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No UNESCO heritage for espresso: the application was rejected. Passed. Not allowed. What is the most correct wording?
It is certainly more kind to say that the candidacy The Italian Espresso Coffee between culture, ritual, sociality and literature in the emblematic communities from Venice to Naples was not admitted by the committee by the Council Director of the Italian National Commission for Unesco, who preferred the Opera.
Of course we all agree that the art of opera is worth it.
But the coffee just “wasn’t there?” Pity.
However, it remains a heritage for us.
At this point our thoughts turn to the sensational rejections.
The first that comes to mind is the famous Meryl Streep audition for King Kong.
Here she tells us directly, but above all divinely I would say
Or we can quote Fazi Editore and the interview with Elido Fazi: Gore Vidal pointed out Dan Brown to me. His book got there six months before it was released in America. We read it absent-mindedly and didn’t do anything about it.
In other words, we can say that “reading absent-mindedly” harms.
Whenever I think of underestimates I am reminded of Shirey MacLaine and the recurring sentence in The Last Word movie “The Kinks are the most underrated band ever.”
In fact, many were surprised by the choice of David Gilmour who in a 2003 BBC interview indicated Waterloo Sunset as the first of the songs he would choose a desert island.
Do you want to tell me some anecdotes too?
Or maybe you also have a personal experience, of rejection or even better of revenge?
Indeed, more than revenge, I’d like to talk about rebirth
Being born is not enough. It is to be reborn that we are born. Everyday. Pablo Neruda
What do you say?
Hi I'm Claudia and this is KCDC.
I am sorry that The Italian Espresso Coffee culture was rejected by UNESCO. I like both, opera and coffee. They should both be worth to be on the UNESCO LIST.
The same for Russia’s statue ‘THE MOTHERLAND CALLS’, in Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad. This Monument has been on the application list of UNESCO, since 2014. For the past eight years, this monument has not been placed on the list yet, and I doubt that it ever will.
Such is life. We all have to swallow bitter pills, once in a while.
Yes Olivia, you are right: it would be nice if both coffee and opera were considered heritage, but never mind. It is not a tragedy.
And then never say never … and the same goes for Motherland calls, maybe one day the right time will come.
Yes, Claudia, maybe the right time will come. Let’s keep hoping because “hope dies last”, as the saying goes.
Olivia <3
“Hope dies last” is a saying I use very often. it is an encouraging support for all difficult situations.
I feel exactly the same and use this saying constantly. Without hope we are lost.
So I assume you love Emily Dickinson too:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.
It is a beautiful poem.
Yes.
I particularly love Emily Dickinson.
She is an interesting personality.
True. I also find very mysterious both her soul and her conception for life with respect to herself and also to other people.
Do you believe in rebirth, Claudia?
I sometimes have the idea that I lived in other lives before this one.
How about you?
Yes, often I would like to think that there is a rebirth.
Sometimes I say to myself “I probably did that in my previous life …”
But above all I always tell my husband that next time I want to be reborn as a man 🙂
I believe that I have led several lives as a man, and maybe you did, too.
This is really very interesting Olivia!
Is there any particular feeling that you bring back to the idea of having lived previous lives as a man?
Yes, I definitely have the feeling that I lived several previous lives as a man: an English sailor who drowned in the Irish Sea on a stormy night; an English country gentleman who strangled his wife out of jealousy; a Mongolian yak herder living in a yourt tent and traveling with my herd ….
Wow! You should write these stories, tell the adventures you feel inside yourself.
The Irish Sea for me is like a dream but in this case it has become a nightmare, I’m sorry …
Well, I have a long list of what I want to write about, maybe these stories will make it on the list too, eventually.
Wow!
Well done!
I am sure that your list is not only long but also very very interesting!
Well, it depends on what your interests are. I find my list interesting but others might not think so.
I am sorry I cannot tell you more about my writing projects. I never talk about them before they are finished – otherwise they just evaporate.
It sure is right!
I also think it is better not to reveal the projects in advance, and then I love surprises!
This is not only true for writing projects but for plans in general. They should not be revealed in advance, as they might never come true.
A bit like for desires in front of shooting stars …
Yes, I like to make a wish when I see a shooting star – but I do not see many, mainly because I have a sound sleep, I do not look out of the window at night.
Unfortunately, I don’t have much chance of seeing shooting stars either: I would have to move from home.
Here in Italy we use to consider Saint Lorenzo’ night, that is the night of August 12, as the night of shooting stars.
How interesting! Could you tell me more about this special night and its name?
