Today is the anniversary of Anna Frank’s birth (12 June 1929). Here are some of her words: “What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it happening again.” “I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” “Dead people receive more flowers than the living ones because… Read More Anne Frank
William Styron – novelist – (11 Jun 1925-2006) “Maybe that’s the key to happiness—being sort of dumb, not wanting to know any of the answers.” “Forse questa è la chiave della felicità – essere un po’ stupidi e non voler conoscere le risposte”
Festa di benvenuto per Paolo Nespoli e i compagni astronauti della missione 53 sulla stazione spaziale internazionale (Iss). Una parata è partita oggi dalla villa il Parco di Carate Brianza, e si è snodata per le vie di Verano, paese natale di Nespoli, a bordo di auto d’epoca. Con Nespoli (ESA) erano presenti il russo… Read More Nespoli day: arriva l’uomo delle stelle
Pantelleria, the largest volcanic satellite island of Sicily, was conquered by the Arabs in 700 AD: they named it “ بنت الرياح Bint al-Riyāḥ” or “the daughter of the winds”, due to the strong winds that arise off the north coast of Africa. The Arabs are attributed many of the most characteristic elements of its… Read More Pantelleria: what’s in a name?
Questa terra “sperduta a occidente” è quella che Omero chiamava Ogigia, il luogo in cui Ulisse e la ninfa Calipso si amarono per sette anni. Calipso, una bellissima ninfa, era stata costretta dagli dei, per punizione, a rimanere su Ogigia, un’isola che non ne ha altre nelle vicinanze, dove le Moire mandavano eroi bellissimi ed… Read More Pantelleria
La serata era stata piacevole, lo spettacolo interessante e l’accompagnatore compito. Se apprezzava la prosa doveva sicuramente avere più spessore di altri, si era detta Le aveva aperto con sollecitudine la portiera, gentilezza che pochi ormai praticavano. Aveva conversato piacevolmente per tutto il tragitto fino a casa. Erano quasi arrivati e lei si… Read More Trovare e perdere il Paradiso
Paradiso è là dove sarò con i miei cari, foss’anche nel profondo della terra
Nasreddin or Nasreddin Hodja was a satirical Sufi who lived in the 13th century . He is considered a populist philosopher and wise man, remembered for his funny stories, which usually have a subtle humour and a pedagogic nature. One day, a neighbour who Nasreddin didn’t like very much came over to… Read More Nasreddin
A beautiful and very sad legend explains the origin of the name of Samarkand. The story is about two young lovers. The girl was called Kant (“sugar”) and she was the king’s daughter. Instead, the boy, whose name was Samar, belonged to a poor family. They fell in love with each other but when Kant’s… Read More The name Samarkand
The Bukharian emir liked Samarkand bread and ordered to bake it in his court. He was told that bread would be tasty only if it was baked in Samarkand, but the khan ordered to bring bakers from Samarkand to Bukhara. The order was carried out and the best baker was brought to the palace, but… Read More Samarkand bread
