Watch…Christ stopped at Eboli (DVD) originally a book by Carlo Levi, an anti-fascist, who in 1935 was sent into internal exile by Mussolini. The title comes from a saying by southern Italians that the area has been neglected even by God. Levi was shocked by the poverty of the peasants, not just a material one but their despair, fuelled by superstition and ill health. A doctor, he used his medical skills to help them and they responded with friendship and by breaking the censorship imposed on him by Mussolini. Levi eventually became a Communist Senator in the Italian Parliament. The book was published in 1949 and the film was made thirty years later. A moving and powerful film, it is a brilliant insight into the importance of politics to people’s lives.

Look..……Whilst in Rome last week I went to a meal with Italian lefties. They were despairing of the financial state of the country and I asked about the Occupy movement. Their response was negative, that young people were not active etc. The following day many young and older Italians demonstrated at the Pantheon (one of the most important Roman heritage sites) against the austerity agenda in Italy. You can view footage at Libera TV.

Listen to the CD Filippa (Giordano) . Many classical favourites sung by a wonderful Italian female singer. You can see her on Youtube.

meanwhile back in the North West…

Loiter at the Secret Garden Festival with events in Salford and Trafford until 23 June, including  ‘No Rubbish Tipped Here’,  alternative gardens and unlikely playgrounds…If there’s an empty space,  people will play in it!

Go to the  Future Artists Film Club

THE FUTURE ARTISTS FILM CLUB or the love of indie film.
Join the group! http://futureartists.co.uk/about/

events include

– ‘WE ARE POETS’ + ‘MARINA ABRAMOVIĆ THE ARTIST IS
PRESENT’
Tuesday, July 3, 2012 7:45 PM until Tuesday, July 10, 2012 10:00 PM