An avalanche on the Marmolada
Plus, a ‘watermelon coalition’ and an Elsa Morante TV adaptation
With record temperatures and drought continuing to blight Italy this summer, the human and environmental toll is becoming ever-more worrying. On Sunday, during one of the peaks of the current heatwave, an avalanche occurred on the Marmolada, the ‘heart’ of the Italian dolomites, killing ten and injuring eight. 13 are still missing at the time of writing. There’s no doubt, according to experts, that this disaster was a result of climate change. The temperatures on the peak at the time of the collapse were estimated to be 10 degrees Celsius; unbelievable given the mountain is over 3,500 metres above sea level. The melting ice, lack of snow, and resulting streams of water are thought to have altered the structural integrity of the geologic formation, provoking the disaster. This was obviously a tragedy in its own right; both for the deaths and the damage it caused to the landscape itself. What’s even more worrying, though, is that experts predict many further such collapses over the coming months. Alpine scientists are already registering levels of ice at September levels below 3000m, and Renato Colucci, a glacier specialist, has stated on record that this event “will repeat itself.” The Protezione Civile, for its part, is arguing for a more consolidated task force that, would, in the words of Agostino Miozzo, be “stronger, more centralised, to intervene in time and prevent such tragedies.” The right wing governor of Veneto, however, Luca Zaia, has downplayed the event insisting it was “completely impossible to predict” and that it does not require a political solution. Make of that what you will…
A small but serious political movement is finally beginning to emerge to the left of the Partito Democratico: the minor parties Sinistra Italiana and Europa Verde came to an agreement this week that they will form an electoral pact ahead of the 2023 elections. This “red-green alliance” promises to “unlock much needed new political energies in Italy.” The goal, in the words of the respective leaders, is to “push the PD towards more ambitious action in tackling both the environmental emergency and economic inequalities.” Initial surveys suggest the electorate is in favour of this collaborative formation, and while neither parties are polling in the double digits the fact they are working together at all gives them more influence than cynics might think (especially given the increasing rivalry between the Lega and Fratelli d’Italia on the other side of the spectrum). One last thing. I did appreciate this following small detail: it being the summer, the two parties decided to present their new collaborative campaign as the “watermelon coalition” on the basis that they are “green on the outside and red on the inside.” An inspired slice of political marketing, if nothing else... now let’s see if it can translate into anything of substance.
Have you ever heard of Elisa Esposito - the 19-year-old Italian TikTok sensation? If not, let me fill you in. Esposito’s persona is essentially that of an ultra-chic, fashionista snob called the ‘prof del corsivo’ (or cörsivœ as she writes it). In this capacity she delivers short ‘lectures’ about the Italian language, but using Gen-Z Milanese slang and pronunciation. The videos are, clearly, satirical. What I find fascinating, though, is that a whole older generation of Italian journalists seem to have missed the joke. A few weeks ago, to give just one example, Esposito gave an interview in which she appeared not to know who the national poet Dante Alighieri was. Despite the fact this was obviously a parody, several well-known columnists dedicated page space to op-eds about “the illiteracy of the new generation,” “the corroding influence of TikTok” and so on. I’m flagging this, firstly, in the hope readers here might take those headlines with – at minimum – a pinch of salt, but also, in a very serious public service capacity, to explain why the majority of Italians below 25 are talking in such a bizarre and affected way this summer. Here’s your explanation….
Arts and culture: Morante on the small screen
Some interesting news for fans of TV literary adaptations: this week RAI fiction announced they are beginning work on a new series based on Elsa Morante’s epic 1974 novel La Storia. The book itself, which is set during WWII in the working class district of San Lorenzo in Rome, tells the story of the collapse of the fascist regime and allied liberation as everyday people living in that city experienced it. It’s a great work of literature, and I highly recommend seeking out the book if you’ve never read it. As for the series, the first details are promising: Francesca Archibugi (Romanzo famigliare, Vivere) will be directing, and the cast includes Valerio Mastandrea, Elio Germano, Asia Argento and Lorenzo Zurzolo alongside rising star Jasmine Trinca, who will play the main role of Ida. Shooting is due to take 22 weeks, on location in Rome – and the release is expected, internationally, in late 2022 early 2023. One to keep an eye on for sure.
The online magazine Italy Segreta has a new issue out this month, dedicated to ‘relationships’ and – while I haven’t read it yet – it does look excellent. The editors have approached their theme in the broadest possible sense. There are pieces, as you’d expect, on erotic love, sex, summer flings and dramatic romances, but they’ve also commissioned on a more expansive range of themes: artistic passions, coffee and conviviality; family, friendship. There’s even an essay here about bocce, the old boules-like game so beloved by Italian pensioners, as well as piece on Venetian goldsmiths. It is – in other words – another ambitious and creative bit of work from a magazine that is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most impressive among a new generation of travel-lifestyle publications. Read here, for free, for a full dose of Italian summer vibes.
Recipe of the week: anchovy and potato tarts
I’m writing this edition from a small village near Pontremoli, one of my favourite parts of Italy, where I’m currently spending a few days in the hills with some friends. It’s a place where - on account of the unique geography - seafood and mountain cuisine seem to co-exist and even merge in strange ways. It’s not unusual to encounter fish with mushrooms here, or squid stewed with peas and saffron, stuffed mussels with cheese and breadcrumbs to name just a few delicacies. Anchovies, in particular, seem to make it into the vast majority of dishes, so I thought I’d share a link to a recipe for a savoury tart that is fairly typical of the area. ‘Tegame alla Vernazzana’ is essentially a potato pie which is usually served as a rustic plate in the cheap trattorie along the coast. La Cucina Italiana, however, has a slightly jazzed up version which is smaller, more buffet friendly and a little more elegant. Make sure to use firm, yellow potatoes for the base of this recipe – Yukon gold or similar would be ideal – as well as the freshest anchovies available. This is straightforward cooking, but if you source the right ingredients the result - I promise - is a pleasant, if slightly unusual, addition to a summer dinner table. Enjoy!
About Me
My name is Jamie Mackay (@JacMackay) and I’m an author, editor and translator based in Florence. I’ve been writing about Italy for a decade for international media including The Guardian, The Economist, Frieze, and Art Review. I launched ‘The Week in Italy’ to share a more direct and regular overview of the debates and dilemmas, innovations and crises that sometimes pass under the radar of our overcrowded news feeds.
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