Saturday, August 19, 2006

Italy's Most Scottish Town - Barga Holds Scottish Week Celebration

The ANNOTICO Report

 

Emigration from Italy, touched all parts of the earth. In the process, The Father led the way, followed by the Family , then by Friends, and then Members of the Town. This was true as well in Scotland. 

 

So many  from the small Tuscan town of Barga emigrated to Scotland, but so many returned, and the balance maintain a close relationship, resulting in a  "Scottish Week" officially opened by actress Daniela Nardini, celebrating those links with Events, a Market, and Concerts, with Scots-Italian singers Paolo Nutini, and  Adriana Spina.

 

Daniela Nardini. was born in Largs (west Coast of Scotland), into the famous ice-cream manufacturing family, who migrated from Tuscany in 1890. Nardini trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. Her break came with the role of Anna in the acclaimed television series This Life (1996), which won her a BAFTA award. She has subsequently had other successful television roles; namely Reckless (1997), Rough Treatment (2000), Outside the Rules (2002) and Sirens (2002). She has also starred in the film Festival (2005), a black comedy set during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. 

 

Paolo Nutini, from Paisley, Scotland, a teenager has the face of a Benetton model and the voice of a 50-year old soak. Nutini's songs suggest he knows an awful lot about the vicissitudes of life and love, and demonstrate his unique gift for expressing in song the attitudes and experiences of someone his age. Despite the Italian name, the Nutini family have lived in Paisley for at least four generations. Paolo's great-grandfather opened the fish and chip shop in Paisley, which his parents now run. Paolo grew up hanging out and later working in the shop but was always surrounded by music. When the opportunity arose to tour the UK as a roadie for a friends band, Paolo quit school in Glasgow and the die was cast. After moving to London, he performed regularly at the Bedford in Balham, later signing to Atlantic Records shortly after his 18th birthday. Paolo Nutini's mesmerising world-worn rasp and effortlessly rich tones will shift your senses to a readin! g somewhere between Marvin Gaye, Rod Stewart and even Louis Armstrong.

Adriana Spina is a classically trained singer from age 13, Adriana began songwriting at 15 years old whilst in her first band, rock outfit Drain Smile (1994 -97). Adriana took a temporary sabbatical from performance whilst completing her studies at Glasgow University. After completing her degree she started to perform her songs live again,This talented 26-year-old singer/songwriter Livingston, (Scotland) lass released her debut album to critical acclaim.She has gone down a storm in the US, and was the only UK solo act invited to play the ROCKRGRL Music Conference in Seattle. Adrianas voice has that floaty, dreamy touch to it that makes it oh so appealing the songs venture into deep, thought provoking notions which are beautifully writtenthe pace and ideas has that saddening appeal that demands subtle attention.

 

TUSCAN TOWN SAVOURS SCOTTISH WEEK 

 

BBC.News

August 18, 2006

 

A week-long celebration of all things Scottish has drawn to a close in the small Italian town of Barga.

Its "Scottish Week" was officially opened by Largs actress Daniela Nardini and also featured a concert by Paisley singer Paolo Nutini.

They are among thousands of Scots Italians who have their roots in the Tuscan hilltop town.

Barga calls itself the most Scottish town in Italy with a host of events to mark links between the two countries.

Scottish Week was held from 10 to 16 August with a wide range of attractions on offer.

A Scottish market was held throughout the week offering a variety of goods for sale.

Singer Paolo Nutini staged a concert in the Teatro Dei Differenti along with fellow Scots Italian performer Adriana Spina from Livingston.

 

 

MAYOR: WE'RE SO PROUD OF OUR BOY

 

Daily Record. co.uk

August 16, 2006

Singer Paolo Nutini was congratulated for flying the flag for his ancestral home - when its leader presented him with the town colours.

Mayor Umberto Sereni officially welcomed the chart star to Barga as he played a free concert at its packed opera house.

He greeted the youngster backstage before introducing him to the delighted audience - and gifting him the Barga flag.

Mayor Sereni said: "We're all very pleased to welcome Paolo back.

"Because we have such strong links between our town and the people of Scotland, it's an honour to have a Scots-Barghigiani star performing here for us."

Paolo was playing as part of Barga's Scotland Week celebrations.

The festival set up by the Falkirk-born Italian National Tartan designer Michael Lemetti to celebrate the links and shared history between the Tuscan town and Scotland.

Hundreds of expat Scots-Italians live in Barga and thousands more visit every year to explore their roots.

Mayor Sereni said: "Barga is the most Scottish town in Italy and we're very proud of that.

"All Scottish people are very welcome here and we always hold out open arms to the people of Scotland.

"My father Bruno worked in Scotland when he was a young man.

"He was always telling me what a wonderful country it is.

"He also wrote a book about the emigration of Barghigiani to Scotland and I visit there as often as I can."

 

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