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SCIENCE Neil Alden Armstrong

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Issue # 1 - Sept-Oct. 2012

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“OF Finance magazine “ in this issue , which is number 1, offers the opportunity to read articles on several topics:

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Of informationThe articles we would like you to read will be written by journalists/non-journalists, independent minds, free opinionists, specialists in different sec-tors expressing their ideas and opinions and for this reason they are the only persons responsible for their writing as well as for the pictures or illustrative materials they add to their articles.

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The Greek economic

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Suez and/or Panama Canal?

BrasilInvest Opportunity

Special luxury

Canados Open 90

Investement

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Opera

Issue # 0 - August 2012

Contemporary Art

Juri Corti

SCIENCE

Tomato Genome

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Investement

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Neil Alden Armstrong

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China

Issue # 1 - Sept-Oct. 2012

6

!

!!!!!!!

!

!

!

!! !

!

summary

!

7

10

50

25

13 Euro dollar?

23 politic

29 Festivities

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

summary

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34 ! Brasil

38 !China

43 !gold

47 !Power

54 !art mude

57 !Opera

GLOBAL ECONOMICS

OLYMPIAD

LONDON

2012

10

Capitalize On Euphoria 

As the Olympics are over, it is time

for a complete analysis of the real

impact the games had on the United

Kingdom.

Bearer of hopes, the games have

been seen by many as a great oppor-

tunity to move forwards despite the

global crisis. Politicians saw an op-

portunity to rebuild the social link in a

nation that just a few months ago had

to endure devastating and yet revea-

ling riots while companies were

obviously after the immense sums of

cash supposedly injected in the eco-

nomy by such a greater-than-life

event.

But as the games are preparing to

move on, who has been the real win-

ner ?

Measuring the sporting success of

London 2012 is easy - a quick glance

at the medals table tells us unequivo-

cally that this has been the most suc-

cessful Olympic games for Britain in

more than a century.

But measuring its success outside

the sporting arena is a little more tric-

ky.

Not only, of course, is it too early to

draw any meaningful conclusions, but

there are no easy yardsticks to judge

against.

Yet one thing is clear - the govern-

ment expects a return on its £9bn-

plus investment, both from a short-

term cash injection during the Games

and from an economic legacy that

will, it hopes, be felt for many years

to come.

ust how significant a boost the Ga-

mes gives to the UK's flatlining eco-

nomy remains to be seen.

Initially at least, organisers' efforts to

prevent bedlam in the centre of Lon-

don seem to have been over-zea-

lous, with a number of smaller retai-

lers bemoaning a lack of shoppers.

However, larger retailers appear to

have fared better - a survey by con-

sultancy Deloitte suggests more saw

an increase in demand than saw a

fall, while more recent data suggests

shopper numbers picked up across

the board during the second week of

the Games.

He expects a small increase in con-

sumer and government spending du-

ring the Games to boost the UK's

GDP between July and September

by 0.2%. Add in the impact of Olym-

pic ticket sales, which will be recor-

ded in the third quarter, and the

overall boost to the economy from

the Olympic games during the period

will be 0.3%, he estimates.

But what of the longer-term legacy, a

key part of the bidding process that

GLOBALECONOMICS

11

helped win the Games in the first pla-

ce?

Public sector funding for the Games

stands at £9.3bn, with some reports

suggesting the final total could be

double that. In public at least, the go-

vernment is satisfied this will prove

money well spent.

"I'm confident that we can derive over

£13bn of benefit to the UK economy

over the next four years as a result of

hosting these Games," said Prime

Minister David Cameron at the begin-

ning of July.

That is a tall order and one that, jud-

ging by previous games, will be hard

to meet.

This includes £6bn of investment from

overseas, £4bn of contracts for UK

firms and £2.3bn of revenue from an

upsurge in tourism.

According to research into the past 10

Olympics by Citibank, the major eco-

nomic benefits of holding the Games

are realised before they begin, largely

due to the massive spending on infra-

structure such as building sporting

venues

But some argue that lessons have

been learned from others' mistakes -

that the need to follow through on

Olympic commitments has been no-

ted.

"There is a feeling in Sydney and

Athens that they they failed to fully

capitalise on the Games," says Heat-

her Hancock, lead London 2012 part-

ner at consultancy Deloitte, which is a

sponsor of London 2012.

For example, the government is

spending £125m on Britain's biggest

tourist campaign to date - GREAT -

targeting 14 of the world's great cities

with the aim of bringing an additional

4.6 million visitors to the UK and crea-

ting 70,000 jobs.

The campaign is looking to capitalise

on what has been a two-week long

advertisement for London.

"Billions have watched [the city] loo-

king fabulous and this can only be a

positive thing that must translate into

more visitors next summer," says Ju-

stin Zatouroff, head of leisure at con-

sultancy KPMG.

The government is also determined to

continue pushing for inward in-

vestment to build on the goodwill felt

towards the UK generated by the

Games.

As Ms Hancock says: "The Games

showcased the capabilities of the UK

- how well they were organised and

the quality and timeliness of the ve-

nues. They broadened the perception

of what the UK can do."

The window of opportunity is short,

however, and £13bn is quite some

target for an economic legacy that

has failed to materialise in most other

Olympic host nations.

It will be years before we know whet-

her UK plc will get its money back, let

alone make a profit on the Games,

but most economists agree major

sporting events rarely bring lasting

financial reward.

The government will have its work cut

out to buck the trend.

@ Martino Zontini

12

GLOBALECONOMICS

EURO - DOLLAR? SO the sluggish global economy has once more caused central banks to

act, first with last week's ECB bond-buying programme and now with the

Fed's third round of quantitative easing. Here is the take of my Washington

colleague. But I think it's worth pausing to reflect on the way the new finan-

cial order is shaping up.

First. it's clear that central banks will be huge players in the asset markets

for the foreseeable future. The Fed is buying mortgage bonds, not Treasu-

ries, this time but both the ECB and the Bank of England are still in the

bond-buying business. All suggest that in the long run they will unwind the-

se purchases, either by selling the bonds or by not buying them when they

mature (the effect is the same; the private sector will have to pick up the

slack). But clearly we are nowhere near the point at which these program-

mes can be reversed and unless the economy does become a lot stronger,

it is hard to see how they can be.

So when we talk about the "market reaction" to economic news, we need to

be clear that bond prices are not set in a free market; they are set, in large

part, by a huge non-profit maximising public sector buyer.

13

Second, nominal interest rates are going to be at historic lows for the fore-

seeable future as well; the Fed extended its outlook from 2014 to 2015. If

you are a cautious saver, you will get a low nominal (and probably a nega-

tive real) return. If you are a retiree forced to buy an annuity or a pension

fund hedging its liability with government bonds, you will need a much big-

ger pool of savings to meet your chosen retirement income target. The

idea, in part, is to force investors to take more risk; that is one reason why

the equity market reacted so well yesterday. But as Ruchir Sharma pointed

out in the FT earlier this week, higher equity prices help the rich (the top

10% of Americans own 75% of stocks) while QE also seems to boost

commodity prices which hurts the poor.

Tim Lee of pi Economics makes some interesting points in a note on low

interest rates, to wit that twenty years of asymmetric policy towards asset

markets by the Fed has culminated in the present extreme moral hazard,

which leads investors to believe that the Fed always stands behind them.

The result of this moral hazard is that asset prices remain artificially eleva-

ted and the resulting high level of personal wealth encourages a low sa-

vings rate.

Since savings are necessary for long-term economic growth, the result of

this policy has been to undermine the trend growth rate. Or, to turn it round,

low real interest rates are a sign that the economic outlook is poor, so-

mething the equity bulls ought to reflect on.

In my view, while Mr Lee is right that the household savings rate is too low,

he fails to mention that the corporate sector have been hoarding cash and

not investing, one reason why the government has been forced into deficit.

But, of course, corporates aren't investing because they are worried about

the growth outlook. Governments could invest in infrastructure to offset

their reluctance, especially the US with its low funding rate, but there is no

sign that Congress will let that happen. So it is hardly surprising that the

Fed felt forced to act; monetary policy is offsetting fiscal policy. But will low

lending rates encourage the banks to lend to job-creating businesses, or

will the money leak into more speculative projects, like real estate deve-

lopment? And what does this mean for the Fed's political position?

GLOBALECONOMICS

14

GLOBALECONOMICS

Easing policy just a few weeks ahead of an election will only bolster the

anger of Republicans towards Mr Bernanke. Perhaps they will change

their mind if Romney wins and the stimulus starts to help their guy. But

perhaps the remit of the Fed will come under review.

Central banks were granted much greater independence in the 1980s and

1990s because the politicians realised that was the only way to combat

inflation. The boom that resulted made a (temporary) secular saint out of

Alan Greenspan; both parties basked in his reflective glory. But can cen-

tral banks operate with such freedom when their role is so politically con-

troversial? It is a question that faces the ECB as well as the Fed, and it

could be one of the big constitutional battles of the coming years.

@ Martino Zontini

Photo> click

15

Skyline Panama’

GLOBALECONOMICS

PANAMA’

16

Panamà;

With the $5.2bn expansion of the Pa-

nama Canal, a new metro and air-

ports under construction, along with a

raft of luxury hotels, Panama’s 3.5m

population can hardly satisfy de-

mands on the nation’s workforce.

And now it’s official. Panama is the

number one hotspot for jobs in the

Americas. The most recent survey by

Manpower shows that Panama has a

26 per cent net trend towards job

creation – the percentage of compa-

nies that aim to hire people in the

fourth quarter subtracted by those

who aim to lay off personnel.

Perhaps surprisingly for a country

whose economy has accumulated

many negative headlines in recent

months, Brazilian companies also

showed a strong – though diminished

– tendency to hire in the fourth quar-

ter. Brazil’s net trend came in at 23

per cent to take second place in the

survey. The others included Peru with

23 per cent, Colombia 19 per cent,

Costa Rica 18, Mexico 17 and Gua-

temala 14 per cent. Canada came in

at 9 per cent, one point ahead of the

United States. But something ap-

pears to be going rather wrong in Ar-

gentina, where it won the wooden

spoon with a net trend of a mere 3

per cent. Companies in Panama ha-

ve for several years complained

about a serious shortage of skilled

and professional labour. The answer

has been large-scale imports of ex-

patriates. Some countries in Central

America receive billions of dollars in

remittances from their emigrants to

the United States and Europe.

In Panama, the flow is in the opposite

direction. Panama sends hundreds of

millions of dollars in remittances sent

overseas from its foreign legion of

engineers, accountants and hoteliers

@ Martino Zontini

GLOBALECONOMICS

17

GLOBALECONOMICS

Algeria,a beautiful, fascinting and rich country

18

Algeria is a beautiful, fascinating and

a rich country.

I visited Algeria, and in particular all

the towns on the Mediterranean cost

from Oran, the nearest town to the

border with Morocco, to Annaba near

the border to Tunisia, (going through

Mostaganem, Algiers, Bejaia, Skikda)

about four years ago. I had the plea-

sure to visit this part of the country

with a friend that is Algerian (even if

h e a l w a y s w a n t t o p o i n t

out that he is a Berber).

Algeria is the largest country in the

African continent, is bordered on the

west by Morocco and Western Saha-

ra and on the east by Tunisia and

Libya. The Mediterranean Sea is to

the north, and to the south are Mauri-

tania, Mali, and Niger. The Saharan

region, which is 85% of the country, is

almost completely uninhabited.

I was quite curious about “Berber”,

so I make very brief researches to try

to know a bit more about this topic

and I found out that the history of Al-

geria is entwined with history of Ber-

bers and it developed in that fertile

part of North Africa, which is often

called “Maghreb” that was used as a

transit region for people that wanted

to move towards Europe and Middle

East, therefore its inhabitants were

influenced by different cultures and

out of this mix developed the Berber

people, whose language and culture

dominated most of the land until the

spread of Islam and the arrival of the

Arabs. The earliest recorded inhabi-

tants of Algeria were Berber-speaking

peoples who by the 2d millennium

B.C. were living in small village-based

political units.

The first Algerian kingdom was esta-

blished by the Berber head of a tribe

named Massinissa, between the 3rd

and 2nd centuries BC, during the Pu-

nic Wars between Rome and Cartha-

ge. Massinissa was the first king of

Numidia from 202-148BC and his

dynasty lasted until 106 BC when his

grandson Jugurtha became a Roman

client. As part of the Roman Empire

Numidia flourished, becoming known

as the 'granary of Rome'. A road sy-

stem and a series of Roman garrisons

which became small Roman cities

were built during the Roman period.

With Roman help, he united the tribes

and founded the kingdom. He is most

famous for his role as a Roman ally in

the Battle of Zama (202 BC) in An-

cient Algeria which ended the war and

as husband of Sophonisba (a Cartha-

ginian noblewoman that poisoned

herself to avoid being paraded in a

triumph in Rome).

