Church of Santa Maria del Rosario (Gesuati) in Venice - 18th century baroque architecture

Church of Santa Maria del Rosario(Gesuati)

The Church of the Gesuati, the largest convent complex in XVIIIth century Venice, was built between 1726 and 1735 for the Dominican Order to replace the smaller church that still stands beside it, which had become too small to hold all the parishioners. The Dominican Order took over from the Jesuates (from whom the church took its name) in 1668, when the order was suppressed. Giorgio Massari was the architect who designed the church and the decorations in the interior, with the help of two great artists of the time: Giambattista Tiepolo and Gian Maria Morlaiter. The three definitively established their fame in the city thanks to the remarkable work they did on the church. There is a beautiful harmony to the interiors, with the striking ceiling frescoes by Giambattista Tiepolo, featuring three splendid frescoes representing “The Virgin Appearing to St. Dominic”, “The Institution of the Rosary” and “The Glory of St. Dominic”, surrounded by a number of monochrome medallions.

 

Gesuati (Wikipedia)

Santa Maria del Rosario (St. Mary of the Rosary), commonly known as I Gesuati, is an 18th-century Dominican church in the Sestiere of Dorsoduro, on the Giudecca canal in Venice, northern Italy. The classical style building has a well-lit interior and is exceptional in preserving its original layout and Rococo decoration intact. The church and almost all its sculpture and paintings were created within a thirty-year period: construction began in 1725, the church was consecrated in 1743, and the last sculptural decoration was in place by 1755.

 

Baroque (Wikipedia)

The Baroque is a style of architecture, music, dance, painting, sculpture, and other arts that flourished in Europe from the early 17th century until the 1740s.

baroque (Websters)

Baroque came to English from a French word meaning "irregularly shaped." At first, the word in French was used mostly to refer to pearls. Eventually, it came to describe an extravagant style of art characterized by curving lines, gilt, and gold.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dragon's Teeth of Vallo Alpino

 

                            'The Alpine Wall - Italy'

A line of abandoned, alien-like fortresses dot the mountains of North Italy

                                               [AtlasObscura.com]

Similar to the Maginot line of France, the Alpine Wall was built as a defense for Italy in preparation for World War II. There was concern that the natural defense of North Italy’s mountainous terrain was not enough as tensions rose with its neighbors along the top of the “boot”—France, Switzerland, Austria and the former Yugoslavia.

The mountains were enhanced with lookout posts and fortifications all along the passes, stretching over 1,100 miles. The Alpine Wall fortifications varied between three designs: large mountainside forts, rallying points and bunkers, and point-defense fortifications. Many of these can still be seen today.

con't (see images)....

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I saw this subject featured a few days ago on a 2018 episode of 'Mysteries of the Abandoned' (Science Channel) entitled 'Doomsday at Dragon's Teeth'. This elaborate defense system was constructed in 1931, and reflects how Mussolini did not trust Hitler at that point.

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 Video: The dragon teeth of Pian dei Morti

In the Val Venosta valley, between the borders of Italy and Austria, a weir system was built during WWII, the heart of which was a tank barrier. We will take a closer look at this barrier, as well as the various bunkers which lie 550 meters above Resia. On the way there we enjoy a pleasant, circular hike and inspect the source of the river Adige, the biggest river in South Tyrol.

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Vallo alpino in Alto Adige

 

Sbarramento Pian dei Morti

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Alpenwall - Vallo Alpino - Kreuzbergpass - Mussolinis Festungslinie - Teil 1

Willi seiner

Mussolinis Festungslinie

Der Alpenwall in Südtirol ist der Abschnitt des Vallo Alpino (deutsch Alpenwall), der in den Jahren von 1938 bis 1942

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Alpenwall in Südtirol

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Dolomites in Belluno district, Veneto - Currently featured on Windows 10 Spotlight

 

Croda da Lago e Lastoi de Formin mountains, Dolomites, Belluno district, Veneto, Italy

 

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The image above is:

Croda da Lago Mountains in the Cortina Dolomites Range.

