*Our Events in 2018*
(Information on parking with evening/weekend rates: www.ncp.co.uk/find-a-car-park)
Thursday 18th January 2018, 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm
The Portico Library, 57 Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3FF
Societa’ Dante Alighieri and The Portico Library invite you to an evening with
Christina Rossetti
All the heaven is blasing – Tutto il cielo e’ splendente
Parallel Poems
Translated in Italian by Franca Maria Ferraris
Illustrated by Maria Teresa di Tanna
“Tutto il cielo e’ splendente” is the first Italian translation of her work. The Italian poet-translator and the illustrator will present their new book with readings in both languages and a musical interlude.
Poetry reading
Franca Maria Ferraris Italian poet translator
Maria Teresa Di Tanna Italian illustrator
Kate Fuggle musical interlude
Presentation by Anna Maria Forti Sheikh.
Christina Rossetti, one of the most original voices of her century: 1830-1894.
An English poet born in 1830 to Gabriele Rossetti, a poet and a political exile from Vasto, Abruzzo – Italy and Frances Polidori, the sister of Lord Byron’s friend and physician, John William Polidori.
Christina wrote a variety of romantic, devotional and children’s poems including ballads, love lyrics, and sonnets.
Best known for her long poem Goblin Market, her love poem Remember, and for the words of the Christmas carol In the Bleak Midwinter.
Her brother Dante Gabriel Rossetti became an influential Pre-Raphaelite artist and poet.
Christina’s writing was influenced by the work of Dante Alighieri, Petrarch and other Italian writers. Her home was open to visiting Italian scholars, artists and revolutionaries.
The evening will conclude with a glass of Italian wine and nibbles.
Tickets: £ 5 members of Portico / Dante and students; £ 6 non-members
Booking required: T. 0161 236 6785 or email dante@newfuture.org or book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/christina-rossetti-presented-by-the-societa-dante-alighieri-tickets-40548931947
Sunday 4 February 2018 – doors open at 1.00 pm for the reception and the concert will follow at 2.00 pm
Lunchtime concert with ‘Aperitif’ buffet and glass of wine
St Ann’s Church, St Ann Sq, Manchester M2 7LF
Tickets £7 / £ 5 Dante members and concessions
Clarinet: Einar Jóhannesson
Piano: Alessandra Pompili
Einar Jóhannesson studied the clarinet at the Reykjavík College of Music with Gunnar Egilson and continued his studies at The Royal College of Music in London, where he won the coveted Frederick Thurston prize. He has appeared as a soloist and chamber music player throughout Europe, Asia, America and Australia. He is principal clarinet of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, solo clarinettist of the Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra, and a founding member of the Reykjavík Wind Quintet.
Alessandra Pompili is a classical pianist with a focus on presenting original and creative programmes to audiences. She has performed for years as a soloist to critical public acclaim in Italy, England, Hungary and the U.S.A.
She lives in Manchester and is an active member of our Society.
The event is jointly organised by St Ann’s Church and Societa’ Dante Alighieri in Manchester.
WEDNESDAY 21 MARCH 2018 – 6.00pm for 6.15pm
FILM: LA GIUSTA DISTANZA / THE RIGHT DISTANCE
by Carlo Mazzacurati (2007)
In Italian with English subtitles – Duration 106 min
Introduction by Silvana Serra – Q&A session to follow
Il film sara` introdotto da Silvana Serra e seguirà un breve dibattito
Venue: The Town Hall Tavern, 20 Tib Lane (off Cross Street), Manchester M2 4JA
Admission FREE – drinks and/or snacks can be ordered and paid for at the bar
A fine film depicting themes, with much foresight, that have nowadays become prominent in daily life.
The film was awarded with a ‘Nastro d’argento’ for best script, and nominated for several ‘David di Donatello’ awards, including categories for best film and best actress.
WEDNESDAY 2nd MAY 2018 – 6.15pm for 6.30pm start
ITALY 1929-1945: WHAT DID REALLY HAPPEN?
Speaker: Silvana Serra
The first of two talks will aim to broaden the knowledge of – and provide some clarifications on – the dramatic events of the Fascism and the role of Italy in World War II. Events sadly often perceived too simplistically.
A glass of wine and Italian nibbles will follow. During the social gathering you will have the opportunity to discuss the presentation.
Venue: Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL
Admission: members £ 2.00 / non-members £ 3.00
It would be helpful if you could confirm your presence to dante@newfuture.org
WEDNESDAY 3rd JUNE 2018 – 6.15PM for 6.30PM start
ITALY 1929-1945: WHAT DID REALLY HAPPEN?
( 2ND AND FINAL PART )
Speaker: Silvana Serra
The last of two talks will aim to broaden the knowledge of – and provide some clarifications on – the dramatic events of the Fascism and the role of Italy in World War II. Events sadly often perceived too simplistically.
