova Zelanda
Today the reading of an obituary on the press review of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation left me deeply saddened: “The Ministry express its condolences and shares the grief of the family for the passing of Alessandro Levi Sandri". Italian Ambassador to New Zealand and Pacific Territories between 2011 and 2014, Alessandro left us when he was just 67.
The last recollection of Alessandro is linked to his enthusiasm at the beginning of September, when he learnt that I was due to come to New Zealand and he told me about his own period in Wellington: You’ll see, you ll’ find yourself very well in New Zealand. Since then I had two confirmations. The first one was that Alessandro was right. I find myself very well here, New Zealand is a wonderful country indeed. The second proves the sympathy and the affection that I felt towards Alessandro. He left here good memories in all milieus. Foreign colleagues, local authorities, embassy’s staff, fellow countrymen are all unanimous in defining him a refined but not pretentious intellectual and a good man.
Some days ago Annibale, the Embassy driver, informed me that common friends in Italy had told him that Alessandro got hospitalized in critical conditions. Today the news that strikes like a blow.
SIT TIBI TERRA LEVIS
From an article published by Barbara Pezzotti, one of the masterful initiatives that Alessandro carried out during his assignment to bond Italy and New Zealand closer.
Fabrizio Marcelli
Ambassador of Italy in New Zealand

Mezzo Soprano Christie Cook and Pianist Claire Cauldwell at Rannoch House


Amazing performance on Sunday 10 December by Mezzo Soprano Christie Cook and Pianist Claire Cauldwell at Rannoch House.🇮🇹🎤🎼Christie spent a year in Treviso studying Italian and bel canto vocal technique. She says: "If you can please Italian audiences singing Italian as a foreign singer, then things are going well!".💃 Well done Christie

Friday, December 9, 2016

Due o tre cose che (forse) non sapevate su Babbo Natale

Traditional Santa Claus5 Tutto è cominciato con mia moglie che mi chiedeva se ricordavo i nomi delle renne di Babbo Natale. “Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet…” ha detto, “e poi?” Avevo appena finito di cucinare. Erano le 9.30 di sera. Fuori pioveva. Mia moglie era riuscita ad addormentare nostro figlio dopo due lunghe ore di discussioni, trattative, letture e domande su Babbo Natale. “I nomi delle renne?” ho ripetuto assumendo quella cognizione di causa che tutti i padri devono avere quando si tratta di questioni riguardanti i propri figli. ‘Perché’, stavo pensando, ‘hanno dei nomi?’ Mi ha guardato. Mia

Monday, November 28, 2016

FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER OUT NOW!

Dear members and friends,
Happy New Year! Here is our first newsletter for 2017.
We have a SCHOOL OPEN DAY on 1 February, for whoever wants to come and meet us and know more about the school and its courses.
Also, our Colazione alla Dante will on 26 February at the Segafredo Zanetti bar in Mount Eden, where we will also hold our Annual Meeting.
Read more about our news and upcoming events.
Buona lettura!

Newsletter February 2017


Monday, November 21, 2016

Mercatino di Natale 2016



Visit the Christmas market of the Dante Alighieri Italian Society of Auckland for lunch, and for all your Italian Christmas shopping under one roof: Panettone, Pandoro, Prosecco and other Italian fine foods, plus Italian books, decorations, cards, presents and more!
Mercatino di Natale is a fundraiser for the Dante Alighieri Society School in Auckland.





Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Free Italian movie this Friday, Romanzo Criminale, based on Giancarlo De Cataldo's novel, and meet the author on 30 November in Auckland



We have a special screening this week: acclaimed movie Romanzo Criminale, based on Giancarlo De Cataldo's novel, in anticipation of the talk by the author on 30 November. 
Both events are free.