These are separate from and on the west side of the Lastoni di Formin Mountains.

They are located in Belluno Province in the Veneto District (Region), Italy.

The name of the image should be:

“Croda da Lago Mountains, Cortina Dolomites Range, Belluno Province, Veneto District (Region), Italy”

 

-- Mark

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Cadini di Misurina in the Dolomites featured now on Windows 10 Spotlight

The Cadini di Misurina in Auronzo di Cadore, Italy

Northeastern Italy's Dolomite mountain range is a maze of jagged peaks, plunging valleys, and enormous blocks of nearly bare, and impossibly rugged, dolomite rock. Around and among this geological wonder lie the thick green forests and rambling pastures of the South Tyrol region. To call this landscape picturesque is an understatement. Nearly every square mile is awe-inspiring, but the mountain group known as the Cadini di Misurina grabs the attention with its sawtooth peaks and steep slopes cut through by dozens of valleys. While not quite as renowned as the nearby Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Cadini group still lures shutterbugs and hardy hikers.


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Located in the Belluno Province, Veneto 

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Cadini di Misurina

Auronzo di Cadore

Dolomites

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'Italy... 400 coronavirus cases... the most infected country outside of Asia'

'Italy sealed off entire towns and canceled major events after 400 coronavirus cases and 12 deaths made it the most infected country outside of Asia'

Sinéad Baker - Business Insider - February 26, 2020

[Right: Military officers outside the Duomo cathedral, closed by authorities because of the coronavirus outbreak, in Milan on February 24]

 REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

* Italy is scrambling to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus within its borders as cases of COVID-19 soar.

* Italy has the most cases outside of Asia. As of Wednesday evening, 12 people there had died from the disease.

* The country has put almost a dozen towns under lockdown, canceled major sporting events, and debated closing its borders with neighboring countries.

* The two most infected regions are Lombardy and Veneto in the north of Italy, home to Milan and Venice. New cases are also being reported in southern Italy.

* Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Italy is scrambling to fight a coronavirus outbreak after a sharp spike in cases and deaths made it the worst-hit country outside of Asia.

As of Wednesday evening, 12 people in Italy had died from the virus. Italian authorities reported at least 400 cases of COVID-19 in the country, according to the BBC.

All the people who have died in Italy were elderly or had other health complications, the Italian newspaper La Repubblica and the Associated Press reported.

The country has put 11 towns on lockdown to contain the virus' spread.

The two most infected regions are Lombardy and Veneto in the north, which contain the major cities of Milan and Venice. But the virus has also spread farther south, with regions including Tuscany and the island of Sicily also reporting cases on Tuesday and Wednesday.

con't....


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I'll just re-post the following from the previous post:

There are--on average--10,000 germs on a human hand. It would always be a good idea, even aside from this concern, to have liquid hand cleaner handy during the day. Also, halo oral antiseptic spray is a good precaution to use prior to a lot of close contact, such as grocery shopping. Using latex gloves is an option as well. I think a box of 100 goes for about $11 at Lowes. Face masks can be observed occasionally in places like San Francisco. Think gas pumps, shopping cart handles, and door knobs/handles.

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Lake Antorno featured now in Windows 10 Spotlight

Lake Antorno

Lago d'Antorno is located in the Dolomites; the province of Belluno in the Veneto.

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Revisioning drawing of Lisa del Giocondo

Lisa del Giocondo

Lisa del Giocondo (née Gherardini; June 15, 1479 – July 15, 1542) was an Italian noblewoman and member of the Gherardini family of Florence and Tuscany. Her name was given to the Mona Lisa, her portrait commissioned by her husband and painted by Leonardo da Vinci during the Italian Renaissance.

Little is known about Lisa's life. Born in Florence and married in her teens to a cloth and silk merchant who later became a local official, she was a mother to five children and led what is thought to have been a comfortable and ordinary middle-class life. Lisa outlived her husband, who was considerably her senior.

