What's Up Tuscany English (L'Arno.it)

TUSCANY IN ORANGE FOR A MONTH?
https://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/toscana-arancione-quante-settimane.html

TUSCAN ECONOMY IN DEEP RED
https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/cronaca/una-cascata-di-licenziamenti-negli-alberghi-imprese-al-limite-della-sopravvivenza-1.6022361
https://www.ilcuoioindiretta.it/economia/2021/02/12/lavoro-in-un-anno-il-manifatturiero-dimezza-le-assunzioni-il-cuoio-lascia-sul-terreno-un-terzo-degli-ingressi/92432/

THE ARSENE LUPIN OF CAPRAIA
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/14/news/longilineo-e-bravo-con-arnesi-e-casseforti-ecco-il-profilo-del-giuda-lupin-di-capraia-1.39900351
https://www.iltelegrafolivorno.it/cronaca/furti-ladri-inverno-1.6021102

A POLICEMAN WITH A HEART OF GOLD
https://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/poliziotto-scarpe-rubate-freddo-clochard.html

A 96 YEAR OLD CRIME FIGHTER
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/12/news/che-forza-a-96-anni-smaschera-il-truffatore-e-lo-fa-scappare-non-fidatevi-mai-1.39894006

Music: Blues Rock Original Instrumental
Author: Wayne John Bradley
License: Creative Commons
Link: https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be and however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the most interesting, funny or odd news from today, Tuesday February 16th 2021 as selected by our journalists. If you wish, please subscribe and share this podcast on social media, it would really help us.

On this very unusual Mardi Gras, let’s start with a story that has nothing to do with the Carnival, yet another incident happened at the hospital in Leghorn. The article from La Repubblica, follows a similar story that happened last January that caused a big uproar in town. Yet again a senior patient was dismissed from the hospital with nothing but a nappy on. The 81 year old lady, suffering from Alzheimer, had been hospitalized for an urinary tract infection and was ready to return home after a week of treatment. When the ambulance door opened, the relatives were horrified to see how she was practically naked in the bitter cold. Despite the contrition of the general medicine ward management, the nephew is outraged. Quote “When she got home, she didn’t have the feeding bag she needs to survive. She had to wait until the next morning, when the daycare nurses reattached it. She had a change of clothes, but they remained in the hospital. No one gave me any explanation on why this happened” end quote. The reaction of the hospital? Same as last time: an internal inquiry will be opened and whoever is responsible for the accident will be harshly reprimanded. Last time it didn’t do much, let’s see if this time it will be enough to stop such an unacceptable behaviour.

Instead of just following the daily evolution of the pandemic, some regional media have looked into the consequences of the extraordinary situation we’re all living in one of the key sectors of our society, the schools. On the Pisa edition of La Nazione we read a disturbing picture of the mental state of many high school students. The words of Doctor Simona Cotroneo, who leads the FairPlay project, are chilling. Quote: “they live a sort of half life, stranded at home, with intermittent periods of distance learning where anxiety, confusion and apathy reign supreme” end quote. The drop in their performance in the half-year report is evident across the board. Distance learning doesn’t help to concentrate but the real issues are psychological. Quote “we see kids that look inward, they don’t talk much with their parents and at school things are not the same as before. They are consumed by uncertainty, they wonder when the emergency will end, they feel left to their own devices, which is why they hide in their little bubbles, unable to blow off steam as they used to” end quote. Teachers are suffering too. On top of the fear of having many of their pupils falling behind, the consequences of the vaccination campaign are showing up. On Il Tirreno we read how headmasters of local high schools are desperate. Five to ten absent teachers every day, twenty one in a single school. High fever, migraines and joint pains are not uncommon in the twelve hours following the first AstraZeneca shot, according to the head of immunology in the Prato hospital but the problem is getting serious. Headmasters are unable to call substitute teachers, as most teachers return to school after a couple of days. The consequences on the service provided to students are evident. The situation will get back to normal soon, when all teachers will be vaccinated, but until then pupils will have to endure yet another disservice in a very complicated school year.

Now let’s talk about the economy, where the attention of many media was focused on tourism, a possible engine of the future recovery. Signs of hope from the data coming from the Uffizi, where the recent reopening was quite successful. In the report published by La Nazione we read that almost twenty thousand people visited the museum. After remaining closed for 77 consecutive days, the longest closure since the end of Second World War, 18146 visitors took the chance to enjoy the masterpieces of the historic Florence museum. The Uffizi director hopes that the museum will be able to reopen soon, considered that a recent study from the Berlin University has shown how museums are the least likely public places when it comes to COVID contagion. Let’s hope so, as the tourism lockdown is wreaking havoc on many industries, starting from car rental companies. On Firenze Today we read the harsh words of FILT-CGIL union representative Stefania Caliò. Sixty percent of the four thousand workers could be fired in March. Quote “the risk of a blood bath is very real. If this industry doesn’t transform itself soon, it will have no future. The crisis could be worse than in 2020” end quote. The situation is just as desperate for tourist buses, where several hundred workers could be soon laid off. To be hit hard from the collapse of tourism and the rise of remote working also other industries, such as garages, driving schools, car sharing and long term rental companies. For some of them business contracted from minus 70 percent to a whopping minus 98 percent. Don’t know about you, but this already looks like a veritable blood bath.

Let’s close today’s episode with a funny story we read on the Massa edition of Il Tirreno. A group of residents of a small town, instead of just complaining, took matters into their own hands and cleaned the streets of their neighbourhood. Some citizens of Borgo del Ponte, a small town near Massa, sunday morning braved the cold and started cleaning the streets. According to the head of a local association, the garbage man over there is, quote, “some sort of a mythological figure, like the bogeyman or the werewolf” end quote. They said they did it as a love gesture for their town but they don’t want to turn this into a regular thing. They are not ready to cover the disservices of the municipality with their good will, they say. We truly hope that their gesture will be enough to change things but we advise them to keep those broomsticks ready, just in case.