WATCH THE FILM "ROMANZO CRIMINALE"
University of Auckland, Arts 1 Room 315, Nov. 18, 6 pm


THE DARK SIDE - PRESENTATION BY GIANCARLO DE CATALDO
Author De Cataldo will discuss his works and the symbiotic relations between crime fiction and its adaptation into films and TV productions
30 November, 6 pm
University of Auckland, Arts 1, Lecture Theatre 209

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

The last concert of the year followed by the Brindisi di Fine Anno/End of the Year get together




Dante Alighieri Chamber Music Series

The last concert of this year’s Chamber Music Series will be on
Sunday 13 November  at 5 pm
in St. Luke’s Church, Remuera

With Luca Manghi, flute
Paul Van Houtte, cello
David Kelly, piano.
Music by Haydan, Cilea, Holmboe

Tickets $25 / $20 for Dante Alighieri Society Members - Cash sales on the door


Followed by our

Brindisi di Fine Anno/End of the Year get together




Let’s celebrate another great year together with Prosecco, stuzzichini italiani e Panettone!









Monday, October 31, 2016

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER 2016 OUT NOW!

Our November newsletter is out now with the latest news and events.

Click here to read the latest Dante newsletter


RIP Zita Flego

Dante member Gianni Flego remembers his grandmother Zita who passed away on 23 October aged 98. Zita emigrated to New Zealand in the early 50s, first to Taupo and then to Auckland where she was one of the historic members and volunteers of the Dante Auckland, and held the Society's President title in the 70s and 80s. 

Addio Zita, che ti sia lieve la terra.


















The following text is in Italian and English (please scroll down for English).


Zita Flego era nata il 20 Aprile 1918 a Muggia, un paese adesso in provincia di Trieste, in una famiglia di 8 figli, 5 femmine e 3 maschi.

Si era sposata nel 1938 con Eugenio Flego, che era stato inviato al fronte russo e naturalmente Zita aveva pensato di non rivederlo mai più. Pensando a come sopravvvivere senza di lui, aveva pensato di iscriversi a un corso di economia domestica a Padova, dove ha preso una diploma. Durante questo periodo aveva ricevuto la notizia che lui era ancora vivo ed era quindi tornata a Trieste.

Alla fine della Seconda Guerra Mondiale, Trieste era un territorio contestato e la situazione politica era molto instabile, e i soldati neozelandesi erano stati mandati la` per mantenere la pace. Sua sorella Nilda ha allora incontrato e sposato un soldato neozelandese e si e` spostata a Taupo con lui. Zita con Eugenio e i loro 2 figli Manlio e Steno li hanno seguiti nel 1952.

In quei giorni Taupo era un mondo nuovo, le strade non asfaltate, senza elettricità, senza telefoni. La cosa più difficile era che Zita non parlava inglese. Tra le poche cose che avevano portato c'era una macchina di cucire a pedale e cosi` ha cominciato a fare la sarta. Non era una problema che non parlava inglese, fintanto che una signora poteva mostrare una foto di cosa voleva, lei poteva farlo.

Eugenio era un maestro di scuola in Italia ma senza inglese quella carriera era finita. Sembrava ci fossero più opportunità di lavoro ad Auckland, e cosi` si sono spostati dopo poco tempo.

Zita ha continuato a fare la sarta e eventualmente ha cominciato una piccola impresa e impiegato un paio di donne per fare vestiti eleganti per un negozio chiamato "Tarantella" a Vulcan Lane.

Nel 1965, una tragedia: Eugenio e` morto in un incidente d'auto. Adesso doveva continuare da sola, e con l'aiuto del figlio Manlio ha deciso di cominciare una sua etichetta "Moda Bella". L'impresa e` cresciuta bene fino ad impiegare 22 sarte, e ha cominciato anche una scuola di disegno dove ha insegnato il suo metodo e ha aiutato tanti stilisti di moda di quel tempo.

Dopo tanti anni di questo lavoro lo stress era diventato troppo e cosi` ha deciso di chiudere e smettere di lavorare. Adesso aveva tempo di fare altre cose e ha fatto tanti viaggi nel mondo. E` rimasta sempre appassionata della sua cultura italiana e e` stata socia attiva della Dante Alighieri ad Auckland, ha fatto parte del comitato ed e` anche stata presidente negli anni 70 e 80. E` ritornata in Italia ogni due o tre anni per visitare i parenti e le e` sempre piaciuto rivedere Muggia, l'ultima volta aveva 88 anni!