Centuries after Lisa's death, the Mona Lisa became the world's most famous painting and took on a life separate from Lisa, the woman. Speculation by scholars and hobbyists made the work of art a globally recognized icon and an object of commercialization. In 2005, Lisa was definitively identified as the model for the Mona Lisa.


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'Dark family history behind Mona Lisa's sad smile revealed in new book'

'Leonardo da Vinci never finished the Mona Lisa because he injured his arm while fainting, experts say'


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Roman coins from Breathitt County, Kentucky

The above three coins were found in a cave shelter in Breathitt County, Kentucky, by Mr. Michael Wayne Griffith of the same county. Mr. Griffith has found another 9 or so similar coins, but the three depicted are the best preserved of the group.

A few years ago the three depicted were examined hands-on by Norman Totten, Professor of History, now Emeritus, at Bentley College. Totten identified the two thinner coins (the top two above) as antoniniani, a type of bronze Roman coin minted between 238 and 305 A.D. The obverses (left photos) depict an unidentifiable emperor wearing the distinctive "solar crown" of the period. The reverse of the top one, in the right photo, depicts two figures standing facing what apparently is a central altar, while that of the middle one depicts a female standing figure facing left with a cornucopia in her right hand.

These would originally have had a silver surface, long since gone. The third coin is thicker, and depicts a bust facing right, wearing a laureate wreath rather than a crown. The reverse, according to Totten, is perhaps a figure of a centaur walking to the right and looking back. Its flan (the metal disk from which coin is made) seems to be of a North African (Egyptian) or Middle Eastern type. This coin probably dates to a similar period to that of the two antoniniani (singular antoninianus). While Totten is confident that the coins are genuine, he warns that such coins are easy to obtain from coin dealers.

In 1963, a small hoard of Roman coins from the same approximate period, and in a much better state of preservation, was found during bridge construction on the north bank of the Ohio River, at the Falls of the Ohio, opposite Louisville, Kentucky.

Breathitt Co., population 16,100 in 2000, is on the upper Kentucky River, in the southeastern portion of the state. The county seat is Jackson, pop. 2,490. Two of the larger towns are named Quicksand and Lost Creek, but the 2000 U.S. Census couldn't find either. The nearest metropolis is Hazard (which may or may not be the inspiration for the "Dukes of Hazzard" TV series), pop. 4,806, and one county to the south.

Mr. Griffith is difficult to contact, but is known to Mr. David Feldman, President of Feldman Lumber Co. in Lancaster, Ky.

The author wishes to thank Prof. Norman Totten, Dr. John Payne, of Berea, Ky., and Mr. David Feldman of Lancaster, Ky., for their invaluable assistance. 


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Roman Head from Calixtlahuaca, Mexico

Roman coins from the Falls of the Ohio River, Indiana

Roman shipwreck near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


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Gianfranco Rosi vs Duane Thomas 03-01-1988

Boxing Syko

WBC World Super Welterweight Title Fight

Venue: Palazzo Dello Sport, Genoa, Liguria, Italy


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Gianfranco Rosi

Gianfranco Rosi (born 5 August 1957) retired Italian boxer who was a two-time world champion in the light-middleweight division.


Professional career

Rosi turned pro in 1979 and won the WBC light-middleweight title in 1987 by decisioning Lupe Aquino. He lost the belt in 1988 when he was dominated by Donald Curry. Rosi was down once in 2nd, 4th and 8th and down twice in 7th, failing to answer the bell starting the 10th round.

In 1989 he won the IBF light-middleweight title by outpointing the undefeated Darrin Van Horn. He went on to successfully defend the title an impressive 11 times. In 1994 he had a technical draw against Vincent Pettway, and in the rematch later that year Pettway KO'd Rosi, ending his long reign.

In 1995 he took on WBO light-middleweight title holder Verno Phillips and won a decision, but Rosi failed a drug test and Phillips was reinstated as champion. The result of the bout was changed to a No Contest. In 1997 he lost a rematch to Phillips and retired.

