Il Centro - Co.As.It

Co.As.It Italian Resource Centre Newsletter
189 Faraday Street, Carlton Vic 3053 Tel: 9349 9018 Fax: 9349 9091
www.coasit.com.au, email: rose@coasit.com.au Vol.20, Issue 3, July 2012
SATURDAY OPENINGS FOR
2012
(Open 10.00 a.m. –
2.00 p.m.)
11th August
12th May
10th November
Opening hours :
Mon CLOSED
Tues 9.00am- 8.45pm*
Wed 9.00 pm- 5.00
Thurs 9am-5pm
Fri 9am-5pm
Note: Late night opening on
Tuesday applies only during the
school term, and not during the
holidays.
**********************
Geelong Italian Language
Resource Centre
Belmont High School,
108 Gieromoghan Street,
Geelong, 3220
Phone : 5243 5355
Appunti :
Sometimes necessary, always useful are indexes.
Whenever possible the full contents of language resources
are listed in the Notes field of each catalogue entry. This
enables patrons to have access to the list of topics or
chapters in each resource when searching the Enquiry page
of the Co.As.It. On-line Catalogue . It is vital to note that
often this may be listed in either Italian or English. It is good
practice therefore, to use both options e.g. lavoro / work,
famiglia / family. Also consider using the plural of some
words e.g. animale / animali, mammone / mammoni/
Full Enquiry catalogue searches can be accessed at :
http://webopac.coasit.com.au/webopac/
Within this Newsletter are details relating to a new Co.As.It
educational programs as well as a guide to Italian family
history resources, and an attempt to explain Dante’s La
Divina Commedia through graphics, as well as other general
information.
Staff at the Resource Centre are always on hand to provide
teachers and students with resources and answer queries..
Italian Historical Society Photographic
Collection On line
The IHS has an extensive collection of photographs, ephemera,
letters, documents, official records and newspaper cuttings which
relate to Italian migration and settlement in Australia. Much of the
material has been donated by Italian migrants and their
descendents. While reflective of the experience of Italians across
the country, the focus of this collection is Victoria.
http://www.coasit.com.au/IHS/collection.html#photographic
This edition of “Il Centro” is
published by Co.As.It
Italian Resource Centre,
Carlton and is compiled by
Rose Patti.
Advertising of products and
services is not necessarily
endorsed by Co.As.It.
Giovanni Cera [on mandolin] and brother, Rino [on guitar], lead a group of
singing waiters at Mario's Restaurant, Melbourne, c. 1950s.
From the Food Collection of the Italian Historical Society.
Individual photographs in the collection can be viewed at :
http://www.coasit.com.au/ihs/inmagic/ihsadvancedsearch.htm
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20 Issue 3
New program for Term 3 at Co.As.It
The Greeks & Romans in Southern Italy and Sicily
This program explores the cultural exchange between the Greek colonies and Romans in
Southern Italy during the period of the Magna Graecia.
Through an interactive material culture workshop students will interpret replica and
interpretive objects and images to investigate the themes of intercultural understanding
between these two cultures.
Some of the themes explored are food, clothing, architectural influence and customs. The
program will complement the exhibition at Museo Italiano about South Italy, Sicily and the
Mediterranean from 24 July- September 22.
Cost: $66 (up to 30 students) $33 (up to 10 students)
Time & Date: During Term 3 only, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. At
10am, 11.30am and 1pm.
Suitable for students of Italian- Years 5-10. Presented in Italian and English.
Bookings & Enquires to Rosaria Zarro
T: 9349 9019 E: rosariaz@coasit.com.au
Professional Development for Italian and History Teachers
Teachers are invited to attend the special teacher professional development organised in
collaboration with La Trobe University as part of the conference, South Italy, Sicily and
Mediterranean: Cultural Interactions, held at Museo Italiano.
Please follow the link for information and bookings .
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/humanities/about/events/teacher-professional-development
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
Education programs for Museo Italiano Melbourne
The following is a description of the programs which will be offered during the
2012 school year.
An introductory talk in Italian about the exhibition with a focus on the contribution and identity of
Italians in Victoria and the intercultural exchange between Australians and Italians. The session will
focus on key migrant stories and themes within the exhibition and will be followed by a visit to the
Museo Italiano.
