L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019 www.italoamericano.org 24 L'Italo-Americano A uthor Dianne Hales' latest book, La Pas- sione – How Italy Se- duced the World is a title that seems to op- timize what most Italians feel about their homeland. Equally fit- ting is the first paragraph of Chap- ter One which reads, in part: "Imagine a world without Italy: paintings without Leonardo. Sculp- ture without Michelangelo. Liter- ature without Dante. No Verdi cho- ruses or Puccini arias. No Fellini films or Ferrari roar." One would be hard-pressed to create a para- graph that more aptly describes all things Italian. A notable figure in her own right, Dianne Hales is a widely published journalist and author. Her book, La Bella Lingua, placed her on the New York Times best-seller list and the President of Italy awarded her an honorary knighthood in recognition of her work. Dianne says of La Bella Lin- gua, "I never expected to fall madly, gladly, giddily in love with the world's most luscious language. But fall I did. Over the last twenty- some years, Italian has become my passport into Italy's culture, his- tory, lifestyle, traditions—and its very soul. Italy's language has taught me about its greatest art: the art of living." The San Francisco Bay area was thrilled to have the opportunity to host Ms. Hales at her April 17th Italian Cultural Institute (ICI) pre- sentation. The standing-room-only CATHERINE ACCARDI grandfather. Afterward, my guide, who also had tears in his eyes, came over and hugged me. "You see what we cannot because we live with it every day," he said.  Non-Italians may respond, not so much to me, as to the Italy I represent—the semi-magical place that has enchanted millions for centuries. And I'm honored to do so and to celebrate the best of Italy. The fact that you are not of Italian descent makes your books even more remarkable. How do you explain to your fans this passione for all aspects of the culture?  My father asked the same ques- tion when La Bella Lingua came out in 2009 (when he was 90). He wondered how he and my mother—children of Polish immi- grants—ended up with an Italian daughter. I have been told that I have "an Italian soul." Perhaps we all do. I agree with Luigi Barzini that there is a little part in every person that is Italian—just as there is some part of Italy in every realm of Western civilization. This is what gives us—regardless of ge- netic background—the potential to love deeply, pursue beauty, cherish family and friends, feel compassion and empathy with oth- ers. This is the timeless essence of our humanity.  From my very first trip more than three decades ago, Italy has touched me at every level—intel- lectual, spiritual, emotional, vis- ceral. I feel that it added another dimension to my life and opened up a new chamber in my heart. And I'm very grateful that it did! Author and professor, Joseph Luzzi says of La Passione: "Every page resonates with the author's love for Italy and her joy in shar- ing its remarkable discoveries and exquisite pleasures with her read- ers." Well said! And we, her fans, agree wholeheartedly, con tutto il cuore! crowd included Consul General Lorenzo Ortona and his wife Sheila. The attendees were in- formed and entertained in an evening of tutte le cose italiane. L'Italo-Americano was on hand and had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Hales about her book and her Italianess. What was your inspiration for La Passione?  Is it a compan- ion to, or does it differ from, the message of your prior books? I never set out to write about Italy. Years ago when my agent suggested that I do so ("because you light up when you talk about Italy"), I told her that it would be impossible. Everything that could be said about Italy had been said. "What about Italian?" she asked. "There aren't any books on learn- ing the language." At first I'd studied Italian sim- ply to be able to communicate with the people I met on trips, but then I discovered its wonderful backstory—full of poets, princes and a rowdy group of young Flo- rentines who compiled the first dictionary, made up of what they considered "the most beautiful flowers" in the "vulgar" or com- mon language.  While in Florence, I became friends with an art historian who lived in the palazzo where Mona Lisa's mother grew up. I was so taken by the notion of Leonardo's muse as an actual Renaissance woman that I set out to reconstruct her story in Mona Lisa: A Life Discovered. At a reading for that book, a man asked, "So are you done with Italy?" The question struck me as absurd. Italy wasn't done with me.  I began looking for the com- mon thread that could explain my quasi-obsession with all things Italian. And that's how I found la passione. Your enthusiasm for all thing Italian is captivating. To what do you owe your irresistible "Italianness"?  Italians tell me that I remind them of what they love about their country but often forget as they cope with day-to-day frustrations, politics, bureaucracy, etc.  When I was interviewing a young prosciutto maker (of all things) in Parma, I asked him if he felt a passion for his work. At first he was stumped, but then he became almost teary talking about what it meant to be carrying on the tradition of his father and Journalist and author Dianne Hales. Photographs courtesy of Dianne Hales SAN FRANCISCO ITALIAN COMMUNITY La Passione – How Italy seduced the world Dianne Hales, Clifford Cranna & Frances Mayes. Photograph by Catherine Accardi

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