There’s one night in Summer when you’ll find most Italians looking up at the sky. Lying down, arms stretched in the air indicating where the last shooting star appeared. Along the beach, perched on a mountain top or scattered across the countryside, all trying to make their wishes come true one star at the time. It’s the Night of Saint Lawrence and it falls on 10th August. For a few nights around this date, astronomy becomes a national pastime as the Perseid meteor shower crisscrosses the Italian sky.
La Notte di San Lorenzo, as it is known in Italy today, is a celebration dating back to Roman and Etruscan times, if not earlier. Catholics marked this day in remembrance of the martyr, believing the falling stars represent the tears of the holy and the embers of the fire that burned him, thus originating a saying “San Lorenzo dei martiri innocenti, casca dal ciel carboni ardenti” (Saint Lawrence of innocent martyrs, hot embers fall from the sky).
This shower of stars is caused by the particles of the Swift-Tuttle comet entering our atmosphere on the Earth’s annual orbit through its path, nevertheless, Italians don’t let science spoil this magical night. Millions still flock as far as necessary to have enough darkness to gaze at the sky. And under their breath utter “Stella, mia bella Stella, desidero che…” every time a falling star sparks across the sky, making a wish.
Thank you very much for your explanations, dear Claudia.
This is truly a magic night, and will the wishes come true?
“a celebration dating back to Roman and Etruscan times” …
I loved learning about the Roman Empire at school in my Latin classes, we also read some old Roman authors in Latin.
So little is known about the Etruscans, however, very mysterious ancient people – just like the Scythians in Asia.
It is said that wishes come true, I hope so, it’s nice to believe it.
I am very happy that you love Roman and Etruscan history so much.
In fact it is true: there is much less talk of the Etruscans, and it is a pity.
And to confirm what you say, I don’t know the Scythians in fact.
Here is an interesting transcription of the alphabet.
It is reasonable to imagine that, through all these documents, we have managed to obtain a good level of knowledge of the Etruscan language. Unfortunately, however, our knowledge in this sense remains very incomplete, and Etruscan is for us still, substantially, a mysterious language: in fact, the texts are too few, and almost always too specific (and moreover, most of them contain almost exclusively names of people) for having allowed us to arrive at a full understanding of the Etruscan language, so much so that in many texts there are still untranslatable words (an example is the Liber Linteus Zagabriensis, which still has some passages with a still obscure meaning). However, we know several words of Etruscan. Some are those related to the family: apa (father), ati (mother), apa nacnva and ati nacnva (grandfather and grandmother, literally “big father” and “big mother”), ruva (brother), clan (son), sech (daughter), puia (wife), nefts (grandson), papals (grandson, referring to grandfather), tetals (grandson, referring to grandmother), husiur (children), tusurthiri (bride). Others are animal names: leu (lion), hiuls (owl), thevru (bull). We also know several terms relating to the state and society: methlum (state), spur (city), spurana (civic), lauchume (consul), camthi (censor), tular (border). Given the abundance of objects related to funerary rituals, we have a lot of knowledge on specific terminology: hinthial (soul), mutna (sarcophagus), murs (urn), penthna (cippus), suthi (tomb), suthina (funerary). We also know the numerals from one to ten, although not all scholars agree on some of the numbers (for example, on four and six, which could be reversed): thu (1), zal (2), ci (3 ), ša (4), mach (5), huth (6), semph (7), cezp (8), nurph (9), šar (10). The Etruscans counted on a decimal basis, and the tens (except the number twenty, zathrum) were formed with the suffix -alch: cialch (30), sealch (40), machalch (50), huthalch (60), and so on. The findings also allowed us to arrive at a good understanding of Etruscan grammar: we therefore know that the Etruscans had declensions with cases as in Latin, that verbs had tenses to indicate the present, the past and the future, which they also used the subjunctive. And obviously there is no lack of the term with which the Etruscans called themselves: Rasna.
apa and ati, father and mother, the most important people in the world.
Thank you for this explanation of what has been found out about the Etruscan language. The Rasna people are fascinating.
What a great idea Olivia!
It would be nice to make a list of how the words mom and dad are said in all languages.
For example in German it is Mama und Papa, correct?
Yes, “Mama und Papa” is correct. It is the more endearing term, the formal one would be “Vater und Mutter”.
Thanks Olivia!
Just today in Italy we celebrate Mother’s Day
Yes, I have read some nice posts about Mother’s Day on some Italian blogs, for example Luisa Zambrotta.
