Petals in the city

Flowers and plants will grow anywhere if they can get established. Here in Molise villages, towns and cities rarely have gardens but there are often flowers in pots on balconies or outside on the doorstep.

The colours are vibrant brightening up passageways in the old villages.

In cities like Campobasso the capital of the region there are still glimpses of colour in gateways and even growing on abandoned houses.

Growing up in England I have always been used to tidy lawns and neat manicured borders but here it is very different. If you had a lawn in the north of Italy they used to call it an English garden.

Flowers add beauty and colour to any environment, even in a city or a village street.

Here are just a few of the flowers I have seen here over the last month.
Once again even in the colours on a city street Molise has captured by heart ... I hope it captures yours too ,...... Here is a slide show of flowers in Molise this summer,,,
http://slide.ly/view/6d8ed0c2dca81427e2b5af088f336c10

Enjoy ..

Lucito Art

Lucito is a village in Molise, it has seen a significant decline in numbers over the years, and now sadly like so many others here is suffering.

It is still a fairly vibrant village certainly in the summer, when many  people return to spend time with their family, enjoy the beautiful countryside and the festivals.

I was absolutely delighted when I was asked to join the panel of judges for the annual art competition.

An old church, La Capella Marchesale San Gennaro, in the village which is no longer used for services hosted the event making an excellent venue for artists, and local people to congregate both to participate and to view the paintings both before and after the competition.

Just like any other festival in Molise the event was not just about the art. There was food of course. I have not been to a festa yet where food was not provided.

In Lucito a delicious feast had been set out, with local savory and sweet dishes, as well as some very tasty breads, wine and water.

Nobody went hungry and we were all given a box of food to take home with us, which I shared with my partner for lunch today.. thanks again Lucito.

Having studied and worked in many fields related to art all my life I am passionate about seeing it's application in any form.

It doesn't matter if it is sculpture, a poem, a piece of music a wall mural, a ceramic vase,  a necklace, or a painting art gives so much pleasure both to the creator and those who have the opportunity to admire it.

l'Associazione Altair 

in Lucito has been running an art competition for twenty five years. Sadly this time there were very few entries but this did not deter  those who entered .

The standard of work from all sixteen of the participants was extremely high. They were able to paint anything they wanted, and although many chose a subject related to the village, others  painted something completely different. There was a woman in a funky hat and  glasses, an elegant black woman, and even a couple of very colourful elephants.

THE WINNERS

The picture which won was very much in the style of Van Gogh. It was a vibrant starlit view over the village

Second  was a colourful painting of musicians which almost sang to as stood looking at it.

Third was a painting of African woman walking along the beach carrying a heavy burden, which certainly made an impact on the audience.

https://livepainting.jimdo.com/foto-gallery/foto-2017/

The pictures can all be seen on this webpage
Thank you.

The judges were not hugely influenced by ability or technique but more by personal preference and that certainly impacted on the outcome.

There is certainly nothing wrong with personal prefernce being the deciding factor, and indeed perhaps it the best road to take in a competion like this.

The majority of the artists were professional, and make their living from painting. For a number of others it was just a hobby, but this was not reflected in their work, as it was all of an exceptionally high standard.

Local artists from surrounding villages and even Isernia took part. I look forward to meeting with them all over the next few months to write about them at length.

Perhaps it is something in the air here in Molise or possibly just living in such incredible beautiful unspoilt area the has created so many artists over the centuries and still continues to do so.

Long may it last. I have spoken to many people in Molise who want to see an increase in tourism.
Any event like this would be ideal as a carrot to attract artists from further afield. 

Molise needs tourism but it needs to be responsible sustainable tourism... I hope it comes before it is too late.

It was certainly encouraging to see local people working so hard to run this art event, and it is people like this who are going to continue to support and sustain both Lucito and Molise, so well done everyone.

Well DONE LUCITO, and all the artists who took part.

Molise, those summer nights

Molise ... Those summer nights

 Molise does EXCIST 

Molise you have so much to offer.

I have only just started out on my quest to make a life here and to help put Molise on the map for discerning travellers and explorers who want to see something different.

Here in Molise you have it all...beaches, mountains, castles, excellent food and wine.. something for everyone.

I know some are a little possessive and want to keep Molise's secrets hidden from the world, afraid that if publicised Molise will become like Tuscany, Lombardy or Rome

But you something really has to be done as there is so much hidden away and so much that is going to waste.

