As our club celebrates its 20th birthday later on this year, the debate about foreign languages has never been more relevant. If you are reading this bulletin, you are naturally inclined to speak foreign languages and perhaps, you don’t see the world solely under the lens of your own experience. Languages are open doors to the world. They represent how other people see and describe similar things; they can be a respite to stress or melancholy, and they give you the confidence that you may always have another chance to make it elsewhere, if everything goes South. If you are curious about current language trends, you may want to take a look at our brief report regarding the fading of foreign language programs from our educational system.
See:https://www.ciancia.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=77
This year, we are looking forward to one of our program highlights, the Italian Movie Festival, taking place at the Rialto Theatre in April, bringing to Atlanta the latest Italian cinematographic production of drama and comedy. Our February, Valentine event this month will be sensational, taking place at Chateau Elan. In addition, our smaller language club has started its gatherings on the Tuesday following our regular meeting. So, don’t forget to check for our next gathering location. Our finances are healthy and our subscribing list, between Facebook and our Bulletin list, is above 1,700 subscribers and growing.
In the meantime, Italy has been dealing with a post-Berlusconi reconstruction, not just of its broken economy and morale, but of its battered ethics, so badly compromised by the disgraceful and embarrassing behavior of its ex-premier. This is not a forum for protest or outrage. But my love for Italy is rather profound, and I can only wish best luck to a secular nation that has given birth to poets, writers, artists and philosophers who were protectors of its outstanding culture – not of underage prostitution.
Forgive my frankness; this is solely about moral values. Besides, mine is a small red flag in comparison to what Italy needs at this time. Who is speaking on behalf of women? What are our young men learning from such an arrogant schmuck who thinks that if you have money, you got it all and can cross any rule with immunity? What are we permitting to take place? A strike to our core values does not have a political color, and whether you are a man or a woman, behind you there is a mother who reared you, fed you, clothed you and taught you moral rectitude. There is no place in our society for disrespect towards women. I could no longer keep quiet about this scandal.
On a nicer Teutonic note, in January, Germany was the only nation in Europe able to keep its credit rating. Everybody else was downgraded. It reminded me that, years ago, our founder Nicolette Vajik wrote a hilarious pantomime about an attempted coup made in Germany at the expenses of the English language. I decided to re-publish it. If you are in the mood for ten minutes of uncontrollable laughter, go ahead and read it (below) at your own risk. Before you do so, make sure you are wearing some diapers. Remember, I warned you.
Don’t miss the ad on the Festa di Carnevale by La Societa’ Italiana – see below. What else? Earth has never been closer to the sun – this is a condition, which takes place once every 300 million years. You are not likely to see it again, not even if you put yourself on a perpetual Mediterranean diet of healthy food, sex and fresh air, not even if you become a dinosaur, like me. Whatever you do this winter, stay warm, try not to stress out about anything, stop smoking or drinking sodas, tell someone that you love them, be kind to others and look at things with a good dose of humor. None of it will hurt you. AGP & AS
LANGUAGE AND FOOD POLICY
Ciancia has been evolving into a large group where people come for the convivial atmosphere of our gathering, but come primarily to meet people who are interested in the rich culture and heritage of Italy. Our original mission, which was to cultivate the use of the language, has been slightly lost in the process, or perhaps set aside by the more emergent need to get together, relax, and not worry much about not speaking Italian, perhaps wanting to get some tips about your tour of Tuscany next summer. It’s all good folks, as long as we remember why we founded our club in the first place: to practice and cultivate the knowledge of the Italian language. This is where I would like to leave this bulletin, hoping that my appeal resonates a deep note in you and invites you to make an effort to speak Italian at our meetings. Also, we need to stress that we are not a restaurant and that our mission is not to feed you at the meetings. The door contribution barely pays for our running expenses – the food is often donated. Whatever edibles we provide are meant as a pairing to the wine and the conversation, not as dinner. Please, be respectful of other members by helping yourself to small portions, and by keeping your focus on the conversation. Thank you.
WINE POLICY
We could not help noticing remnants of cheap wines brought to our meetings. Our door policy is clear – you either pay $10 at the door or bring a bottle of Italian wine of EQUIVALENT value. It is not just a matter of sustaining the quality of what we drink, it is a matter of class. Now, we neither have the energy nor the desire to patrol this aspect at the door, but we expect adherence to our policies. When empty-handed or in doubt about which wine to get, a $10 door contribution is preferred and much appreciated.
Want to save big? Buy a 2012 door pass for $40 – it will get you in free for the entire year.
WE NEED YOUR PICTURES!
Members, if you have taken pictures at any Ciancia gathering, would you please send them to us at info@ciancia.org . We need them for our web pages. Thank you!
THE FADING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Excerpt: “The problem with the disappearance of foreign language programs is with the decline of communication skills and understanding of foreign cultures, which goes hand in hand with misunderstandings, faulty interpretations, not to mention xenophobia.” To read the full article go to: https://www.ciancia.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=77
BEING ITALIAN IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH
This bold affirmation comes (with proofs) from Dany Mitzman, a brilliant and prolific BBC journalist who leaves in Bologna, Italy and who has a keen ability and a great sense of humor in detecting slight differences between cultures. As you will see, she does it unpretentiously, with great humbleness and a sense of self-criticism. If there is one lesson we must learn from a British person, it is modesty; quite the opposite of some politicians who think they got “the truth” – no names, but you can start your search from dumb flowering shrubs… Well, I could not resist the temptation of publishing her article on our bulletin, so I sent out a request. The next thing I knew was her enthusiastic response, followed by more and more messages. This bright mind is certainly on our watch list, for sooner than later we may be dubbing her as “our new correspondent in Italy”. To read her article go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15987082 Have personal comments? Follow the trail on LinkedIn.
