Bologna, Italy
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Over the centuries, Bologna has acquired many nicknames: "the learned one" (
la dotta) is a reference to its famous university; "the fat one" (
la grassa) refers to its cuisine. The red one" (
la rossa) originally refers to the colour of the roofs in the historic centre, but this nickname is also connected to the political situation in the city, started after World War II: until the election of a centre-right mayor in 1999, the city was renowned as a bastion of socialism and communism. The city of Bologna was appointed a UNESCO City of Music on 29 May 2006. According to UNESCO, "As the first Italian city to be appointed to the Network, Bologna has demonstrated a rich musical tradition that is continuing to evolve as a vibrant factor of contemporary life and creation. It has also shown a strong commitment to promoting music as an important vehicle for inclusion in the fight against racism and in an effort to encourage economic and social development.
During this visit, we traveled to the Maserati's headquarters to check out the new cars and learn about manufacturing processes. A Balsamic Vinegar company and a winery in Tuscany...