That was all for today, I’m your host, Luca Bocci, and I’ll see you tomorrow for another, hopefully a bit more cheerful episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye.

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Gemini Instrumental
Author: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumental

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the most interesting, odd or funny stories of today, Wednesday February 17th 2021, as selected by our journalists. If you wish, please subscribe and share this podcast on social media, it would be a really kind gesture.

Let’s start with a story we read last night on Il Cuoio in Diretta. Around 7 PM a loud bang startled the people of Ponticelli, a small town in the municipality of Santa Maria a Monte. When someone tried to figure out what caused such a ruckus, the surprise: the foot overpass over a small channel had broken in two, dropping into the water below. The really odd thing is that the overpass hadn’t been opened to the public yet, despite the fact that construction had been proceeding, on and off, for several years. No one was injured, as the site was closed but a fair amount of egg on the faces of the local administration, that has spent 250 thousand euros so far on this project. Mayor Ilaria Parrella invites everyone not to jump to conclusions and to wait for the results of the internal inquiry she’s about to launch to figure out what happened and who is responsible for this accident. Spotlight, obviously, on the firms that were building the overpass and the public works supervisor. Now, accidents to bridges and other infrastructure isn’t unusual in Tuscany but a bridge that splits in half before being opened is something that we had never seen before.

Let’s move now to a substantial update on the story that has attracted the interest of many listeners, the Capraia Arsene Lupin. In the evening we read on Il Tirreno two in-depth stories that provide more details on this crime story that is quickly gaining traction outside of our region. The people of Capraia, with their typical dark humour, are not shy. Quote: “instead of checking if they had the virus, they should have checked if they know how to break intosafes before letting them in” end quote. The municipality of Capraia has put in place a check and trace system for anyone stepping into the small island to stop the spread of the COVID virus. The thief seems to be a local, something that doesn’t sit well with the residents. Quote “It’s better if he’s taken by the police, otherwise we’ll treat him like an octopus. We’ll snap his neck and throw him in the water” end quote. The youngster talking may not be serious but the owner of the local bar, whose safe has been emptied last Wednesday is heart-broken. Quote “they took 60 thousand Euros, those were my life savings” end quote. The neighbour upstairs says he heard nothing, despite being awake until 4 AM. Lupin always hits in the night between Wednesday and Thursday, maybe to catch the 5:45 ferry but people are unconvinced. Too many coincidences, too many details that only a resident would know. The house of the vice-mayor Fabio Mazzei was robbed last October, exactly when both him and his neighbour were not on the island. Cinzia Giusti, the first victim of the so-called “Lupin-Judas” is adamant. Quote: “He’s one of us. When I named names, a while ago, people went crazy. Better not talk about it” end quote. The 18th of December 2018, Cinzia went out early to walk his dog. Not more than 20 minutes, to the castle and back, as usual. Time that was sufficient for the thief to locate and empty the beauty case where she had stashed cash and jewelry, before bringing them to the police, as she was about to leave the island to visit her daughter. Total value, 150 thousand euros, but most of the pieces were one of a kind. Wedding rings, the medals of her father, who was an Army general, jewels that were in the family for generations. That day on the island there were only sixty people. Quote: “this makes you suspicious of everyone, to lose some friendships, as it happened to me. For two years people tried to avoid me, thinking I named them as possible suspects” end quote. A tiny community destroyed by suspicion and the fear that the “winter thief” might hit again.

First developments on another story we’ve been following in the last few days, the senior patients that were dismissed from the Leghorn hospital without clothes. Following the first accident on January 15th, some sanctions have been raised for the ambulance driver: seven days of suspension without pay, a pretty harsh penalty, as the law dictates a maximum of 10 days. The driver wasn’t himself responsible for the accident, but should have checked the patient more accurately when he stepped into his ambulance. The ambulance company, the Società Volontaria di Soccorso, was quick to let everyone know that no irregularities were found in the second accident that happened last Friday. Quote “The transfer was conducted according to existing procedures. We did not find any carelessness or lack of attention” end quote. Everything is fine and dandy, despite the fact that a clearly agitated 81 year old woman was dropped at her house without any clothes on. Good, not great. We’ll let you know when the results of the internal inquiry that the hospital is conducting right now are published. Hopefully they’ll take this story a bit more seriously...

Let’s close today’s episode with a rather singular story we read this morning on La Repubblica, a small town in the Mugello region stuck in the 80s. In Galliano, a sixteenth century town with 1500 inhabitants, 98% of the people only have a landline. No internet, no mobile network, an almost impossible anachronism these days. Barberino mayor’s irony is rather bitter. Quote “people in Galliano can only dream of the latest app. Connectivity is fundamental these days but they just don’t have it” end quote. In a land of mountains, hills and hidden valleys, the telephone lines haven’t been buried underground and therefore are vulnerable to the elements, as it happened recently. Now that distance learning and remote working is more and more fundamental, people living in mountainous areas are just left behind. In those towns that wouldn’t make enough money for broadband or mobile operators, people are stuck in the 80s, when you had to stand for hours next to your phone if you were waiting for an important call. In our hyper-connected world, where people would do just about anything not to receive 10 notifications a minute and enjoy some peace and quiet, people in Galliano are dreaming about the day when they will finally be able to enjoy the perks of today’s technology.

That was all for today, I’m your host Luca Bocci and I’ll see you tomorrow for another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye.