A glass of wine and Italian nibbles will follow. During the social gathering you will have the opportunity to discuss the presentation.
Venue: Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL
Admission: members £ 2.00 / non-members £ 3.00
It would be helpful if you could confirm your presence to dante@newfuture.org
SATURDAY 16th – FRIDAY 29th JUNE
Saturday 16 June (11.00pm to 4.30pm)
Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL
FREE admission
Il mercatino del libro – Italian book market
Browse for those special second hand and rare one off books for adults and children.
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Garofalo pasta tasting (12.30pm to 1.30pm)
Pop-in to taste this exceptional Italian pasta which may have only arrived in the UK recently but in Italy it’s existed since 1789.
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Sunday 17th June
Manchester Day with Al Bacio and Dom’s
Join us for mouth-watering Italian food and drink throughout the day.
Al Bacio Restaurant, 10-14 South King Street, Deansgate, Manchester M2 6DW
Dom’s Tavola calda, 40-42 Deansgate, Manchester M3 1RH
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Wednesday 20th June (6.30pm)
Divine Monsters: From Past to Present
The Portico Library, 57 Mosley Street, Manchester
Art Historian Sara Riccardi will explore the historical representation of ‘bestiari’, which belonged to the wider collective Medieval imagination, of which Dante and Gessner were part. Sara will also present and explore the beautiful facsimiles of some illuminated early manuscripts of the Divina Commedia on display at the Library.
Barbara Bertoni of Imago, the Italian publishers of the facsimiles, will be on hand after the talk to discuss the manuscripts with you.
Drinks and Italian snacks will follow:
£5 members of Portico and Dante
£6 non-members / £4 students and unemployed
Booking required: Library tel. 0161 2366785
events@theportico.org.uk or dante@newfuture.org
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20th – 22nd June (9.30am – 4.30pm)
The Divine Comedy: Early Manuscripts
The Portico Library, 57 Mosley Street, Manchester
FREE admission
Over just three days facsimiles of six of Dante’s early illuminated manuscripts will be shown at The Portico Library. You will be able to view these stunning reproductions of the “Divina Commedia” up-close and discover some of the history of these amazing books.
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Thursday 21st June
To learn more about the technical details of the manuscripts, drop in to the library at 3.00pm on 21 June to talk to Elena Palladino, Rare Books and Special Collections Librarian – member of Societa’ Dante Alighieri.
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Friday 29th June (1.00pm)
Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street, Manchester
Lunchtime Concert
Pianist: Alessandra Pompili
Followed by complimentary Garofalo pasta salad, Italian cheese and drinks
FREE admission – Donations to the Cross Street Chapel are appreciated
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Monday 18th to Friday 22nd June
Al Bacio Restaurant and Dom’s Tavola Calda
10-14 South King Street, Deansgate, Manchester M2 6DW
40-42 Deansgate, Manchester M3 1RH
A main dish of Garofalo pasta with a soft drink at £10.00
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Monday 25th to Friday 29th June
Al Bacio Restaurant and Dom’s Tavola Calda
10-14 South King Street, Deansgate, Manchester M2 6DW
40-42 Deansgate, Manchester M3 1RH
A main dish of Garofalo pasta with a soft drink at £10.00
–> DOWNLOAD OUR FESTA ITALIA 2018 LEAFLET HERE! <–
PIZZA DI FERRAGOSTO
15th August 2018
6.45PM for 7PM start
Venue: DOM’S Tavola Calda/Pizzeria, 40-42 Deansgate, Manchester M3
(corner Blackfriars St)
In the past few years we have celebrated the ‘Ferragosto’ (15th August) with a ‘pizza evening’ and also this year Silvana and Manuela will meet at DOM’s in Deansgate. If you like to join us please contact dante@newfuture.org BEFORE Monday 13th August and we will book a table accordingly.
Each of us will pay separately for his/her own pizza and drink.
Buone vacanze a tutti! E buon Ferragosto!
Origin of “Ferragosto” – The term Ferragosto derives from the Latin feriae Augusti (Augustus’ rest) indicating a festivity set up by the emperor Augustus in 18 BC which was an addition to the existing Roman festivals celebrating the end of the main agricultural tasks. During the celebrations, horse races were organised and labour animals were dispensed from work and decorated with flowers. Such ancient traditions are still alive today, virtually unchanged in their form and participation, during the “Palio dell’Assunta” which takes place on 16 August in Siena.
The popular tradition of the Ferragosto trip arises during Fascism. Starting from the second half of the 1920s, in the mid-August period, the regime organised hundreds of popular trips, due to the setting up of the “People’s Trains of Ferragosto”, at hard discounted prices. The initiative gave the opportunity also to the less well-off social classes to visit Italian cities or to reach seaside and mountain resorts.