The highest point of Berber civilization

was reached during the reign of Mas-

sinissa in the second century BC.

After Massinissa's death in 148 BC,

the Berber kingdoms split and cluste-

red several times. Massinissa's line

survived until 24 AD, when the remai-

ning Berber territory was annexed to

the Roman Empire for two centuries.

Algeria was invaded by the Vandals in

the 5th century who occupied the

country for a hundred years before

being driven out by the Emperor Ju-

stinian's Byzantine army. It was Justi-

nian's aim to restore the Holy Roman

Empire but the spread of Islam and

the Arab conquest of North Africa du-

ring the 7th century hindered the ex-

pansion of Byzantium and perma-

nently changed the character of North

Africa.

When Muslim Arabs arrived in Algeria

in the middle of the 7th century, a

large number of locals converted to

the new faith. The Arab invasion was

not without resistance, but eventually

the inhabitants surrendered and quic-

kly embraced Islam, creating in the

8th century their own Islamic govern-

ment. Algeria became part of the

powerful Arabo-Berber empires,

which dominated the Magreb and An-

dalusia. During this period Algerian

seaports like Algiers, Annaba and

Bejaia thrived on trade with European

markets.

The Berbers had the control on much

of the Maghreb region in the Middle

Ages. They were made up of several

tribes and all these tribes were com-

pletely independent. Several Berber

dynasties emerged during the Middle

Ages in Maghreb, Sudan, Andalusia,

Italy, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Egypt, and

other nearby lands. With the decline

of the local Berber dynasties in the

15th and 16th centuries, the impor-

tant strip of land near the sea of north

Africa (known because of the Berbers

as the Barbary coast) attracts the at-

tention of the two most powerful Medi-

terranean states of the time - Spain in

the west, Turkey in the east. The

Spanish-Turkish rivalry lasts for much

of the 16th century, at the end it was

won by the Turks. They used a suc-

cessful device in allowing Turkish

pirates, or corsairs, to establish them-

selves along the coast. The territories

seized by the corsairs were given a

formal status as protectorates of the

Ottoman empire. The first was esta-

blished on the coast of Algeria in

1512, others were based in Libya by

1551, Tunisia was taken in 1534 by

the most famous corsair of them all,

Khair ed-Din (known to the Euro-

peans as Barbarossa).

Piracy was considered the main pur-

pose and source of income of all the-

se Turkish settlements along the Bar-

bary coast. And, it is stated by the

French that their intervention, at that

time was due, after three centuries,

to the depredations of piracy. The

French Colonization lasted from 1830

to 1962, when in March a cease fire

was negotiated between the French

government and the FLN and De

Gaulle's referendum was held in July

5th. The Algerian people spoke with a

single voice. They voted for indepen-

dence and the majority of the French

after the referendum left Algeria.

As we can see the most significant

forces in Algerian history the spread

of Islam, Arabization, Ottoman and

French colonization and the war for

independence.

Berbers once constituted the chief

ethnic group in Algeria, but have been

largely assimilated into Arab culture.

The Berbers, beginning in the late 7th

century A.D., adopted the Arabic lan-

guage and Islam from the small num-

ber of Arabs who settled in the coun-

try. Today those of Arab-Berber de-

scent make up some 99% of the po-

pulation. Arabic is the main language,

although about 15% of the population

still speaks a Berber language. These

inhabitants live mostly in the mountai-

nous regions of the north, but also

include the nomadic Tuareg of the

Sahara. Relations between Arabic-

speaking and Berber-speaking Alge-

rians have long been marked by ten-

sion. Arabic was made the sole natio-

nal language in 1980, but that policy

was reversed in 2002, when Tama-

zight, a Berber tongue, was also re-

cognized as a national language.

French is widely spoken, and about

1% of the Algerian population is of

European descent (before indepen-

dence Europeans accounted for some

10%). Almost all Algerians are adhe-

rents of the Sunni Muslim faith, the

state religion.

Photo : Algeria

19

Sancarlo Tower is located in Via

Espana, which is the most important

street of Panama, in the heart of the

financial center of the city.

The airport is 25 minutes away by car,

the Panama Canal can be reached in 15

minutes, Punta Pacifica and the Donald

Trumph Tower in 10minutes.

From the tower in few minutes you can

find : Mariott Hotel. Otel & Casinò

Veneto, The Global Bank, Scotland Bank,

HSBC, Tower bank, Generali Insurance

etc.

The underground, which is under

costruction, is only 200 meters away

from the tower.

Sancarlo Tower, Your space.

SANCARLO TOWER,

terribly fascinating!

18FLOORS

OPEN SPACE

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!!!/00123!435!"673

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8!<++=$>!&((.

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8!2(..+&%9#'!&((.;!

8 C+;D!E((&

2($@#%@F!

9$G(H;#$%#&'(#;;+@I%(IAD

Algeria is one of the richest African

country, as it has all kind of natural

resources such as : gas, oil, phospha-

te, uranium, diamonds, water. It is one

of the few country in which gross do-

mestic product, the so called GDP

keeps increasing every year. The ri-

chness coming from the steady in-

crease of the prices and of the expor-

ted quantities of hydrocarbon pro-

ducts , which are the 98% of all the

Algerian exportations, has allowed a

general improvement economic ba-

sics in Algeria

The Sahara desert covers more than

four-fifths of the land. About 15% of

Algeria's workers are engaged in far-

ming, which is concentrated in the

fertile valleys and basins of the north

and in the oases of the Sahara. The

principal crops are wheat, barley,

oats, wine grapes, olives, citrus, figs,

and dates. Algeria is also an impor-

tant producer of cork. Large numbers

of sheep, poultry, goats, and cattle

are raised, and there is a small fishing

industry.

The state plays a leading role in plan-

ning the economy and owns many

important industrial concerns, inclu-

ding the mining and financial sectors.

Since the late 1990s, there has been

some privatization and openness to

foreign investment.

The most important mineral resources

are petroleum and natural gas that

are found in the Sahara and there

are oil pipelines to the seaports of

Arzew and Bejaia. Other minerals

extracted in significant quantities in-

clude iron ore, phosphates, uranium,

lead, and zinc. The country's leading

industries include food and beverage

processing, (notably olive oil and wi-

ne), petrochemicals, and light manu-

facturing. Algeria's limited rail and

road networks serve mainly the nort-

hern region. The principal exports

besides petroleum and natural gas

are wine and agricultural goods

(especially fruit).

Algeria can be divided into two main

geographical areas, the northern re-

gion and the much larger Saharan or

southern region, most Algerians live

along the northern coast of Mediter-

ranean sea.

The main cities in addition to Algiers,

which is Algeria’s capital, that will not

be taken into account in this article,

are Oran, Mostaganem, Bejaia,

Skikda and Annaba; as a matter of

fact all these towns are on the Medi-

terranean coast and are important

sea ports.

Oran, lies along an open bay on the

Mediterranean Sea coast, at the point

where Algeria is very near to Spain

and it is the nation’s second largest

port after Algiers and is one of the

most important port and since the

1960s has been the commercial, in-

dustrial, and educational centre of

western Algeria. It was founded at the

beginning of the 10th century by An-

dalusian merchants as a base for tra-

de with North African hinterland. In

Oran you can see all its history and

mix of culture and tradition as well as

influences (Spanish, Arab, Turkish

and French) it underwent during the

past centuries. The modern part of

Oran in divided into two parts, one in

front of the port while the old and new

sections occupy terraces above the

waterfront, previously they were divi-

ded by a ravine, which is now built

over.

It is possible to visit the old Spanish-

Arab-Turkish city, called La Blanca at

the west side of the ravine on a hill.

The newer city, called La Ville Nouvel-

le and built by the French after 1831,

occupies the terraces on the east

bank of the ravine. La Blanca is crow-

ned by the Turkish citadel of Santa

Cruz, which was subsequently modi-

fied by the Spanish and French. The

Spanish quarter, with its narrow

streets, contains the former Cathedral

of Saint-Louis (rebuilt by the French in

1838), the Porte de Canastel (recon-

structed in 1734), and the fountain in

the Place Emerat (1789). In the Tur-

kish part of the old town is the Great

Mosque built in 1796 with money ob-

tained by ransoming Spanish capti-

ves.

Leaving Oran and driving along the

Mediterranean coast for about 70 km

you reach Mostaganem, which is a

port city in the northwest part of Alge-

ria, used for unloading of all sorts of

cargo, ranging from provisions to cars

and pipelines. The city was founded

in the 11th century and its origins go

back to Punic and Roman times,

when it had the name of Cartenna. In

1516 it was captured by the famous

Ottoman Barbarossa and became a

centre for Mediterranean sea corsairs,

as well as a commercial port. The city

is divided in two by a ravine of the

river Aïn Sefra, with the modern town

to southwest, and the old Muslim city,

Tidgit, to the northeast.

From the eastern side of Algiers, dri-

ving in direction of the border to Tuni-

sia, after several hours of driving on

narrow and dangerous roads (the way

the Algerians drive will be in case of

interest a topic of discussion!) but with

a beautiful and not boring landscape,

Bejaia was reached.

Béjaïa, is a Mediterranean port city on

the Gulf with the same name; it is the

capital of Béjaïa Province, Kabylia, it

is is the largest city in Kabylia (se-

cond largest is Tizi Ouzou), and one

of the largest principally Berber spea-

king cities. One of the most beautiful

and fascinating site is the mountain

Yemma Gouraya, it is said that its

profile resemble a sleeping woman,

which overlooks the town with a

wordless landscape.

From an economic point of view

Bejaia is the northern end part of the

Hassi Messaoud oil pipeline from

Sahara, infact it is the main oil port of

Western Mediterranean sea. Apart

from of crude oil, export regard iron,

phosphates , and agricultural pro-

ducts such as wine, plums, dried figs.

Leaving Bejaia after about 160 km

you reach Skikda, a city in the north

eastern Algeria and a port on the

Gulf of Stora. It was known as Philip-

peville until the end of the Algerian

War of Independence in 1962. Skikda

has the third largest commercial port

in Algeria after Algiers and Oran. It

has Natural Gas, oil refining and pe-

trochemical industries.

Only about 80 Km is the distance

between Skikda and Annaba. It is a

city in the northeastern corner of Alge-

ria on the Mediterranean Sea, near

the Tunisian border, it is the fourth

largest city and one of the leading

ports. Annaba is also a main admini-

strative, commercial and industrial

center. The main industry is El hadjar

steelworks, which was built with

French and Soviet financial and tech-

nical aid.

Annaba was founded by the Phoeni-

cians, the city became a favorite resi-

dence of the Numidian kings. Under

the Romans, it was called Hippo Re-

gius and was a center of early Chri-

stianity. Two important landmarks are

the Great Mosque and the Cathedral

of St. Augustine.

In this article I have tried to make a

brief overlook on few aspects of Alge-

ria: its natural beauty, from a pano-

ramic viewpoint, you can see many

colours, different landscapes: sea,

mountains, desert, plain, hills and

sometimes all together; its fascina-

tion and its natural richness.

@ Patrizia Trombini

21

HOTEL LORD BYRON, ROMElordbyronhotel.com

Living Rome & Florence

exclusively

HOTEL REGENCY, FLORENCEregency-hotel.com

POLITIC

US - REPUBLICAN challenger Mitt

Romney must have thought he had

been handed a golden opportunity to

criticise United States President Ba-

rack Obama on his handling of the

Arab Spring when news of attacks on

American consulates in Libya and

Egypt broke.

His comments late on Tuesday ex-

pressed outrage at a statement by

the US embassy in Egypt which

"sympathised with those who waged

the attacks". He also called it an

"apology" for American values that

was "disgraceful".

But, as various reports yesterday

pointed out, the statement he was

referring to was issued before the

protests turned violent, and was not

approved by Washington.

He was also not entirely accurate in

characterising the statement, which

said the embassy "condemns the

continuing efforts by misguided indi-

viduals to hurt the religious feelings

of Muslims - as we condemn efforts

to offend believers of all religions".

As it became clear that a much-re-

spected diplomat, ambassador Chri-

stopher Stevens, had died in Ben-

ghazi, along with three other consula-

te staff, the tables turned on Mr

Romney, whose hasty comments

seem aimed at gaining political

points.

The attacks are a troubling turn of

events for Mr Obama, as he faces re-

election on Nov 6.

Certainly, the unfolding events put a

focus on the instabilities and extre-

mist forces that have been unleashed

in the region, and will change how

Americans view the Arab Spring upri-

sings that toppled dictators in Libya,

Egypt and other countries in the re-

gion.

It casts doubt on Mr Obama's stra-

tegy in Libya where the US took the

backseat, but helped an initially

ragtag crew of rebels to topple Colo-

nel Muammar Gaddafi.