La storia in valigia – exploring Italian migrant stories using material culture is a staff led
program for Year 5 – 9 and explores through hands-on exploration of objects the stories of Italian
migrants and their contribution. The workshop explores the themes within the exhibition of identity
and intercultural exchange. Followed by a visit to the Museo Italiano.
Staff led programs, La storia in valigia and Museo Italiano Introductory Talk are available in
Semester 1 & 2.
Cost of session : $66 (up to 30 students) or $33 (1–10 students)
For details check the website
www.museoitaliano.com.au
Select Education for current information
Italian Carlton Program ! Back by popular demand this includes a short introduction about the
Carlton precinct and the significance of this area to the story of Italian migration.
Students undertake the self-guided walking tour with their teachers and then return to the Co.As.It
computer lab where they will undertake ICT activities with a focus on the website Italian Carlton. All
Walking Trails and materials will be provided on the day. Cost : $88.00 per session for up to 24
students.
School groups must be booked into the exhibition.
Teachers can arrange this by calling the Booking Office at Museo Italiano Cultural Centre between
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Museo Italiano exhibition is open for school visits from Tuesday – Friday at the following times :
10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 midday, 1 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Bookings essential, 9349 9019.
Below is the link to the schools program page where
teachers can check the programs available for
Years 4 -7, Years 8 -10 and VCE with links to the
Museo Italiano Education Kit. Also a new link for
The Italian Carlton Program with accompanying Walking trails are available at this link :
http://www.museoitaliano.com.au/museo-italiano/schools-program
What is the longest word in the Italian Dictionary?
precipitevolissimevolmente (adverb)
meaning : supersonically fast
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
ITALIAN FAMILY HISTORY RESOURCES
This list of resources was compiled by Dr Paolo Baracchi, Manager of the Italian Historical Society.
ihs@coasit.com.au
Please note: the Italian Historical Society neither endorses nor recommends any of the resources
listed below
Italian Historical Society – 189 Faraday Street, Carlton VIC 3053
A. LIBRARIES
1. State Library of Victoria (SLV)
328 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: 8664 7000
www.slv.vic.gov.au/
2. National Library of Australia, Canberra
www.nla.gov.au/
Resources for family historians:
www.nla.gov.au/infoserv/family.html
Photographic library:
www.pictureaustralia.org/index.html
Trove search motor newspapers (1903-1954)
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper
3. Yarra Plenty Regional Library
One of the many hundreds of letters received by 'La Mamma degli Italiani',
Tel: 9408 7888 www.yprl.vic.gov.au
Lena Santospirito, from Italians hoping to migrate to Australia.
Family history and genealogy:
http://yprl.vic.gov.au/research/genealogy/genealogy-blog
https://yprl.vic.gov.au/research/genealogy/genealogy-guides
http://filestore.yprl.vic.gov.au/genealogy/StartingYourFamilyHistoryTipSheet.pdf
https://yprl.vic.gov.au/research/genealogy/genealogy-guides
ypmail@ypl.vic.gov.au
4. Moonee Valley Council Libraries
Family and local history resources, events, links:
www.mvcc.vic.gov.au
http://www.mvcc.vic.gov.au/for-residents/libraries/local-and-family-history.aspx
Family and local history blog:
mooneevalleyfamilylocalhistory.blogspot.com/
B. ARCHIVES
1. Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages
589 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: 1300 369 367
www.bdm.vic.gov.au
vicbdm@justice.vic.gov.au
2. Public Record Office Victoria
PO Box 2100, North Melbourne VIC 3051
Tel: 9348 5600
www.prov.vic.gov.au/
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
Family and Local History:
www.access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/pathways/pathway2/pathway2.jsp
ask.prov@dpc.vic.gov.au
3. National Archives of Australia (NAA)
PO Box 7425, Canberra BC ACT 2610
Tel: 1300 886 881
www.naa.gov.au/
Family history:
www.naa.gov.au/services/family-historians/index.aspx
ref@naa.gov.au/
Telephone numbers:
http://www.naa.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/index.aspx
C. MUSEUMS
1. Immigration Museum / Museum Victoria
400 Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: 13 11 02
museumvictoria.com.au/ImmigrationMuseum/
Immigration Discovery Centre
GPO Box 666, Melbourne VIC 3001
Tel: 9927 2726
museumvictoria.com.au/ImmigrationMuseum/DiscoveryCentre/
discoverycentre@museum.vic.gov.au
2. Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre
Tel: 0422 226 451
www.bonegilla.org.au
bonegilla@parklands-alburywodonga.org.au
3. Tatura Irrigation and Wartime Camps Museum
www.taturamuseum.org.au/
Francesco and brother Angelo Candela with
a cousin. Viggiano, Basilicata, c. 1913
4. Murchison Ossario
www.murchisonvictoria.com.au/the-ossario.htm
Francesco and brother Angelo Candela with a cousin. Viggiano, Basilicata, c. 1913.
