L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano Seduced by Bologna: Inter view with Writer Mary Tolaro Noyes " When I refer to discovering B o l o g n a , I a d m i t t o a n ongoing seduction by her unique past and modern charm, not the least of which are the Bolognesi themselves." Mary Tolaro Noyes's love affair with the city of Bologna began in 1994. That year, Mary, w h o l i v e s i n S a n F r a n c i s c o , decided she'd learn Italian in order to be able to communicate with her Sicilian relatives, who didn't speak English. Avoiding more touristy destinations like Florence and Rome so she'd be forced to speak Italian, Mary arrived in Bologna, where she not only learned the language, but also she "discovered the t r e a s u r e s o f a r e m a r k a b l e city." Intrigued by the history of this charming medieval town, she began to carry out research. Through the years, her fascina- tion with Bologna has led to the publication of two books and several articles, collaborations with the local tourism office, and countless trips to the city she now regards as her second home. Mary, please describe for us your first 'encounter' with the city of Bologna. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015 www.italoamericano.org 4 I a r r i v e d i n B o l o g n a o n a March day in 1994 and my first impressions were that it was a dark and old city and not what I had expected. Perhaps because I had only been to Rome, Venice, F l o r e n c e , a n d S i c i l y i n t h e summertime, my expectations were Sicilian sun and Tuscany washed in shades of yellow. I had read about the porticoes and the medieval centro storico, but red bricks, shadows and dark- ness under the porticoes sur- prised me. I describe my first days in Bologna in "Bologna Reflections" in the chapter enti- tled: So That's Where I Was. Speaking of which, what brought you to the decision t o w r i t e y o u r f i r s t b o o k a b o u t B o l o g n a , " B o l o g n a Reflections"? I did not intend to write a b o o k a b o u t B o l o g n a . I h a d planned to write about Sicily after finding my paternal family there in 1989. I came to Bologna in 1994 to study Italian and, in the meantime, kept a journal. When early on, one of the first I n t e r n e t s e r v i c e s i n t h e c i t y r e q u e s t e d m e t o w r i t e a b o u t Bologna in English from the American point of view, I began my historical research in earnest and have never finished. About ten years ago, I decided to orga- nize the pieces into a collection: " B o l o g n a R e f l e c t i o n s – A n Uncommon Guide" is the result. W h a t a s p e c t s o f t h e c i t y intrigued you the most during your research of Bologna's past? In a few words, I would say the city's history and cultural offerings and its medieval nature i n t r i g u e d m e . I h a d s t u d i e d English literature, history and society at the university and found myself most interested in t h e M i d d l e A g e s a n d Renaissance periods. Bologna's architecture and colors and his- tory gave form to my abstract concepts. Over the years, I have come to realize that I never real- ly chose Bologna—the city and the people chose me. I love dis- c o v e r i n g / g a t h e r i n g b i t s a n d pieces of history and creating "something" with them. I often say that Bologna seduced me and that actually describes what happened. You have said that what keeps you coming back is the B o l o g n e s i e v e n m o r e t h a n Bologna itself. What do you find special about them? The Bolognesi have always welcomed me and shared their city, their families and traditions, and their homes with me. They have also connected me with his- NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS The cover of Mary Tolaro Noyes' book, "Bologna reflections" SILVIA DONATI Continued on page 5

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