Mr Stevens himself helped bring to-

gether Libya's disparate rebel and

opposition groups to form a cohesive

force that became Libya's current

government.

The death of an American ambassa-

dor on the date, Sept 11, is also a

fresh and stark reminder of the war

on terror to US citizens who have

grown inured to news of deaths and

drone attacks in Afghanistan.

However, as Republican leaders

sought to distance themselves from

Mr Romney's attack and the Obama

POLITIC

Mitt

Romney by Gage

Skidmore

23

POLITICcampaign derided Mr Romney's misjudgment, somehow, Mr Romney came

out of the crisis looking worse than a rival bruised by a lacklustre economy

at home and crisis abroad.

"There's a broader lesson to be learnt here: Governor Romney seems to

have a tendency to shoot first and aim later," Mr Obama said in an interview

with CBS.

Other Republican leaders expressed more measured sentiments on the

attacks.

Mr Dick Lugar, the most senior Republican member of the Senate, said:

"US leaders should unite in redoubling our efforts in the Maghreb and the

Middle East, practising the kind of stout diplomacy exemplified by ambas-

sador Stevens."

While Mr Obama has to deal with the fallout of the attacks, the renewed

interest in foreign policy this election may not turn out well for the inexpe-

rienced Mr Romney.

24

Neil Alden Armstrong and his immortal words :

“That’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for

mankind”

SCIENCE

25

Neil Alden Armstrong and his immortal words : ‘That’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind.’ It was the first man to walk on the moon in 1969 and now he has

left the world. Neil Armstrong died in Cincinnati, in Ohio, on 25th

August 2012, at the age of 82, suffering complications due to a

recent heart surgery.

President Obama made a statement from the White House : “Neil

was among the greatest of American heroes – not just of his time,

but of all time” and added that he with his crewmates “set out to

show the world that the American spirit can see beyond what

seems unimaginable – that with enough drive and ingenuity,

anything is possible.”

He was an American astronaut and aviator, before becoming

astronaut, Armstrong was a navy officer in the United States Navy

and took part in the Korean War, serving His nation proudly as a

navy fighter pilot. After the war he worked as test pilot at the Na-

tional Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, where he carried out

more than 900 flights. He graduated at Purdue University and then

he completed his studies at the University of Southern California.

He also found success when he got back home in Ohio in business

and academia and became a community leader in Cincinnati.

His first space flight was made as command pilot of Gemini 8 and

was the first civilian astronaut. On this mission together with the

pilot David Scott he manage to perform the first docking with two

spacecraft. Many test pilots praised Armstrong’s engineering ability.

Milt Thompson used to say that: “Neil was the most technically ca-

pable of the early X-15 pilots”; according to Bill Dana, Armstrong

“had a mind that absorbed things like a sponge”.

Photo: Wikipedia

SCIENCE

26

Neil Alden Armstrong

(Wapakoneta, 5 august

1930 – Cincinnati, 25

august 2012

On the 13th September 1962 Donald Kent Slayton asked Arm-

strong whether he would be interested in joining the NASA astro-

naut Corps, that the press used to rename “New Nine” and Arm-

strong without hesitation accepted.

On July 20th 1969, half a billion people watching the white and

black television saw the image of Neil Armstrong while backing

down the ladder of the lunar landing ship Eagle put his left foot on

the moon surface and said the famous words : “ That’s one small

step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Neil Armstrong with his life has given proof that the Homo Sa-

piens has managed to go beyond the environment where he has

lived and has grown up over 200.000 years. No other man has

managed to set a foot on a celestial body. The so called “space

conquest”, that reached its climax with Armstrong’s small step,

has represented a transitional phase in human ecology, but not

because the man has really began the colonization of other pla-

nets, natural satellites, comets or any other outer space object.

The landing on the moon took place in a context, perhaps unique,

of absolute competition, which was not only technological, but also

and above all it was a military and ideological competition betwe-

en United States and Soviet Union. A competition that could not

be settled with a war, that would not have had any winner, a war

that was to be settled with “other means”. The space was an elec-

tive place for this competition. As soon as the highest aim was

reached, the landing on the moon, the human space exploration

has lost, as a matter of fact, its centrality. It is not accident that

Nixon, already in 1970, changed the frontier of the technological

challenge, declaring war on “Cancer”.

The conquest of space has represented a transitional phase in

human ecology for several reasons. The first was conveyed

clearly by Armstrong’s consideration regarding fragility of the

earth (he compared the earth to an white and blue orange) he

could see from the moon while rising and setting. Neil, a lot of his

colleagues with us, 43 years ago had this experience, observing,

for the first time in the man history, the earth from far away. It was

an experience similar but opposite to the one Galileo had, when

400 years ago had pointed the telescope from the earth at the

sky. Now Armstrong and the video cameras pointed their eyes

from the sky at the earth and we could see this view in live recor-

ding. Perhaps in that moment we have acquired a new ecological

awareness, millions of people “have seen” and then have interiori-

zed how small and therefore fragile seems the Earth compared to

what some months later, in 1970, was defined by the biologist

Jacques Monod, ”The indifferent immensity of the cosmos”. But

the space has other important ecological impact. Thanks to the

great number of satellites that have been put into orbit around the

earth as well as with the several space probes launched in the

deep space, we have managed to observe the earth, studying it

from a scientific point of view. We have acquired a great quantity

of knowledge about our planet, that is really inestimable. For in-

stance it is from the space that we have picked out “ozone hole”

and we have gathered the most important data on the climate

changes, that have been caused by man. It is also with the help

of satellites that the ecologists can study the ecosystems or de-

tect the “hot spot” of biodiversity.

SCIENCE

27

They are the satellites that help the geologists to understand the

deep mechanisms of the earth dynamics. Shortly, there is no any

science dealing with earth that can do without the space observa-

tion, so that we could consider the “knowledge of Earth planet” as

the main scientific goal achieved in these sixty years of space ob-

servation.

Lynn Margulis, the famous theorist of symbiosis, maintained that

Armstrong and his colleagues were nothing else but the mean

used by other powerful living beings, the bacteria, so as to get out

of their small planet and colonize the cosmos. Lynn Margulis used

to point out regarding the famous Armstrong’s words (one small

step for a man, one giant step for mankind) when he stepped on

the moon that “ he overlooked vast numbers of bacteria on his

skin and in his intestine that stepped with him.” The small step of

Armstrong would have been a big step also for the bacteria. We

would have never imagined that in this expansion effort, the in-

strument, more or less aware, used by bacteria, the man, would

have created a new environment where to live. Possibly but not

necessarily better.

This article on Neil Armstrong will be ended with the words stated

after his death.

His family describing Armstrong stated that : “He was also a re-

luctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his

job.” “…..he served his nation proudly, as a navy fighter pilot, test

pilot, and astronaut. He remained and advocate of aviation and

exploration throughout his life and never lost his boyhood wonder

of these pursuits. While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we

also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an

example to young people around the world to work hard to make

their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the li-

mits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves. For

those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil , we have a

simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment

and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night

and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong

and give him a wink."

Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator made the following state-

ment regarding the death of Armstrong : “…….. As long as there

are history books, Neil Armstrong will be included in them, re-

membered for taking humankind’s first small step on a world

beyond our own, but it was the courage, grace, and humanity he

displayed throughout his life that lifted him above the stars.” Neil

Armstrong was cremated and on September 14, 2012 and his

ashes were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean during a burial at sea

ceremony aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea.

@ Giovanni Giuseppe Sparaco

SCIENCE

28

Jewish Festivities

The Jewish calendar is full of festi-

vals and special days, it is a varied

collection of celebrations either

commemorating an important event

in Jewish history or celebrating a cer-

tain time of year.

All Jewish holidays begin at sunset,

since that is when the Jewish "day"

starts, therefore the holiday day ex-

tends from sunset of the evening of

the day before until dusk on the next

one. Some festivities were induced

by a potential peril that the Jews es-

caped, such as Purim and Hanukkah, while others are celebrated every

year to remind that God never cea-

ses to protect his people (Passover and Sukkot); other festivities are ce-

lebrated for spiritual reason.

Here below we will try to explain and

describe the most important Jewish

festivities, their meaning, their tradi-

tion and their custom.

Rosh HaShana, (sunset 16, 2012 –

nightfall September 18, 2012) means

“head of the New Year” in Hebrew

and it is observed on the first two

days of Tishrei, which is the seventh

month on Hebrew calendar; it is

commonly known as the Jewish New

Year. The Hebrew calendar begins

with the month of Nissan (when it's

believed the Jews were freed from

slavery in Egypt) but the month of

Tishrei is believed to be the month in

which God created the world. Hence,

another way to think about Rosh

HaShanah is as the birthday of the

world, it is the anniversary of the

creation of Adam and Eve, the first

man and the first woman and their

first actions towards the realization of

mankind’s role in God’s world.

Rosh Hashanah is not mentioned in

the Torah, which is Judaism’s foun-

ding religious text, and appears un-

der different names in the Bible.

Though the holiday was likely well

established by the sixth century B.C.,

the phrase “Rosh Hashanah” shows

up for the first time in the Mishna, a

Jewish code of law compiled in 200

A.D.

Jewish tradition teaches that during

the High Holy Days, God has to de-

cide who will live and who will die

during the coming year. As a result,

during Rosh HaShanah and Yom

Kippur (and in the days leading up to

them) Jews undertake the serious

task of examining their lives and re-

penting for any wrongs they have

committed during the previous year.

In this way, Rosh HaShanah is all

about making peace in the commu-

nity and striving to be a better per-

son. Even though the theme of Rosh

HaShanah is life and death, it is a

holiday filled with hope for the New

Year. Jews believe that God is com-

passionate and just, and that God will

accept their prayers for forgiveness.

One of the most important observan-

ce of this holiday is hearing the so-

unding of the shofar, a ram's horn

that is blown somewhat like a trum-

pet, in the Synagogue. It is an essen-

tial and emblematic part of both Rosh

Hashanah and Yom Kippur. .A total of

100 notes are sounded each day.

The plaintive cry of this ancient in-

strument serves as a call to repen-

tance and a reminder to Jews that

God is their king. Tradition requires

the shofar blower to play four sets of

notes on Rosh Hashanah: tekiah, a

long blast; shevarim, three short

blasts; teruah, nine staccato blasts;

and tekiah gedolah, a very long blast.

On Rosh Hashanah no work is per-

mitted and the most part of the day is

spent in the synagogue. As the High

Holy Day prayer services include di-

stinct liturgical texts, songs and cu-

stoms, rabbis and their congregations

read from a special prayer book

known as the machzor, that is used

both during Rosh Hashanah and

Yom Kippur.

After religious services are over, ma-

ny Jews return home for a festive

meal steeped in symbolism and tradi-

tion. Some choose to wear new or

special clothing and to adorn their

tables with fine linens and place set-

tings in recognition of Rosh Hasha-

nah’s significance. The meal typically

begins with the ceremonial lighting of

two candles and features foods that

represent positive wishes for the new

year.

FESTIVITIES

29

Yom Kippur, (26 September 2012) means Day of

Atonement, is one of the two Jewish

High Holy Days. Yom Kippur is Ju-

daism’s most sacred day of the year;

it is sometimes referred to as the

“Sabbath of Sabbaths.” Even the

Jews, who do not observe any other

Jewish custom, will not work, will fa-

sten and attend Synagogue services.

It falls ten days after Rosh Hashanah

on the 10th of Tishri, that links Sep-

tember and October on a secular ca-

lendar. It is a day set aside to "afflict

the soul," to atone for the sins of the

past year and its purpose is foster

reconciliation among people and

between people and God. According

to Jewish tradition, it is also the day

when God decides the fate of each

human being. There are three essen-

tial components of Yom Kippur :

Teshuvah (Repentance), Prayer, Fa-sting.

Teshuvah (repentance): This feast is

a day of reconciliation . The ten days

leading up to Yom Kippur are known

as the Ten Days of Repentance. Du-

ring this period Jews are encouraged

to find anyone they may have of-

fended and ask them for forgiveness.

If the first request for forgiveness is

rejected, one should ask at least two

more times, at which point the person

whose forgiveness is being sought

should grant the request. The rabbis

thought it was cruel for anyone to

withhold their forgiveness for offenses

that had not caused irrevocable da-

mage. This process of repentance is

called Teshuvah and it is an essential

part of Yom Kippur.

Prayer: Yom Kippur is the longest

synagogue service in the Jewish year.

It begins on the evening before Yom

Kippur day with a haunting song,

whose words ask God to forgive any

vows people have made to God and

not kept. The service on the day of

Yom Kippur lasts from morning until

nightfall. During the afternoon portion

of the Yom Kippur service the Book of

Jonah is read to remind people of

God’s willingness to forgive those

who are sincerely sorry.

