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