5. Harvey Internment Camp Memorial Shrine
http://harveytourism.mysouthwest.com.au/attractions/details?row_id=66798208
6. Migration Heritage Centre, Sydney (Australia)
www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/index.shtml
7. Australian War Memorial
GPO Box 345, CanberrA ACT 2601
Tel: (02) 6243 4211
www.awm.gov.au/ /
D. OTHER RESOURCES
1. Family History Centre, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
285 Heidelberg Road, Northcote VIC 3070
Tel: 9482 6906
www.familysearch.org/
2. Genealogical Society of Victoria
Level B1, 257 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: 9662 4455
www.gsv.org.au/
gsv@gsv.org.au
International Settlers’ Group
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
www.gsv.org.au/activities/groups/isg
3. Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies (AIGS)
1/41 Railway Road, Blackburn VIC 3130
Tel: 9877 3789
www.aigs.org.au
info@aigs.org.au
4. Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV)
239 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: 9326 9288
www.historyvictoria.org.au
office@historyvictoria.com.au
E. ITALIAN SPECIFIC RESOURCES
1. CoAsIt Italian Historical Society (Melbourne)
189 Faraday Street, Carlton VIC 303053
Tel: 9349 9000
Open by appointment Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.
www.coasit.com.au/IHS/index.html
ihs@coasit.com.au
The Italian Historical Society has a collection of over 2,500 titles
Fact sheets:
dating back to the mid 1800s.
www.coasit.com.au/IHS/pdf/Fam_History_Aus.pdf
www.coasit.com.au/IHS/pdf/Fam_History_Italy.pdf
Internet links for family historians: www.coasit.com.au/IHS/links.html
2. CoAsIt Family History Group (Sydney)
67 Norton Street, Leichhardt NSW 2040
Tel: (02) 9564 0744
www.coasit.org.au
Heritage, family history, genealogy
www.coasit.org.au/Heritage.aspx
3. The Italian Australian Institute at La Trobe University
25 Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod VIC 3085
Tel: 9479 6430
www.iai.com.au/
info@iai.com.au
F. INTERNET RESOURCES
1. Websites for genealogists
www.coraweb.com.au/
2. Shipping records
www.immigrantships.net/
3. Australian Cemetery Record
http://www.ozgenonline.com/html/conwarg.htm
www.coraweb.com.au/cemetaus.htm
4. Death notices in Australian newspapers
www.ryersonindex.org/
G. FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH IN ITALY
1. Templates of Italian letters:
www.coasit.com.au/IHS/pdf/Fam_History_Italy.pdf
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
2. Identifying places
Dizionario dei comuni, delle circoscrizioni amministrative, delle frazioni e delle località (Editore La Tribuna).
