ItalyUpdate

Who said philosophy was only for geeks? The booming annual Philosophy Festival in the three towns of Modena, Carpi and Sassuolo (Reggio Emilio) shows that the subject attracts more and more people every year. 34,000 people attended the first year (2001) the event was held, while last year's version attracted 218,000 participants.

Prize winning at the end of the highly successful Napoli Pizza Village festival saw the World Championship awarded to 28 year old Valentino Libro di Quarto, who scooped up the top Caputo Prize for the Specialità Tradizionale Garantito, thus bringing the trophy back to pizza's hometown for the second year running. In the past, the prize has been won by Japanese pizza chefs.

VATICANvCHURCH OF ENGLAND.....JUST (NOT) CRICKET! 

Anticipation is running high for the first ecumenical Vatican V Church of England cricket challenge on the 18^th September 2014, scheduled to take place at Kent's country cricket ground in Canterbury,

Italyupdate closes now for the summer break.

Be with you again in September!

The Venetian lagoon island of Poveglia, put up for auction in May 2014, has not been sold. The single bid offered by local entrepreneur Luigi Brugnaro was judged too low by the Demanio (the Italian State Property Office, which is the owner. Brugnaro's bid was 513,000, The Demanio curtly replied that this was the equivalent sum for an apartment in Venice and not for an island of 7.25 hectares.

The town of Grottaglie (near Taranto, Puglia) is best known for its ceramics and its Ceramic Quarter will take centre stage in the up-and-coming La Puglia in un Calice (Puglia in a Glass) Wine and Music event  between the 31^st July-1^st August 2014.

The celebrated San Carlo Opera House of Naples is offering discounted tickets for the three operas it will put on over the summer. Until the 2^nd August 2014, opera lovers can purchase the best seats at a discount for the following performances:

Zorba the Greek,Cavalleria Rusticana and Madame Butterfly.

Info:Tel.++39.081.7972331/412-  www.teatrosancarlo.it

According to research by Jfc, an American consultancy company that focuses on travel and trends, Italy is seen as the most romantic place for weddings. In 2012 six thousand couples from different countries chose to marry in Italy.

The region of Veneto welcomes more foreign visitors than any other Italian region, according to the latest figures released by the Agenzia Nazionale del Turismo and ENIT (the Italian state tourism authority) and recently published in the national daily newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Rome is not just ancient monuments and churches. Cinecittà World is a brand new family attraction linked to the city's long history as the Hollywood on the Tiber. The spectacular theme park, which will open its doors on the 24^th July 2014, covers the site of the former De Laurentiis studios at Castel Romana, 30 kms from Rome and half way to the coast.