This summer I have been overwhelemed by all the events and festivals there are.

Wild west Shows, Straw Theatre, Outside Cinema, Comedy, Music and Fireworks

In fact there are so many I cannot fit them all in, and on many occasions have been to several events in one day.

Some events have been a little disappointing, no names mentioned. They are all  FREE too ... something you rarely  find in the UK.

But on the whole they are well organised,  and the food and drink is cheap and plentiful.

Sadly food like chips are all too common place ... Somethings do change !!! ( Here in Campobasso and Termoli there are shops selling CHIPS with a variety of sauces.. You can even have NUTELLA on your CHIPS... I have not tried it YET,



The whole family goes along too, and participates in whatever is going on.

Molise you are amazing.. Share your riches, and reap the benefits

Molise, merely women

Last week I was in Lucito helping the women of the village carry a statue around the village.

I was greatly impressed by the fortitude and solidarity of the women both young and not so young.

 

In contrast this week I  discovered a plethora of art and culture in the village of Castelbottaccio.

It is  virtually on my doorstep as my house sits on the hillside between the two villages of Lucito and Castelbottaccio.


 On two consecutive evenings in late July
local people were treated to art through  literature,comedy and satire. 

The first was the presentation of the work of the artist Federica Gonnelli http://www.federicagonnelli.it/   fThis was following her residency in the village last year, which was organised  by the group
VIS aVis www.limitinchusi.jimdo.com

They organise and fund residencies every year for artists, who travel to the region from all over the world.


Federica hails from Florence, one of the most prestigious art and cultural centres of  the world. She doesn't express her art on a flat page but through photography, video and in other three dimensional forms.

I spoke with Federica too about  Molise.. 
She told me how much she had enjoyed staying in the village, and marvelled at everyones generosity,  friendliness. 

Living in Florence,  she often spends time in the Tuscan countryside but said how she too had fallen  in love with Molise.

When I met she had just returned to present her project formally to the village and enjoy once more their generous hospitality.

You can see her video and some of her work on her FACEBOOK page. If you visit the village you can see those connected with the VIS e VIS project in the town hall..

 Here in Molise it is almost obligatory to provide food for any event, large or small. The region's food is exceptional, and this event was no exception. A reputable feast was set out on tables in front of  the town hall and everyone tucked into with relish.

There clearly seemed to be a sense of communal pride in Federicà's project too,which was such a pleasure to witness. Art, culture and music, something for everyone.

What next? 

Well for Federica it means leaving Molise's  kaleidoscope of colour  to head back to Florence where she is starting work on another project. Life moves on, but she will always remember with fondness her time in Castelbottaccio

In  the words of the Spanish artist Salvador Dali an artist is not one who inspires but one who inspires others. It is certainly apparent in Castelbottaccio that Federica was an inspiration to others.

The festivities were not one evening but several. When they party here in Molise they certainly do it in style.

The second evening in a small courtyard tucked away in the centre of the village the annual literary event was held hosted  in honor of Donna Olympia Frangipane.

She was a woman of fortitude who in the eighteenth century stood up against the system.
 A motivational force too for others she hosted political and philosophical debates at the castle in the village putting herself and others in jeopardy. This culminated in  arrests and a threat of capital punishment which ultimately was not carried out.

There was no doubt that she was a woman of substance, whose life impacted significantly on the tumultuous regional politics of the time.

In Italy the situation regarding women is  ionic. The Catholic church ultimately respects the Virgin Mary most vehemently, as is the role of the Mother. She provides for the family and is therefore remains at the pivotal centre of the home.

Sadly however there is still a great deal of discrimination regarding women, but villages like Lucito which has had a woman as Mayor for many years, and I am sure that many will follow in her footsteps.

The winning stories from the literary competition were announced, and read aloud with passion and intensity by Palma Spina outstanding actress and comedian .

once again a delectable feast of regional specialities was served, and everyone tucked in contently.

finally to conclude the evening's events Palma presented her own show, which was absolutely outstanding. A cocktail of humour, and political satire it certainly hit the mark and the whole audience whose age varied widely certainly lapped it up.

Once more Molise has amazed  me, another little village, just a few miles along the road has shown me there is certainly more to Molise than meets the eye

Thank you everyone in Castelbottaccio



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