Alphabetical lists of Italian comuni
www.italyworldclub.com/8000_italian_communes/
www.yahoo.it/Istituzioni/Amministrazioni_locali/Comuni/
Websites of Italian comuni and frazioni:
www.italyworldclub.com/www-italian_communes/
www.italyworldclub.com/italian_frazioni/
To locate places on a map, and view satellite images:
www.mappe.virgilio.it
3. Identifying parishes
www.parrocchie.it
4. Italian surnames
‘L’Italia dei cognomi’ shows the geographical distribution of surnames
www.gens.labo.net/en/cognomi/
Surname list by municipality (comune), covering only some regions:
www.italyworldclub.com/genealogy/surnames.htm
5. Italian White Pages
www.paginebianche.it
English language guide to Italian White Pages for genealogists
www.italyworldclub.com/genealogy/paginebianche.htm
6. Italian State Archives
www.italyworldclub.com/genealogy/state_archives.htm
www.archivi.beniculturali.it/UCBAWEB/indice.html
Italian civilian internees at the Loveday Internment Camp,
Loveday, South Australia, c. 1942.
7. Military Authority
www.esercito.difesa.it
H. ITALIAN MIGRATION MUSEUMS AND RESEARCH CENTRES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Museo Nazionale Emigrazione Italiana, Rome www.museonazionaleemigrazione.it/
Italian American Museum, New York (United States)
Museo dell’emigrazione eoliana, Salina (ME)
Museo narrante dell’emigrazione, La Nave della Sila – Parco Old Calabria, Camigliatello Silano (CS)
Museo dell’Emigrazione “G.B. Scalabrini”, Francavilla Angitola (VV)
Centro di documentazione sulla storia e la letteratura dell’emigrazione della Capitanata – San Marco in Lamis
(FG) www.emigracdec.com
Centro di Studi sui Molisani nel mondo (CB)
Museo dell’Immacolatella Vecchia, Napoli
Museo dell’Emigrazione, Cansano (AQ)
Museo Regionale dell’Emigrazione “Pietro Conti”, Gualdo Tadino (PG)
Centro Studi Emigrazione, Roma
“La Reggia dei Volsci” – Museo della Città di Carpineto Romano
Fondazione “Paolo Cresci” per la Storia dell’Emigrazione Italiana (LU)
Museo dell’Emigrazione della Gente di Toscana (LU)
Museo della Figurina di Gesso e dell’Emigrazione (LU)
Centro di documentazione sull’emigrazione, Bedonia (PR)
Centro internazionale di studi sull’emigrazione italiana, Genova (Website also in English)
www.ciseionline.it/
emigrazione@porto.genova.it
s.martini@porto.genova.it
Museo dell’Emigrazione Piemontesi nel mondo, Frossasco (TO)
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
19.
20.
21.
22.
Centro di documentazione Fondazione Agnelli – Altreitalie, Torino
Museo Etnografico Tiranese, Tirano (Sondrio)
Museo dell’Emigrante, Repubblica di San Marino
Swiss Italian migration: www.swissinfo.ch/eng/specials/swiss-italian_migrations/index.html?siteSect=22500
I. WEBSITES FOR ITALIAN FAMILY HISTORIANS
Cyndi’s list of genealogy sites on the internet – Italy
Well worth a visit:
www.cyndislist.com/italy.htm
Italian Ancestry
A rich site (US based), with lots of links:
www.italianancestry.com/
Radici. The Italian Genealogy Webclub
Has a wealth of links and resources.
www.initaly.com/gene/index.htm
Italian Genealogy & Family History
genealogy.about.com/od/italy/Italian_Genealogy_Family_History.htm
Gente di mare Italian Genealogy
http://gentedimareitaliangenealogy.info/
Italy Genealogy Forum
A large forum for genealogists.
www.genforum.genealogy.com/italy/
Italian Genealogy 101
Has fact sheets for beginners and some links:
genealogy.about.com/od/italy/a/family_tree.htm
Italian Genealogy
Large site with forums, message boards etc.
italiangenealogy.tardio.com/
BDM records for some villages
www.italyfreebmd.org/
Italian Genealogical Group
New York site with searchable databases
www.italiangen.org/
Passport of Rosa Cavedon (nee Bettale)
and children Giovanni, Gino and Maria.
Vicenza, 1927.
Italian Heritage and Genealogy – D’Addezio
A rich site, with many links.
www.daddezio.com/
Passport of Rosa Cavedon (nee Bettale)
and children Giovanni, Gino and Maria.
Vicenza, 1927.