The last part of the service is called

Ne’ilah (Shutting). The name comes

from the imagery of Ne’ilah prayers,

which talk about gates being shut

against us. People pray intensely du-

ring this time, hoping to be admitted

to God’s presence before the gates

have been shut.

Fasting: Yom Kippur is also characte-

rized by 25 hours of fasting. There are

other fast days in the Jewish calen-

dar, but this is the only one the Torah

specifically commands to observe,

during this time no food or liquid

(even water) may be consumed. The

fast starts an hour before Yom Kippur

begins and ends after nightfall on the

day of Yom Kippur. In addition to food,

Jews are also forbidden from enga-

ging in sexual relations, bathing,

using cosmetics or wearing leather

shoes. The prohibition against wea-

ring leather comes from a reluctance

to wear the skin of a slaughtered ani-

mal while asking God for mercy.

However, children, under the age of

nine, pregnant women, women who

have recently given birth and anyone

suffering from a life-threatening illness

are not required to observe the fast.

These people need food and drink to

keep up their strength and Judaism

always values life above the obser-

vance of Jewish law.

According to tradition, the first Yom

Kippur took place after the Israelites’

exodus from Egypt and arrival at Mo-

unt Sinai, where God gave Moses the

Ten Commandments. Descending

from the mountain, Moses caught his

people worshipping a golden calf and

shattered the sacred tablets in anger.

As the Israelites made amend for

their idolatry, God forgave their sins

and offered Moses a second set of

tablets.

Jewish texts recount that during bibli-

cal times Yom Kippur was the only

day on which the high priest could

enter the inner sanctum of the Holy

Temple in Jerusalem. There, he would

perform a series of rituals and sprink-

le blood from sacrificed animals on

the Ark of the Covenant, which con-

tained the Ten Commandments.

Through this complex ceremony he

made atonement and asked for God’s

forgiveness on behalf of all the people

of Israel. The tradition is said to have

continued until the destruction of the

Second Temple by the Romans in 70

A.D; it was then adapted into a servi-

ce for rabbis and their congregations

in individual synagogues.

Traditions and symbols in this feast

are :

Pre-Yom Kippur feast: On the eve of

Yom Kippur, families and friends meet

for an abundant feast that must be

finished before sunset. The idea is to

gather strength for 25 hours of fa-

sting.

Breaking of the fast: After the final

Yom Kippur service, many people

return home for a festive meal. It tra-

ditionally consists of breakfast-like

comfort foods such as blintzes, nood-

le pudding and baked goods.

Wearing white: It is customary for re-

ligious Jews to dress in white—a

symbol of purity—on Yom Kippur.

Some married men wear kittels, which

are white burial shrouds, to signify

repentance.

Charity: Some Jews make donations

or volunteer their time in the days

leading up to Yom Kippur. This is se-

en as a way to make amend and

seek God’s forgiveness. One ancient

custom known as kapparot involves

swinging a live chicken or bundle of

coins over one’s head while reciting a

prayer. The chicken or money is then

given to the poor.

Sukkot, (sunset October 7, 2012 –

nightfall October 8, 2012) is an har-

vest holiday, lasting for eight days

that arrives during the Hebrew month

of Tishri. It starts four days after Yom

Kippur and it is also known as the

Festival of Booths and the Feast of

Tabernacles. It is one the most joyous

feast, it is commonly referred to in

Jewish prayer and literature as Z'man

Simchateinu, the Season of our

Rejoicing. Its origin goes back to an-

cient Israel when Jews used to build

huts near the edges of their field du-

ring the harvest season. Sukkot has a

two meanings : historical and agricul-

tural.

30

Historically, Sukkot commemorates

the forty-year period during which the

children of Israel were wandering in

the desert, living in temporary shel-

ters.

Agriculturally, Sukkot is a harvest fe-

stival and is sometimes referred to as

Chag Ha-Asif, the Festival of Ingathe-

ring. No work is permitted on the first

and second days of the holiday.

There are three major traditions asso-

ciated with Sukkot:

Building a sukkah.

Eating in the sukkah.

Waving the lulav and etrog.

At the beginning of sukkot (often du-

ring the days between Yom Kippur

and Sukkot) Jews construct a sukkah

(booth). In ancient times people

would live in the sukkot and eat every

meal in them. In modern times people

most often build a sukkah in their

backyards or help their synagogue

construct one for the community. Sin-

ce Sukkot celebrates the harvest in

the land of Israel: Another important

custom on Sukkot involves waving the

lulav and etrog (known also as the

Four Species).

Jews are commanded to take these

four plants and use them to "rejoice

before the Lord."

The four species are an etrog, is kind

of citron (similar to a lemon), three

myrtle twigs (hadassim), two willow

twigs (aravot) and a palm frond (lu-

lav). The six branches are bound to-

gether and referred to collectively as

the lulav, because the palm branch is

the largest of these plants the myrtle

and willow are wrapped around it. The

etrog is held separately. During Suk-

kot, the lulav and etrog are waved

together while reciting special bles-

sings. They are waved in each of the

four directions (west, north, east,) -

sometimes six if "up" and "down" are

included in the ritual - representing

God's dominion over Creation and

that God is everywhere. The lulav and

etrog are also part of the synagogue

service. The use of these four plants

has two main explanations of the

symbolic significance, the first is that

they represent different parts of the

body, the second different kinds of

Jews.

According to the first interpretation,

the long straight palm branch symbo-

lizes the spine, the myrtle

leaf, which is a small oval,

represents the eye., the

willow leaf, a long oval,

represents the mouth,

and the etrog fruit repre-

sents the heart. All of the-

se parts have the poten-

tial to be used for sin, but

should join together in the

performance of mitzvot

(commandments).

According to the second

interpretation, the etrog,

which has both a plea-

sing taste and a plea-

sing scent, represents

Jews who have achie-

ved both knowledge of

Torah and performance

of mitzvot. The palm branch,

which produces tasty fruit, but has no

scent, represents Jews who have

knowledge of Torah but are lacking in

mitzvot. The myrtle leaf, which has a

strong scent but no taste, represents

Jews who perform mitzvot but have

little knowledge of Torah. The willow,

which has neither taste nor scent,

represents Jews who have no know-

ledge of Torah and do not perform the

mitzvot. We bring all four of these

species together on Sukkot to remind

us that every one of these four kinds

of Jews is important, and that we

must all be united.

The eighth and last day of Sukkot is

known as Shmeni Atzeret. On this day

a prayer for rain is recited, demon-

strating how the Jewish holidays are

in tune with the seasons of Israel,

which begins on this day.

Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat To-rah .

Shemini Atzeret, (October, 8 ,

2012), means “the eight day of as-

sembly”, it is a Biblical Jewish holiday

that falls immediately after the holiday

of Sukkot. Although its name implies

that it is part of Sukkot ("Shemini"

means eighth, hence implying that the

holiday is the eighth day of Sukkot),

Shemini Atzeret is actually considered

a separate holiday. In the Torah,

Number 29:35, it is written: "On the eighth day you should hold a solemn

gathering; you shall not work at your occupation" .

There are many explanations of the

meaning and purpose of this holiday.

The word “atzeret” can mean either

“stoppage,” “final,” or “gathering.”

The Mishna teaches that on Shemini

Atzeret the world is judged for water,

or rainfall, in the upcoming year. In an

agricultural society it was a very im-

portant day.

This made Shemini Atzeret particu-

larly important in Biblical and Temple

times when we lived in an agrarian

society.

Shemini Atzeret marks the beginning

of the rainy season following the har-

vest in Israel. In addition to the agri-

cultural meaning of this holiday, other

explanations are given for the She-

mini Atzeret in Rabbinic literature.

Shemini Atzeret is considered a day

in which it is emphasized the special

relationship between the Jewish

people and God. Another explanation

points out the coming of Shemini

Atzeret at the end of a particularly rich

holiday season. During the Hebrew

month of Tishrei Jews celebrate Rosh

Hashana, which is followed ten days

later by Yom Kippur. Five days later

comes Sukkot. A midrash says that on

Shemini Atzeret, God said to the Je-

wish people : "your departure is diffi-cult for me. Stay with me one more day."

31

Simchat Torah, (October, 9 , 2012), is a celebratory Jewish holiday that

marks the completion of the annual

Torah reading cycle, it means literally

“Rejoicing in the Law”. During the

year every week a part of Torah is

read. On Simchat Torah that cycle will

be finished when the last verses of

Deuteronomy are read. The first few

verses of Genesis are read immedia-

tely afterward, therefore starting the

cycle again. For this reason, Simchat

Torah is considered a joyous holiday,

that celebrates with processions, sin-

ging and dancing, the ending of the

study of God's word and the expecta-

tion to hearing those words again

during the coming new year.

Today in the Diaspora, Simchat Torah

is celebrated on the second day of

Shemini Atzeret. It is common for

Jews in the Diaspora to refer to the

first day as Shemini Atzeret and to the

second day as Simchat Torah.

In Israel, Simchat Torah is celebrated

on the first and only day of Shemini

Atzeret. The holiday is referred to as

both Shemini Atzeret and Simchat

Torah.

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

are holidays on which work is not

permitted. In Simchat Torah Feast,

the Torah scrolls will be removed

from the ark and given to members of

the congregation to hold, then they

march around the synagogue and

everyone kisses the Torah scrolls as

they pass. This ceremony is known as

hakafot, which means "to march

around" in Hebrew. Once the Torah

holders return to the ark everyone

forms a circle around them and dan-

ces with them. There are seven haka-fot in total, so as soon as the first

dance is completed the scrolls are

handed to other members of the con-

gregation and the ritual begins anew.

In some synagogues it is also popular

for children to hand out candy to eve-

ryone.

.

Chanukkah / Hanukkah (Festival of Lights), (sunset December 8, 2012 -

nightfall December 16, 2012), Cha-

nukkah, the Jewish festival of rededi-

cation, also known as the festival of

lights, is an eight day festival begin-

ning on the 25th day of the Jewish

month of Kislev. Since the Jewish

calendar is lunar based, every year

the first day of Hanukkah falls on a

different day – usually sometime

between late November and late De-

cember. Because many Jews live in

predominately Christian societies,

over time Hanukkah has become

much more festive and Christmas-

like. Chanukkah is probably one of

the best known Jewish holidays, not

because of any great religious signifi-

cance, but because of its proximity to

Christmas. It is bitterly ironic that this

holiday, which has its roots in a revo-

lution against assimilation and the

suppression of Jewish religion, has

become the most assimilated, secular

holiday on Jewish calendar.

The story of Chanukkah begins in the

reign of Alexander the Great. Alexan-

der conquered Syria, Egypt and Ju-

dea, but allowed the people under his

control to continue observing their

own religions and retain a certain de-

gree of autonomy. Under this relati-

vely benevolent rule, many Jews as-

similated, adopting much of Helleni-

stic culture, including the language,

customs, dress, etc., in much the sa-

me way that Jews in America today

blend into the secular American socie-

ty. More than a century later, a succes-

sor of Alexander, Antiochus IV was in

control of the region. He began to

oppress the Jews severely, placing a

Hellenistic priest in the Temple, mas-sacring Jews, prohibiting the practice of the Jewish religion, and desecra-ting the Temple by requiring the sacri-fice of pigs (a non-kosher animal) on the altar. Jews were forbidden to fol-

low their faith and many were forcibly

converted or killed for not converting.

Eventually a band of Jews called the

Maccabees gathered an army and

revolted against the Greeks and won

the battle. This band of men sought to

clean up the temple and restore the

faith. According to tradition as recor-

ded in the Talmud, at the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left that had not been made dirty by the Greeks. Oil was needed for the menorah (candelabrum) in the Temp-le, which was supposed to burn throughout the night every night. The-re was only enough oil to burn for one day, yet miraculously, it burned for eight days. An eight day festival was

declared to commemorate this mirac-le. Traditions of Chanukkah include

lighting candles on a Menorah every

night for eight nights in the home, ea-

ting food cooked in oil (doughnuts,

potato pancakes etc.), giving pre-

sents, holding parties and celebra-

tions, and playing games with a drei-

del, a traditional spinning top. Note

that the holiday commemorates the

miracle of the oil, not the military vic-

tory: Jews do not glorify war. Cha-

nukah is not mentioned in Jewish

scripture; the story is related in the

book of the Maccabees, which Jews

do not accept as scripture.

The only religious observance related

to the holiday is the lighting of can-

dles. The candles are arranged in a

candelabrum called a Hanukiah. Ma-

ny people refer to the Hanukiah incor-

rectly as a menorah. The name meno-

rah is used only to describe the seven-branched candelabrum that was hou-sed in the Jewish Temple. The Hanukiah holds nine candles: one for each night, plus a shamash (servant) at a different height. Every

community has its unique Chanukkah

traditions, but there are some tradi-

tions that are almost universally prac-

ticed.

