CULTURE CAPITAL

Genoa was designated the culture capital of Europe by the European Union Ministers of Culture in 2004. The birthplace of Columbus and Italys sixth largest city, Genoa covers 93 square miles and is fast becoming a tourist destination for lovers of history and art.

Its Palazzo Ducale, or Doge’s Palace, was first used as a seat of government in 1339. Today it is an art gallery, but some of its halls are furnished in period pieces that recall Genoa’s history.

The knights in the first Crusade left from Genoa; one of Europe’s first banks was founded there in the early 15th century; the remains of St. John the Baptist are preserved in the city’s Cathedral of San Lorenzo museum. The Flemish painter Paul Peter Reubens (1577-1640) loved the city so much that he made it his second home.

Source: Italian American Magazine

New to Rome’s noisy streets is the sound of Arabic music played on hand-held drums and exotic stringed instruments. The sound reflects Italys changing demographics – and the presence of 700,000 Muslims who now call Italyhome.

Since 1990, Muslims from Europe, Africa and the Middle East have flocked to Italyand now outnumber both the Jewish and Protestant communities there. Still, there are fewer Muslims in Italythan in France (5 million), Germany(3.5 million) and Great Britain(1.5 million).

Some Muslims have lobbied to remove the crucifixes from Italys public schools while others would prefer separate classes for Muslim children. But many are finding ways to keep their traditions while adapting to life in Italy. They treat themselves to the occasional glass of wine, but encourage their women to wear headscarves and the men to grow beards. And jeans, not traditionally worn in the Middle East, are seen on both Muslim men and women in Italy.

Source: Italian American Magazine