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MAY MEETING
"Gems of Italian Medical History”
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| Speaker, Lilla Vekerdy will describe and display splendid examples
of rare 15th to 18th century Italian medical books from the collections
of the Bernard Becker Medical Library of the Washington University School
of Medicine. Italian authors and artists were in the forefront of
medical development; particularly in certain disciplines as ophthalmology
and especially anatomy, during the Renaissance and the 17th century, making
memorable scientific as well as artistic contributions as seen in these
books.
In addition to focusing on the special features of these volumes, the
speaker will also discuss the history of medical illustration and printing
techniques, pointing out important details on the 500 to 200 year old originals.
There is much that a book can tell about itself from binding to watermarks,
from the content of its text to the coloring of its illustrations. Ms.
Vekerdy aspires to tell this "story", by visiting -- through these
ancient books -- Renaissance and Baroque Italy.
Lilla Vekerdy is Rare Book Librarian at the Bernard Becker Medical
Library at Washington University School of Medicine where she teaches medical
history. She did her undergraduate and graduate studies in arts and sciences
at Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary, specializing
in early prints and manuscripts. She later also lectured-on, researched,
and published critical editions of late medieval codices at Eötvös.
She is presently a doctoral candidate at Saint Louis University.
Gene Mariani
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Next Meeting Wednesday, May 21, 2003
Cocktails 6:30 PM - Dinner 7:00 PM
Da Baldo's Restaurant
RSVP Marie Cuccia-Brand
(314) 993-2252
or by email
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RECAP OF APRIL MEETING
"Brunelleschi's Ospedale degli
Innocenti - the First Foundling Hospital", presenter Larry Kahn, M.D.
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| Filippo Brunelleschi’s Ospedale degli Innocenti, in Florence, is perhaps
less well-known than his far more imposing and spectacular engineering
masterpiece the duomo of the cathedral, but from a strictly architectural
and humanistic sense, it may arguably be much more noteworthy. In this
context, speaker Larry Kahn presented the Ospedale, from the perspective
of both architectural historian and medical doctor, reviewing its three
principal characteristics; as architectural milestone, humanistic landmark,
and ground-breaking institution for the care of sick and needy children.
After Brunelleschi (1377-1446) came in second to Lorenzo Ghiberti (1378-1455)
in the fierce 1401 competition for the commission of the doors of the Baptistry
of the cathedral of Florence, he laid down his tools of goldsmith and sculptor,
never to be again picked-up, and embraced the study and practice of architecture.
Upon returning to Florence from Rome, where he had gone to inspect ancient
classical buildings, the Ospedale was Brunelleschi’s very first architectural
commission. It was to be the first truly Italian Renaissance structure;
an entirely new design concept unifying and integrating all building elements
by related measurements while maintaining classical forms. Its famous loggia,
comprised of nine arches formed by Corinthian columns, gave handsome and
functional entry while still maintaining close relationship with exterior
spaces; and the floor plan, showing typical monastery-based elements, gave
privacy while also providing ease of traffic for patients, visitors, and
workers.
Renaissance humanism was a cultural force characterized by a revived
interest in classical heritage, an individualistic and critical spirit,
and a shift in emphasis from religious to secular concerns. In the Ospedale,
Brunelleschi emphasized the building’s secular function as distinct from
any religious purpose, making it an important social and cultural expression
of early Florentine commitment to the humanist spirit. It is the oldest
institution of its type in the world - consistently providing services
to sick and abandoned children for nearly 6 centuries – continuously proclaiming
the importance of caring for abandoned infants "deserted by their parents
contrary to the law of nature".
Distinguishing features of the building are its seven different glazed
terra-cotta roundel plaques, executed in 1487 by Andrea della Robbia(1435-1525),
of bambini depicted in various types of swaddling clothes. In 1845 two
additional pair of bambini, reproductions of some of the originals, were
mounted at either end of the loggia. Of the building’s ten bambini, seven
are shown fully swaddled, from thorax to toe; two are shown still tied
below the waist or knees and with feet bound; only one figure shows a bambino
with the swaddling clothes untied and falling away from the infant and
with unbound feet. For centuries, critics have wondered why Andrea
della Robbia showed this one child with loose clothes and unbound feet.
Did he intend it to signify the liberation from the stigma
of the bambino's origins?