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Seamonster (Argofox release)
Author: Inova
License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY)
Link: youtu.be/8kmZWGhumUE
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/inova-seamonster

LINKS:

FRAUD TO AMEX, EXPEDIA FOR A MILLION EUROS
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/02/18/news/firenze_pelago_expedia_american_expres_truffa_affitto-288066159/?rss

101 YEAR OLD GRANNY DEFEATS COVID AFTER THE SPANISH FLU
https://www.lanazione.it/la-spezia/cronaca/guoarisce-covid-1.6035596

TUSCANY FOR SALE
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/regione/toscana/2021/02/17/news/basta-vivere-di-prestiti-ho-cessato-l-attivita-1.39912489
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/lucca/cronaca/2021/02/17/news/tutti-vendono-nessuno-compra-1.39915557

THE LYING LICENSE
https://www.gonews.it/2021/02/17/patente-bugiardo-accademia-bugia/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Calm and Harmony
Author: Mike Chino (Argofox release)
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Link: youtu.be/wF3uTGjoaws
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmony

SCRIPT:
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the news that caught our eye today, Thursday February 18th 2021. If you wish, please subscribe and share this podcast on social media, it would really help us.

Let’s start with an article that we read this morning on La Repubblica, an incredible fraud that hit two giants of the economy such as American Express and Expedia. A small businessman based in Florence at the beginning of the lockdowns last year was facing a sudden drop in his activity, renting houses to tourists. Instead of trying to figure out how to keep his business alive, he thought best to exploit a bug in the payment system of Expedia and create out of thin air 1721 completely fake stays in his country house. AmEx, as always, anticipated the amount of the stay to the man, to be later reimbursed by Expedia. Gross total: 979 thousand Euros. The swindler later bought lots of stuff using fake identities - when the Guardia di Finanza knocked at his door, his bank accounts were almost empty. The really incredible thing is that no one at American Express noticed it for almost a year - it just beggars belief!

As we’re rather fed up with the daily bulletin of bad news related to the pandemic, we’re choosing to look at a positive story we read today on La Nazione, starring a remarkably gritty old lady. At 101, Lina Franciosi managed to survive everything and everyone. After defeating first the Spanish Flu, then the Nazi retaliations during the war, granny Lina has another notch on her gun, COVID-19. After 25 days of therapies and loving care from her family, on the day of her birthday, she received the best present: she tested negative for the virus. The energetic woman, well known in the small town of Luni, where she taught at Sunday School for decades, reacted to the disease with the usual unshakeable determination. After the contagion in January, her family decided to take care of her at home. A gutsy decision, as it exposed them to the virus, but with a very positive ending. A small sign of hope from this small Lunigiana town, with the wish that stories like this become the norm.

Let’s go back, unfortunately, to the silent massacre of businesses that is devastating the economy of our region, as reported on Il Tirreno. First, the story of Barbara Sorrentino, owner of a pizzeria in Certaldo, that after struggling for almost a year was forced last week to close her restaurant. With the spread of the virus, she tried to make things work, sustaining her restaurant with various loans, even if she was forced to halve the tables and operate only as a takeaway for months. Now she’s had enough. Quote “now I’m forced to sell my business at a loss just to cover the loans and the various expenses. I thought long and hard about it, I thought it was a personal failure but it’s not - it’s the government’s failure, as they left us alone to fight an impossible battle. Now all I’ve left is sadness and the meager consolation of having given everything to fight until the bitter end. Now I’ve had enough, I can’t hurt myself any longer” end quote. No one really knows how many businesses have closed since the pandemic hit but, judging from the article we read yesterday on the Lucca edition of Il Tirreno, the situation could be worse than many think. Just in Lucca there are almost 300 businesses for sale, shops, restaurants, hotels. Despite prices having collapsed from 25 to 50 per cent, no one is buying. Marco Catelli, a real estate realtor, isn’t optimistic. Quote “I think the worst is yet to come. Thanks to government help, many have enough cash to stay afloat but, sooner or later, people will have to pay their taxes. Goodwill is worth nothing these days, if you manage to recoup what you spent to furnish the place you should consider yourself lucky. Even Chinese buyers, who in the past were quick to snap up every bargain on the market, have disappeared” end quote.

Let’s close today’s episode with a really singular story we read last evening on GoNews. In Le Piastre, a small town near Pistoia, there is a particular association that is devoted to the cult of a not so popular group of people: liars. The Accademia della Bugia, with the spread of fake news and more or less mendacious statements, decided to turn lying into a competitive sport, organizing the first Italian Championship. To be honest, the passion for lying goes way beyond a single event. The local tourism authority has set up a Museum of Lies. Not even road signs are immune: the small town is, in fact, twinned with the planet Mars. Last initiative of this group of hilarious pranksters, the Lying License. With a donation of 10 Euros to the Accademia, you will receive a license that states how much of a liar you really are. It goes from “baby liar” to “piastrese liar”, the most prestigious rank. If you wanted to show everyone how big of a liar you are, you can always buy a funny sweatshirt, which you’ll be able to parade around the first week of August, when the second edition of the Italian Championship of Lies will be held. If you want to have a better idea of what they’ve come up with, go visit their website at labugia.it - well worth at least a hearty laugh, promised!

That was all for today, I’m your host, Luca Bocci, and I’ll see you tomorrow for another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the news, more or less serious, that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye.

