Benvenuti and Welcome to all my Lovely Followers around the World,
La Mercantia at Certaldo 2017. Foto from official website.
Since Wednesday, parking spaces in our local town of Certaldo, have been swallowed up by tourists, both foreign and Italian. Why? Because we are celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the hugely popular Mercantia, and today (Sunday) is the last day. If you are going, be prepared for a very long walk in from the outskirts of town, however, if you have not been before, it will be well worth it. The festivities don’t really get going until after six in the evening, many make the mistake of going in the mornings and find everything is silent as the revellers sleep off the night before.
Extract from the official website at www.mercantiacertaldo.it Alessandro Gilgli – Artistic Concept. “La grande festa (the big party) that I have in mind and that has gradually come to be is a festival that draws attention to all the possibilities and events that tend to immerse us in a unique, global spectacle, a vortex of energy. Only our festival has been able to create this in recent years. Our stage is the medieval town of Certaldo, with its red bricks and buildings, the very place for a party like ours. Like the stage of a theatre, Certaldo has offered us all its opportunities, creating osmosis, a delicate balance of all the ingredients of the festival. The stuff our dreams are made on is the materials of the artisan, the substance of our shows, the lines drawn in every direction, our people, the lights, the platforms, the attention and the experience we put into every aspect. All this has enabled the festival to create a new history for street theatre in Italy.”
The view to the bottom of Via Giugno from Jam Caffe. Foto J Finnigan
Yesterday, Saturday, and to avoid a long walk, my man and I parked in the station car park and enjoyed our morning coffee at Jam Caffe. This was most pleasant, and the atmosphere was very vibrant. So instead of being at the top of Via Giugno, we were at the bottom and a nice view we had too.
The Boom Town Rats. Foto La Repubblica
Meanwhile, the Boomtown Rats are in Italy! I read in La Repubblica that the band will be in Cortona on 20th July, now a popular venue for many stars, particularly Sting who lives, or should I say has a farmhouse and land, nearby. There was a big writeup about ‘Bandaid in the 80’s’ and Bob commented roughly along the lines that the world has changed, but there is still starvation going on.
Astronaut Paolo Nespoli, La Reppublica.
But enough of that, what about the interview with Hunky Italian Astronaut Paolo Nespoli! At 60, on 28th July, this amazing man is returning to the stars for the third time, to undertake more scientific research. Well, he may not be as young as my average hunk, but he is certainly braver. Bravo Paolo, you are my Hunk of the Month!
Festa della Fiat 500. La Repubblica
Oh, on a much lighter note, Italians so love the Fiat 500 and last week there was a big Festa to celebrate this little car. Described as feminine, familiar and sexy in La Repubblica, in my view ‘too small and rather boring,’ but here in Italy it’s a bit like the love of the Mini in England. So, thousands of the little blighters were travelling in convoy all over the place!
Anyway, today we are going out to lunch at Borgo Antico in Tavernelle. We haven’t been for a while because every time I ring, the restaurant is full of families celebrating another Baptismo, so no tables available! Fortunately, I bumped into the owner at the supermercato and she said she would keep a table for us. I’ll let you know……
Have a great week and do drop me a line, I love to hear from you!
Salute June x
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I must tell you that lots of Contemporary Wine and Art Events are going on around us and I should mention those run by The Vitalita Cultural Association, a number of which we will be attending. The events include wine tasting, art exhibitions, live music and dance, in stunning locations. So this will keep the visitors occupied when it’s raining. Visit the English version 
So what’s been happening on the political scene? Ah, not surprisingly, Matteo Renzi, having resigned as Prime Minister, has got himself elected back in as leader of the PD party. Of course, he’s one of those pretty boys of politics and used to be the mayor of Florence. The girlies love him, just like they adored Silvio Berlusconi who is eighty now, but still attracts a big following! So Matteo could be running the country again by the end of the year!
What else, oh yes, I have to share this picture with you. The Italian shoe designers have mastered the elegant flat shoe look and I just love these, and the handbag of course.
And finally, for now, here is ‘man and dog’ of the month. Only Gucci can come up with such a beautiful picture. What is your favourite fashion brand?
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