No one knows. In 1928, the American Academy of Pediatrics selected that
one Della Robbia bambino with the loose clothes and untied feet as the
model for the organization’s logo. Kahn surmised that this was done because
that unbound, robust, and free bambino symbolized the Academy’s dedication
to the emancipation of mankind from ignorant health care practices and
its goal of the liberation of children from illness.
Currently, the Ospedale degli Innocenti serves as a day care center,
provides community child welfare services including placement in foster
care, and monetary support. To this day, it continues to fulfill its original
mission – to be a glorious and inspiring statement of the concern of the
people of Florence for humanity. To paraphrase Isidoro Del Lungo's
epigraph of 1875, “For five centuries this has been a refuge from misery
and shame for those to whom charity never closed its door.”
Lawrence Kahn, M.D. is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics
and a retired Professor of Pediatrics at the Washington University School
of Medicine. He is currently active in the Long Life Learning Institute
of of Washington University where he leads courses in architectural history
and the works of Shakespeare. Gene Mariani
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L'ANGOLO DEL PRESIDENTE
By James Tognoni
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| My fellow members:
I am pleased to say that all appears to be well in the world of the
Italian Club. At our April meeting we learned about the Ospedale degli
Innocenti through a most interesting presentation by Dr. Larry Kahn. We
also presented the Italian Language Awards to our recipients from Washington
University.
 The two students
who were honored are: Sarah Atkinson who received the Fred Giacomo
Award sponsored by Southwest Bank and Michael Roy who received the Frank
LoPicollo and Mario Pertici Award from the Italian Club.
Congratulations to these excellent students who are pursuing study in
Italian language. We also want to thank their professors and mentors:
Doctors Carla Bossola, Rebecca Messbarger and Michael Syrimis.
I want to make mention of something that I overlooked at our last meeting.
The President of the Italian Republic honored Franco Giannotti, with the
title of Cavaliere. Please join me in congratulating Franco on this
outstanding accomplishment.
 I would also
like to congratulate Dr. Rebecca Messbarger who was nominated and voted
into the Italian Club as an Honorary Member. Dr. Messbarger has been
a speaker on numerous occasions and is truly an asset to our Italian community.
On Easter Sunday evening, if you were fortunate enough to be at the
Bocce Club, you were treated to an unbelievable performance by two visiting
groups, the Spandieratori dei Borghi e Sestien (Flag Throwers from Florence),
as well as, the Gruppo Folklo Ristico. (Folk music and dancing group
from Rome). Absolutely breathtaking!
I have a few important things for you to consider. La Rondine
will be available to you electronically. If you would rather receive
the newsletter via e-mail (electronically) instead of by conventional mail,
please contact Marie Cuccia-Brand (mcucciasbj@aol.com).
Remember that nominations for the Italian Heritage Award are due to Dorotea
Rossamano-Phillips by May 16, 2003. This will give the Board
time to make its decision for the June meeting.
Don’t forget about our next meeting on Wednesday, May 21st. Remind
your friends and fellow members to attend. Please make your reservation
in advance.
Ciao, Jim (Giacomo)
jtognoni@earthlink.net
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International Conference on Italian
Immigration
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"The Ecoistituto della Valle del Ticino” is pleased to announce its
International Conference on Italian Immigration to be held in Cuggiono,
Italy on July 19 and 20, 2003. Cuggiono is located approximately 20 miles
west of Milan and 10 miles from Malpensa Airport, in the midst of the beautiful
Ticino River Valley Park.
During the last two centuries, many Italians from Cuggiono and the
surrounding communities immigrated to the United States and settled in
cities such as St. Louis, Herrin, Detroit and Chicago.
The conference will be divided into eight seminars analyzing the reasons
for immigration, the immigrants' dreams, their establishment of "Little
Italy", immigrant integration into American society, the contributions
of immigrants to their new land, the Italian-Americans of today, and a
discussion regarding the establishment in Cuggiono of a Center for the
History of Immigration. Local excursions are planned and the conference
coincides with the local "Festa Patronale" of "Madonna del Carmine". Conference
sponsors are honored to have the participation of Prof.Gary Ross Mormino
of the University of South Florida (who wrote “Immigrants on the Hill:
Italian-Americans in St.Louis, 1882-1982”) and Prof. Rudolph Veoli, Director
of the Immigration History Research Center at the University of Minnesota,
both experts on Italian immigration. In addition, professors from Italian
universities will participate.
