THE SHADOW...

Ciao, tutti!

It is good to know that I have been conspicuous by my absence - or so I have heard from various friends in the blogosphere.

How long has it been since I fielded a new post? A quick glance at my Archive tells me that it was way back in December 2012. (For the record: YIKES!)

Why's that? First, I was traveling. Then, I was preparing for more travel - including a speaking tour in March (with various presentations in Detroit, Toronto, London, Ont. and Chicago).

So, my manic word-crafting and image-polishing has been focused on a brand new talk on (what else?!)

MICHELANGELO AND THE MEDICI

Maybe you can hear me in person ... live? Click on the above link for places and dates.

Ed G.

MICHELANGELO AND THE MEDICI

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the turbulent relationship between Michelangelo Buonarroti and the Medici rulers of Florence. And in a few days, I will be beginning a speaking tour on this very topic. This will take me to Detroit (9 March), Toronto (12 March), London, Ont. (13 March) and Chicago (21 March). Then later, who knows where else?! If you live in those parts of the world, it would be great to meet you! See below for the relevant times and places.

STAR OF ITALY (Celano)

"Why is there a Communist symbol on the seal of the Italian Republic?" That was a recent question from a friend on the internet. 

The Schoolkid's Shop, school supplies and more

 in Celano (Abruzzo)

THE GHOST IN THE MACHINE (Siena)

Going to Siena is as near to an out-of-body experience that a Florentine can achieve - at least within the range of an easy hour's drive.

ITALY IS DIFFERENT (Pescara)

A typically cynical Florentine friend recently commented, "The Italians like the idea of liking culture" - followed by a shrug of the shoulders and a heavy silence. This was a direct response to the government's drastic cuts to the nation's arts budget - resulting in the near closure of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a celebrated international festival of theater and music that began operation in 1933.

SILENT SCREAMS (Pompeii)

City lost... City found...

EAR OF DIONYSUS (Syracuse)

ANCIENT MYSTERIES

...AND MODERN TOURISTS.

It only takes two or three people in Bermuda shorts and funny hats to make the Gobi Desert or the Great Dismal Swamp look like a parking lot at Disney World.