Silvia Ballestra will read from her latest novel on Monday, May 3

From the time that Silvia Ballestra made her debut in the short story anthology “Papergang, Under 25” curated by the writer Pier Vittorio Tondelli (1990), she’s played a vital role in Italy’s literary and political life. A passionate defender of women’s rights, on Monday, May 3 she will read excerpts from her latest novel, “The Days of the Rotonda,” and speak about Italian women’s ongoing struggle for equal rights in Italian society. Associate Professor Grazia Menechella (University of Wisconsin-Madison) will moderate.

Silvia Ballestra's credits are many. They include “Birthday of the Iguana” and “The War of the Antò,” which was made into a movie directed by Riccardo Milani; also “Nina,” “The Second Dora,” “It’s Raining on our Love.” 

Silvia Ballestra was born in the Marche region of Italy and has a degree in foreign languages and contemporary foreign literature. Today she lives and works in Milan, where she also collaborates with the newspapers “L’Unità” and “Corriere della Sera.”

A reception will follow this reading. Please RSVP at 312-822-9545

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to meet one of Italy's most influential writers and intellectuals!

Tornatore's Baaria at Facets Cinematheque

The latest masterpiece of the sicilian director Giuseppe Tornatore

Tornatore's Baaria at Facets Cinematheque

Homage to Sicily

The passions, dreams, hopes and delusions of an entire Sicilian community, Bagheria, as seen through the eyes of three generations:  from Ciccio Torrenuova, to his son Peppino, to his grandson Pietro. In the years of Fascism, Ciccio is a modest sheepherder who finds time to dedicate himself to his passion: books, poems of chivalry, and popular novels. During the food shortages of the Second World War, his son struggles against injustice and, although lacking education, he becomes passionate about politics, eventually becoming a member of the local government.  In the meantime, he meets and elopes with the woman of his life, Mannina, with whom he has five children.

Presented by the Italian Film Festival USA, which is sponsored by the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago and the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago, and in collaboration with Facets Multimedia.

For this special presentation, seating is extremely limited.
Reservations are required. Please call (312) 822-9545 x 198 to RSVP
or simply send an email to iicchicago@esteri.it

See http://www.italianfilmfests.org/ and http://www.facets.org/pages/cinematheque/films/may2010/baaria.php
for further information.

(Review from www.italianfilmfests.org)

Information

Date: Saturday, May 01, 2010
Hours: 7:00 pm
Site: Facets Cinematheque 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago, IL 60614
Organized by: Facets Cinematheque
In collaboration with: Italian Cultural Institute

LORENZO JOVANOTTI AT HARVARD!

April 27, Conference on Music and Human Rights


Lorenzo "Jovanotti" has been invited to Harvard to speak at a conference on "Music and Human Rights."  This is the first time that an Italian musician has been asked to address students about this topic at Harvard. 


Post-war popular music and its best musicians have always been linked to the promotion of Human Rights and Lorenzo is no exception. He has been asked to talk to students about his decades long experience in Human Rights issues. He'll elucidate the relationship that exits between popular music and the diffusion and defense of Human Rights around the world.

Baroque Band Presents Vivaldi – L’Estro Armonico Concertos for 1, 2, and 4 violins

As part of the first Chicago Early Music Festival, Baroque Band presents Vivaldi - L'Estro Armonico, Concertos for 1,2, and 4 violins. Director/violin - Garry Clarke.

This beautiful concert will take place on:

Wednesday April 21, 2010. 7:30 p.m.

St James Cathedral

65 E. Huron St.

About Baroque Band

Founded in 2007 by British baroque violinist Garry Clarke, Baroque Band has rapidly established itself as an important member of Chicago’s musical community. As Chicago’s period-instrument orchestra, it has been hailed by critics and audiences and has gained a reputation as one of the most exciting period-instrument ensembles in the United States. “Baroque Band are a welcome addition to Americas elite period-instrument ensembles” – John Puccio, Classical Candor