of finance one
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OF
FIN
AN
CE|
MA
GA
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E Global Economics International Politic Investement Focus Opera
SCIENCE Neil Alden Armstrong
POLITIC Obama, Romney
FOCUS China
Issue # 1 - Sept-Oct. 2012
Let yourself be seduced by
The only way to
Sales Office:: [email protected] Sancarlo Tower, your space.
Sancarlo Tower,
terribly fascinating.
the appeal of this city
get rid of temptation is to give in to it. (O. Wilde)
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Dear Readers,
“OF Finance magazine “ in this issue , which is number 1, offers the opportunity to read articles on several topics:
• Economical impact of London Olympic Games;• Interview to the singer Carlo Nodari in London, during his tour in South America;• Euro and US Dollar• International politics : Obama and Romney• Panama : economy• Algeria : brief notes• Neil Armstrong• Focus on Brazil• Focus on Gold• Focus on China Shipbuilding : history and economy (first part)• Section on Opera• Jewish Festivities (first part)
Hoping you will enjoy reading us and ………….If you want to keep your mind switched-on, read OF.
Patrizia Trombini
5
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.
OFEDITORIAL ON FINANCE
Free Indipendent Journal
EDITOR CHIEF
Patrizia Trombini
EDITORIAL MANAGER
Martino Zontini
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
Giorgio Perna
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Patrizia Trombini
Giorgio Perna
Martino Zontini
Giovanni Giiuseppe Sparaco
Francesco Colucci
Caterina Garofalo
Natalicio Fonseca dos Santos
Rose Mary de Oliveira Santos
Almeida
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Giovanni Giuseppe Sparaco
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OF
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The Greek economic
crisis: Victim
Suez and/or Panama Canal?
BrasilInvest Opportunity
Special luxury
Canados Open 90
Investement
Focus
Opera
Issue # 0 - August 2012
Contemporary Art
Juri Corti
SCIENCE
Tomato Genome
OF
FIN
AN
CE|
MA
GA
ZIN
E
Investement
Focus
Opera
SCIENCE
Neil Alden Armstrong
POLITIC
Obama, Romney
FOCUS
China
Issue # 1 - Sept-Oct. 2012
6
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summary
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13 Euro dollar?
23 politic
29 Festivities
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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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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 - [email protected]
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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