TODAY'S SET LIST
1) HOUSING CRISIS GETS WORSE
2) RACISM ON THE TRAIN
3) INTERNET BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL
4) A WAY TOO FANCY CAFETERIA
5) MAGPIES TERRORIZE A VILLAGE

LINKS TO THE ARTICLES
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_febbraio_19/firenze-crisi-travolge-affitti-quasi-900-famiglie-chiedono-aiuto-550307a4-7288-11eb-a580-851e098b7615.shtml
https://www.versiliatoday.it/2021/02/18/vivevano-come-nelle-favelas-blitz-di-carabinieri-e-municipale/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/prato/cronaca/2021/02/18/news/voi-neri-portate-il-virus-ragazza-costretta-a-scendere-dal-treno-per-due-colpi-di-tosse-1.39922773
https://www.ilsitodifirenze.it/content/528-esalta-su-youtube-sparatoria-scuola-usa-fbi-segnala-14enne
https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/cronaca/l-amica-francese-di-instagram-sparisce-dodicenne-chiama-la-polizia-postale-e-la-salva-1.6034890
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/versilia/cronaca/2021/02/18/news/protesta-dei-genitori-per-il-menu-della-mensa-troppo-raffinato-i-bimbi-non-toccano-cibo-1.39923047
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_febbraio_19/lucca-paese-ostaggio-gazze-usciamo-casa-ci-attaccano-22df4a54-7278-11eb-a580-851e098b7615.shtml

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Aetherial (Argofox release)
Author: AlmightyZero
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://youtu.be/2OTD4IkmKsI
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/almightyzero-aetherial

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the most interesting news of today, Friday February 19th 2021, as selected by our journalists. If you wish, please subscribe and share this podcast on social media, it would really help us spread the news.

Let’s start today with yet another window on the social upheaval brought by the pandemic for many Tuscans. This morning on the Corriere Fiorentino we read how the number of families in Florence that are seeking financial help to pay their rent has skyrocketed. From september to february 871 families have come forward to the renters union, SUNIA, a number that is more than double of what happened the year before. The secretary of the Florence union, Laura Grandi, explains the reasons. Quote “most of them worked in restaurants, hotels or in the tourism sector, which was ravaged by the lack of visitors. There are also people on furlough, unemployed but also small entrepreneurs without any client. Some seek financial help, others a council house” end quote. Rent prices, though, remain very high: Florence is the third city in Italy when it comes to renting a flat, behind Milan and Rome. The situation for those already marginalized is even worse. As we read last evening on Versilia Today, the owner of a small plot of land in Viareggio found a way to profit from it. He placed a couple of shacks, containers and caravans and rented them to immigrants of the area. Despite conditions that would look out of place in a Brazilian favela, he got between 100 and 400 euros a month. When the Carabinieri showed up yesterday morning, trash everywhere, appalling hygiene conditions, no sewers at all. This mini-favela will be cleared out but God only knows how many others there are in our region.

Let’s move on to an infuriating story we read on the Prato edition of Il Tirreno. If a couple days ago it was a supermarket cashier who received racist insults in Leghorn, now it was the turn of a 19 year old student to be verbally assaulted on the regional train between Prato and Florence. It only took a couple of coughs to unleash the rage of some passengers. Quote “if you got the cough you shouldn’t take the train! It’s black people like you that spread the virus” end quote. The girl, born in Brazil but adopted immediately by a family in Prato, was then approached by a man wearing the Trenitalia uniform and forced to step off the train at the station of Sesto Fiorentino. No one knows who this man was, as, according to Trenitalia, the train conductor was a female but this means nothing. Such despicable events are a symptom of a collective psychosis that has brought to the surface tendencies we thought to have left behind a long time ago.

If the real world is complicated enough, things aren’t much different online. If yesterday we smiled when we read the story of a 12 year old girl from Florence that saved an online friend in France when she disappeared suddenly from Instagram following some family trouble, the story we read on Il Sito di Firenze is very different. The parents of a 14 year old kid from the Arezzo province were startled when the police showed up at their door. They had been warned by the FBI after the kid had left a comment on a video of a shooting in a US high school. The youngster had praised the shooters, wishing that he could be able to do the same in his school. The police found no weapons in the house or nothing that could indicate that he was about to turn words into actions but it’s still a huge red flag of those mental malaise that many experts denounced in the last few days. Sure, during adolescence everyone says and does a lot of stupid things. In the past, thankfully, there weren’t cameras everywhere and those foolish words were soon forgotten. Now, instead, everything lives forever online. It just takes a second to get into real trouble.

Let’s move on to a curious story we read on the Versilia edition of Il Tirreno. Many have a conflictual relationship with cafeterias. Some complain about the quality of the food, others about the lack of fantasy when it comes to the menu. Doesn’t happen every day that someone complains when the food served is too fancy. The accident happened a few days ago when the parents of the pupils of several elementary schools in Viareggio raised a protest against the firm that handles the school cafeterias. The menus, prepared by the town dietician and verified by nutritionists of the local hospital, don’t seem too bad. Barley soup with pesto and tomatoes, Viareggio-style fish sauce pasta, meatballs and sauteed zucchini, stuff that wouldn’t be out of place in a regular restaurant. The problem is that the kids just don’t like them. In a class of 25 students, 20 left everything on the plate and went home hungry. Parents are raging because the service isn’t free: 120 Euros a month, six Euros per every meal. They understand that the school is trying to “educate to the adoption of correct behaviours that promote general health” but there must be a better way. Isn’t it worse if the kids don’t eat anything and stuff themselves with rubbish when they get home??

Let’s close today’s episode with a funny story we read this morning on the Corriere Fiorentino. Just like in Alfred Hitchcock’s famous movie, “The birds”, in the town of Maggiano, near Lucca, people are constantly harassed by a flock of magpies. After one of them had been fed by a resident, the whole flock started to station in the area, looking for food. After a while, the birds became very insistent and have now started to attack everyone. Residents are scared to death. A few days ago a woman had her ear bitten but it could get worse. Many children live there and people are afraid that someone could get seriously hurt. The crisis doesn’t strike just humans, apparently. If in New York, bands of rats have started attacking humans on the pavement, we have roving bands of birds...