Lei ha sempre lavorato sodo con grande forza di volontà, e la sua cucina era straordinaria! Ha coltivato sempre un orto italiano a casa a Mt Albert, dove ha cresciuto radicchio, pomodori e fichi provenienti dall' Italia.


Purtroppo le è stato diagnosticato l'Alzheimer sette anni fa, ed e` andata ad abitare col figlio Steno e sua moglie Mary nella loro casa dove si sono presi cura di lei fino alla fine.

Gianni Flego

Nonna, Zita My grandmother. born in 1918 in a small town of Muggia part of Trieste Italy. She was one of eight siblings 3 boys and 5 girls.
Married in 1938 Her husband Eugenio was sent to the Russian front and Zita naturally thought that she would never see him again. Thinking of how best to provide for her then one toddler Manlio she decided to study home economics and enrolled at the university of Padua where she gained her diploma.  Whilst still studying at Padua she received news that her husband was infact alive and returning home. This news was so overwhelming that she just dropped everything and travelled to meet him.
At the end of the war Trieste was a disputed territory and the political situation was very unstable. New Zealand troops were assigned to keep  peace in Trieste. Her sister Nilda met and married a NZ soldier and came to live in NZ with Zita, Eugenio and her two boys following her in 1952.
Taupo in 1952 was a whole new world. No sealed roads, no electricity, no telephones. But hardest of all was not being able to speak english.
In her possessions Zita had brought a treadle sewing machine and with that started to dress make. it did not matter that she could not speak English  As long as the client showed her a picture of what they wanted she would make it.
Her husband Eugenio was a school headmaster back in Italy but without english that was the end of that career.  Job prospects for her husband seemed so much better in Auckland so before long they shifted to Auckland.
Zita carried on with her dressmaking and eventually opened a small workroom where she employed just a few seamstresses to make high fashion gowns exclusively for a shop called Tarantella in Vulcan lane.
Tragedy struck in 1965 when she lost her husband in a car accident.
Now having to cope on her own she decided to take the next step, and with the help of her eldest son Manlio set up her own high fashion label - Moda Bella. What was a little workroom became quite a sizable operation employing up to 22 seamstresses.
Concurrently she also set up a school of fashion and design where she taught her unique method of pattern draughting, helping many fashion designers of that time with their careers.
 Many years passed and the stress and strain of the fashion industry began to take its toll. Eventually she decided to close the operation and retire.
After the tragic loss of her husband Zita remained on her own for the rest of her life. Having closed the fashion manufacturing and discontinuing with the school of fashion design she had time for other activities. Always proud of her Italian culture she involved herself and was president of the Dante Alighieri Society in Auckland. 
 She loved travelling and over the years she enjoyed many overseas tours of course always returning to Muggia every couple of years to be with her family.
Zita was a very humble, practical and very strong willed lady. Hard work, conservation, recycling, and saving were her traits - and her cooking was amazing. She was always in her garden growing her beans, tomatoes, radicchio, lettuce, not forgetting all her fruit and citrus trees.
Sadly about 7 years ago she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease so many stories she had to tell remain untold.
Living alone was no longer an option. Her other son Steno and wife Mary took her into their home, looked after her, cared for her, and loved her to the end. 

Gianni Flego

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Festival Italiano Trade Mark registered


We are delighted to announce that Festival Italiano is now a Registered Trade Mark, (registration number 1040921), property of the Società Dante Alighieri of Auckland and thus belonging to our Italian community in NZ. The registration can be renewed after 10 (ten) years. This will ensure that the Festival will remain property of the community and not of single individuals or businesses, and a not for profit event.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Referendum Costituzionale: votare in Nuova Zelanda


Italiano
Con Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica del 27 settembre 2016, pubblicato sulla Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 227 del 28 settembre 2016 sono stati convocati per domenica 4 dicembre 2016 i comizi elettorali per il REFERENDUM POPOLARE CONFERMATIVO avente ad oggetto il seguente quesito referendario: Approvate il testo della legge costituzionale concernente “disposizioni per il superamento del bicameralismo paritario, la riduzione del numero dei parlamentari, il contenimento dei costi di funzionamento delle istituzioni, la soppressione del CNEL e la revisione del titolo V della parte II della Costituzione” approvato dal Parlamento e pubblicato nella Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 88 del 15 aprile 2016?