A display of photographs and documents related to immigration will be
held in
conjunction with the conference. Individuals with documents or photographs
related to immigration from Arconate, Cuggiono,Inveruno and other towns
in western Lombardy who would like to include such items in the display
may submit scanned copies. Interested persons should contact Oreste Magni
at orestemagni@tiscalinet.it or Prof. Eugene Mariani at 314-352-5484.
Barbara Klein
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Prossime Manifestazioni
Future Italian Club Meetings
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| May 21- "Gems of Italian Medical History", 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
The Italian Club meets the third Wednesday of each month for dinner
at
da Baldo’s Restaurant
Cocktails—6:30p.m.
Dinner- 7:00p.m.
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Spring 2003 - Classic Italian Films
and Great Operas
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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)
For additional information on our Spring Classic Italian Films
& Great Opera Series– held at the St. Louis Bocce Club at 7:30p.m
contact Dorotea Rossomanno-Phillip at (314) 535-9748 or dorotearp@aol.com
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Events of Interest
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| Lecture Series on the Italian Renaissance at the St. Louis Art
Museum
Thursday, May 8- 6:30 p.m.- “The High Renaissance in St. Louis”
by William Wallace
Thursday, May 15- 6:30 p.m.- “Titian as Realist” by Ian
Kennedy
"Venetian Ospedali" The concert by the St.
Louis Women’s Chorale is being held at a venue of typical Italian architecture
and is a tribute to the choral music written for voice and strings from
1500 to 1800 for the girl's schools and orphanages of Venice.
Date: Sat. May 17 at 8p.m. - Sun. May18 at 3p.m.
Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Rhodes & S. Kingshighway
Tickets are available at the door
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The Italian Club of St. Louis
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by Carol Mondia
| Una riflessione di Adriano Sofri
C'e' una delle poesie di Antonio Machado messe
in musica e cantate da Joan Manuel Serrat che si intitola ESPANOLITO.
Ha solo otto versi. E' facile da cantare come
una ninna nanna.
Ya hay un espanol que quiere
vivir y a vivir empieza,
entre una Espana que muere
y otra Espana que bosteza.
Espanolito que vienes
al mundo, te guarde Dios.
Una de las dos Espanas
ha de helarte el corazon.
"Ecco uno spagnolo che ha voglia di vivere e comincia
a vivere, fra una Spagna che muore e un'altra Spagna che sbadiglia. Espanolito
che vieni al mondo, ti guardi Dio, Una delle due Spagne ti ghiaccera' il
cuore"
Bambini che venite al mondo sotto un cielo di
querra.
Bambina che vieni al mondo nel gran cielo d'artificio
della notte di Baghdad. Tua madre, alla vigilia, ha incollato strisce di
scotch sui vetri delle finestre. Tuo padre ha messo al riparo nella casa
un a capretta.
Bambino che vieni al mondo in un campo dell"Inguscezia,
e tuo nonno scambia fazzoletti con i vicini di roulotte per farti festa,
e affila gia' per te una daga da vendicatore ceceno.
Bambino che vieni al mondo a Kigali, figlio di
una donna hutu e di un padre tutsi, o forse il contrario, e adotterai due
bravi genitori norvegesi.
Bambino che vieni al mondo a Manila, e se arriverai
ai nove anni sarai il piu' abile scavatore nella monnezza di tutte le Filippine.
Bambina che vieni al mondo nella periferia di
Bombay, e sarai la piu' elegante matematica di Goettingen.
Bambina che vieni al mondo aborigena a Perth,
e la tua speranza di vita e' appena di un quinto inferiore a quella degli
altri, e forse diventerai alcolista, forse correrai i quattrocento metri,
forse tutte e due.
Bambina che vieni al mondo in Uganda, e tua madre
ha il petto vuoto e non ce la fa ad alzarsi dal suo giaciglio, e ti solleva
e ti lava una sorellina macilenta che sorride.
Bambini che venite al mondo e ve ne andrete presto
dal mondo, che non e' pronto, per distrazione a darvi acqua e cuola e carezze
e medicine.
Bambini che venite al mondo e non l'avete chiesto,
prendetevi cura del mondo, Guardate che non lo distruggano."
Il futuro resta nelle mani dei giovani!
PACE A TUTTI
Carolina
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