That was all for today, I’m your host Luca Bocci and I’ll see you tomorrow for another, slightly different, episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye.

TODAY'S RUNDOWN
1) MIDWIFE FATHER, BIANCA IS BORN AT HOME
2) THEY ONLY SPEAK ENGLISH, THEIR CLASSMATES COME TO THE RESCUE
3) 130 YEARS OF PONCE AT THE BAR CIVILI
4) A POSTCARD 16 YEARS LATE

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Skystrike (Argofox release)
Author: Hinkik
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Link: youtu.be/hCVoUMh80tE
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/hinkik-skystrike

THE LINKS TO THE ARTICLES
http://www.notiziediprato.it/news/troppa-fretta-di-nascere-il-babbo-si-improvvisa-ostetrico-guidato-via-telefono-dal-medico
https://www.firenzetoday.it/social/scuola-inclusione-alunni.html
https://www.iltelegrafolivorno.it/cronaca/ponce-civili-livorno-1.6043016
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/cecina/cronaca/2021/02/19/news/la-cartolina-spedita-da-santo-domingo-arriva-a-vada-dopo-oltre-16-anni-1.39927979

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the most interesting news of today, Saturday February 20th 2021, as selected by our journalists. Slightly different episode as, thanks to the Lord, we got to the weekend. As everyone tries to escape the usual routine, we’ll have today an episode devoted exclusively to odd or funny stories, a sort of Feel Good Saturday, if you wish. We’re still encouraging you to subscribe and share this podcast on social media. You can also leave a comment here below.

Let’s start with a cute story we read yesterday on Notizie di Prato, a very particular birth that happened at La Tignamica, a small town in the municipality of Vaiano. Yesterday morning at 8:30 AM, the soon-to-be mother went into labor - nothing strange there. After calling the ambulance, the father realized that things were moving way faster than usual. The baby couldn’t wait to join the family. The parents panicked for a second, especially when informed that the ambulance wouldn’t be able to get to them in time. The father, following the instructions of the emergency physicians, was able to act as an improvised midwife, helping his wife to deliver safely Bianca, a healthy 3.9 Kgs baby girl. Once they got to the house, the ambulance crew confirmed that both mother and daughter were in excellent health. A sort of a throwback birth, back to a time when every child was born at home - this time with a happy ending.

Let’s move to the coast, the beating heart of Leghorn, the mother church of the ponce alla livornese, a drink that has become synonymous with the port town. The famous Bar Civili yesterday celebrated 130 years of activity. As reported by Il Telegrafo, due to COVID restrictions, the bar isn’t open in the evening but the ponce ritual continues as usual. The owner, Carlo Fusco, seems determined to continue the family tradition. Quote: “We won’t be throwing away 130 years of family history, not even with COVID. Now everything is more complicated but we’ll remain here. It’s our life, our very being, we won’t give up. We wanted to celebrate our anniversary with a big party but, for the time being, this won’t be possible. The party is only delayed, though. Be sure that as soon as this COVID curse is over, we’ll throw such a party that everyone will be talking about for years” end quote. As people from Leghorn are well known for not being exactly understated when it comes to partying, we’re more than sure that it will be a day to remember. We’ll let you know about it here on What’s Up Tuscany, of course.

Quick jump to Florence, where the arrival of a brother and sister from Sri Lanka pushed their classmates to walk the extra mile to help them integrate. The couple, arrived with their mother a few days ago to live with their father, who has been working in Florence for several years, joined the Santa Marta school - grade 7 and 13 respectively. As they only spoke English, the impact with an Italian school wasn’t easy but teachers and classmates did their best to help them. To facilitate them learning Italian, they plastered the school with dual language post-its, with the name of the item in Italian and English. There are those that go even further: the maths teacher that conducts her classes in English, the classmates that try to translate everything, Divine Comedy included, into English and so on. The headmaster seems satisfied with the process. Quote “we’ve noticed that they’re much more comfortable here. After only 15 days they seem much more confident and happy, something that makes us all very happy” end quote. Now, I know that one swallow doesn’t make a summer but it’s still refreshing to see the proverbial Tuscan hospitality live up to its tradition.

Let’s close this special episode of our podcast with a singular story we read on the Cecina edition of Il Tirreno. These days the mailbox is more a source of nuisances rather than good news, as it was back in the day. Opening it and finding a postcard from Punta Cana, Domenican Republic, considered the pandemic is enough to make you raise an eyebrow. The addressee, a couple living in Vada, were perplexed. Quote “we’ve noticed that it was signed only “Simona” and we wonder who it could be from our friends and relatives. We checked with our neighbours, as she is named Simona, but they knew nothing about it. We have a relative called Simona, the daughter of my husband’s cousin but I had no idea she had taken a vacation there lately” end quote. A phone call solved the mystery. She had sent them a postcard all right, but back in October 2004! A postcard that reached its destination after more than 16 years, after God only knows what nightmare journey. A sort of time capsule of a different life, a different era, with only one constant: the legendary delays of the Italian Postal service...

That was all for today, I’m your host Luca Bocci and I’ll see you tomorrow with a new episode, again slightly different, of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye!