OUR LAST MEETING
We would like to thank Marcy Lindgren for a fabulous reception at her modern house in Ansley Park. It was nothing short of sensational, with 150 plus attendees, rivers of wine and a spread of food that looked like a Roman banquet. We also would like to thank the members of our Committee, in particular Alexandra, Francesco, and Tony, who made it all possible. I would also like to mention Catalina and all those who, at the end of the meeting, rolled up their sleeves and helped out with the cleaning. Thank you all for your time and dedication.
OUR VALENTINE MEETING AT CHATEAU ELAN
We know that it sounds French, but it is a famous Georgia winery, just 30 minutes outside of I-285, off I-85 North. If you live in that neck of the woods, or if you are up to a little Valentine trip (you can play your Italian tapes on the way), with your date or without a date, you should consider joining us at this amazing mansion on the golf course. For details and directions go to: https://www.ciancia.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=65
THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE GROUP
Italophiles, we have exciting news for you! In order to increase language proficiency and exposure, Ciancia has created a diner’s language club. If you yearn for a few hours of full immersion in an Italian-speaking environment, the Italian Language Group is cut for you. The group meets on the third or fourth Tuesday of every month. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 7:30, at Pizzeria Venti, which is located in Buckhead at 2770 Lenox Road, Atlanta, GA 30324 – telephone 404.228.2013. http://www.pizzeriaventi-atlanta.com/
No door fee is required. A complete meal will be provided by the host at a special $20 a person, payable individually, at the time you get seated. Members are free to bring their own wine to this event. This style is much closer to what Ciancia used to be in its beginnings, 20 years ago. We hope that this initiative pleases those of you who are yearning to speak and improve their Italian. Again we are not speaking English at the meeting. Some of our sponsors have shown interest for our group. Therefore locations may rotate from time to time. Please be aware that you are not allowed to bring food items to these events, as public venues are subject to strict health guidelines. A presto, Italiani ed Italofili. Ci vediamo da Venti fra tre settimane.
ACHTUNG! EURO-ENGLISH IS COMING!
The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the EU rather than German, which was the other possibility. As part of the negotiations, Her Majesty’s Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5 year phase plan that would be known as “EuroEnglish”: in the first year, “s” will replace the soft “c”. Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard “c” will be dropped in favor of the “k”. This should klear up up konfusion and keyboards kan have one less letter. There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year, when the troublesome “ph” will be replaced with the “f”. This will make words like “fotograf” 20% shorter.
In the 3rd year, publik akseptance of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible. Governments will enkorage the removal of double letters, which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horible mes of the silent “e”s in the language is disgaseful, and they should go away. By the 4th yer, peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing “th” with “z” and “w” with “v”. During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary “o” kan be dropd from vords kontaining “ou” and similar changes vud of kors be aplid to ozer kombinations of leters. After zis fifz yer, ve vil hav a reli sensibl riten styl. Zer vil be no mor trubls or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech ozer. Ze drem vil finali kum tru!! Hav a nis vek. – Nicolette Vajk
FESTA DI CARNEVALE
La Societa Italiana is having a Ball! On the Saturday before Lent (February 18, 2012) La Societa Italiana is hosting a fabulous Carnevale Charity Ball. Proceeds from our raffle are donated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home in Atlanta. In 2011, we donated $35,000 to OLPH. Join your Italian friends for dinner and dancing to the Jay Ferren Band at the Dunwoody Country Club at 1600 Dunwoody Club Drive, Dunwoody GA Saturday February 18, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $85 each which includes Hors d’œuvres, Dinner , Wine , Dancing, Door Prizes.
Couples and singles are welcome– everyone dances! A great way to celebrate Valentines Day too! Send a check with your reservation by February 1st to: La Societa Italiana – 1415 Redbud Way – Cumming, GA 30041. For additional information contact: Roseanne Perniciaro 770-889-4625
WHO BRINGS CIANCIA TO YOU?
Ciancia is brought to you by an outstanding Steering Committee of accomplished professionals, each one bringing to the table amazing experience in communication and event production. This is a team of volunteers, all strong believers in the great rewards of social interaction, curiosity, diversity and cultural engagement.
Here is our current roster:
Giancarlo Pirrone, president
Tony Pelliccia, event and door-reception coordinator
Marcia Briscoe, founder and constitution member
Kristi Hutchinson, IT technical services and PR
Francesco Scordato, Facebook and Internet interface
Alexandra Salivia, writer, editor, event coordinator
Nelson Salivia, IT technical services
Daniele Goffredo Gonzales, website design
Stefania Cappelli, event coordinator
Roberto Napoli, IT technical services
We admit new committee members on a regular basis. If you think that you have the drive and the time to take over one of the numerous responsibilities, which make Ciancia possible, please step forward. You may contact us at info@ciancia.orgWe look forward to seeing you at our next meeting!