L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015 www.italoamericano.org 5 torians/scholars who have gener- ously shared their research and demonstrated to me how one comes to know and appreciate an ancient city that is also very modern and open. I expect their entrepreneurial spirit and inde- pendent nature over the ages might add to my interest. You're at work on a third book, about Bolognese women. Can you give us a little scoop on it? What are you discover- ing, who are some of the most i n t e r e s t i n g w o m e n y o u ' r e learning about? My research is progressing slowly and I am finding an inter- esting and abundant amount of information. I have not yet set- tled on what I will finally do with my research on Bolognese women, but I am looking for- ward to focusing on it and bring- ing it to fruition. In the mean- time, here are four examples of women from Bologna's past that inspire me: Properzia de' Rossi, a sculptress in Bologna in the A g e o f C a r l o V , t h e a r t i s t G i n e v r a C a n t o f o l i , B i t i s i a Gozzadini, a professor of Law in the 13 th century, physicist Laura Bassi Veratti. Not to mention artist Santa Caterina Vigri and musician and composer Lucrezia Vizzana. I have so much work to do… Y o u ' r e b a s e d i n S a n Francisco. What's the Italian cultural scene like there? Any institutions/events you'd like to recommend for Italophiles liv- ing in San Francisco? I believe that the Italian cul- tural scene is in flux here in San Francisco. Many young, well- educated Italians are arriving and contributing to all aspects of life here, perhaps because of the o p p o r t u n i t i e s t h e y f i n d . T h e Istituto Italiano di Cultura is a gathering point for activities and an Italian film festival in the autumn offers the possibility to see new films. Otherwise, the offerings are bleak. The restau- rants have never inspired me, but lately new locales are opening with young Italian chefs and authentic offerings that offer a promising future. The best place to eat Italian for me is either in Italy or at an Italian friend's h o u s e h e r e i n S F ( o r a t m y house)! The best Italian "scene" here is knowing and hanging out with Italians! M a r y i s t h e a u t h o r o f : " B o l o g n a R e f l e c t i o n s – A n U n c o m m o n G u i d e " a n d " G a t h e r i n g C h e s t n u t s – Encounters Along the Way"; she has also written and translated t h r e e p i e c e s , i n I t a l i a n a n d English, for various collections published in Emilia Romagna: " B o l o g n a E n i g m a t i c a " f o r "Emilia Romagna Segreta", "I segreti di Bologna: una città s e d u c e n t e " f o r " R a c c o n t i Bolognesi", and "Bologna: the C o o k i n g S h o w " f o r " E m i l i a Romagna Segreta in Cucina". Mary Tolaro Noyes " B o l o g n a 's a r c h i t e c t u r e a n d c o l o r s a n d history gave form to my abstract concepts" NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS

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