Oh Luisa’s post was lovely: I liked her picture so much!!
I agree, the post is lovely. The photo of Luisa’s mother shows that ishe was a beautiful woman, and the dog was nice, too. A huge animal, wasn’t it?
Yup!
My mom told me that our first dog was called Mora but I was too young and I don’t remember.
Instead, I remember Titti: a kind of non-purebred poodle with her eyes covered by her black and wavy fur, a very sweet and very good dog.
Then we had Pepe and Rocky: a rough-haired Dachshund that we adopted when he was already an adult because his owner wanted to kill him because he was afraid of hunting in burrows.
In general we have had many animals: even cats, budgies, canaries, fish and a turtle.
How interesting, your memories of animals at home.
We also had animals. I remember one dog in particular, her name was Asta, a sweet and quiet dog, black and white, the race is called “Münsterländer Vorstehhund”. I do not know the equivalent in English.
She was calm and friendly with grownups and children. The only time my mother was upset was when Asta sneaked into the dining-room and stole a cake from the table which was meant for guests who were coming for tea.
I remember this incident because my mother, who was always ladylike, became a real fury and insulted poor Asta. I felt sorry for the dog.
I tried to search and I believe the name remains Munsterlander.
Asta is a name I’ve never heard of so I love it.
I guess your mom was mortified that she missed the chance to offer her cake to the arriving guests.
I suppose she cared a lot about hospitality.
I don’t like getting angry either and yet sometimes it happens, anger is also a human feeling.
Yes, my mother was a great hostess. We had guests at all times at home. She liked to entertain.
And the cake Asta stole and ate was definitely missing and could not be replaced in such a short time.
So what? As a child i took Asta’s side, not my mother’s side. I did not care about guests at all. But I loved Asta very much and did not want her chided.
And I would have behaved exactly like you!
Asta was at her house and I imagine how fond you were of her.
And I bet that in the end even the guests will not have even noticed the absence of the cake because surely a guest like your mother will have had other delicacies to offer, in addition to her impeccable hospitality.
I do not remember anything about that afternoon and the guests at all. I probably did not care about cakes, tea tables, guests, etc. I only cared about Asta.
And for your age as a child it was absolutely right.
It was game time, and I’m sure Asta was a great company to have fun with!
Asta was sweet and loving. She was very loyal too (apart from stealing cakes).
Therefore we can consider the cake only as a “restitution” that she has taken after the sweetness she has always given.
I am not an expert in dogs’ psychology, but you are surely right.
I’m not an expert either but, speaking of sweetness and sweets, it seemed like a good explanation
Maybe stealing sweets once in a while kep Asta sweet?
Oh Asta was already sweet before stealing the cake!
Yes, and she remained sweets afterwards. Her sweetness was innate, she even was sweet when my mother got angry. She did not bark or bite. No, she hid under the table or went outside, into the garden, if the door was open. In other words, she never “answered back”, as naughty children do.
And it is a beautiful example.
The strength to maintain one’s goodness even in moments in which one is put to the test.
There is a lot to learn from animals too.
Sometimes I tend to think that we can learn more from animals than from our dear (or nasty) fellow human beings.
I love cats a lot. I learn daily from cats.
And I absolutely agree with you!
And I also have a particular preference for cats: they are totally independent, intelligent and elegant.
They are also survival specialists.
True!
They always know how to fall on their feet.
Yes, and furthermore they know how to avoid dangers. Cats have a very sharp instinct.
Already!
And they are also nocturnal souls.
Sleep during the day, stroll around at night ….
Completely not giving a damn about everything and everyone 🙂
Well; I think cats do care, they are thankful to people who give them food and a home. However, they will adapt to new circumstances, if necessary.
Yes, it’s true.
My cat when it was time to give birth to her first kitten just looked for me and made me understand that she wanted me to be with her, meowed and kept her front paws on my arms until she saw me crouched next to her, then she lay down and practically gave birth to the kitten in my arms.
How sweet, so you were her birth helper.
What did you do with the kittens afterwards?
My cat only gave birth to a kitten, it’s very strange, I know, maybe because when we realized she was in heat we kept her at home to avoid the fights of the male cats at night as their amorous meows were quite strong.
However, after the only kitten, which was another female, the placenta came out.
We also kept the kitten that was born and for a long time we had two cats.
And you do not have these two cats – mother and daughter – any more? What happened to them?
No, unfortunately they are both dead. The daughter died of a tumor, the mother died of old age.
Of a tumor? How sad.
Unfortunately.
