On September 1938, the British Broadcasting Corporation BBC, began to broadcast an Italian program in order to keep informed the local population at that time under the fascist dictatorship. That program, called Radio Londra, contributed to sow the seed of freedom in Italy ... Radio Helsinki blog would be humbly, part of its results.
I could not believe ... or better say, yes I could unfortunately.
Mr. Berlusconi did it again ... He said few days ago, speaking with the Russian president Medvedev: Barack Obama has all the qualities for pleasing you, he is young, handsome and "tanned" !!
The Italians who live abroad, spend a lot of time apologizing Berlusconi's stupid quotes. He likes jokes, his supporters say but I'm afraid he is the only one who smiling at those.
Mr Obama we are Italians but our premier Mr. Berlusconi is not speaking in our name !!
Foreign politicians act "politically correct" nobody spend a word for sharing their preferences either for Obama or McCain.
Thanks God I'm not a politician and I can share freely my wishes: I want to see a black man rules the most important country in the world, I want to see Obama winning the presidential elections in US !
We need drastic changes and we need it soon. I can't imagine no one better than Obama, for addressing concrete solutions to managing the financial storm that has been struggling the world markets.
Both the polls and the opinion leaders seem quite sure about the US election results. I do prefer to be more prudent and say "I don't believe until I'll see".
Roberto Saviano, the author of the best-selling book "Gomorra" about the mafia in Naples, which has been made into a hit movie, wants to leave Italy to try to have a more normal life after reports that the mob wants him dead by Christmas.
How can be it possible in a civil country? Is accettable giving up to these viles criminals ?
In Italy 90% of the national Broadcasting televisions are under the direct control of Mr. Berlusconi (Italian premier). Three out of seven (Rete 4, Canale 5 and Italia 1) are own by Mediaset (founded and own by Berlusconi's family) and three public ones (Rai 1, Rai 2, Rai 3) are indirectly managed by the Italian government (guess who is leading it? ).
In addition Mr. Berlusconi owns some national newspapers (Il Giornale, Il Foglio) and the main national book publisher: Mondadori.
Sounds quite obvious that blogging in Italy is a such of last hope for free citizens to let their voice heard.
No wonder that a senior Italian politician warned that most of the web activities are likely to be against the law (which one?).
The judge ruled that since the blog had a headline, that made it an online newspaper, and brought it within the law’s remit.
No similar charges could be identified in any western democratic country. I would like to suggest to replacing the current signs at Italian customs office (benvenuti in Italia - welcome to Italy) as Benvenuti in Cina or alternatively Benvenuti a Cuba ...
For most of you Beppe Grillo is a perfect unknown person. Beppe is a comedian who embraced a crusade: defeating the corrupted Italian political system. How? No bomb no weapons, don't worry ... simply kidding at them.
His Blog the most visited in Italy and on top 10 in the world, has more than 300 thousands hits per day, ignoring it will not be a wise decision for any corrupted politicians.
The Australian TV recently dedicated him an interesting profile ... now you know one of the key guys who may contribute to save the Italians freedom.
The first time I visited Helsinki I read in a tourist guide, available in my hotel room, a compelling tip: you cannot miss it ... let's visit Suomenlinna the 8th Wonder of the World !!
I did it and actually I liked very much. No doubts, the most exciting part of my tour was the return trip. In fact for reaching the small Island I took a ferry and for moving back to Helsinki, I walked on the frozen sea just in front the harbour.
Some weeks later I went to Sicily and I decided to visit a quite unknown archaeological site placed on the southwest coast of the island - Selinunte.
Hoping do not offend my Finnish friends, Suomenlinna is simply nothing compared. It's a shame that Selinunte is still almost ignored by the local tourist offices. Sometimes I image what my Finns either British friends could do having at their disposal an heaven like Sicily.
If you plan to visit Sicily don't forget of course to visit Selinunte but definitely don't miss to arrange a tour of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, a visit of the magnificent mosaics placed in Roman Villa del Casale, a walk trough the magic barocco style in Noto and Modica alta and plan in advance some quality time to be spent in Syracuse where, being lucky enough, is possible watching a Greek Tragedy seated on a real wonderful ancient amphitheater.
To complete ideally your trip, be sure to have a Sicilian summer breakfast based on "Granita and briosche" in Acitrezza 10 km. northern Catania, plan a climb on Etna Volcano (there is a service that arrange trips in both Etna South - Nicolosi or Etna North site - Linguaglossa) that is still erupting in these days and last but not least a romantic dinner in Taormina the pearl of Mediterranean sea.
When I left Sicily and my loved hometown Catania, moving to Milan, I considered that city as the ancient Greeks might consider the Pillars of Hercules.
I learned that limits are quite seldom physical but rather mental and north, south, east and west, are most of the time useless references who make sense only for getting the right geographical direction.
In a world where people fear diversity, I've realized that I was very fortunate to meeting wonderful human being, who were so different in terms of culture and background than me. No better no worse just different.
It was a privilege listening at them, trying to understand their point of view and sometime facing the challenges to remove the bias from my mind.
These people taught me so much and now it's time to share by blogging this wonderful experience.
As I wrote in my Italian blog, our life is so short let's try to leave a better world behind us ...