Joe’s Italian Genealogy page
A US site with forums, links, fact sheets.
www.caropepe.com/italy/
Italian Family Tree
A commercial US site offering professional genealogical services.
www.italianfamilytree.com/
List of Genealogy Links from the Italian American Website of New York
www.italian-american.com/italgen.htm
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
Italian Genealogy Online
An extensive site with links, message boards etc.
www.angelfire.com/ok3/pearlsofwisdom/
Italian Genealogy, Heritage, Culture and Databases
www.cimorelli.com/
Family Search – Italian specific resources
Has lots of factsheets.
www.familysearch.org/eng/search/RG/frameset_rhelps.asp?Page=./research/Titlei/Titlei.asp&ActiveTab=Title
Italy Gen Web
A resource for genealogists searching in Italy, with fact sheets, links and some databases.
www.italywgw.org/
My Italian Family
A US site providing commercial services.
www.myitalianfamily.com/
Tuttogenealogia
An Italian site
www.tuttogenealogia.it
The Italian Heritage
An Italian site.
www.theitalianheritage.it/?lang=english
Genealogy research in Southern Italy (with particular emphasis on Abruzzo)
www.italyworldclub.com/genealogy/
Online list of people born in Trentino 1815-1923
http://www.natitrentino.mondotrentino.net/
Genealogy researcher
US Kathy Kirkpatrick specializes in Italian genealogical research
behind the camera.
www.gentracer.com.
Filmmaker, Giorgio Mangiamele,
Melbourne, c. 1960s.
Filmmaker, Giorgio Mangiamele, behind the
camera. Melbourne, c. 1960s.
Ancestry.com
Have some Italian records online:
BDM records for Como and Lecco (Lombardy), 1866-1936
content.ancestrylibrary.com/iexec/?htx=List&dbid=1197&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0
BDM records for the comune of Falerna (Catanzaro, Calabria), 1810-1936
content.ancestrylibrary.com/iexec/?htx=List&dbid=1168&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0
Comune of Palermo, Births 1876-1885, surnames A-Br
www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5778
Italian passengers to Louisiana, 1905-1910:
www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4742
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
This issue showcases recent non-fiction titles which trace the history of Italy and its people.
The Pursuit of Italy : a history of a land,
its regions and their peoples by David
Gilmour, Penguin Books, London, 2011.
“This is a provocative book, which traces the
history of the Italian peninsula in a readable
style, full of well-chosen stories and
observations and peopled by many of the
great figures of the Italian past.”
Gilmour shows that the glory of Italy has
always lain in its regions, and claims that this
is where its strength and culture comes from,
rather than from misconceived and mishandled
concepts of nationalism and unity. Certainly a
challenging read (circa 400 pages) but very
engaging.
Dante in love by A.N. Wilson, Atlantic Books, London, 2011
“You do not need to have read The Divine Comedy to
be thrilled by this book. In Dante in Love we are presented
with a glittering study of the writer and his world. We are
acquainted with Dante’s family, his beloved Beatrice, wife
Gemma as well as factual events and the politics and social
customs of the time. Indeed Wilson argues that without
an understanding of medieval Florence, it is impossible to
grasp the meaning of Dante’s epic poem.”
Although a daunting, complex subject the 340 pages of this
book hardly contains a single boring page.
The Great Sea : a human history of the
Mediterranean, by David Abulafia, Penguin
Books, London, 2011.
Seeking Sicily : a cultural journey through myth
and reality in the heart of the Mediterranean
by John Keahey, Thomas Dunne Books, New York, 2011
“The Great Sea is the first complete history of
what happened around the Mediterranean,
from around 3500 BC to the recent reinvention
of the Mediterranean’s shores as a tourist
destination. The focus of this book is on
places and people. Abulafia describes the port
cities of Amalfi, Alexandria, Venice, Trieste and
Salonika, which he argues have prospered
because of their ability to allow many different
peoples, religions and identities to co-exist.”
“This is a travel narrative that captures Sicily and its various
cultures through the eyes of Sicilian authors of the
nineteenth and twentieth centuries, most notably Leonardo
Sciascia (1921 – 1989). This book goes beyond cliché and
into its physical and psychological interior, its geography,
history, customs, rituals, and, of course, food.”
