short story – Madonna Bianca (The White Madonna) Portovenere – Italy

Ciao a tutti.

Quanto vi presento in questo post è una piccola storia fotografica di un evento che si tiene il 17 agosto di ogni anno, a partire dal 1399!

E’ la festa con luminaria della Madonna Bianca, la patrona di uno dei più incantevoli paesi del golfo di La Spezia, Portovenere.

Il culto religioso verso la Madonna Bianca è legato ad un evento miracoloso, così come racconta la leggenda popolare, verificatosi nel 1399 durante l’occupazione francese nel borgo marinaro portovenerese invaso dalla peste.La tradizione afferma che un certo Lucciardo, un paesano, invocò davanti ad un’immagine raffigurante la Vergine Maria la liberazione di tale malattia e improvvisamente i colori del quadro s’illuminarono splendendo. Vedendo nello strano fenomeno un probabile evento miracoloso, legato alla sparizione della pestilenza attribuita alla Madonna, il dipinto fu trasportato nella vicina chiesa di San Lorenzo dando inizio alla devozione dei fedeli verso l’immagine e verso la Madonna Bianca, intitolazione derivante dal chiarore della pelle raffigurato nel dipinto.

Fate click sull’immagine sotto per far partire uno slide show musicale.

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Hello folks!

This post is a short story about a religious procession which takes place in Portovenere, each August 17, since 1399!

According to legend, a small painting of the White Madonna was brought here in 1204 from the sea and was miraculously transformed into its present form on August 17, 1399. The miracle is celebrated each August 17 with a torchlight procession: after sunset, in the light of torches, the statue of the white-dressed virgin Mary is carried along the San Pietro promontory.

More links: Portovenere (wiki) and Portovenere Travel Essentials by Martha Bakerjian (About.com)

Click on the image below to start my story (audio slide show)

Luminaria della Madonna Bianca

Avviso importante! – Info alert!

Ciao a tutti.

Solo un flash: ho finito il restyling del mio sito.

Andate a darci un’occhiata, e ditemi se vi piace.

Basta un click qua.

Hi all!

My new site in online.

Please click  here.

slide show – Giovanni Allevi in concert

Hi!

Some days ago I was lucky: I saw Giovanni Allevi in concert!

The location of this concert was a PLUS: Allevi played his wonderful music just in the middle of the ancient “Anfiteatro Romano” (Roman Amphitheater) of Luni (click here and here to read about this place)

I simply adore Giovanni Allevi: trust me, he’s a genius.

To show you how I was licky, please click the picture below to open a short audio slide show.

Ciao a tutti.

Il 4 settembre ho avuto la fortuna di assistere al concerto di Giovanni Allevi, organizzato a Luni, vicino a Sarzana, La Spezia.

La cosa meravigliosa è che il concerto è stato fatto all’interno dell’anfiteatro romano di Luni, con le rovine che venivano illuminate da luci colorate a seconda del brano che Allevi suonava.

Per saperne di più di Luni click qua.

Se invece volete vedere qualcosa di quello che ho potuto assaporare quella sera, click sull’immagine sotto.

Allevi - Anfiteatro Romano di Luni

short story – Painting by night at Lerici (Italy)

This summer I spent some time trying to understand how to shoot pictures of artists.

I met a very willing young painter, Valentina Mencatelli, who made my try easy and warm.

Maybe because she’s a psycologist and she worked with drug addicts.

I decided to take pictures of gestures of painting, without the painter: you’ll never see her face… do I really need a psycologist?

So, click the image below to start the slide show.

Ah, do you know how much she sold her painting? €900!

slide show – Napoleon Festival in Sarzana (Italy)

Last sunday I took some pictures at the Napoleon Festival in Sarzana, a nice town near La Spezia, Italy.

Sarzana is located in the Liguria region, in the low Magra valley.

The city is situated in the heart of Lunigiana, religious heiress of the ancient Roman city of Luni from the XIII century.

Why Napoleon Festival?

The Buonaparte family were from minor Italian nobility who held most of their property in this town: so the genealogy of this family should have started from Sarzana (as stated here).

So every year there’s a festival with a replica of an ancient battle, with few hundred men wearing 18th century uniforms (this time they were about 300) besieging Sarzana, with original and replica rifles and cannons.

At noon, in the main square, two cannons fire against soldiers to simulate a counter attack against the besiegers.

Eventually, besiegers and besieged have a square meal, drinking beer and wine together, as friends.

Click on the image below to see a small slide show.

slide show – a perfect trip

This summer I spent two days with my son Francesco.

We decided to go to Palmaria island, in the gulf of La Spezia: I was born in that city, so I know those places well.

It was a fantastic trip, and I’d like you can take a look at those places.

So, come with us clicking here!

Here is the link to a site about Portovenere and Palmaria.