After France’s expulsion of Roma gypsies from its shores, things are moving in the Italian capital, Rome, where many Rome are unlikely to be received with anymore welcome than that which they experienced in France. Rome’s current mayor, Gianni Alemanno, is not particularly friendly towards the Roma (many of whom are Romanian nationals) and the climate of acceptance of these people is even colder than usual.

Italy’s minister for internal affairs, Roberto Maroni, who also comes from Italy’s hardline, right-wing Northern League party, is to meet his French counterpart in an effort to create joint strategies regarding the influx of the Roma gypsies into the two European countries. Some of the strategies may see life improve for these people, who often live in total degradation.

One of the plans is to set up situations in which the ‘rom’, as they’re called in Italy, won’t be living in illegal camps and won’t have access to land and territory in which to set up their camps. This is part of a move to secure the right sanitation and hygiene conditions and avoid incidents like the terrible fire in a camp recently, that killed a three-year-old boy.

It’s difficult to imagine just how this removal of the rom from their camps and establishment of new accommodation intended to take place in Rome and the region of Lazio will be achieved but many Italians are waiting to see just how it might be managed. So far Italy has not mentioned whether it will expel the Roma gypsies in the same way that France has done, but so far it looks like it’s moving in the direction of protection the Roma health and welfare first.

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The Rome Film festival which is in its fifth year will run from 28 October to 5 November. Many stars and movie directors are expected to take part in the event. The organisers have just announced an impressive line-up; from Nicole Kidman’s latest film, Rabbit Hole to Last Night starring Keira Knightly and Eva Mendes (opening night movie). There will also be a spotlight on the late Ugo Tognazzi whose career in the movies spanned over 40 years ( scenes from his most famous films will be shown in a special section dedicated to the actor), while Oscar winning director Giuseppe Tornatore will head up the jury deciding the Marc’Aurelio awards including for best film, actor and actress.

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News from the Vatican is that a book in interview form with Pope Benedict XVI will be published by the end of the year. The work is the fruit of conversations between the Pope and journalist Peter Seewald. The two spent a week together, from July 26 to 31 this year, and the interviews continue an acquaintance that started back when the Pope was still Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and when the journalist had interviewed him then.

The interviews, apparently on various themes, took place in German (as Seewald is a German journalist) and the book will be available in Italian and German, with other languages possibly following. The book will be published by the Vatican’s publisher, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, as reported by Vatican communications officer Father Federico Lombardi.

Source | ANSA

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Rome’s Colosseum has more than meets the eye. Not just a world heritage monument and one of Italy’s biggest international icons, it appears that the ancient site has become a successful brand name, appearing ahead of Milan’s Duomo cathedral in terms of Italian symbols, and even in front of one of the world’s most famous and historic modern marketing phenomena, Coca Cola.

The Colosseum is currently undergoing restoration to be finished in 2013, and has been subject to some improvements to its marketing appeal, including an iPhone app to jump queues and night visits that have reduced daytime crowd numbers. Estimates, however, have actually put a brand value on the Colosseum, with its worth at 91 billion euros. The Duomo in Milan comes in at 82 billion euros and the Colosseum value is considered double that of Coca Cola.

The figures come from studies of a bizarre Italian law that has the capacity to pass on government property to local councils to be then auctioned or sold in moves designed to reduce public debt. The value placed on the Colosseum comes from research carried about by the Monza-Brianza Chamber of Commerce studies department and is based on the value of the land and an ‘economic attraction’ index (which also takes into account the use of the word ‘Colosseo’ in other businesses like restaurants and souvenir shops, for example).

The Economic Reputation Index, which is a joint project between organisations such as the Best Global Brands, Urban Audit and Italy’s touring club among others, has valued the Vatican Museums at 90 billion euros and the Trevi Fountain at 78 billion euros. If they were all to be sold, we imagine that would be Rome’s public debt covered a number of times over….

Photo | Wikipedia

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We don’t know the exact date the restoration will begin but according to the Italian Culture Minster Sandro Biondi it should be finished by 2013! The Italian government is now looking for private sponsors to help it restore one of Rome’s most important and best loved landmarks; a restoration which will cost an estimated 25 million euros. Sponsors would be allowed to advertise their contributions in a way “compatible with the value and decorum of the Colosseum. Among the first sponsors willing to shell out a few millions, Tod’s founder, Diego della Valle.

By the way you will be glad to know that the site will remain open to visitors while restoration work is completed.

Photo | Flickr

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Although the summer is slowly fading away, the celebrations for Federico Fellini ‘s masterpiece La Dolce vita ( the movie turns 50 this year ) will continue with a series of fascinating events until November 2010; much awaited is the photographic exhibition La Dolce Vita. 1950 - 1960. Stars and celebrities in the Italian Fifties which will take place at the mercati di Troiano. This time visitors will have the unique opportunity to admire a series of snapshots taken by paparazzi of such glamorous celebrities as Audrey Hepburn, Alain Delon, Maria Callas, Shirley Winters, Charton Heston, Ava Gardner and Kim Novak (just to mention a few). In the 1960s Rome was one of the international jet set s’ favourite haunts; the city where stars would come out in droves! Take a look at our gallery and be dazzled!

Continue reading: Exhibitions in Italy: La Dolce Vita. 1950 - 1960. Stars and celebrities in the Italian fifties at Mercati di Traiano, Rome

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It’s quite to difficult to say really when the 50th anniversary of Rome’s Fiumicino airport is. Originally planned for the 1960 Rome Olympics, the airport didn’t open until five days after the games had actually started (on August 20). But even then the airport wasn’t fully operative until the January of 1961 when the current Terminal 3 opened for all airline companies to operate from.

Fiumicino looked like this when it first opened: there was a bus and train connection service to Rome’s Termini station, departures and arrivals were on the same level, there was one pharmacy, a news agency, a bank, a bar and a post office. It had all the essentials in a small space which would soon become Italy’s biggest airport.

The Leonardo da Vinci airport was inaugurated twice, with the first time in 1956 at a small structure that had one run-way and nothing else. It was a formal ceremony with plenty of political strategem on show to indicate that work had started even though the final plans had not even been approved. The second inauguration was when it was opened in 1960.

Continue reading: Rome's Fiumicino airport turns 50: new airport planned for Rome 2020 bid

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After the great success of last year with more than 5,000 visitors in one night, Get Numb, the electronic arts festival, returns with a series of even more interesting and exciting events. The 2010 festival which will take place at Spazio Roma in Viale Tor di Quinto from 3 - 4 September features such extraordinary artists as Andrea Esu, Andrea De Sica, Mush, Mustek, Aeph, Intiman, JPR, Sensukt, Dj red, Dj Stile, and Cobram Party Boys. For further information please click here.

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Just a few days ago Tripadvisor published the list of Europe’s best loved monuments/places. And guess what? Saint Peter’s basilica came out on top! According to lots of travellers there’s something magic about it- something that mesmerizes the eye and never fails to cast a spell upon the heart. A great favourite with tourists is also Ostia antica, the harbour city of ancient Rome which is noted for the excellent preservation of its ancient buildings, magnificent frescoes and impressive mosaics.

Photo | Flickr

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Situated in the Olgiata district (one of Rome’s most exclusive and fashionable areas), this luxury Italian villa surrounded by a huge park can be yours for only 3 million euros. As you can see from our pics the 575 square metre villa is set atop a small hill from which one can enjoy a panoramic view of the countryside around the district. The place features garage, swimming pool and solarium. For more information please click here.

Continue reading: Luxury Italian Villa up for sale in the Olgiata district, Rome

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