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
Dante in Graphics
About Dante Alighieri:
Dante Alighieri (1265 – 1321) was arguably the greatest poet of the
middle ages, and The Divine Comedy (La Divina Commedia) is his
masterpiece. Born in Florence to a family of minor nobility, he was twelve
years old when his future wife was chosen for him. His lifelong love,
however, was Beatrice, who he met only fleetingly. He ended up married
to Gemma Donati(with whom he had at least four children), and Beatrice
wed the banker Simone de’ Bardi. Beatrice, the woman Dante called “the
glorious lady of my mind” died on June 8, 1290, at age twenty-five.
He held several offices, including ambassador to Rome and superintendent of roads and repair. He
was involved in the political life of Florence, siding with the White Guelph faction, which opposed the
Black Guelphs. Both sides favoured the Pope and fought with the Ghibellines, the party backed by
the Holy Roman Emperor.
Dante’s criticism of the Pope’s involvement in politics and ensuing scandals appears in different parts
of the poem. In fact, he condemned the Church and the government corruption that plagued
Florence while he, in turn, was charged with corruption and was condemned. He was able to escape
a punishment of death by burning by being exiled from 1302 and lived away from his beloved
Florence until his death in 1321. He never saw his native city again. Roaming from one Italian town
to another, it was during this time that he wrote much of his body of work, including The Divine
Comedy. During the many years he worked on his Comedy, Dante wandered to Forli, Bologna,
Arezzo, Padua, Lucca, and from about 1318, settled in Ravenna.
In 1315 Florence granted an amnesty to people in exile and Dante was on the list of “Forgivable
Ciitizens.” But Dante refused to abide by the terms of amnesty as, apart from paying a sum of
money, these citizens would need to agree to be named as offenders in a public religious ceremony.
Dante refused this outrageous formula, and preferred to remain in exile. When Dante refused this
offer of amnesty the Florentines renewed their death sentence. What Dante had in mind was a
triumphant return to his native city, where he would be crowned poet laureate. Sadly this did not
happen and Dante died in 1321 in Ravenna (aged 56) and was buried in the Church of San Pier
Maggiore (later called San Francesco). On his grave are the words :
parvi Florentia mater amoris
“Florence, mother of little love”
"
Dante meets Beatrice at Ponte Santa Trinita" by Henry Holiday
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
About The Divine Comedy :
The Divine Comedy is composed of one hundred cantos and told in triplets to represent the trinity.
Dante uses the Divine Comedy to raise awareness of the need for a moral life. It is about a
journey through the afterlife and has three parts : Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory) and
Paradiso (Paradise or Heaven). Note that Commedia in this context does not mean humorous or
funny, but rather a tale with a happy ending.
Below, in graphic format, are portrayals of Inferno, Purgatory and Heaven, from the text Dante’s
Divine Comedy: Inferno, Purgatory, Heaven adapted by Seymour Ghawst.
The inscription over the gates of Inferno opens Canto 3 :
“Through me the way into the City of Woe,
Through me the way to endless agony
Through me the way among the lost below,
All hope abandon, you who enter here.” (Inf.3.1-3,9)
After a vestibule in which fence-sitting nonentities are punished, Dante travels down nine increasingly
awful infernal circles of sinners : (1) the Limbo of innocent souls and virtuous heathens; (2) the
lustful; (3) the gluttonous; (4) the avaricious and prodigal ; (5) the wrathful and sullen; (6) the
heretics; (7) the violent (in three rings-murderers and tyrants in the first, suicides and squanderers in
the second, and blasphemers, sodomites and usurers in the last); (8) the fraudulent; (9) the
treacherous. Since all the punishments are made to fit the crime, where else but in the Inferno can
you find corrupt popes planted upside down with just their writhing legs exposed and the soles of
their feet on fire (Inf. 19).
“To read the Inferno, especially to read it for the first time,” writes A.N. Jackson, “ is to be gripped by
an extraordinary story, a series of scenes which are so alarming, so disgusting, so grotesque, that we
read on enraptured. Many first-time readers of the Inferno must have finished it in a few sittings.”
