News - February 5, 2010

SUF students to volunteer in earthquake-torn Abruzzo

Ever since a major earthquake struck the region of Abruzzo on April 6, 2009, Vittoria Tettamanti, Coordinator of the SUF Volunteer Program, has had a dream: to involve SUF students in the volunteer efforts that, almost one year later, are still crucial to the survival of the town. Says Tettamanti, “After having seen our students work side by side with Italian volunteers in the Florence Marathon and the Corri la Vita Marathon last semester, it finally felt like the time was right.”

The trip will take place 20-21 February. Tettamanti will accompany a group of ten SUF students to Abruzzo. While she has repeatedly reminded those interested that this is not a field study with sightseeing, but rather, a volunteer mission to help make a difference in others’ lives, she is convinced that as long as the students bring a spirit of adaptation and flexibility, this can be one of their most memorable weekends in Italy. And despite the ‘promised’ frugal living situation, these students are ready to bring pillows and sleeping bags, along with plenty of energy for hard work.

Students will do community work, divided into groups according to personal and language skills, side by side with other volunteers. Lunch and dinner will be a community affair, where all volunteers eat together. After dinner a group discussion will take place. Tettamanti is confident that the circumstances will help to overcome any language barriers. Sleeping quarters will also undoubtedly be a new experience for the students—they will sleep in 'pre-fabricated' dorm facilities, with separate facilities for males and females.

Charlotte Watts, Emory University, will also accompany the group, documenting the weekend activities as part of her photography internship.

The organization of the trip to Abruzzo was not at all easy, given that one has to work through other organizations to do so. Says Tettamanti with a wry smile, “It took months of communication—many emails, letters, and phone calls.” This is the first group of American students to help out in Abruzzo, and Tettamanti is confident the ‘americani’ will give 100%. She is proud of how the students clearly communicated their interest in the project as they signed up via email:  "I would love to donate my time to help,” “I am extremely interested in helping out on the Abruzzo trip,” and “Sounds fantastic. When do we go?”

Tettamanti also announced with pleasure that three elementary schools in Abruzzo are “waiting with open arms” for students to return in March 2010 for SUF’s signature storytelling sessions, where they will read, and teach, in English I Wish That I Had Duck Feet, by Dr. Seuss. Says Tettamanti, “To give to the children in Abruzzo, who have lost so much, the same possibilities we give every semester to the children in Florence fills me with great joy.”


Upcoming SUF Events

"Like Fathers like Sons: Accounts of the Origins of the City in Late Medieval and Renaissance Florence"
Stefano Baldassarri
The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai
Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The lecture assesses the ways in which Florentines tried to retrace the origins of their city from the earliest written chronicles (early XIII century) to Machiavelli's time. Emphasis will be put on how such accounts mirrored their times' political demands by complying with the ideology of the ruling party. By the end of the Quattrocento, however, the Medici oligarchy managed to reshape the myth of Florence. In so doing, it also promoted an innovative theory on the city's beginnings thanks to Angelo Poliziano's philological expertise.

"Fascism: Past and Present"
Andrea Mammone
Kingston University London
Sponsored by Matteo Duni, Associate Professor, SUF
Monday, March 29, 2010

This lecture will briefly analyze the genesis and developments of fascism in inter-war Europe. It will then discuss the evolution of the extreme/radical right since 1945. With examples from contemporary Italy, France, England and the U.S., it will raise some doubts as to whether the contemporary extreme/radical right should be perceived as something particularly novel.
In this lecture, the idea of the existence of an alleged new “national populism” in Western Europe and the U.S. will be discussed, and challenged, showing that such parties still manifest fascist, xenophobic
and undemocratic tendencies.

All lectures, unless otherwise specified, will be held at 6:20pm, in room 13 of the Villa Rossa.