In 2003 he came out of retirement, and finally retired in 2006 at the age of 49 with a pro record of 62 wins (18 KOs), 6 losses, and 1 draw.


Amateur career

Rosi had a record of 94 wins - 2 losses - 4 draws Highlights:

1976 Italian Light-Welterweight Champion

1977 Italian Welterweight Champion


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Born in Assisi in the province of Perugia (Umbria), Gianfranco Rosi took a 32-1 record into a European Welterweight Championship bout in 1984 with future world welterweight champion Lloyd Honeyghan from the UK. Rosi lost his first big bout, but won his next nine--including winning the European Junior Middleweight title and defending it twice--and took a 41-2 record into a bout with world champion Luge Aquino of Mexico, a much more dangerous opponent than Honeyghan. Rosi won a unanimous decision to take the belt.

There were so many outstanding boxers worldwide in the 80s, especially between 147 and 160 pounds. Next he defended the belt against another very hard punching boxer, former champion Duane Thomas of Detroit, winning by knockout. Although he lost in his next defense against former welterweight champion Donald Curry, he eventually won the world title back and defended it eleven times before losing.


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The Discovery and Restoration of Leonardo da Vinci's Long-Lost Painting "Salvator Mundi" | Robb Report

Robb Report

Leonardo da Vinci is one of history's greatest artists and thinkers. Only about 15 of his paintings are known to exist and one was thought to be lost forever. Leonard painted that masterpiece, called "Salvator Mundi" (Savior of the World) around 1500. It was owned by no less than three kings and, in 1763, it disappeared. This video tells the story of that incredible painting, how it was rediscovered in 2005, and what happened when it went to auction at Christie's in November 2017.

READ MORE: http://bit.ly/LostDaVinci

Secret Histories of Rare Treasures spotlights the stories behind items that amaze historians, elude collectors, and intrigue audiences. Through original and never-before-seen footage, in-depth archival research, and expert interviews, Robb Report brings these awe-inspiring narratives to life. Developed in coordination with Robb Report’s editors and produced by the brand’s in-house custom-content and video agency Robb Report Studio, the editorial series explores the hidden lives of extremely rare and amazingly valuable items often found in the pages of Robb Report.

Subscribe to Robb Report: https://bit.ly/2rx0Icw


CONNECT WITH ROBB REPORT

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[This portion was originally from the CCNA blog - entitled 'Disciplina Etrusca' by Voltumna - May 31, 2015]

This band named itself after the supreme god of the Etruscan pantheon, "Voltumna" (also called "Veltha"), which I just covered a bit on the other blog ('Etruscan women, mythology, and the god Veltha'). Black Metal music is a lot like the old Heavy Metal music in that some of it is truly good, while most you would probably have to really like the genre to appreciate. This particular song wouldn't be my first choice to promote, but I love the theme! The 'Disciplina Etrusca' was the text of ancient Etruscan polytheism, which was made up of the three "books of fate."

Beyond the larger Black Metal genre, are the sub-genres of "Celtic Black Metal," "Viking Black Metal," etc., etc. One thing this music offers is a clear link to folk-identity, in this case "Etruscan Black Metal." The band's lyrical theme is defined as "Etruscan Paganism, Mythology, Modern Decay"; and it's genre as Black/Death Metal. This additionally suggests a type of Gothic element to it. Dark symbolism can be beautiful, and could be an outlet for people, primarily younger people, who feel alienated by society.

This song is brand new; just released today in fact. The band is from Viterbo, Latium, and has been around since 2009. Viterbo was one of the city-states of the Etruscan civilization. In a Western society which makes a special point to squash identity (individual and collective), I think it's great that people can turn to their ancestors for inspiration and strength. It's not just Black Folk Metal, but there are many other genres which are folk-oriented in this manner. I mean something a little beyond a band merely playing folk music from a certain culture. There's often a rebel-aspect to it. 