(page 301)
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
Purgatorio is the second part of Dante’s Divine Comedy, following the Inferno and preceding the
Paradiso. Dante’s Purgatory is an enormous island- mountain rising out of the ocean in the
uninhabited Southern Hemisphere. After an Ante-Purgatory in two levels, where excommunicaters,
late repenters, and negligent princes must linger before beginning their purgation, the seven deadly
sins provide the main structuring principles. Terraces 1-7 imaginatively punish pride, envy, wrath,
sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust (in descending order of seriousness). The repentant sinners spend
as much time on each terrace as they deserve. The poem outlines a theory that all sin arises from
love – either perverted love directed towards others’, deficient love, or the disordered love of good
things. Despite its punishments, the Purgatorio is an abode of calm and reflection.
Paradiso is the third and final part of Dante’s Divine Comedy telling of Dante’s journey through
Heaven guided by Beatrice, who symbolises theology and grace. Paradise is depicted as a series of
concentric spheres surrounding the earth (based on the knowledge of astronomy of the time),
consisting of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Fixed Stars, the Primum
Mobile and finally, the Empyrean. Allegorically, the poem represents the soul’s ascent to God.
After a display of deep remorse, Dante, is absolved of his sins and is now “pure and already to rise to
the stars”. Gazing fixedly into Beatrice’s eyes he begins to ascend to Heaven with her and in Canto
30, they ascend to the Empyrean, the immaterial heaven of pure intellectual light and love, outside of
all time and space, the tenth and last heaven, that of God’s immediate presence.
La Divina Commedia di Dante by Domenico Di
Michelino, 1465, fresco in the dome of the Church
of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence (Florence’s
Cathedral). Dante is shown holding a copy of his
epic poem.
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
By writing the Comedy in his regional dialect, Dante established that the Italian language was suitable
for the highest sort of expression, and simultaneously established the Tuscan dialect as the standard
for Italian.
Text adapted from :
Dante’s Divine Comedy : Inferno, Purgatory, Paradise adapted by Seymour Chwast, Bloomsbury,
London, 2012
Sprezzatura : 50 ways Italian genius shaped the world by Peter D’Epiro and Mary Desmond Pinkowish,
Anchor Books, USA, 2001
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Useful resources :
Dante in love by A.N. Wilson, Atlantic Books, London, 2011
The young inferno by John Agard, Frances Lincoln Limited, Great Britain, 2008
La Divina Commedia : l’immortale racconto di Dante Alighieri
The Comedy of Dante Alighieri : The Florentine : Cantica 1 : Hell (L’Inferno)
Reluctant Italians? : one hundred years of the Dante Alighieri Society in Melbourne, by Alan Mayne,
Dante Alighieri Society, Melbourne, 1997
http://www.ufottoleprotto.com/divina_1.htm
Note : The Dante Alighieri Society is currently conducting lectures in Italian and English on La Divina
Commedia especially Inferno. Discussion evenings are held on Thursdays (in English) and Fridays (in Italian)
between 6.00 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. at the Dante Office, 308 Drummond Street, Carlton. Contact details 0419
160 336 or 9349 1143
http://www.dantemelbourne.com.au/rtg1/public_html/wp-content/uploads/DivinaCommedia.pdf
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
Tax Invoice
Co.As.It. Italian Assistance Association
Italian Resource Centre
44 University Street, Carlton
(Postal Address) Level 1, 189 Faraday Street,
Carlton, 3053
ABN 85 005 596 485
Tel:( 03) 9349 9022
Fax:(03) 9349 9091
Contact Person :___________________________________________________
Name of School : _________________________________________________
School Postal Address : _____________________________________________
________________________________________________Postcode_________
Telephone : ___________________Email :_____________________________
Tick each Pack Title required clearly & specify number of copies required
For Non Subscribers cost is $22.00 each :
Story Book Titles included
No.ofcopies
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Pack Title
Ecco Pinocchio
Pinocchio :
La festa di Pollicino
C’era una volta :
Il sole e vento
Giacco e il fagiolo
La gallinella rossa
Alla festa
Facciamo Festa :
Buona Pasqua
Buon Natale :
Andiamo in Italia :
La famiglia :
Divertiamoci :
at $5.00 each.