They are : lighting the hanukkiyah,

(which is a candelabrum with eight candleholders in a row and a ninth candleholder set a little above the others. It's different from a menorah, which has seven branches and was used in the Temple before it was de-stroyed in 70 CE. A hanukkiyah is nevertheless a kind of menorah); spinning the dreidel, (it is a four-sided spinning top,) and eating fried

foods.

32

Lighting the hanukkiyah:

Every year it is customary to com-

memorate the miracle of the Hanuk-

kah oil by lighting candles on a ha-

nukkiyah. The hanukkiyah will be lit

every night for eight nights.

Spinning the dreidel: A po-

pular Hanukkah game is spinning the

dreidel, which is a four-sided top with

Hebrew letters written on each side.

Read The Hanukkah Dreidel to

learn more about the dreidel, the

meaning of the letters and how to play

the game. Gelt, which are chocolate

coins covered with tin foil, are part of

this game.

Eating fried foods: Because

Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of

oil, it is traditional to eat fried foods

such as latkes and sufganiyot during

the holiday. Latkes are pancakes ma-

de out of potatoes and onions, which

are fried in oil and then served with

applesauce. Sufganiyot are jelly-filled

donuts that are fried and sometimes

dusted with confectioners’ sugar befo-

re eating.

Tu B’Shvat, (February 8 , 2012) is

the Jewish New Year for the trees.

It takes place on the 15th of Shvat, which is a Hebrew month that usually

falls between mid-January and mid-

February. Tu B’shvat literally means

“15th of Shevat.” It is an ancient holi-

day. Its original purpose was to calcu-

late the age of the trees for tithing.

Scholars believe that Tu B’Shvat was

originally an agricultural festival, mar-

king the emergence of spring. After

the destruction of the Temple in 70

C.E. this holiday was a way for Jews

to symbolically bind themselves to

their former homeland by eating foods

that could be found in Israel.

There is little information available

about this holiday, even if Tu B’Shvat

is discussed in both the Mishna and

the Talmud. The origin of Tu B’shvat is

explained in the Mishna (the six or-

ders of the Oral Tradition). The very

first verse says, “There are four New

Years: On the first of the month of

Nissan is the New Year for kings and

for festivals; on the first of Elul is the

New Year for the tithe of animals; on

the first of Tishrei (Rosh HaShanah) is

the New Year for the

counting of the years, for

S h m i t t a ( s a b b a t i c a l

years), for the Jubilee;

and on the first of Shevat

is the New Year for Trees,

according to the view of

the School of Shammai.

But the School of Hillel

says, on the fifteenth of

Shevat. Tu B'Shvat is the

New Year for trees. A

special Tu B’Shvat Seder

was formulated in the mid

1500’s by the students of

the Holy Ari - Rabbi Isaac

Luria. They saw the Se-

der as an opportunity to

restore their spiritual con-

nection with the Four Worlds of the

Kabbalah. It was set up along the li-

nes of the Passover Seder. White

tablecloths were placed on the tables

with light of candles glowing. Incense,

preferably myrtle, which is harvested

during Sukkot, is placed on the tables.

Similarly, flowers were used to deco-

rate the tables and to give the air a

pleasant fragrance.

The Torah forbids Jews to eat the fruit

of new trees for three years after they

are planted. The fourth year's fruit

was to be tithed to the Temple. Leviti-

cus 19:23-25 states that no fruit may

be taken from a tree during its first

three years of life. Fruit from the

fourth year was given to God as a

burnt offering, and in the fifth year the

fruit could be eaten. Trees aged one

year on Tu B’Shvat, so in many ways

Tu B’Shvat is the birthday of the tre-

es. There are few customs or obser-

vances related to this holiday. Many

Jews celebrate Tu B’Shvat by dona-

ting money to the Jewish National

Fund, an agency that plants trees in

Israel. It is also popular to commemo-

rate Tu B’Shvat by eating foods that

can be found in Israel, such as olives,

figs, grapes, honey, carob fruit and

pomegranates. Some of these foods

are mentioned in Deuteronomy 8:8,

which describes Israel as “a land with

wheat and barley, vines and fig trees,

pomegranates, olive oil and honey.”

The Shivat Haminim are: wheat, bar-

ley, grapes (vines), figs, pomegrana-

tes, olives and dates (honey) (Deut.

8:8). You can make a nice vegetarian

pilaf from the shivat haminim: a bed of

cooked bulgar wheat or wheat berries

and barley, topped with figs, dates,

raisins (grapes), and pomegranate

seeds, served with a dressing of olive

oil, balsamic vinegar (grapes) and

pomegranate juice.

(to be continued)

@ Patrizia Trombini

33

BAHIA “A PARADISE TO BE EXPLOITED”

FOCUS

34

Bahia differentiates itself on the national scene for its hi-

story, its consuetude and its culture. Here Brazil was

born, here we have a scene of rare beauty and a unique

cultural diversity, where nature reigns absolute and the

protection of the gods and deities seduces visitors with all

their grace and belief. Whether from the north to south

and from east to west, the landscape converts Bahia

into a very special place full of beaches, waterfalls,

islands, rivers, lakes, caves and caverns. The

region is full of 14,021,432 baianos divided

between the Bahian capital Salvador and its 417

counties, which are by nature and excellence,

hospitable, welcoming, friendly and revelers ari-

sing from the mixing of ethnic groups that began

at the time of the discovery, extending to the arrival

slaves in our territory.

With a rich biodiversity and a large collection historical /

cultural, and a wonderful natural paradise, the state of

Bahia is the 5th largest Brazilian state in area, 4th. in po-

pulation , 6th. in potential of consumption and the largest

economy in the northeast, with one third of the region’s

GDP and over 50% of exports. Bahia is the 2nd largest

earpiece nucleus of leisure tourism in the country and it is

for this reason that the Bahian government has invested

in infrastructure projects in tourist areas of the state,

seeking to attract new private investments, prioritizing job

creation, income increase and environmental education in

order to secure the Bahia as a model of sustainable tou-

rism development.

Due to this vast land area and the variety of scenarios,

traditions and cultural attractions, the state of Bahia was

divided into tourist areas, each getting the name of its

main characteristic physical identity and theme. This mul-

tiplicity of attractive provides the visitor and the investor a

wide range of options, favoring the increase on average

stay and the return rate of visitors, and consequently the

financial return on new ventures.

Among the tourist areas of the state and its investment

options, we can highlight the tourist resorts on the north

coast. This region is an international destination and

now

was named Brazilian Riviera. Its layout allows

integration of diverse socioeconomic neighbo-

ring counties, enabling the development of

the region, especially in the leisure segment,

with a range of tourist facilities that make it

easy for visitors to explore the natural beauty

and flora, dunes and extensive mesh basin. It

is the region that has the largest number of in-

vestments in tourism in the country according to

information from the tourism secretary, until 2020 Bahia

may become the main tourist destination in Brazil and the

north coast is expected to consolidate its position as the

largest center of hospitality Latin America, surpassing

even Cancun, in Mexico. Today solidification of some tou-

rist developments on the coast of coconut trees has pro-

vided the constant attraction of other companies and

projects.

A region also promising for properties investors and Praia

do Forte is the beach which is also located on the coast of

coconut trees and an exotic locale is situated in Bahia.

This location very close to the state capital is a trendy

destination, not very big, but sensational for those looking

to escape the bustle of day-by-day, but it is also next tro-

pical beaches Salvador city itself, allowing tourists to en-

joy a bit of nightlife and urban if they desire. The days in

this city can be spent lazing on the beach or shopping in

the nearby town. So it is a good option for business who

seeks real state market field and market hotel.

BAHIA

COSTA DO DENDE’

FOCUS

35

Besides the north coast, another re-

gion still largely unknown, however

promising, is the Coast of the Palm(

Costa do Dendê ). An area of 115 km

of coastline in the state of Bahia

which is worthy to invest. Although

still not as well known as the Bay of

All Saints ( Baia de Todos os Santos

)., the oil palm coast has great poten-

tial when it comes to investments in

Bahia, especially in gastronomy field.

This area is known for a palm oil

palm where the African oil is ex-

tracted, but what most investors still

do not know is that the region itself

has fantastic restaurants that may

surprise the taste buds of all. With a

gastronomic approach and the use of

palm oil only it, but as well as the

harpsichord, fresh black pepper and

other spices found in abundance in

this region, the investor can maximi-

ze their investments in this area.

The Coast of Palm and Fort Beach,

are two good areas in the Bahia re-

gion to wisely in real estate market,

whether for purposes of leisure or

housing. They are quiet towns with

an abundance of natural beauty and

products of the land, and their pro-

perties are not on the most expensive

part of the state, even being among

the main localities for those who aims

to invest. The return is fast and gua-

ranteed, because we always have

visitors interested in new deve-

lopments in these regions.

Bahia has also good stability and fi-

scal policy, achieved from the 90,

placing it in a prominent position be-

fore the other states competing to

attract investments. It also has abun-

dant and skilled workforce, large tax

incentives, and large agricultural and

industrial potential.

Therefore, investment opportunities

and additional conditions are excel-

lent incentives for new investors ac-

complish their greatest dreams.

@ Elaine Neves Moreira da Silva

@ Patrícia Neves Moreira da Silva

@ Rose Mary de Oliveira Santos

Almeida

Photos:

Elaine Moreira da Silva

Patricia Neves Moreira da Silva

Rose Mary de Oliveira Santos

Almeida

Location:

Costa Dos Coqubros:

Praia do Forte

FOCUS

SALVADOR DE

BAHIA

36

FOCUS

China : a world leading nation in shipbuilding (1st Part)

It was in 2005 when Chinese government declared that China was

expected to become No.1 shipbuilding nation in the world in 10

years.

Before analyzing this statement, let us make a brief overlook on the

history of Chinese shipbuilding industry.

This article on China is divided into two parts. The first deals with

China’s shipbuilding history and features from the beginning to the

end of XX century; the second part will deal with China’s Shipbuild-

ing characteristic and success at the beginning of XXI century, the

actual deep financial and economic crisis and China as one of the

shipbuilding leading countries in the world.

Chinese people had begun to construct canoes and rafts already in

the Neolithic Age, that is about 10,000 – 4,000 years ago and

started to travel the oceans. During the Qin (221-206) and Han

(206 b.C - 220 AD) dynasties, China had its first climax in ship-

building when the Emperor Qin Shihuang (also called the First

Emperor of China), who was the founder of the first unified empire

in the history of China, organized a fleet that could transport

500,000 shi (1 shi = 71,7 Kg) of grain; it is also reported in ancient

books that this Emperor led a fleet of war ships with deck castles

so as to carry out an assault on the Chu State and after the unifica-

tion of China he also made a cruise with these vessels.

With the Han dynasty the navy was mainly made up of castle ships

and was the main force of the navy and the symbol of the ad-

vanced techniques in shipbuilding.

38

In Tang (618-907) and Song

(960-1279) Dynasties China’s

shipbuilding industry reached

a maturity in terms of quantity

and quality, new techniques

were used as well as im-

proved. Ships were larger in

body and could hold around

700 people with a length of

more than 60 meters and

some vessels could carry

about 1500 tons. At that time

the principle applied was

“curved side boards, broad

lateral beams, and loft super-

structure”, according to this

concept the decks were

broadened and the V-shaped

bottom highly facilitated the

sailing. In that time shipbuild-

ing techniques reached high

level, considering that China’s

adoption of the technology

used in assembling ships,

such as mortise-and-tenon

joints, was 500 years earlier

than in the European coun-

tries. The Song artisans could

prepare models based on the

function and used of the ship

to be built, with blueprints be-

ing worked out prior to carry-

ing out the actual construc-

tion. Ship blueprints appeared

in European only 300 to 400

years later.

At the time of the Yuan Dy-

nasty (1271-1368) there were

more than 17,900 warships

and a great number of civil

ships were scattered all over

the country. The most impor-

tant climax, according to

some archeological discover-

ies as well as historical re-

cords, it was reached with the

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644),

when a large number of ships

were built by employing the

well-developed shipbuilding

technologies of the Tang and

Song dynasties and shipbuild-

ing yards represented the

highest level in Chinese ship-

building. Near the main ship-

building yards there were

handicrafts workshops that

produced ship accessories,

such as sails, ropes, and

nails. Besides there was also

a rigorous management sys-

tem concerning the check,

repair, and payment of ships.

The great achievements in

shipbuilding during the Ming

Dynasty represented an

enormous contribution by the

Chinese people to world civili-

zation and human develop-

ment.