We tried to cure her as much as possible.
Really sad.
Do you have any cats now?
No … unfortunately I no longer have cats and I honestly miss them.
How are yours?
I do not have cats any more, Claudia. I travel a lot and do not want to let any cats stay alone for so long. It is cruel. When I am in France, I feed the stray cats that are running around in my little town. I place some food in front of the door; Many people do this. They feed stray cats.
That’s right, you’re right, I also think it wouldn’t be fair, but your feeding stray cats is a wonderful thing! Heartfelt congratulations!
You reminded me of the musical Cats that I love.
I used to do the same in Moscow. There were stray cats around the hotel, I fed them each morning and evening. But this year, I have not seen them yet. They must have moved elsewhere.
Oh sorry.
Perhaps in the city it is more complicated for cats to wander the streets in a stray manner.
They used to live in empty garages, huts and on trees in the backyards, even in open spaces of ventilage. I believe, that some inhabitants with a dislike for cats chase them away.
Poor cats
Jellicle Cats
Yes, cats in big cities do not have an easy life. Living in the counryside is much better for them, if they do not have a home.
Right Olivia, cats also need the territory perhaps, more than just the house.
Yes, they need a territory to roam around in but they are also very thankful if they have a home, which means they can sleep, relax and feel safe.
<3
and find food when they meow 🙂
🐾
And those cats who are not completely wild like to be caressed, once in a while. They need and want human attention and kindness.
True. I love hearing when they purr!
Me too, it is such a cozy sound.
Super cozy!
How sweet, those cats! I love the videos of “the dodo”, I watch them on youtube all the time.
Cats are great healers I have read, and I also experienced it myself: When I had to lie down with a headache or stomach ache, my cat came into the bed, crawled up next to me and purred. After a few minutes, I already felt better. Cats are very intuitive, they know when we feel bad or good.
So you too had a surprisingly strong bond with your cat. I find this simply wonderful <3
Not only with one cat but with many cats I had a very strong bond. It started with a white Siamese cat in Germany, later with a black cat, also in Germany – and in France a red-brown cat. Those were very special animals.
I’m sure they were really special!
Among other things, it is generally said that Siamese cats have an even more particular character, is it true?
I received this white lovely Siamese cat from a cat’s shelter. The lady told me that she had survived from a house burning down. I do not know whether this is true. Maybe she tried to rouse pity in me so I would take the cat. Anyway, I took it.
This cat was very gentle and loving, never aggressive as other cats can be. At night, she always came into my bed when I slept and snuggled up to me, her head against my throat. She loved to feel the pulse of my throat.
Oh what a sweet feature of your cat !!
Almost as if it were a keeper of your sleep <3
Even my cat, of which I have already told you about giving birth, always came to sleep with me, but not near the throat, she was on her legs, so I didn’t even move to wake her up. I’m crazy, I know.
I also took care not to wake up my cats. I tried not to disturb them by moving too much.
<3
How sweet! My little Siamese darling was completely white, the ears and paws included. Only her eyes were blue.
Oh BEAUTIFUL!!
What was his name?
Her name was ‘Liebling’ (darling).
So so sweet!!
My cat name was Giulia and the kitten she had Piccola (little)
A few years earlier I had a Carthusian cat named Topo (mouse) and as a child a white kitten: Palla di neve (snowball) and a red cat: Milord.
Those are all cute names for cats, really pretty.
Thanks Olivia!
I miss them so much!
I miss mine, too.
Many people use to say “good bridge” when a pet dies because of the trip they will make on the rainbow bridge.
How nice, I like it. So I hope that my white Siamese Darling is living forever happily on the rainbow bridge now.
Rainbow Bridge
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of all its beautiful colors.
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows,
hills and valleys with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place.
There is always food and water and warm spring weather.
The old and frail animals are young again.
Those who were sick, hurt or in pain are made whole again.
There is only one thing missing,
they are not with their special person who loved them so much on earth.
So each day they run and play until the day comes
when one suddenly stops playing and looks up!
The nose twitches! The ears are up!
The eyes are staring and this one runs from the group!
You have been seen and when you and your special friend meet,
you take him in your arms and hug him.
He licks and kisses your face again and again –
and you look once more into the eyes of your best friend and trusting
pet.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together never again to be apart.
Author Unknown
There is a dispute about the origin of this poem: those who claim paternity claim to have written it for the loss of their animal and to have found it on the net years later slightly modified.
It is a lovely poem, thank you for sharing it with me, Claudia.
Thanks to You Olivia!