If you don't like Black Metal, maybe seek out some of the other types of music within this concept. There's one band from Sardinia called Atrium Animae which is under a genre called "Atmospheric Neoclassical Darkwave," which is hauntingly beautiful.. and is based on what appears to be a Medieval Catholic style. There is Irish Black Metal, Odinic music of many sounds, Slavic, you name it. You might find something you like within one of these folk-spiritual-identity sub-genres.



I like music of just about every texture and harmony, but I don't like "sad music." There are enough things in this life to be sad or depressed about; especially when we lose people. Something inspirational is great, especially when there's that blood-folk connection with a spiritual tie-in. Black Metal is almost like fighting music. Perhaps we need some of that in our lives, because often life is a war. Evolutionary struggle.

Voltumna official website

Voltumna YouTube channel

Metal-Archives.com band profile

Voltumna facebook (official; in Italian mostly)

Voltumna facebook (in English)

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Halloween In Venice

Halloween In Venice | Italy

Broshar's Adventures





Halloween in Venice, Italy

Dr Kakoon

Touristing around the island city. Wanted to upload this earlier, but too busy traveling. The whole place is photogenic. Old, weathered architecture and materials. Original frescoes, hundreds of years old.  Wish I could have gotten to Poveglia island.  I needed another day or two, and probably bribe money to get there.  A licensed water taxi will not go there.  It was off limits while owned by the government. Now that Poveglia is sold to a developer, it could be even more of a challenge if they have security. So close, and yet........ so far.

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Northeast Alps - Winter sports stronghold

As we're now well into the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, it should be noted that the northeast Alps is overwhelmingly the source of Winter Olympic athletes for Italy. Close to half of the Italian team are natives of the South Tyrol alone; with the vast majority of the rest being natives of Lombardy, Trentino, and Tri-Veneto Alps. Südtiroler Dominik Windisch has already won a bronze in the Men's 10km Sprint Biathlon. Even China only has one silver so far, as it's still early.

The Italy at the 2018 Winter Olympics Wikipedia page gives a rundown on all of the events and athletes of the Italian team. Speed skater Arianna Fontana and Alpine skiiers Sofia Goggia and Nadia Fanchini are a few that I'm watching. In last months' World Cup in Austria, Italy took all three medals in the Woman's Alpine Downhill (image below); Sofia Goggia, Federica Brignone, and Nadia Fanchini ('Goggia leads Italian sweep at World Cup downhill').

NBCOlympics.com

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The U.S. equivalent to the northeast Italian Alps is Colorado. In fact, many winter athletes from around the world train in the mountainous state. 17 year old snowboarder and Colorado native Red Gerard was the first American to win a gold medal for the slopestyle snowboard event. Michigan native Ryan Pivirotto, with roots in the Veneto Alps apparently, is an American short track speed skater.

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La Marca sparkling wine from the Veneto.... now at all major retail stores

Although La Marca is fifty years old this year, it has only really exploded onto the American market in only the last several years it appears. It has an apple taste, goes down easy, and is available in various size bottles. La Marca USA is located in Hayward, California.

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Prosecco Fresh with La Marca: Open that bottle and appreciate the finer points of Prosecco --the wine and the region-- as La Marca winemaker Fabrizio Gatto talks bubbles with Wine Spectator's Gloria Maroti Frazee.

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LaMarca.it

La Marca came into being in 1968 from the intuition of a noteworthy group of winegrowers who felt the need to introduce the quality of their local wines to the world. They came together to pool their energies and experience to protect and represent their wines with greater strength.

It was of the utmost importance to create a technical and commercial organization able to support the winegrowers in growing grapes and serve as a commercial platform to promote awareness of the area’s quality wines. The company continued to grow year after year working with high levels of professionalism on the quality, the image and typical characteristics of the territory.
 La Marca is today a wine producing company representing the products of 9 cooperative wineries in the Province of Treviso with over 5000 winegrowers on vineyards extending over approximately 10.000 hectares. The majority of these lands is cultivated with Glera, named after the historic variety from which Prosecco is obtained.