1) BUS WHEEL DETACHES, TRAGEDY NARROWLY AVOIDED
2) PUSHERS USE DRONE TO SIGNAL THEIR PRESENCE
3) AVALANCHE, FAMILIES ISOLATED FOR 16 MONTHS
4) ANTI-TREKKERS TRAPS IN THE WOODS

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Buried
Author: The Passion HiFi
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://www.youtube.com/thepassionhifi
https://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buried

LINKS TO THE ARTICLES
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/02/19/news/si-stacca-il-volante-mentre-il-bus-viaggia-1.39927280
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/02/20/news/bus-per-il-volante-staccato-ipotesi-difetto-di-fabbricazione-1.39932333
https://www.lanazione.it/prato/cronaca/cocaina-drone-arresti-montecatini-1.6046307
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/lucca/cronaca/2021/02/19/news/sotto-la-strada-che-porta-alla-loro-casa-c-e-il-vuoto-1.39928900
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/02/19/news/rami-inchiodati-a-venti-centimetri-trappola-per-biker-ed-escursionisti-1.39929067

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the most interesting stories of today, Sunday February 21st 2021, as selected by our journalists. While we celebrate the first week of this podcast, we thought to have a special episode, where you’ll find some of the news that we weren’t able to cover, something of a “rest of the week” episode. If you like what we do, please subscribe and share this episode on your social media accounts.

Let’s start with a story that could have had much more serious consequences. As we read Friday on the Pisa edition of Il Tirreno, during a regular run of the 5 line, the wheel of a CTT Nord bus literally collapsed. When the driver tried to bring it back to its normal position, the entire structure detached from the dashboard, making the bus impossible to drive. Thankfully the bus was driving slowly and there weren’t any oncoming cars. Slamming on the brake avoided the worst but the three passengers were understandably shaken. Had it happened in the crowded streets downtown, the consequences would have been tragic. The reactions to this story forced the company which runs the bus lines in the provinces of Pisa, Lucca, Leghorn and Massa Carrara to temporarily retire 12 similar buses. Apparently, it would be a construction fault, not something caused by poor maintenance as many suspected. The company that built the bus has started an inquiry to find out what caused the accident. Better late than never but, at least, we hope that this fault will be fixed before a real tragedy happens.

Moving on to a curious article we read yesterday on the Prato edition of La Nazione. A couple of creative Moroccan pushers had come up with a rather weird method to signal their presence to possible buyers: flying a small orange drone on their favourite turf, a public park on Viale Galilei, in Prato. The couple thought it best to avoid using their mobile phones, as the police could be monitoring their conversations. Sure, as flying an orange drone in an area where children play is surely much less conspicuous… After being arrested, the Carabinieri found 108 grams of cocaine in their car and 412 grams in their homes, for a total value of around 52000 Euros. Next time, I don’t know, why don’t you fly a big kite? No one’s going to notice that!

Next is a story of ordinary disservices that is making the lives of several families in Bagni di Lucca miserable. For the past 16 months, their houses are isolated, as the only road that connects them to the outside world has been blocked by an avalanche. According to the article we read Friday on the Lucca edition of Il Tirreno, a few days ago the husband of Santina Rastrelli fainted in their home in Mulino di Burica. Luckily he came back to his senses shortly afterwards, as the ambulance couldn’t reach their house. The paved road has been blocked by an avalanche and the alternative trail is only available in the summer, when a small stream is low. When consulted, local authorities were quick to pass the buck around, as usual. The municipality requested 320000 Euros from the regional funds back in December 2019 but the project wasn’t deemed a priority. The various families living there have been left alone, forced to walk for miles just to make sure that their trash is collected. According to them, the small trail is dangerous and, in the summer, many mountain bike riders go there. Without being warned, a serious accident is definitely around the corner. Let’s just hope that it doesn’t take a tragedy to finally start turning the cumbersome wheels of the bureaucratic machine.
Let’s close today’s episode with another story coming from the wooded mountains of our region that we read Friday on the Massa edition of Il Tirreno. The people of Caprigliola, a picturesque town perched on the hills in the Aulla municipality, were startled when a group of trekking enthusiasts reported the presence of several traps on their favourite pathways. The home-made traps were composed of thick boards with several very sharp spikes, hidden in the mud and placed strategically to inflict serious, possibly lethal, injuries. Daniele Mastorci, president of a local association, pointed out how the authors had also cut some small trees, nailing them to bigger ones around 20 centimeters from the ground, so that they would hit whoever went there with a mountain bike. The association will denounce the authors but it’s also planning to remove these dangerous devices as soon as possible. A dozen volunteers will soon get there with spades, pickaxes and a small excavator to make sure no one gets injured while enjoying nature in our wonderful woods.

That was all for today, I’m your host Luca Bocci and I’ll see you tomorrow with another “normal” episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye!

1) A SUNDAY AT THE BEACH IN THE TIME OF COVID
2) LIFEGUARD SAVES A SURFER, BECOMES A STAR ON SOCIAL MEDIA
3) PETTY THIEVES ATTACK PARKING METERS AND COFFEE MACHINES
4) FOOTBALL, THE WEEKEND RECAP
5) FROM NORTH CAPE TO CAPETOWN TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER PATIENTS
6) DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME BLESSINGS IN FLORENCE

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Ignite to Light Instrumental
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Link: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/ignite-to-light
http://www.pipechoir.com/

LINKS TO ARTICLES
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/02/21/news/in-spiaggia-come-in-estate-tintarella-e-tanto-sport-1.39936654
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/21/news/a-18-anni-salva-un-surfista-tuffandosi-in-mare-in-jeans-e-camicia-non-riusciva-a-rientrare-cosi-l-ho-aiutato-1.39936189
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/21/news/ovazione-per-lei-sui-social-tanti-fisicati-rimanevano-li-1.39938233
https://www.quilivorno.it/news/cronaca-nera/boato-nella-notte-fanno-esplodere-un-parchimetro/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/21/news/ladri-alle-scuole-collodi-saccheggiata-una-macchinetta-automatica-del-caffe-1.39936427
https://www.sienanews.it/toscana/siena/lincredibile-viaggio-di-thair-in-marcia-da-capo-nord-a-citta-del-capo-contro-il-cancro/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lincredibile-viaggio-di-thair-in-marcia-da-capo-nord-a-citta-del-capo-contro-il-cancro
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/02/21/news/covid_benedizione_quaresima_pasqua_fai_da_te_il_parroco_passate_a_prendere_le_boccette_di_acqua_benedetta_-288137146/?rss

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the news that caught our eye today, Monday February 22nd 2021, as selected by our journalists. If you like what we do, please subscribe and share this podcast on social media. The more, the merrier!