It is recorded that one of the

greatest Chinese navigator in

the world Zhen He (1371-

1435), led a fleet of hundreds

ships, sailing from South

China Sea to countries of

Southeast Asia and East Af-

rica, the purpose of the voy-

age was trade and culture

exchanges. The size of the

vessels were about 145 me-

ters and 60 meters width,

there were 9 masts on board

for sails. These ships repre-

sented the high level reached

by shipbuilding technology at

that time. Unfortunately in the

following centuries the Em-

perors in China (Ming Dynasty

and Qing Dynasty) employed

a policy of “blocking” which

banned any kind of relation-

ship with foreign countries.

Together with the fall of the

Chinese economy and the

strength of the nation, there

was the decline of navigation

and the technology as well as

the loss of shipbuilding capac-

ity.

The modern shipbuilding in-

dustry in China started in

1885, when a minister of

Q i n g D y n a s t y , M r . L i

Hongzhang, set up a factory

producing modern motor ship

and new shipyard were estab-

lished so as to build war-

ships for the Chinese gov-

ernment, since then Shanghai

and Fujian became shipbuild-

ing centers. In the first part

half of 20th century the situa-

tion in China, from all points of

view: political economical so-

cial etc. was really turbulent,

as World War II and Civil War

stopped the economy caus-

ing the stagnation in ship-

building development. By the

year of 1949, these was

about 20 shipyards in China

with total 20,000 employees,

and it should be mentioned

that the shipbuilding industry

in Southern part of China had

been heavily destroyed during

the wartime.

After Civil war in 1949, the

shipbuilding industry was re-

organized and nationalized

with the establishment of Na-

tional Shipbuilding and Ship

repairing Corporation (ances-

tor of China Nation Shipbuild-

ing Corporation). During the

period from 1949 to 1978,

there were two phases, which

could summarize the devel-

opment of the Chinese ship-

building industry.

In the first phase from 1950

to 1960 China introduced

building technology from for-

mer Soviet Union for military

vessels and Chinese ship-

builder restarted exporting

ships, which were fishing

ships of 300 horsepower, sold

to the account of owner in

former Soviet Union.

The second phase regards

the period from 1960 to 1978,

although Culture Revolution

(from 1966 to 1976) inter-

rupted the national economy,

the Shipbuilding as strategic

industry was maintained and

kept going.

During this period, Chinese

shipbuilding served the do-

mestic market.

Thanks to Mr. Deng Xiaoping,

the national leader, who de-

cided to adopt “open policy”,

China has experienced a pe-

riod of growing prosperity and

stability since the introduction

by the Chinese Government

of the Open Door Policy in

1978. This was a comprehen-

sive program of economic

reforms, modernization and

social development, and

China started to emerge as a

significant global economic

power. From that moment on,

the shipbuilding industry in

China started to enter interna-

tional market, even if the gap

with the shipbuilding leading

countries was still wide.

39

The development of the Chi-

nese shipbuilding industry is

often compared to the devel-

opment of the industry in

South Korea, but the condi-

tions for the process of devel-

opment differed considerably,

as South Korea’s production

was for export, while the Chi-

nese economic strategy was

to develop shipyard capacity

to sustain, support and foster

the domestic economic de-

velopment. China aimed to

be self sufficient in sea trans-

port, that meant being able to

carry out the supply of raw

materials for domestic manu-

facturing, meeting the food

needs of its populations and

the trade with other countries

should (when possible) be

undertaken by Chinese built

ships.

The Chinese shipbuilding in-

dustry experienced consider-

able expansion together with

China’s accelerated economic

growth. With this economic

development, driven by ex-

ports, China, unlike other

emerging economies which

relied heavily on foreign ship-

ping services, adopted a pol-

icy of building its domestic

fleet in order to meet the

growing demands of the in-

ternational trade, and this in-

creased the commercial out-

put of new vessels.

China has a long coastline, is

edged by the Bohai Gulf, the

Yellow Sea, and the East

China and South China seas,

as well as many rivers.

The Chinese shipbuilding and

ship-repair industry includes a

large number of yards ranging

from those capable of building

VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carrier’ referring to tankers c a r r y i n g a b o v e a r o u n d 200,000 tonnes of cargo, the typical size of a VLCC is around 300,000 tonnes dwt) to those yards, which are a

great number but very small,

that can build small boats and

local craft. These yards cover

a wide geographical area,

both coastal and inland, re-

flecting in this way the devel-

opment of marine industries

along the major river systems

even if the main shipbuilding

and repair activity tends to be

concentrated in specific loca-

tions such as: Shanghai, fol-

lowed by Guangzhou and Da-

lian.

The analysis of Chinese

economy growing means

studying and surveying the

key sector of this develop-

ment.

Generally speaking, ship-

building industry is a sum of

factors put together: technol-

ogy, labour and capital inten-

sive, as already stated previ-

ously, China and its govern-

ment has considered this kind

of industry as strategic indus-

try, with the aim to upgrade

and strengthen the national

defense capability and to

drive the economic develop-

ment, that is a catalyst for the

development of the iron and

steel, electronic, and machin-

ery manufacturing industries.

A National Medium-and Long-

term Plan was elaborated and

issued in 2006 to guide the

shipbuilding Industry, with fo-

cus on identification and re-

moval of all the barriers to

industrial development. The

Chinese industry was to in-

crease its efforts over the next

five to ten years in order to

challenge existing main ship-

builders.

China has a number of impor-

tant advantages for the de-

velopment of this industry

sector, such as: availability of

land, a large, well-trained and

relatively cheap labour force

and complementary industrial

support from other sectors

such as the iron and steel,

metallurgical and machinery

manufacturing.

COSTIND (Commission of

Science, Technology and In-

dustry for National Defense)

in pursuit of China’s stated

aim of becoming a major

shipbuilder has identified the

marine equipment industry (at

the time being, Europe is still

the leader) as a key element

in the supporting industrial

infrastructure, and has ac-

corded it a very high priority.

For example, marine electron-

ics, as a by-product of devel-

opments in the shipbuilding

and information industries, is

emerging as a new growth

area in the national economy.

In many developed econo-

mies, shipbuilding is fre-

quently closely related to the

iron and steel industries. For

instance, The Korean steel-

maker POSCO invested in the

Korean Daewoo shipyards to

ensure a closer integration of

those activities, and Japan’s

JFE Steel Corporation has

also acquired a world-class

shipbuilding enterprise.

In China, many iron and steel

enterprises have expressed

their willingness to build up

manufacturing, processing

and distribution centers with

shipbuilding enterprises in

order to improve production

efficiency and decrease pro-

duction costs.

The impact of the Chinese

shipbuilding industry in the

Chinese economy affected

several aspects.

First of all with the develop-

ment of Chinese economy

more energy and industrial

raw materials were required

and therefore in the context

of globalization, international

purchasing and import of

these materials for production

become daily routine, that

meant that, China needed

more vessels to transport

energy and raw materials in

import and in export.

On the second place, Ship-

building industry has a sort of

pulling effects on all its entire

supply chain such as Metal-

lurgy, Machinery, Electronic,

Textile and Banking and serv-

ice sector.

Until May 1982, China’s ship-

yards, associated institutes,

and factories were organized

under the Sixth Ministry of

Machine-Building Industry, the

Ministry of Communications,

and the State Administration

of Aquatic Products. The Min-

istry of Defense also made

inputs and contributions in

the design as well as in the

construction of all types of

vessels. Shipyards could be

managed also by Provinces,

municipalities and autono-

mous regions. In particular,

according to “Shipbuilding

Industry in China “(Rettion of

40

the shipbuilding industry in China i

submitted for consideration by the

WP6 at its meeting on3-4 July 2008)

is reported that: “More specifically, the

construction of larger merchant ships

as well as specialized vessels used

for the exploration and development

of oil industry were under the jurisdic-

tion of the Sixth Ministry of Machine

Building Industry’s umbrella body, the

China Corporation of Shipbuilding

Industries (CCSI). Some smaller mer-

chant ships, inland waterway vessels,

and ship repairs for coastal ships we-

re the province of the Ministry of

Communications. Fishing vessels and

their repair came under the supervi-

sion of the State Administration of

Aquatic products.”

A lot changes were carried out in Chi-

na, so as to keep up with the reforms

to simplify and reorganize manage-

ment as well as reduce the bureau-

cracy. Infact a number of ministries,

state corporations and commissions

were joined together or abolished, for

instance the Ministry’s China Corpo-

ration of Shipbuilding Industry was

merged with the shipbuilding and ship

repair functions of the Ministry of

Communications to create a new

China State Shipbuilding Corporation

(CSSC), which as a state corporation

was directly under the authority of the

State Council.

It was originally formed in 1982, deve-

loped into a large enterprise group,

rich in economic and technical re-

sources and active in many fields of

work, covering production, trade, re-

search and development and educa-

tion. CSSC, as the main support of

the shipbuilding industry of China,

produced a wide range of products

and had the capability of designing,

building and repairing.

In early 1998 China State Shipbuil-

ding Corporation (CSSC) began re-

organizing its huge shipbuilding re-

source so as to increase the share of

the global shipbuilding market. In the

following year, its main shipyards we-

re to be put together into production

groups, each able to operate and

work independently to exploit Chi-

na’s fast growing economy. The re-

organization of CSSC was part of a

wider plan by China’s Central Go-

vernment to make more efficient the

operation of its ministries and state-

owned enterprises. Under the overall

State Council initiative of 01 July

1999, the Chinese government split

the top five Defense and Technology

Corporations into ten new enterprises.

These corporations are all large State

Owned Enterprises (SOE’s) under

direct supervision of the State Council

and include the China State Shipbuil-

ding Corporation (CSSC) and the

China Shipbuilding Industry Corpora-

tion (CSIC).

Following the 1999 organizational

reforms, the integration of the military

and commercial sides of Chinese

shipbuilding was quite explicit.

The shipyards that once built only

warships turned their expertise and

facilities to the construction of

freighters and other vessels for com-

mercial purposes, starting to export

ships to more than 40 countries and

regions including Japan, the United

States, Germany, Norway, France,

Switzerland, Iran, Canada, Hong

Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

At that time the low-tech Chinese

shipbuilding industry could not produ-

ce high level product and achieving

acceptable quality remained a chal-

lenge; but this gap with the leading

countries (Japan, South Korean

etc.)has been addressed by changes

in management systems and in higher

quality standards.

As the beginning of 1998 China State

Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC)

was considering the creation of three

large shipbuilding groups which would

be based in Dalian, Shanghai and

Guangzhou.

These would be in addition to the pre-

viously announced plan to create the

country’s largest shipbuilding group

through the merger of Dalian New

Shipyard, Dalian Shipyard and Bohai

Shipyard into the Liaoning Shipbuil-

ding Group.

CSTC (China Shipbuilding Trading

Company) is the trade company of

China State Shipbuilding Corporation,

specially engaged in export and im-

port businesses of CSSC, such as:

export of commercial & naval ship,

marine and non-marine equipment,

import of shipbuilding materials and

equipment; import and export of

technology, compensation trade, co-

production, material processing and

assembly, labor and technical service,

construct ion projects including

shipyard, equipment manufacturing

plants, steel structures, industrial in-

stallation packages, high rise buil-

dings, co-production and joint ventu-

re. CSTC

(China Shipbuilding Trading Compa-

ny) has branch companies in Shan-

ghai, Dalian, Tianjin, Guangzhou,

Xi’an, Kunming, Wuhan, Jiujiang and

Chongqing, and its trade and repre-

sentative offices are set up in all the

world: Hong Kong, Hamburg, Los An-

geles, Bangkok, Islamabad, Moscow,

London and Athens.

(to be continued)

i

@ Patrizia Trombini

(To be continued)

41

FOCUS

GOLD: from the mines to a safe asset

43

FOCUS GOLD: from the mines to a safe asset

A journey into the world of gold to find out how and why this metal has always been a precious commodity and today become a safe asset.

PHYSICAL GOLD AND PAPER GOLD

The traditional physical forms of gold holdings

The traditional physical forms of gold holdings are represented by ingots –

the standard gold bullion of 12,5kg, the bullion of 1 kg, coins, nuggets,

jewelry .

The private investors can deal with gold through metal accounts, which

are very similar to bank accounts and can be divided into allocated metal

accounts (bullions can be identified by a number) and unallocated ac-

counts (the investor has the right on an unspecified gold quantity). In both

cases the investors can buy and sell the metal without holding it directly,

even if he can withdraw it at any time.

The investor, after buying the gold, can deposit the gold with the same

dealers, receive a deposit certificate that can be transferred by a simple

endorsement and therefore that will allow the transfer of property without

the physical delivery of the metal.

Among the financial instruments it should be mentioned : Options, Fu-

tures, Gold Warrants, Swaps, Gold Investment Funds, Term Operation,

Stocks in mining companies, Gold Loan.