The company is named for its place of origin, La Marca Trevigiana (March of Treviso), located in the heart of the Province of Treviso, between the plains and hills of the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Doc and DOCG areas (Controlled Designation of Origin and Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin), where its grapes are grown.

Know-how handed down through the years, experience and winegrowing professionalism, sectorial expertise and dynamic commercial strategies are the keystones that make it one of the most representative and visible companies in the Prosecco world.

We are committed to uniting tradition with innovation, as well as native know-how with advanced technology. In addition to working together for a sustainable viticulture that thinks about protecting future generations, we also believe in respecting natural resources which ensure characteristic wines that are strongly rooted in the territory.

La Marca markets white and red wines, Prosecco DOC, Prosecco Treviso and Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiandene DOCG, under the brand-names of La Marca, Millage, Foscaro, San Nicola and Torri Della Marca.

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'Italy's 2 richest regions claim victory in autonomy votes'

'Italy's 2 richest regions claim victory in autonomy votes'

MILAN (AP) — The presidents of Italy's wealthy northern regions of Veneto and Lombardy on Sunday claimed victory in autonomy referendums that seek to grab additional powers and tax revenue from Rome, riding a global tide of self-determination that has swamped Spain's Catalonia region.

The votes were nonbinding, but the leaders of the neighboring regions hope to leverage strong turnout in talks with Italy's center-left government. As leading members of the anti-migrant, anti-EU Northern League, they want to keep more tax revenue and have autonomy over such policy areas as immigration, security, education and environment.

"This is the big bang of institutional reform," Veneto President Luca Zaia said in Venice. "We are convinced, and I hope Rome understands, that this is not the wish of a political party. These are the wishes of the people."

In Milan, his counterpart in Lombardy, Roberto Maroni, said that with the votes, the two regions "can unify our forces so we can do the battle of the century." The two leaders say they will meet with their regional councils to finalize their requests before going to Rome to meet with Premier Paolo Gentiloni.

Unlike in Catalonia, the referendums do not seek independence and were approved by Italy's constitutional court. Still, the autonomy drive is a powerful threat to Rome's authority. Together, Veneto and Lombardy account for 30 percent of Italy's GDP and nearly one-quarter of the nation's electorate.

Maroni said an overwhelming 95 percent of his region's vote went to "yes," with turnout above 40 percent of Lombardy's 8 million voters. That far exceeded the bar for success that he set at 34 percent, which was the turnout for a national referendum on constitutional reform in 2001.

Independence-minded Veneto easily met a turnout threshold to validate the vote set by Zaia, with some 60 percent of the region's 4 million voters casting ballots. According to early returns, 98 percent voted "yes."

con't....

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October 22 - Autonomy Referendums in Lombardia and Veneto

Europe either changes or ceases to exist - Leader of Italy’s Northern League party, Matteo Salvini

RT

While the Catalan crisis dominates the headlines, a similar story is breaking out in Italy – with the country’s northern regions gearing up for a wide autonomy referendum. Can the vote succeed – and how will Rome deal with the results? We ask Matteo Salvini, leader of Italy’s Northern League party.

Follow @SophieCo_RT 

READ MORE:
https://www.rt.com/shows/sophieco/406084-catalan-crisis-referendum-italy/

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'Italy facing its OWN Catalonia: Referendums in Lombardy and Venice could TOPPLE EU'

ITALY could face its own Catalonia-style break-up with controversial referendums scheduled for both Lombardy and Venice.

Joey Millar - Sunday Express (UK) - October 5, 2017

This month the Lombardy region and the city of Venice will both vote on new powers of autonomy at referendums which are now taking on increasing levels of controversy.

Previously seen as a low-scale vote on local powers, the referendums are now experiencing symbolic overtones following last Sunday’s Catalonian chaos.

Last weekend more than 800 people were injured by police as a referendum on independence for Catalonia was held - against the express wishes of leaders in Madrid and Brussels.

And now Italy is facing similar chaos with two referendums set to be held on October 22, although in these instances the votes are state-approved and will not face violent opposition.

con't....