Let’s start the second week of this podcast with a story we read last evening on the Massa Carrara edition of Il Tirreno, something quite unusual these days, a very normal Sunday at the beach. As Tuscany could become a Red zone next week, many families took the chance to enjoy the sun and the unseasonably warm weather to have a trip to the beach. Not many were willing to brave the icy waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea but many wore swimsuits and were sunbathing on towels or deckchairs. Others played sports, from racketball to volleyball. A kite surf and wing surf school tried to promote their activities, show their latest models but were unable to have lessons or exhibitions due to the complete lack of wind. All in all, a nice Sunday with plenty of relaxation, pic-nics and a bit of activity to facilitate the digestion. Let’s hope that this is a good sign and that soon we will all be able to get back to the real normal.

As many are already craving for the summer, let’s continue with another sea story, this time from Leghorn. As we read on Il Tirreno, the story of an 18 year old lifeguard saving a windsurfer at sea prompted enthusiastic reactions on social media in the port town. Friday evening, as she was taking a walk on the beach, Martina Lottini realized that a windsurfer was in trouble and couldn’t get back to shore. Without thinking twice, she took off her shoes, grabbed a stand up paddle and rowed for an hour, wearing jeans and a shirt against the wind and the currents. Once she got to him, she realized that his wing was damaged and that he had hurt his shoulder. The sirocco wind was pushing him away from the shore but they slowly managed to get back to safety. When they landed, the few people on the Academy Beach cheered her courage. Many people from Leghorn were quick to follow. On the Tirreno Facebook page, a reader says that “many of the beach body-builders would have never been willing to jump in the sea in February” end quote. I must concur with him. No matter how much I love the sea, at this time of the year it’s a tad too chilly for my taste...

Let’s move on to the usual report on those petty crimes that do not stop for the weekend, at least in Leghorn. If we had read on Il Tirreno of yet another theft in a local school, where the coffee machine was broken into, on QuiLivorno we read of something more unusual, a hit on a parking meter, with explosives. At 11:45 PM last night a loud bang awakened the people downtown. When the fire department and the Carabinieri got there, they quickly realized that the explosion had destroyed the automatic parking meter, throwing shrapnel meters away. There are those that think this was just simple vandalism, but the fact that the coins inside the meter were nowhere to be found makes you think about a theft. Same thing happened in the Collodi school, which was hit in the night between Saturday and Sunday. Now, I know that this damned crisis is hitting hard every one of us, but this looks a lot like scraping the bottom of the barrel...

Let’s move on to a remarkable story we read on Siena News, that of a civil engineer that has been walking from North Cape to Capetown for more than six years to raise funds for cancer patients. Thair Abud, Austrian citizen born from an Iraqi father and a German mother, just got to Siena but his path has brought him from Norway to Spain to Morocco. After the border was closed due to the COVID pandemic, he managed to get home to Austria, before leaving again to Slovenia and then Italy. He will shortly leave Siena and head for Sicily, before crossing again to Africa. After walking the Way of St James after his sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, Thaid continued walking to raise funds for Doctor Clown Tanzania, an organization that tries to cheer up the many pediatric cancer patients in the African country. A really singular story that you will be able to follow on his social media accounts.

We don’t usually talk about Tuscan football, soccer if you wish, on this podcast, mainly because it’s difficult to follow tournaments that have games every day from Friday to Monday. We’ll try to cover the results with a quick recap of the main games of the weekend - let us know if you like it or not in the comments below. In Serie A convincing win from Fiorentina, that beat Spezia three nil. Vlahovic, Castrovilli and Eysseric on the scoreboard. The Viola are now at 25 points, plus ten from the relegation zone. In Serie B, one one in the big match between Pisa and Empoli. After shocking high-flying Monza two nil away, the Nerazzurri caused more than a headache to table leaders Empoli, before a late equalizer. Pisa at 32 points, minus five from the playoffs, while Empoli is still leading at 45, three more than Monza. In the A group of Serie C, nothing much to cheer for the Tuscan clubs. If Grosseto drew nil-nil at Albinoleffe, Carrarese was beaten home two one from Novara. A draw between Lucchese and Juventus Under 23 while Leghorn continues its downward spiral losing one-nil home against Renate. Nil-nil draw between Pontedera and Alessandria. In the B group, convincing win from the Cinderella Arezzo, which beat Matelica two-nil.

Let’s close today’s episode with a funny story we read on La Repubblica Florence. A priest of a local church found a creative way to solve the problem of the traditional Lent home blessings, a do-it-yourself ceremony. The vicar of the Holy Family Church in Via Gioberti, don Andrea Marianelli, instead of mailing the usual flyer to his parishioners with the date and time of the home blessings, decided to stick some signs in the lobby of high-rises in the Campo di Marte area, inviting people to get to the church to collect a bottle of Holy water and the prayer to bless themselves and their family. Parishioners were perplexed by this initiative. Some asked where to put the Holy Water - in a plant sprayer? - others shook their heads in disbelief. If last year we saw vicars running around to have mass blessings in various vehicles across Tuscany - a convertible Beetle in San Miniato, for example - this year they went a step further. Right you are - if you think so...