Iscritti all'Aire: cliccare qui per maggiori informazioni su come votare in Nuova Zelanda.

(da inviare via email al comune di iscrizione elettorale)
   Scadenza: 2 novembre 2016


English
A constitutional referendum is planned to be held in Italy on Sunday 4 December 2016. Voters will be asked the following question: Do you approve the constitutional bill concerning the dispositions to overcome the perfect bicameralism, the reduction of the number of members of the Parliament, the abolition of the National Committee on Economy and Labour (CNEL) and the revision of Title V of the 2nd part of the Constitution, which was approved by the Parliament and published on the Official Bulletin n. 88, on April 15, 2016? 

Click here for more info.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Milan says goodbye to Dario Fo



Milan: thousands attended the funeral of Dario Fo, actor–playwright, comedian, singer, theatre director, stage designer, songwriter, painter, political campaigner and Nobel Prize winner.

A Milano oggi è lutto cittadino con le bandiere civiche a mezz'asta per il funerale id Dario Fo, drammaturgo, attore, regista, scrittore e premio Nobel. Il corteo funebre si è snodato sotto la pioggia dal Piccolo Teatro a piazza del Duomo dove c'erano alcune migliaia di persone per l'ultimo saluto in una cerimonia laica. A tenere l'orazione funebre per il premio Nobel è stato Carlo (Carlin) Petrini, presidente di Slow Food e amico fraterno di Dario Fo. 


La Banda degli Ottoni accompagna il corteo funebre.


Photos courtesy of Marco Teatro

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Ondazzurra, radio italiana a Auckland




Start Time: Sunday (11:20) Planet FM 104.6.
Language: Italian
A show made for Italians and lovers of Italy; an assemblage of culture, interviews, music and news of things Italian happening here. Your hosts are lovers of the arts and language with a deep interest in bi-culturalism and the lives of those creating a home away from their original home. Fun, flexible, passionately Italian, every week for 30 minutes.

Radio Ondazzurra ha dato il via ai programmi  domenica 11 settembre 2016, trasmettendo da Planet FM 104.6.

Radio Ondazzurra è la nuova radio in lingua italiana promossa dal Comites e realizzata con fondi che il MAECI (Ministero Affari Esteri Cooperazione Internazionale) ha reso disponibili a fine 2015 per iniziative che riguardano i nuovi flussi si emigrazione. 

Trasmetterà ogni domenica alle 11:20am per mezz'ora. Il programma può essere ascoltato a Auckland in radio su 104.6FM oppure in streaming sul sito di Planet FM 104.6.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Italian Embassy Twitter Account


The Italian Embassy now has a Twitter account:


Italy in New Zealand

Profilo ufficiale dell’Ambasciata d'Italia in Wellington - Official profile of the Italian Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand


Tuesday, October 4, 2016

OUR OCTOBER NEWSLETTER IS NOW OUT!

October newsletter is out now - we tell you about how amazing the Festival Italiano 2016 was, despite the pouring rain. There are plenty of photos from the day for you to see, and of course a list of the next events. Buona lettura! 🙌🇮🇹💃🍷🍕 #dantealighieriauckland #italianiinnuovazelanda #festivalitaliano2016 #italianfestival

Festival Italiano 2016 - Sponsors

Grazie to all our Sponsors of 
     



     



Monday, October 3, 2016

Closing the Italian Festival Season in style with the Villani Piano Quartet.



We concluded the Italian Festival Season in Auckland last night with a wonderful concert with the Villani Piano Quarter playing Music by Brahms and Mahler. Thank you to all who attended the concert, and those who joined us for Aperitivo afterwards. Thank you also to our drink sponsors: Peroni, Aperol, Cracroft Chase and San Pellegrino. We hope to see you again at our future Dante Auckland concerts and events!

Villani Piano Quartet
Marko Pop Ristov, violin – Helen Bevin, viola
Sarah Spence, cello – Flavio Villani, piano






Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Photos of the Festival Italiano 2016


It rained and poured, but Festival Italiano went ahead, with Italian flair and with a big turnout! Thank you all for braving the weather and coming along, Grazie Auckland!