Options

The Option is a derivative contract that attributes to one of the party (

against payment of a fee, the so called premium), the right to exercise

within a due date the purchase or the sale of the metal at a fixed price.

For this choice right, the investor has a cost that is represented by the

premium.

44

The American Options can be

exercised at any time prior to and

including its maturity date, while

European options can be exer-

cised only at maturity. The pre-

mium price is affected by supply

and demand, interest rates, ex-

piry date and by the expected

unpredictability (volatility)of gold

price. The basic options are

“Call” and “Put”. From these ba-

sic options several combinations

can be created, which take place

when bought and sold options

with different features gather to-

gether. The main market is

Comex.

With the term or forward opera-

tions the operators has the ir-

revocable obligation to purchase

or sell a certain gold quantity at

an expiry date and at a price

fixed at the moment of the opera-

tion closure. In this case the obli-

gation and the fulfillment, that is

the delivery and the payment,

take place in different dates. It

cannot be written off, but it can

be settled at any time prior the

maturity date, by closing an op-

posite contract with the same

maturity date. This is an interest-

ing operation for investors and

operators which do not need to

have immediately available

money counter value as well as

for the metal producers, which

sell the future mining.

FuturesGold future is a contract with

which the contracting parties

commit themselves to deliver or

receive a certain amount of gold

at a fixed price and a certain

date. For all the futures is

needed an initial and marginal

deposit to be adjusted to possi-

ble price fluctuation. The pre-

mium of price of a forward con-

tract compared to the spot

price, which is called “contango”,

is affected by interests and by

storing and insurance costs.

Therefore the characteristics of

futures contracts are: standard-

ized quantity and maturity, trad-

ing in a regulated market, clear-

ing house as a counter party

and safety margins and daily

valorization of the contract. Sel-

dom a futures contract stays

open until the maturity, often the

positions are closed in advance,

by adopting an opposite posi-

tion. Those who are interested in

futures are speculators, the

hedgers (above all the mining

companies), that is those who

cover themselves against the

price risk.

Gold WarrantsThe Gold Warrants are basically

options on gold purchase, at a

fixed price which can be con-

nected to shares and obligations.

Usually it is about put warrant

and it gives the possibility to re-

ceive the difference between the

gold market price and the price

of the warrant in that certain

moment. The bearer of a de-

tachable warrant has the right, at

a certain date and after the

payment of a sum, to the delivery

of a certain quantity of gold. Be-

sides the gold convertible stocks

offer an interest rate and can be

converted in gold prior or after

the maturities of the same stock;

therefore the investor holds an

option on the gold price which

yields the interest too.

Gold Swaps

With gold swaps you have the

transfer of ingots to a dealer in

exchange for currency, with a

fixed forward price with which the

gold will be returned. Although

the effect is similar to a spot sale

and a forward buyback, the dif-

ference is that the counterparties

are the same, avoiding transac-

tion on the market and therefore

without any effects on the prices.

Gold Investment Funds

Gold investment funds are spe-

cialized in investments linked to

gold on a worldwide scale. We

address to funds (mostly located

in Great Britain, Swiss and

U.S.A.) so as to reduce the risk

with regard to an investment on

only one stock.

Gold Loan

In the last ten years we have

seen a strong market growth on

gold loans, thanks also to the

banks, that have began to lend

gold to the mines. In this way

mining companies sell the gold,

they have obtained as a loan in

order to receive cash flow so to

finance their own company and

at the maturity date the mining

company will pay back the loan

in extracted gold. The Central

Banks purchase the ¾ of the

loan supply

G o l d M i n i n g StocksA form of gold investment is

represented by the purchase of

gold mining stocks. In this kind of

investment it is necessary to

evaluate the balance sheet, the

financial and technical charac-

teristics, the estimated growth of

the mining company, the fluctua-

tions of the foreign currency as

well as the possible changes of

the country tax treatment. Com-

pared to the direct gold pur-

chase, in this case, the investor

can exploit both the gold courses

and the stock market. The main

markets are those of South Af-

rica, Canada, Australia and

United States. ETF (EXCHANGE

TRADED FUNDS )

ETFs are collective saving in-

vestments inst ruments ex-

changed on regulated market

which tend to repeat, with a nar-

row gap margin, known and rep-

resentative financial ratings of

particular stock and bond mar-

kets. In the case of gold, the fi-

nancial instrument repeats ex-

actly the trends of gold, whose

face value is usually expressed

in ounce part (generally 1/10). In

conclusion it can be stated that

an ETF is a gold “stock“ as the

paper part is covered by the

physical part. Infact the body

that issues ETF has to deposit

physical gold as counter value

with regard to the underwritten

stock. The first ETF on gold

sponsored by World Gold Coun-

cil started off at NYSE in No-

vember 2004 with the name of

Streettracks Gold ETF, recently

has been renamed SPDR Gold

Trust, receiving resounding suc-

cess among the investors. After-

wards other products have been

launched, which are quoted on

world lists and on main markets

of gold exchange as London,

Dubai, Shangai, etc..

(to be continued)

@ Caterina Garofalo

45

ENERGY

The price of en-ergy47

The price of energy and food is climb-

ing, unemployment remains high, the

housing market has tanked, consumer

and government debt is soaring, and

the recovery is slowing.

There is a common view, that when

there are too many negative Macro-

economic factors, a big world war or a

radical Industrial Revolution is coming

…it should be the third one.

The Third Industrial Revolution is

a concept and vision outlined by Jer-

emy Rifkin (one of the foremost think-

ers of our time…He has come up with

a visionary and innovative economic

development model that ensures the

sustainability of our natural resources

and ecosystems) and endorsed by

the European Parliament, in a formal

declaration passed in June 2007.

Throughout history, economic trans-

formations occur when new commu-

nication technology converges with

new energy systems. The new forms

of communication become the me-

dium for organizing and managing the

more complex civilizations made pos-

sible by the new sources of energy.

The conjoining of internet communica-

tion technology and renewable ener-

gies in the 21st Century, is giving rise

to the Third Industrial Revolution.

“The energy sharing is the New Inter-

net”: this is the most important vision

in the last Rifkin’s book.

He asks us to imagine hundreds of

millions of people producing their own

green energy in their homes, offices,

and factories, and sharing it with each

other in an "energy internet," just like

we now create and share information

and files online: kB (Kilo bytes) like Kwh (Kilowatt/hours)

Rifkin describes how the five-pillars of

the Third Industrial Revolution will

create thousands of businesses and

millions of jobs, and usher in a fun-

damental reordering of human rela-

tionships, from hierarchical to power,

that will impact the way we conduct

business, govern society, educate our

children, and engage in ci

The Third Industrial Revolution is based upon 5 Pillars:

- Shifting to Renewable Energy

- Converting Buildings into Power

Plants

- Hydrogen and Other Energy Stor-

age Technology

- Smart Grid Technology and Smart

cities

- Plug in, Electric, Hybrid, and Hydro-

gen Fuel Cell based Transportation

He theory argues that conjoining

Internet communication technology

and renewable energies is giving rise

to a Third Industrial Revolution. The

creation of a renewable energy re-

gime, loaded by buildings, partially

stored in the form of hydrogen, dis-

tributed via an energy internet—a s-

mart intergrid—and connected to plug

in zero emission transport, opens the

door to a Third Industrial Revolution.

The entire system is interactive, inte-

grated and seamless. This intercon-

nectedness is creating whole new

opportunities for cross-industry rela-

tionships. The Third Industrial Revolu-

tion brings with it a new era of “dis-

tributed capitalism” in which millions

of existing and new businesses and

homeowners become energy players.

In the process, we will create millions

of green jobs, jump start a new tech-

nology revolution, and dramatically

increase productivity, as well as miti-

gate climate change.

Five pillars

The five pillars of the Third Industrial

Revolution infrastructure are:

1 Shifting to Renewable En-ergy: Renewable forms of energy

like solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, o-

cean waves, and biomass— make up

the first of the five pillars of the Third

Industrial Revolution. While these

energies still account for a small per-

centage of the global energy mix,

they are growing rapidly as govern-

ments mandate targets and bench-

marks for their widespread introduc-

tion into the market and their falling

costs make them increasingly com-

petitive.

2 Buildings as Green, energy efficient Power Plants: New techno-

logical breakthroughs make it possi-

ble, for the first time, to design and

construct buildings that create all of

their own energy from locally avail-

able renewable energy sources, al-

lowing us to re-conceptualize the fu-

ture of buildings as “power plants”.

The commercial and economic impli-

cations are vast and far reaching for

the real estate industry and, for that

matter, Europe and the world. In

ENERGY

48

25 years from now, millions of build-

ings –homes, offices, shopping

malls, industrial and technology

parks – will be constructed to serve

as both “power plants” and habitats.

These buildings will collect and gen-

erate energy locally from the sun, w-

ind, garbage, agricultural and for-

e s t r y w a s t e , o c e a n

waves and tides, hydro and geo-

thermal– enough energy to provide

for their own power needs as well as

surplus energy that can be shared.

So, the energy saving is for every-

one become business: all the clean

tech must be set up to minimize the

consumption and maximize the en-

ergy to put in the Energy Net.

3 Storage: Hydrogen and batteries. Deploying Hydrogen and

other storage technologies in every

building and throughout the infra-

structure to store intermittent ener-

gies. To maximize renewable ener-

gy and to minimize cost it will be

necessary to develop storage meth-

ods that facilitate the conversion

of intermittent supplies of these en-

e r g y s o u r c e s i n t o r e l i a b l e

assets. Batteries, differentiated wa-

ter pumping, and other media, can

provide limited storage capacity.

There is, however, one storage me-

dium that is widely available and can

be relatively efficient. Hydrogen is

the universal medium that “stores”

all forms of renewable energy to

assure that a stable and reliable

supply is available for power gen-

eration and, equally important, for

transport.

4 Smart-grid and Smart Cit-ies: Using Internet technology to

transform the power grid of every

continent into an energy sharing

inter-grid that acts just like the Inter-

net. The reconfiguration of the

world's power grid, along the lines of

the internet, allowing businesses

and homeowners to produce their

own energy and share it with each

other, is just now being tested by

power companies in Europe. The

new smart grids or inter-grids will

revolutionize the way electricity is

produced and delivered. Millions of

existing and new buildings—homes,

offices, factories—will be converted

or built to serve as “positive power

plants” that can capture local re-

n e w a b l e e n e r g y —

solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hy

dro, and ocean waves—to create

electricity to power the buildings,

while sharing the surplus power with

others across smart intergrids, just

like we now produce our own infor-

mation and share it with each other

across the Internet

5 New transport ways: Tran-

sitioning the transport fleet to elec-

tric, plug in and fuel cell vehi-

cles that can buy and sell electricity

on a smart continental interac-

tive power grid. The electricity we

produce in our buildings from re-

newable energy will also be used to

power electric plug-in cars or to cre-

ate hydrogen to power fuel cell vehi-

cles. The electric plug in vehicles, in

turn, will also serve as portable

power plants that can sell electricity

back to the main grid.

When these five pillars come to-

gether, they make up an indivisible

technological platform—an emergent

system whose properties and func-

tions are qualitatively different from

the sum of its parts. In other words,

the synergies between the pillars

create a new economic paradigm

that can transform the world.

About the Author

Jeremy Rifkin is president of the

Foundation on Economic Trends and

the author of eighteen bestselling

books, including The Hydrogen

Economy and The End of Work. He

has been a guest on Face the Na-

tion, The Lehrer News Hour, 20/

20, Larry King Live, Today, and Good

Morning America. The National Jour-

nal named Rifkin as one of 150 peo-

ple in the U.S. that have the most

influence in shaping federal govern-

ment policy. He has also testified

before numerous congressional

committees, and since 1994, Mr.

Rifkin has been a senior lecturer at

the Wharton School’s Executive

Education Program at the University

of Pennsylvania. Rifkin is chairman

of the Global CEO Business Round-

table, which includes IBM, Cisco,

Cushman and Wakefield, and has

served as an adviser to various

global leaders, including Nicolas

Sarkozy of France and Angela Mer-

kel of Germany. His monthly column

on global issues appears in many of

the world’s leading newspapers and

magazines, including The Los Ange-

les Times, The Guardian in the

U.K., Die Süddeutsche Zeitung in

Germany, Trud in Bulgaria, Clarín in

Argentina, and Al-Ittihad in the

U.A.E. He lives in Bethesda, MD.

@ Mirko Di Veroli

ENERGY

Jeremy Rifkin was always

ahead of his time. The New

Industrial Revolution confirms

that the times have caught up

with him. It is no longer possi-

ble to ignore his vision for the

fu ture o f humankind."—

Calestous Juma, Harvard Bel-

fer Center for Science and

International Affairs, John F.

Kennedy School.

