Dr. Lawrence Kahn will speak on Florence’s famous Ospedale degli Innocenti the first  commission of Filippo Brunelleschi, the extraordinary fifteenth century architect and engineer. The earliest example of Italian Renaissance architecture, the Ospedale is a model of architectural elegance, grace, and beauty and has served as inspiration for countless structures including our own Soulard Market. But, the Ospedale’s function  as a foundling hospital is equally remarkable; for over 600 years it has provided care for children - the longest continuous history of any known such institution. The Ospedale’s loggia has a special significance for American pediatricians - for one of the della Robbia sculpted bambini that adorn its facade became the insignia of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  This building represents a significant social and cultural landmark of humanism during the "quattrocento". 

   Lawrence Kahn, M.D. is a retired pediatrician.  Trained at St. Louis Children's Hospital, he engaged in the private practice of pediatrics in St. Louis for close to twenty years and then became a member of the full time pediatric faculty at Washington University School of Medicine. Currently his major activity is with the Lifelong Learning Institute of Washington University, an organization for seniors engaged in pursuing their intellectual interests. 
 

   Due to its being destroyed and deeply covered over, it took centuries to piece together the puzzle of the location and  physical make-up of the second greatest city of the Roman Empire, Lugdunum ( modern Lyon), which reached its zenith during the Pax Romana (69-192 AD ).  The difficult process of investigation, resulting in this exciting discovery, is clearly disclosed in the illuminating book, “Lyon the Mirror of Rome,” written by the preeminent archeologist, Amable Audin. Using this book as his main source, Dr. Salvatore Sutera, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Washington University, and who as a Fulbright fellow taught at the University of Paris, gave a very lucid talk, illustrated with slides, on this intriguing subject. 

   Modern Lyon is situated at the confluence of two major rivers, the Rhône and the Saône, located about 350 km southeast of Paris. Prior to the Roman invasion there was an important Celtic trading center on the low land of the peninsula.
The conquest of Gaul (modern France) was completed by Julius Caesar’s army in 50 BC, after suppressing the Celtic tribes and expelling the Germanic invaders. 

   In 43 BC the Roman General Plancus, co-governor of the province of Gaul, established the new city of Lugdunum, on the high ground, on what is now Fourvier? Hill and the Sarra Plateau where Caesar had earlier established his military base. Lugdunum derives from Lougdounos, named by the Celts after one of their gods.  Roman engineers outlined the city’s boundary, defined its circumference, and determined directional axes with the aid of a special instrument called the “groma.” As a result of the earlier further applications of this engineering technique, surveyors, already knowing the year (43 BC) when the city was laid out, were able to work out the exact day, October 9, that Lugdunum was founded.

   In 16 BC Emperor Augustus mandated that Lugdunum be made the capital of the “Three Gauls”-the region’s west, north, and east quadrants - and construction, which included a theatre, forum, market, and palace was begun.

   Four great aqueducts to transport water to the high ground were built under Emperor Claudius, a native son of Lugdunum.  Other new structures were constructed under the Antonini dynasty of seven emperors. These included Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius. Consequently, a “metropolis” came into being.

   Adjacent to the monumental buildings were the quarters for the common people, similar to those in Pompeii and Herculaneum, with shops on the street level and living quarters above, and streets with high curbs to carry storm water and to keep vehicles confined to the streets.  Magnificent villas had beautifully decorated mosaic floors, one of which can be seen, still in its exact location, in the Subterranean Museum.
The amphitheatre of the three Gauls, the oldest (19 AD) in Gaul, is a sacred site for all Christians due to the persecution of Christians in Lugdunum, under Marcus Aurelius, and of the torture and killing of Sainte Blandine in 177 AD.

   Two notable findings which enabled archeologists to pinpoint the site of these slayings, were a preserved letter written in 177 by surviving Christians of Lugdunum to fellow Christians in Asia Minor describing these events; and the Claudian Tablet, a bronze plaque containing a speech by Emperor Claudius to the Roman Senate in 48 AD, calling for citizenship for the Gauls.

   This plaque, was placed in the Federal Sanctuary, close to the amphitheatre, but torn down in the 12th century. Parts of the plaque were discovered in 1528 on the peninsula.  Also found was a sign dedicating the amphitheatre to Emperor Tiberius  Subsequent searching uncovered the amphitheatre buried under the botanical gardens. .
   Caracalla, who became emperor in 221, and who granted citizenship to all the free people of the empire, was the last Roman emperor 

   As Lugdunum went downhill at the end of the second century, a savage battle, caused by imperial power struggle, was fought at Lugdunum.  Seven years later, after the Gauls revolted and raiders, in effect, halted the water supply by stealing the lead from the aqueducts, the residents were forced to move to an island in the confluence, establishing a new Lugdunum. 

   From then on and into the middle ages the cut stone of the buildings on Fourvier? Hill and the Sarra Plain was cannibalized.  Lyon grew on the subterranean foundation of the city of Lugdunum. 

   After a long and tough winter the signs of spring are beginning to show. Our March meeting was well attended; the highlights were the St. Joseph’s bread and the legend behind the Fava bean. Thanks to Marianne Peri Sack for doing this for us. Additionally, the very interesting presentation by member, Sal Sutera. 

   At our April meeting, Dr. Larry Kahn will be our presenter.  We will also honor two students from Washington University with the Fred Giacomo Award given by Southwest Bank and the Frank LoPiccolo and Mario Pertici Award given by the Italian Club.  These awards recognize these exemplary students with financial assistance for their study this summer in Arezzo, Italy.