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Lombard autonomy referendum, 2017

Lega Lombarda

Roberto Maroni





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Venetian autonomy referendum, 2017

Venetian nationalism

Liga Veneta

Luca Zaia

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Spiritual man vs. Economic man

Globalism (bankers) vs. Nationalism (the cultures of the world)

The comments at the end of the two below articles reflect the changing opinion regarding the European Union as well as any. Unfortunately it took Europe being brought to the brink in order to finally comprehend what the EU is really all about.

https://www.rt.com/shows/sophieco/406084-catalan-crisis-referendum-italy/

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/862249/catalonia-independence-italy-lombardy-venice-referendum

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Team of two women from Trentino-Alto Adige take silver in Olympic diving

The team of  Tania Cagnetto from Bolzano (right) and Francesca Dallapé from Trento (left) won Olympic silver medals in the Women's synchronized 3 metre springboard diving. Cagnetto, the daughter of two Italian Olympic divers from Bolzano, additionally won a bronze medal in the Women's 3 metre springboard. She is now retired from diving after having competed in five different Olympic games.

Swimmer Federica Pellegrini

Double world record holder retires from swimming

Federica Pellegrini from the Veneto has retired from the sport with the Rio Olympics. Although she didn't win a medal this time, she holds the women's 200 m freestyle world records (long course and short course), and won a Gold Medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. At the 2009 World Championships in Rome, Pellegrini became the first woman ever to breach the 4 minute barrier in 400 m freestyle with the time 3:59.15


USA-Italy: Gold medal game in women's water polo

Although it was projected  to be a competitive match between the two best woman's water polo teams, the USA won handily by a score of 12 to 5. 

USA totally dominates the Olympic games

Although for some years it appeared that other nations were catching up, the USA dominated the games. The USA had far more overall medals and gold medals than anyone else. If the two closest nations were counted as one, they would only have won the games by a small margin. Italy came in ninth, although they did come back to score a big upset over the American men's volleyball team, but ended up losing in the gold medal match vs. Brazil.

Diver Tania Cagnetto

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La Grande Rogazione di Asiago

" Il Giro del Mondo " La Grande Rogazione di Asiago from Tacconi Luca on Vimeo.


"La Grande Rogazione di Asiago"

"The Great Rogation of Asiago"... apparently a tradition since 1638.

Rogation: In the Christian Church a solemn supplication consisting of the litany of the saints chanted on the three days before Ascension Day.

Asiago is an old Cimbrian town in the Vicenza Province of the Veneto Region.

The town was the site of the Battle of Asiago in 1916 vs. the Austrian army.

Until the middle of the nineteenth century many of the people of Asiago spoke Cimbrian, an ancient German dialect.

Asiago is the birthplace of author Mario Rigoni Stern, and features prominently in his stories. It is also described in Emilio Lussu's 'A Year on the Altopiano'.

The Asiago region is the origin of Asiago cheese.

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Veneto folk group El Canfin - 'I nonni raccontano'

El Canfin - I nonni raccontano (Video Ufficiale) 

FONOLADISCHI

I think they have been active since 1986

http://www.elcanfin.it/

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Festival of the Venetians

Festa dei Veneti (Wikipedia)

Raixe Venete

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'Unbroken' (2014) - movie review

'Unbroken' (film)

Unbroken is a 2014 American biographical war drama film, produced and directed by Angelina Jolie, and based on the 2010 non-fiction book by Laura Hillenbrand, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. The film revolves around the life of USA Olympian and athlete Louis "Louie" Zamperini, portrayed by Jack O'Connell. Zamperini survived in a raft for 47 days after his bomber was downed in World War II, then was sent to a series of prisoner of war camps.

The film begins with a WWII U.S. Army Air Corps fighter plane engaged in combat over the Pacific. The extreme danger of this engagement is quickly and strongly portrayed, with enemy bullets seemingly able to pierce through any portion of the plane at any time, and with dangerously close flybys. Louis Zamperini is a member of this air crew. Then the movies shifts back to Louis' childhood, which would be the less complicated manner to begin reviewing this film; in chronological order, which it does eventually follow midway though.

