The unexpected feats of Italy’s accidental prime minister

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ELENOI

The accidental

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une

DIE RI DI BIA SE (our correspondent in Italy)

xpected

Prime

feats Minister of Italy ’s

Since becoming a republic in 1946, Italy has had 28 Prime Ministers which is by far the largest number recorded by any Western democracy in the same period. It is politics Italian-style, which means never letting anyone become established at the helm of government. Many suggest this is due to Italians having suffered the dreadful consequences of Fascism when Mussolini was allowed to settle in as Prime Minister, and given time to entrench himself in power. This theory however is contradicted by the fact that before Fascism, the trend was the same. From its birth as a unified nation in 1861 to 1922 when Mussolini became prime minister - the same lapse of time (sixty-one years) from the proclamation of the Italian Republic until today - Italy had an even greater number of Prime Ministers, thirty to be precise. Apart from the animosity and factionalism of Italian politics, there is a contributing factor for this frequent turnover. In Italy, political power has traditionally been used to bestow favours on one’s supporters, relatives and friends as opposed to carrying the load of a responsible government. As a result, this has generated a constant rivalry for the Prime Ministership. The problem though is that such positions tend to be inherently vulnerable because it creates more enemies than friends, hence the long sequence of prime ministers in the relatively short history of Italy as a nation. There have of course been exceptions to this rule with the case of the recently appointed Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, who got the coveted job by accident, so to speak. Despite his long-standing public career, he has never shown any inclination or ambition to rise to a position of great power. He is a reserved, low-key, sixty-three year old politician who has always preferred working backstage rather than in the spotlight of politics. Commenting on his Prime Ministerial appointment on 12 December last year, a BBC reporter described him as: “reminiscent of the butler in the novel Remains of the Day, whose greatest ambition was to be in a room without anyone noticing he was there.” He is a descendant of an aristocratic family from Tolentino in the central eastern Italian region of Marche. One of his ancestors, Vincenzo Ottorino Gentiloni, was the originator of the so-called “Patto Gentiloni,” which in 1913 put an end to the Vatican policy sanctioning the abstention of Italian Catholics from voting in parliamentary elections. Paolo Gentiloni is a journalist by trade who ran a Green magazine in the 1980’s before becoming press secretary to then Rome mayor Francesco Rutelli in 1993, and later communications minister in Romano Prodi's centre-left 2006-2008 government. When Renzi eventually worked his way up from leader of the Democratic Party to Italian prime minister in 2014, Gentiloni was called to head the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after his short-lived predecessor, Federica Mogherini, became the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy. On account of his lack of international experience, many political analysts argued that his designation was a reward of sorts for being a reliable and unthreatening supporter of Renzi. But he soon proved them wrong by effectively handling, both with firmness and diplomacy, highly sensitive cases including two Italian marines forcibly kept in India under the unsubstantiated accusation of intentionally killing two Indian fishermen, and the brutal murder in Cairo of the student Giulio Regeni deceitfully accounted for by the Egyptian police as a road accident. Without him aiming for it, he was recruited for the role of Prime Minister, after the constitutional referendum defeat TO P Paolo Gentiloni at the Quirinale Palace on the day of his appointment as Prime Minister by the president of the Italian Republic

ABOVE Paolo Gentiloni and his wife Eleonora Mauro posing for a photo with China’s president Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the opening ceremony of the “Belt and Road Forum”

that forced Matteo Renzi to resign in early December last year. The opposition parties attacked his appointment saying he was hand-picked to keep warm the place until Renzi’s return. The populist Five Star Movement mocked him as “Renzi’s puppet.” Eight months later, Paolo Gentiloni appears to have been the right choice, particularly in Italy’s current political climate inflamed by the economic malaise of many of its people, and the endless arrival of large numbers of genuine or self-proclaimed refugees. He might eventually succumb to the severity of these circumstances but judging from his performance so far, it looks to be seen that at the end of his tenure, he will be regarded as a Prime Minister who could keep Italy afloat and steer it through stormy waters. Paolo Gentiloni is a capable and refined negotiator both in domestic and international affairs. Examples of this can be drawn by the way he convinced his party to temporarily withdraw an untimely bill amending the law on citizenship, and from his success in bolstering Italy’s relations with China. As foreign affairs minister, he chose one of the best Italian diplomat, Ettore Sequi, as ambassador to China. As Prime Minister he could reap the benefits of that choice by having Italy ranked by China as a favoured western economic partner. This endorsement was sealed when ambassador Sequi successfully gained Mr Gentiloni and his wife the privilege of sitting next to President Xi Jinping and his wife, at the opening ceremony of the “international “Belt & Road Forum” recently held in Beijing. Italy and China are today closer than ever: Italian ports will have a major role as European terminals of the new maritime Silk Road. Not bad at all for an accidental Prime Minister. w ords

