ItalyUpdate

A hitherto unknown statue of the Roman Emperor Caligula, concealed on a lorry and destined to be sold illegally abroad, was recovered recently by Italian carabiniere at Lake Nemi near Rome.

Leading Italian shoe manufacturer TOD has signed an agreement with the Department of Archaeological Areas of Rome and Ostia Antica to sponsor much-needed restoration work on Romes most celebrated monument, the Colosseum. The sum involved is quoted as 25m. to be met by a non-profit Foundation Friends of the Colosseum, created by Diego Della Valle, head of TODS Spa.Work on the first phase of the restoration is programmed to start in March 2011. The Colosseum will remain open to the public while work is being carried out.  

MACRO,  Romes Museum of Contemporary Art, is staging a highly successful show of controversial works from the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Collection in its new venue inside the converted premises of the former city slaughter house in the Testaccio district.

A hundred ski-loving priests and their lay helpers will meet up at the Limone Piemonte ski resort at Cuneo on the 7 February to compete for the 14 th edition of the Sursum Corda giant slalom, organized by the local San Pietro Apostolo parish.

The bronze statue of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius astride his charger Refulus is one of Romes best known landmarks. 

Leonardo da Vincis rare Ritratto Musico (Portrait of a Musician) is on show for the first time in Rome. Exhibited in the hexagonal hall of Marcus Aurelius at the Capitoline Museum until the 27 th February, the painting is the only known portrait of a male subject made by Leonardo.

The annual poll held by the Italian Fund for the Environment (FAI) regarding neglected, and often little known, Italian monuments that required urgent protection drew more than 500,000 replies from Italian and foreign citizens who have Italian heritage at heart.

The town of Urbania (Marche) brings in the New Year with a five-day magical childrens party (2-6 January 2011) in honour of the Befana, the old witch who traditionally brings Italian children presents on Epiphany, 6 th January.

 Every good wish for a peaceful and happy festive 

to all our readers. Well be back in 2011!!

Manhattan, New York, is  showcasing  Italian furniture design up till the 8 th February 2011. The calendar of events involves a circuit of 20 showrooms of the companies participating in the âtalian Design Street Walking project, which is celebrating the 50 th anniversary of the prestigious Milan Furniture Fair.