La notte di San Lorenzo

Notte di San Lorenzo

Each year on the night of August 10th, Italians turn their eyes towards the sky hoping to spot a shooting star. 

This night is, in fact, since ever, dedicated to the martyrdom of San Lorenzo, who is buried since the third century in the homonymous basilica in Rome. The shooting stars represent the tears poured by the saint while dying on August 10th - it seems all those tears wander around  the sky all the year, until when on this night, shooting stars appear creating a magic and fantastic atmosphere. 


On this night, in fact, it seems that all your dreams come true, if you spot a shooting star and recite the nursery rhyme "Stella, mia bella stella, desidero che.." (Star, my beautiful star, I wish).....



So, if you didn't know that, this is something to celebrate next year....


Today was even my son Lorenzo "onomastico" - saint.
Tanti auguri amore di mamma!!

Lorenzo in Rome by Simona

A presto!

Pietro da Cortona: the Rape of the Sabine Women

The Rape of the Sabine Women
1627-29
Oil on canvas, 280,5 x 426 cm
Pinacoteca Capitolina, Rome

Pietro da Cortona again!!! The subject of my Master thesis when I was still in Auckland.
The Rape of the Sabine Women is a subject well known and practiced by many artists, included Pietro da Cortona, who received the commission by the Sacchetti family. This painting, today in the Pinacoteca Capitolina, was executed by the artist before the Triumph of Divine Providence for the Barberini Family in the Palazzo Barberini in Rome.

If you have occasion to visit Rome, don't forget to stop and admire this artwork in the Pinacoteca Capitolina at the top of the Campidoglio!

A presto!!

Rome: ruins, forum, Italian language

Forum by Simona

Forum by Simona

What a beautiful thing...going to Rome and see the Forum, walking along the old Roman ruins with some friends or by your own. Why not enjoy this especially when the season is so warm?

So if you are planning your holiday in September or October learn some intensive Italian in the next few weeks in Brisbane.

Just get in touch!!

Simona
0414 262 782

Il Banchetto di Cleopatra

The Banquet of Cleopatra by Tiepolo at the NGV (part.)
image by Simona 

   

It is the work which for excellence represent the good life, the passion for beautiful things and the joy for life!!! The Banquet of Cleopatra by Tiepolo at the National Gallery of Victoria is there for everyone....so next time you are in Melbourne go, enjoy and admire this work, as many other beautiful artworks in the gallery!!

Connect with Italy - there at the NGV!!!

A presto!!

Piazza di Pietra

Piazza di Pietra by Simona

Between the Pantheon and Via del Corso, you come across a narrow square, Piazza di Pietra, which refers to the imposing columns of a temple to Emperor Hadrian built in 144 AD by his successor Antoninus Pius. 

During the various centuries the building has been incorporated into a large building to later house the central Customs Office (Dogana di Terra) for goods which reached Rome by land. 

Today the building belongs to the Roman Chamber of Commerce.  

Art in Melbourne

When I was there I enjoyed art and food and good company!!

I LOVE YOU ITALIA!!!

A new course at New Farm State School !!