Joh nny Di Fr ancesc

HA NDS ON FIRE

How to keep traditions and stay relevant

One of the beauties of Italian culture, is it is so deeply steeped in history. Thousands of years of tradition have made Italy what it is today, and it is this history and tradition that serves as the backbone for the food that I make today. Using techniques that have stood the test of time and ingredients that our ancestors would have used, the art of modern Italian cooking is a balancing act between staying true to tradition whilst also staying relevant. When I look at my family’s home of Naples, the ability of restaurateurs to continually blend the tradition and history of the region’s food with modern day influences is nothing short of inspirational. The commitment of the entire area and its people to preserving the heritage is one that I share, and strive to pass on through my own cooking. I try to bring the blend of new and old into my food. I work hard to keep tradition sacred, but just like they are doing in the kitchens of Naples, I experiment with new flavours and ways to keep those traditions relevant. One of the main principles I stick to when creating Italian food is the idea of keeping it simple. Looking back on history and what my family has been making for decades, they have kept their flavours simple and fresh. Although I’m

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sure there was temptation to over-complicate things, they never did, and with that their food never faltered from being delicious. For that reason, this is a principle that I stay true to: it has allowed me to stick to tradition whilst experimenting with new flavour and ingredient combinations. Another principle I insist on is the process at Gradi we create and work with the pizza dough by hand, as generations have done before us. While it could be simple to use newly created machines to do it, we stick to the traditional processes. Whilst tradition will always be at the heart of what I do, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge that modern technology and foods have helped me significantly. From our pizza to our pasta and gelato, we cook using a combination of traditional and modern techniques, and we combine traditional ingredients with new tastes. Regardless of what food you make, or how you make it, it is paramount you stay relevant to those who will eat it if you want to remain successful. It is important to remember what makes your food unforgettable, but it is equally important that you don’t become forgettable because you are not keeping up with demand or competition.

The Granny’s Pearls

Chapter 3 - The two previous chapters were published in Segmento March-May & June-August editions.

Ciriana is an attractive and highly educated woman in her late thirties who works as a managing partner of a Rome subsidiary of a blue chip American consultancy. Fifteen years ago she had a beautiful love story with Maurizio - they met while they were studying at the University of Florence. After graduating, they both got a scholarship at New York University and moved to New York together. Their love bloomed in the Big Apple: they were looking forward to being married and having a happy life together until something happened that set them apart. Ciriana has long recovered from her heartbreak, though she still wears the scar of it. She has since remained single, devoting herself to her career. One day she receives an email that shatters her peace of mind: it’s from Maurizio. She refrains from reading it but she cannot help from reading the subject line: “I dream to see you in your granny’s pearls again.” These words have the effect of re-opening the wound which she tries to sooth by visiting her family and talking about the email with the only person whose judgement she can fully trust, her mother. This new chapter reveals what made Maurizio disappear from Ciriana’s life. Fiocco, a short fit and flare dress with a long cuffed sleeves and a contrasting neckline finished with a bow tie. A smart afternoon outfit. The photo taken at Piazza del Popolo, Rome. Photographer Stefano Micchia

Petunia

Dalia

A lessandro Baldetti ©

LEFT PAGE black dress of a pencil line with a V-back in a contrasting colour. A universal all-day outfit (office-afternoon-evening). Dalia, a pencil dress with long chiffon sleeves made of exquisite textiles. Its cobalt blue colour makes you stand out. Photos taken by Villa Borghese in Rome Vento, a summer shoulder-strap dress made of exquisite soft lace for hot summer taken in front of Rome. THIS PAGE Begonia, a flared cocktail dress with a wrap top and a stand-up collar, ideal for elegant afternoon occassions. Photo taken by Marco Girolami in Villa Borghese in Rome Libra, a fit and flare dress with a V-neck and a white marine-type collar. Ideal for spring garden parties. The photo taken on the bridge in front of Castel Sant’ Angelo, Rome.Photographer Stefano Micchia