Cost
$
$
$
La colomba
La sorpresa
Fra Martino
L’albero di Natale
Il presepio
La Befana
Il piccolo capitano
Sulla neve
La macchinetta rossa
Mangia, mangia
Il mio fratellino
Il pappagallo
Sogni d’oro
Aiuto! Un topo
Songs / Canzoni / Plays / Recite
$
$
$
$
$
Total cost of CDs $
Plus $6.00 Postage $6.00
Total cost $
Payment Details – Cheques and money orders should be made payable to Co.As.It and
stapled to this form (Please tick method of payment)
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Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
The following are free advertisements which does not imply any endorsement
by Co.As.It. Teachers are advised to make their own enquiries regarding
suitability.
La Comica Variety Productions
Melbourne’s funniest Italian show performers...
Your students will love ...
Le Vacanze
Un’Avventura Romana
Ristorante Mangiabanane
For Bookings and more information
Contact :James Liotta
Phone : 0409 932 014
Email : jliotta@telstra.come completed by
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6pm on Sunday 27 Saturday evening 26
After a very successful 2011 (including being one of 6 finalists across Australia to be nominated
for the “2011 AAMI Best New Business Award”), Spectacular Spettacolo will be back in 2012 and
will be offering two shows relevant from Prep – 6, from our very popular “Time Warp” series.
The shows that will be on offer are ‘Part 1’ and ‘Part 2 – Dammi il Cinque’ (more information
on both of these shows including sample songs are available on our website at
www.leaporcaro.com.au/spectacular-spettacolo/).
Every booking will also include the fantastic teachers’ pack which contains over a semester’s
worth of material, the lyrics to all the songs sung throughout the show and a copy of the CD. The
pack has been compiled by Corrado Porcaro (an Italian teacher in the Primary sector for over 27
years), so it is relevant and relates back to current curriculum. Feedback from teachers in regards
to this pack has been extraordinary!
We urge you all to book ASAP, especially if there is a particular date that you have in mind.
Tentative bookings can also be placed as we understand that approval and confirmation can often
take some time. It is also the final year that we will be offering “Time Warp – Part 1” so we
anticipate that it will be very busy!
-
For all booking enquiries, you can do one of the following:
log onto our website at www.leaporcaro.com.au/spectacular-spettacolo/ and fill in the
booking form on the ‘contact us’ page
- email Lea at info@leaporcaro.com.au
or
- call Lea on 0432 388 032
Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you all soon! Please keep an eye on
the website for special offers throughout the year!
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3
Make a Scene Theatre Arts Education
Commedia dell’Arte Workshops and Performances
cover maschere (masks), tipi fisi (stock characters) and
place this important Italian theatre style in a cultural and
historical context.
This program is a great way to consolidate or introduce a unit
on Commedia dell’Arte or Carnevale.
It is suitable and adaptable for primary (prep) to VCE students of Italian
and/or Drama.
Rosa Campagnaro (Director) is a qualified teacher and together with Fabio Motta (Actor) has trained
in Commedia dell’Arte in Venice,Italy.
Contact :
Rosa Campagnaro (Director)
Phone : (03) 9495 1980
info@makeascene.com.au
www.makeascene.com.au
Italian Dance Workshops
THE MOST FUN FILLED, EDUCATIONAL & CUTLTURAL EXPERIENCE EVER!
Vince Di Mitro and his team have been educating and entertaining school communities
across Australia since 1989 with their accessible blend of practical activities, high energy and
humour.
In our workshops, students learn traditional or contemporary social dances in which we
infuse our own creative Italian moves. All our lessons are specially designed to cater for
students in each year level. We are committed to providing your school with a cultural,
educational and fun experience for all ages P-12.
Contact Vince at Performing Arts Workshop for bookings or a copy of our brochure.
Contact : Vince Di Mitro
Performing Arts Workshops
PO Box 2250 St Kilda West 3182
Phone : 03 9525 5550 / Fax : 03 9525 5996
Mobile : 0419 335 556
Email : paworkshops@tpg.com.au
Il Centro – Co.As.It Resource Centre Newsletter Volume 20, Issue 3

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