49

MARCO NODARI50

MARCO NODARIWe are in London in the company of the Italian singer Marco Nodari who is in

England to organize a promotional event. We’re taking the opportunity to in-

terview him and find out more about the background of this emerging singer

of pop music.

When did your passion for music begin?At the age of 6 , first, while studying the guitar and then moving on to the

piano. There has always been a great passion for music in my life , and eve-

rything that is connected to sound: this was the start of my dream and I work

every day to keep it alive.

Do you remember when you wrote your first song?I think I was 12 or 13 years old, although the "musical fragments" had already

been born a short time before. I had a small and very amateur studio with an

old 4-track recorder where I began to make my first recordings and practiced

singing, etc..

How were your first years of hard work?At the beginning of my career , I was involved in my music studies and in the

production of concerts in my home province of Mantua, and in other Italian

regions as a musician and songwriter. After various experiences of live piano

concerts and at many different resorts, I received a great opportunity for a

scholarship at the prestigious school CET founded by the great Master Mogol

, where I remained for 8 years as coordinator of the course. It was an impor-

tant learning experience and a wonderful opportunity to meet and sing with

well known Italian recording artists . Then I was to "forced" to leave the mu-

sic world when my father fell ill because I was needed to help in the family

business. But the Passion, as we know, never leaves ... when I was able to

close this chapter of my life I began to devote myself completely to music

and new projects once ,again.

Thus in 2011 the album "Buonasera Signorina" and your new tour in Latin America: Costa Rica, Argentina, Uruguay ...Can you tell us about the experience?"Buonasera ,Signorina" is a project-designed by me in collaboration with Bob

Benozzo, Producer known in the international scene and several times nomi-

nated at the Grammy Awards for Latin music, and Cesare Chiodo, bassist

and producer of Laura Pausini, Mina and Celentano. It 'a fusion of original

songs in Italian and Spanish also designed for large Italian communities

abroad that I had the pleasure to come in contact with and also meet in many

of the countries I visited. The debut took place in Costa Rica, where I perfor-

med at the Italian Embassy, University, and private events and from there I

presented the album in different events in the Italian community and non,

both in Argentina and Uruguay. The experience was very positive and the

crowds were unforgettable: in my opinion there’s always so much curiosity

about new ideas and the people are much more open minded than we tend to

be in Italy.

The CD was published, printed and distributed in Argentina in May 2012 in

agreement with my label, ”Canzoni Buone Come il Pane” ,Del Angel Feg (one

the most important record labels in Argentina) and distributed by Sony Music.

How do you see the situation in music today in Italy as compared to ot-her countries in the world that you are getting to know?In Italy, today, it is the reality show that decides who is a musician and who is

not, there are no opportunities for those who do not belong to clans and ca-stes of that sector ... unfortunately this is the true reality. There is more space

abroad, of course is not easy and I do not assume anything but I feel there is

more room for talented artists. In my case, the single "Historia de una histo-

ria" after only a few months of promotion in Argentina has joined the list of “20

Most Listened to Love Songs” ... not such a small thing ,right?

51

Among the Latin American countries you have not mentioned Brazil. Any plans for the future?At this stage I’m not able to realize any initiative in Brazil. Obviously it's a goal

in the future not only because ,today, Brazil is an important country in the in-

ternational arena but also because I've always liked its music, its composers ,

its bossa ... Among other things, it will be the scene of two major world events

: The Olympics and the World Cup, so we hope to be able to also contribute

making good music ,there... good as bread !

Speaking about bread, in Italy you have your own record label and pu-blishing company "Canzoni Buone Come il Pane" which deals with the distribution of online music in the world so I think it’s fair to ask you what are the "ingredients" that makes a song as good as bread and why this name?The name is related to my family experience. My parents had a bakery and

these hands that now play and compose were used to make bread for a pe-

riod of time ... it’s a beautiful metaphor for a job related to the development of

a primary Italian food because bread is a key element and because to make

good bread it is not necessary to know the recipe, you have to make it your

own. You have your "art", your genius, your sensitivity and experience ... your

work. I think that all of this, even in music, will contribute to "bake" a Good

Song!

Would you like to send a greeting to your readers and fans?

Thank you for following and supporting me every day. A hug from my heart.

@ Giorgio Perna

52

ART

54

ART  

Curatorship: Bárbara Coutinho

Between art and industry, design (in its multiple expressions, including

equipment and fashion) has been perceived from different perspectives over

the years, some even contradicting themselves like multiple alter egos. A

glimpse into the past century and the first years of the new millennium re-

veals its plurality and complexity, namely the different perceptions of form and

function, a duality that lies at its roots, since its birth within the context of in-

dustrialization. Unique objects (that can later be reproduced), limited auto-

graphed editions and mass productions nourish the universe of design in all

its diversity.

If some situations stand out for their principles of formal simplification, lack of

ornamentation and adoption of industrial production processes, others attract

attention for their decorative and experimental taste, exalting their sculptural

and unique value. Both perspectives coexist in the same time frame and can

be simultaneously or complementarily assumed by the same designer.

After Mies van der Rohe adopted the aphorism 'Less is More', an expression

that synthesizes the modernistic concept of deriving from a function, the 20th

century discussed it in order to identify with, criticize, oppose or surpass it.

Industrial designer Dieter Rams prefers the maxim 'Less, but better', hi-

ghlighting the democratic, durable and useful nature of products. In a post-

modern context, Robert Venturi states that 'Less is a bore', stressing the

communicational and symbolic value of each object. Closer to us, the Droog

Design collective will defend the idea of 'Less + More' as a synthesis, reflec-

ting present times where design experiences different levels of significance,

beyond its utilitarian function.

To traverse the century is to comprehend the relationship between market

logic and a more experimental and conceptual perspective, such as the con-

nections between design and society, the economy, marketing, advertising

and technology, and also architecture, art and other areas of knowledge. It

also means learning to reflect, both theoretically and practically, on its defini-

tion, intent, cultural significance, heritage and representation.

For futher Information

Graça Rodrigues

Comunicação

MUDE - Museu do Design e da Moda, Colecção Francisco Capelo | Rua Augusta,

24

Tel. + 351 21 888 61 20 - mudemuseum@gmail.com

55

56

OperaINTERNATIONAL

THEATERS SEASON 2012

57

THEATRE LA SCALA

After the summer break, the curtain of Teatro della Scala in

Milan raises again for a revival of Zeffirelli’s Bohéme, a

symbol- play of this Theatre. The playing of this Puccini’s

work, which is one of more loved of all his repertoire, is left

in the care of the biggest stars of the contemporary opera

sky: Angela Geeorghiu and Anna Netrebko, two opera

stars of our days, which will take turn at playing the role of

Mimi. Piotr Beczela and the Italian Vittorio Grigolo, two

budding tenors, but well known to the public, who loves

opera, play the role of Rodolfo, a penniless poet. At the end

of October we want to point out the first plays of Sigfried, third episode of Wagner’s trilogy that will be ended in 2013

with Twilight of the Gods , which is absorbing all the wor-

kers of the theatre as well as its musical conductor, Daniel

Baremboim.

OPERA NATIONAL DE PARIS

There are three titles for the opening of the most important

theatre in Paris: the new season starts with a revival of Of-

fenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffmann, a real musical and thea-

trical masterpiece, which tells the love adventures of a poet

in an air between dream and reality. The performance is

very famous (and beautiful) signed by Robert Carsen. It

follows another well known direction: Giorgio Strehler with

Le Nozze di Figaro . This Mozart’s masterpiece is played

by an expert cast of, among which: Luca Pisaroni, Emma Bell and Alex Esposito. At the end starts off in Paris La Fille du Regiment by Gaetano Doninzetti, in a funny sta-

ging of Wiener Staatsoper by Laurent Pelly. Two leading

stars of bel canto: the soprano Natalie Dessay and the te-

nor Juan Diego Florez.

For sure the tickets will be easily sold out, therefore the

reservations should be made quickly.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE – COVENT

GARDEN

The chosen theatre for the Wagner’s lovers cannot be ot-

her than Covent Garden in London in this early beginning

of autumn. The musical conductor sir Antonio Pappano offers in few days the performance of the whole trilogy, a

very demanding plan ,which has been proposed in several

theatres (Paris, Milan, New York), considering the onco-

ming Wagner celebrations in 2013 ( it is the bicentenary

of his birth). The direction is by Keith Warner, while

among the performers it should be mentioned Wotan by

Welsh Bryn Terfel. In October the ballet lovers would have

the opportunity watch a play of “Swan lake “ according to

Marius Petipa’s version, a great classic that disappoints

neither the enthusiasts nor the beginners of the so called

“cultured” musical theatre.

Opera

58

THE METROPOLITAN OPERA OF NEW

YORK CITY

If on the 24th of September you are in New York, you

should not miss the Opening Night Gala of Metropolitan Opera, the inauguration of the new and very rich season of

the main American theatre. It is a social as well as musical

event. The opening work of the 2012-2013 season is Elisir d’amore by Gaetano Doninzetti, which we listen to with

great pleasure. The star Anna Netrebko plays the role of

Adina, the tenor Matthew Polenzani of the naïve Nemori-

no and the funny baritone Ambrogio Maestri palys the role

of the swindling Ducamara . The new play of Bartlett Sher will be conducted by Maurizio Benini. The season conti-

nues with Carmen, Turandot, Trovatore, a continuous se-

quence of masterpieces performed by contemporary impor-

tant and famous voices, in the best tradition of the Ameri-

can theatre.

TEATRO COLON DE BUENOS AIRES

From the 25th to 7th October for six repeats goes on stage

La Cenerentola by Gioachino Rossini, one of the most

loved comic opera of this important composer. The artistic

programming of Colon is always amazing, for the capacity

to mix big names of the music (t is not long ago that the

curtain dropped triumphantly over I due Figaro by Saverio Mercadante and staged by Riccardo Muti) with those of

young artists, but always in the name of highest musical

quality. Serena Malfi, Kenneth Tarver, Carlo Lepore are

three of the main interpreters that will give life to this play,

staged by Reinaldo Censabella and with Sergio Renan’s

conduction.

TEATRO MUNICIPAL DE SANTIAGO

After an absence of two decades, comes back to Munici-

pal Attila by Giuseppe Verdi, a work that has been conside-

red wrongly a minor work of the Italian Maestro, but as a

matter of fact is a real musical masterpiece, in which wit-

hout interruption come in succession beautiful melodies

and chorus. The initiative to perform Attila is even more

valuable considering the beautiful cast that has been as-

ked to play this work : Liudmyla Monastryrska, one of most

appreciated soprano in the Verd’s repertoire, embodies the

heroine Odabella, while the bass Steffan Kocan plays the

role of Attila and the baritone Vitaliy Biyy plays the role of Ezio.

Opera

59

BAYERISCHE STAATSOPER – MUNICH

Germany and Italy, in music, are completely complementa-

ry, at least is what it seems considering the Munich opera

run of the next two months: the Bayerisches Staatsorche-ster staged by Kent Nagano, first tests itself with Tannha-euser by Wagner, (Robert Dean Smith in the role of Tann-

haeuser, Anne Schwanewilms in the role of Elisabeth and

the big star Waltraud Meier plays the role of Venus). Then

it carries on with Fidelio, the only work written by Beetho-

ven, conducted by Eivind Gullberg Jensen and directed by the unconventional Calixto Bieito (we bring to your at-

tention Lenore played by the soprano Anja Kampe). Then

it is the time of Puccini and the Roman airs with of Tosca. The conductor is Carlo Montanaro, the beautiful Tatiana Serjan plays the role of Tosca and the tenor Jonas Kaufmann in the role of Mario Cavaradossi. The play is

that quite contested by the director Luc Bondy ( and it has

been already seen at the theatre Scala in Milan and at the

Metropolitan in New York, by which it has been coprodu-

ced).

THEATRO MUNICIPAL DO RIO DE

JANEIRO

As usual the Rio de Janeiro programming is rich and

eclectic, moving from the opera, ballet and symphonic mu-

sic. September and October are two months full of ap-

pointments, We will mention only some of them so as to

be concise. From 20th September on Cavalleria Rusticana

by Mascagni will be performed, transporting the atmosphe-

res of Sicily Eastern in the capital of carioca, on the 28 and

30 Alexander Nevsky by Prokovev will be performed. The

playing of the impressive symphonic-choral poem is

matched with the showing of the film with the same name

by Sergei Eisentein for whom the same music was written

by the Russian composer. Among the many symphonic

appointments in October we would like to point out, for the

beauty and for the rarity of the suggested program, the one

on the 19th : Four sea Interludes from Peter Grimes by

Bejamin Britten that comes before the Concerto per violi-no in re minore by Erich Korngold and The Isle of Dead by Rachmaninov.

@ Francesco Colucci

Opera

Opera60

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