PRE VIOUS PAGE Vinnie, a pearl grey office and afternoon dress with accentuated cuffs, collar and belt. Fit and flare cut with narrow long sleeves LEFT Vilone, a cobalt blue cocktail dress with a wrap bodice, V-neck and 3/4 sleeves. Flared skirt and material bow-tie belt. BELOW Vito, a formal navy blue shirt dress with long sleeves finished with cuffs. Body fitting form, ideal for office with a sober dress code.

All images shot by Alessandro Baldetti in Rome at

Petunia, a little Marco Girolami in parties. The photo the Colosseum,

Piazza Mincio. C iriana and Maurizio’s December 2002 was meant to be the first and the last Christmas time spent away from Florence. They were about to graduate from the law faculty at New York University in merely they had sent their daughter away to earn some space and “put things in order.” Diana seemed a spoiled daddy’s girl with her year-round tan and a constant need to focus other people’s attention on herself. It appeared that © Marco G irolami two months, with the plan to return this time the toy she was aiming home for good. to get was a handsome foreigner, Their families talked about investing Maurizio. money in a common venture - a small Diana was different from Italian girls. law firm - where the young couple She looked tacky for Ciriana’s taste would start their jobs. But first they with her multi-coloured skin tight should get married! The plan however, clothes and heavy make-up that she failed. wore at all times, even on the slopes. to be continued FASHION 15 Wham’s “Last Christmas” video evokes an understanding for and Maurizio’s desire to spend at least one last season’s holidays having fun with friends at the snow, rather than at the table with parents and cousins. With the young couple’s enthusiasm awakened, Ciriana and her boyfriend invited a massive group of friends to an amazing ski resort in the Catskills Mountains. Young and beautiful, clad in branded ski wear, exploring unbelievably well-prepared hills, experiencing cross-country skiing and backcountry tours, they were spending the last days of the year enjoying their freedom. Ending up each day enjoyably tired in one of the aprè ski bars and clubs, they were engaging themselves in playful uncommitted flirting, dancing, drinking and lazy conversations about professional dreams. It was in one of those moments when Ciriana noticed an uncommon interest of one of the girls in her own boyfriend. Diana, was new to the circle of friends. She had just appeared at the NYU campus moving from the west coast. Her parents who lived in California, were allegedly getting divorced and Her style was completely different from how Italian girls used moderate colour shades and tonalities; how they preferred exposing natural rather than fake attributes. Diana’s looks were bringing associations with a colourful exotic bird attracting everybody’s glances. Ciriana was used to other women around her boyfriend, likewise with Italian boys flirting just to pump up their egos. She was there, however, side by side, guarding attentively her territory, not a bit less attractive than her partner or any of the young girls around. Until the day of an accident that changed everything. It happened when craving the excitement of exploring the backcountry. With untouched white powder the group decided to go for off-site skiing. One improper decision based on misjudged situation and Maurizio was lying flat on the hill, his eyes shut, the helmet thrown apart and the crimson stain growing on the white from behind his head. It looked terrible, but Maurizio was alive, rescued immediately by energetic friends, supported later by their mighty parents and by Ciriana herself, scared to death. The boy spent nearly two weeks in a state of coma and then long weeks and months in a hospital looked after by his girlfriend, his soccer team fellows, boys and girls visiting him less and less frequently. The good news were that he was slowly but consistently recovering, unfortunately his head damage did not allow him to be transported back to Italy. Ciriana’s university term was coming to an end; she was no longer able to stay in the US . She came back to Florence but instead of celebrating her new degree she was exhausted and clueless about the future. The two families were doing all they could to ensure that Maurizio had the best medical assistance money could buy. Weeks and months were passing by and everybody expected that he would finally return home. Instead, to the family’s bewilderment, they got his phone call with a statement that he was staying in New York and getting married to Diana, the only person who stood by him in this difficult time. Bergonia