   Annually, at its June meeting,  the Club presents its Italian Heritage Award to an individual who has distinguished him or herself through unselfish community service. Please contact a member of our Board with your nominations.  We ask that you include a brief explanation giving the reasons why you think the person should receive the award.

   In the coming months we have many exciting programs for you and look forward to seeing you there.  Bring your family, friends and other guests. We are always pleased to have a full house. 

   As I mentioned during the March meeting your officers and board members have been working to bring refinements to various areas of our organization.  We want to make sure that all members feel included and part of the ICSL family.  The board is planning a half-day working session on a Saturday afternoon within the next few weeks. At this meeting we hope to further define and refine the Clubs’ by-laws, put the final touches on committee responsibilities and other organizational issues. 
I will close for now and hope to see many of you at the April meeting.  Remember to call and make your reservation!!!  May the coming of Easter allow you spend time with loved ones. I love this time of year. Everything feels new, fresh and the spirit rejuvenated. 

   Buona Pasqua, Jim
jtognoni@earthlink.net

   "Congratulations to Dr. Rebecca Messbarger on her recent attainment of tenure at Washington University and on the publication of her book "The Century of Women: Representations of Women in Eighteenth-Century Italian Public Discourse". The book discusses five 18th-century Italian texts by male and female authors whose leit-motifs are women: they include an academic debate, a scientific tract, an oration, an Enlightenment journal and a fashion magazine. The Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago nominated the book for the International Flaiano Prize that is awarded by the Ministry of Italian Culture.

   Dr. Messbarger, who is an assistant professor of Italian, has given several interesting presentations to the Italian Club." 

submitted by Barbara Klein
 

May 21- "Smartness and Beauty:  Italian Medicine from the Renaissance through the Eighteenth Century", presenter Lilla Vekerdy, Washington University School of Medicine

June 18- “Annual Report from the Vice Consul of Italy in St. Louis”,   presenter Joseph Colagiovanni, Esq.
Presentation of the Italian Heritage Award 

July 16- “Italian Cookies and Biscotti”, presenter Joann Arpiani

Friday, May 9- Pane e Tulipani   
In this contemporary comedy by Silvio Soldini, housewife Rosalba, bored with her life, takes a sudden opportunity for freedom when she is unexpectedly separated from everyone during a one day trip.  The beauty of Venice, together with her new-found freedom lead her to romance and self-discovery. (l hour, 40 minutes)

Friday, May 16- La Cenerentola
Gioacchino Rossini’s delightful, sparkling, comic opera of the fairy tale, Cinderella, is full of bubbling fun, wit, speed, and grace.  Cinderella, goodness personified, is a perfect foil for her two stupid, vain, and cruel stepsisters.  The distinguished cast more than fulfill the vocal demands of the music. (2 hours, 44 minutes)
 

Soltanto nel secondo secolo giunse il rito di festeggiare la resurrezione di Gesu’.  Siccome volevano un simbolo di rinascimento hanno scelto questo periodo.  I cristiani credono che Gesu’.  Era mandato dal Signore per partecipare nel grande sacrificio (dando la Sua Vita) per la redenzione dei pecati del’uomo.  La resurrezione realizza la teoria pagana che aspettavano la rinascita dopo un invero desolato e morto.  Dopo le funzioni religiose benedivono le uova e distribuivano alla congregazione.

“Inizialmente, nella Bibbia, la Pasqua indicava l’agnello immolato dagli Israeliti in Egitto; essi avevano messo il suo sangue sugli stipiti e sull’architrave delle porte a avevano mangiato la sua carne.  Grazie a questo sacrificio l’angelo distruttore era passato oltre gli Israeliti senza far loro del male.”  Se uno ricorda Cristo vien chiamato “agnello” ed era sacrificato.

La parola “Pasqua” viene dal verbo ebraico Pèsach che significava passare oltre, proteggere o salvare.  Per I cristiani questo e’ il significato di Pasqua.

Assieme ai cristiani gli ebrei festeggiono questo periodo (ovviamente con diverse idee).  Gli ebrei ricordano la fuga e la liberazione dall’Egito.  Pesach!

“Per quanto riguarda le tradizioni pasquali, oggi, come allora ritroviamo sulle tavole I segni del ringraziamento verso la natura, mescolati a simboli religiosi che ricordano gli eventi principali del Cristianesimo.  La presenza del pane sulla tavola ha significato votivo, nel ricordo della discendenza dal sovrannaturale, prodigio della germinazione del grano, ricordo del pane azzimo (il pane senza lievito consumato dalgi Ebrei in occasione della fuga dall’Egitto).   L’uovo fa parte integrante della ricorrenza, un auspicio di fecondità).

Sulla tavola italiana, oltre le uova e pane, si trovano torte salate, torte verdi, la torta pasqualina, antico piatto genovese, la torta di Pasqua al formaggio di origine umbra, la crescia di Pasqua merchigiana e le pizza al formaggio campane ripiene di uova, percorino, farina e olio d’oliva, gli “aceddi cu l’ova” siciliani.

Diversi luoghi hanno diversi dolci e pasti.  A Campania, per esempio, mangiano la pastiera, un dolce napolitano che consiste di grano ammollato cotto in latte e zucchero, a base di ricotta, uova, latte, essenza di fiori d’arancio.  Torta Pasquale viene dalla Sicilia.  Pizza di Pasqua viene da Mugello e da Civitavecchia.  Un pane dolce “la colomba” origine lombarda e’ mangiato in tutta Italia.

Alla prossima, 

Carolina