Can we afford this?

Last week, I visited St. Mark's Basilica in Venice at night. Needless to say, the magnificence of this church and the surrounding buildings is further amplified by the artificial lighting that pierces the darkness. The photos speak for themselves, and one could make a post out of them alone. I must confess, however, that as … Continue reading Can we afford this?

Saudade and Identity

Saudade is a deep emotional state of nostalgic or profound melancholic longing for an absent something or someone that one loves.source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudade Portuguese is a language known for its intrinsic musicality (Important update: my friend Matteo pointed out to me that this it true for Brazilian variant only). When you listen to a person speaking … Continue reading Saudade and Identity

Fascism Disguised as Oligarchic Democracy

At the beginning of May, I attended a conference in the wonderful town of Sacile. It was hosted by Professor Antonio Soligon, a retired teacher and writer who loves the city of Venice intensely. He talked about the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, a historical building that the oma.eu website describes like this: First constructed in 1228, … Continue reading Fascism Disguised as Oligarchic Democracy

The heritage of the Republic of Venice (Serenìsima Repùblica Vèneta)

There is no doubt about the fact that Venice is one of the most famous cities in the world. It is known for its peculiar structure, the absence of regular streets replaced by water canals, the magnificence of its historical buildings, etc. However, it should be known for its outstanding republican history as well. The … Continue reading The heritage of the Republic of Venice (Serenìsima Repùblica Vèneta)