His parents were immigrants from Verona, in the Veneto region; having settled in a small town in eastern New York state. Growing up during the Great Depression, life was not easy for anyone, and less so for immigrants apparently. His parents were shown as having achieved great respect in the town, but young American-born Louis was always getting into trouble. Encouraged by his brother, he finally finds some focus when he starts to run track in high school. He begins to make a name for himself as one of the best middle distance runners in the country.

Not much of his 1936 Olympic experience in Germany was portrayed. It did show his come-from-behind eighth place showing in the 5000 meters, where he finished with a phenomenal fifty-six second final lap in a twelve and a half lap race. His physical peak probably would have been in the 1940 Olympics, which was cancelled. A couple of years later, before going off to war, he set a national collegiate mile record in the 1600 meters. He set that record despite being severely spiked by other runners during the race. Personally, I think that those fouls were every bit at insane as Mike Tyson biting Evander Holyfield's ear.


Spoiler alert beyond this point...

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During a rescue mission in 1943 by the air crew, the plane had to be crash landed in the water due to engine problems. Only three men survived, including Louis Zamperini. They were afloat in a life raft for forty seven days! Since you cannot drink the salt water, being stranded in a life raft in the middle of the Pacific is practically a death sentence. At one point, the men were awakened by a shark fin nudging against the raft, which must have been terrifying enough in itself. They later had to beat back sharks with their fists. After catching and eating a raw sea gull, they got sick and threw up. Eventually, in a prey-to-predator scene depicting pure evolutionary struggle, they pulled in and killed a small shark. Rain water further helped sustain them.

After failing to attract an American aircraft with a flare, they got another chance; only this time it turned out to be a Japanese aircraft that proceeded to fire upon the raft. Louis jumped into the water with the sharks. Somehow nobody was hit. Eventually they ran into a Japanese navy vessel, but their struggle was really just beginning. The Japanese military engaged in policies such as beheading prisoners. They somehow survived brutal interrogation before being sent to a detention camp.

After falsely being reported as having been killed in action, the Japanese allowed Louis to send a radio message to his family. This act of seemingly good will was actually only a ploy to later get him to deliver an anti-American message over the radio. He had a choice of either delivering the false message with a chance of living and eating well until the end of the war, or refusing and being sent back to the detention camp with further beatings. He still refused.

The camp commander was Sergeant Mutsuhiro Watanabe, a sadistic torturous psychopath who had it in for Louis. Watanabe always carried a wooden stick/club, which he used at his every whim. Louis was probably targeted due to his Olympic status, which made him a man whom they wanted to break down in front of the other Allied prisoners. I'm not going to describe all of the physical and psychological torture depicted, some of which would sound almost unbelievable in their brutality. However, in a possible psyop, at one point Watanabe was to have been moving on to a different position due to a promotion. He said to Louis: "Aren't you going to congratulate me?," with no response.

Shortly after, due to emergencies stemming from Japan losing the war, the prisoners were relocated to a work camp. The new commander of this work camp was none-other-than Sergeant Watanabe. This wasn't just hard labor, but they worked prisoners to death. It was apparent policy that if Japan lost the war, all prisoners would be executed, which even took away their hope. This mining camp was dark and desolate, and the poorly fed prisoners were all filthy from the work. Pure misery. Finally, all of the prisoners were ordered into the water of the lake or ocean, fully expecting to finally be executed. Instead, the war was declared over.

The movie ends with his return and some actual photographs and details from his life. Later he is shown at age 81--at the 1998 Nagano, Japan Winter Olympics festivities--carrying the Olympic torch and running well. Sergeant Watanabe went into hiding and was never prosecuted. The film was a financial success, but received mixed reviews. I think that many critics fail to understand that not every movie is made for the intended purpose of them to be "woo'd." It wasn't 'The Shawshank Redemption', but it is a true story. As a movie, it could be called a survival story, depicting one mans plight more than any kind of political message.

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