That was all for today, I’m your host Luca Bocci and I’ll see you tomorrow for another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye!

1) STUDENT FALLS FROM FOURTH FLOOR, ALCOHOL INVOLVED
2) FOREIGN TOURISTS BACK FOR THE SUMMER?
3) WEDDINGS DOWN 50%, GROOM AND WIFE OVER 40
4) DESPERATE MAN ASKS TO BE ARRESTED
5) VIAREGGIO CUP POSTPONED TO JUNE OR SEPTEMBER

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Monolith (Argofox release)
Author: Erio
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: youtu.be/_oivKNpHNEE
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/erio-monolith

LINKS TO ARTICLES
https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/cronaca/morto-studente-precipitato-finestra-1.6053730
https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/cronaca/firenze-studente-precipita-dal-quarto-piano-e-muore-l-ipotesi-del-gioco-alcolico-1.6052066
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/02/22/news/toscana_turismo_prenotazioni_estate_2021-288734320/?rss
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/prato/cronaca/2021/02/22/news/matrimoni-quasi-dimezzati-nel-2020-e-ci-si-sposa-sempre-piu-tardi-a-40-anni-1.39940961
https://www.pisatoday.it/cronaca/ragazzo-chiede-arresto-questura-pisa-21-febbraio-2021.html
https://www.lanazione.it/viareggio/cronaca/viareggio-cup-calcio-rinvio-covid-1.6052604

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the most interesting news of today, Tuesday February 23rd 2021, as selected by our journalists. Please subscribe and share this podcast on social media, it would really help us.

Let’s start today with the update on a story that captured the attention of Florence yesterday, the tragic death of a student of the Fashion Institute after falling from the fourth floor of his building. As reported by La Nazione his name was Federico Schiraldi, 21 year old from Monza, in Florence to make his dream of working in fashion a reality. Only the autopsy will provide certainties, but many suspect that his death was caused by a drinking game with his friends. It’s definitely not the first time that alcohol causes the death of tourists or people from outside Florence. Today on La Nazione we read an article with some of the most egregious accidents of the past. It’s a tough read, the student that jumps into the Arno river as a joke, the US soldier that dies trying to jump from one roof to another, the Danish student that stumbles off the Vespucci bridge after a night at the disco. Tragedies that make no sense, especially in this time and age, where every single death seems almost unbearable.

Let’s move on to a story from the real economy we read last night on La Repubblica, one that doesn’t drip pessimism from every pore. According to several operators in tourism rentals, the bookings for the summer months in Tuscany have registered a plus 50% from the dismal numbers of 2020. Alessandra Signori, referent for Tuscany of Property Managers Italia, seems optimistic. Quote “on AirBnB we found many bookings for June, July and August. It is mostly large groups of people, 50% italians, the other Europeans that are finally travelling again. The bookings in Florence in the last 30 days have seen a 41% of Italians, 9,9% of Germans, 7,2% of English and 5,8% of French. On the coast, 49,5% of the bookings for the July-September period have been made by German tourists” end quote. The pandemic has convinced many to change their preferences. If before people booked houses in Florence to then take day trips elsewhere, now they seem to favour houses in the countryside or the coast, away from the cities. Be it as they wish, the important thing is for people to travel again and save the tourism sector from complete annihilation.

Let’s move now to Prato, where we read an interesting article on the local edition of Il Tirreno. According to the report published from the registry office, during 2020 the weddings in the city have almost halved, going from 384 in 2019 to 230. This tendency isn’t just related to the pandemic but continues a trend that started around 2016, when 426 couples decided to tie the knot. More and more people prefer civil to religious ceremonies and the average age of groom and brides has risen constantly. If in 2020 the average age of the groom is 43,23 years, while the bride is 39,27 years, thirty years ago the numbers were very different: 29,32 and 26,57 respectively. Not particularly surprising data, as these tendencies have been noticed for decades in the Italian society. The thing that caught our eye is the data on separations and divorces. While many experts predicted that living 24 hours a day with their spouse would have caused a massive spike in divorces, the data paint a very different picture. Both separations and divorces are falling: 77 separations from 79 and only 92 divorces from 109 in 2019. We will let you know if the data from other cities confirms this trend or not. Should it be the case, many experts will have to go back to the drawing board...

Let’s continue with a sad story we read on Pisa Today, that of a visibly altered young man that knocked at the door of the police station asking to be arrested. Rather than denouncing himself for some crime, the 25 year old asked the officers to put him out of his misery and just throw him in jail. He then painted a picture that is all too common these days. After losing his job, his fiance dumped him, throwing him into utter despair. The police officers, rather embarrassed, tried to cheer him up, as they had no reason to arrest him. The fact that life has become so unbearable for many to make them wish for a long stay in the big house makes you think. We are living some seriously strange days...

Let’s close today’s episode with a piece of news that will come as no surprise for many soccer fans, the cancellation of the Viareggio Cup, a world-class event for youth soccer clubs. The announcement from the Centro Giovani Calciatori in Viareggio came yesterday evening. The association who organizes the historic tournament from 1949 confirmed that the competition, that many consider a true world championship for youth soccer, will not be celebrated from March 15th to the 29th as planned, due to the high contagion numbers in Tuscany. It’s possible that it will be rescheduled in June or September 2021.

That was all for today, I’m your host Luca Bocci and I’ll see you tomorrow for another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye.

1) ESCAPE FROM THE CITY
2) COVID, LEGHORN BEATS THE TREND
3) THE BATTLE FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA
4) ARTISANS CARRY ON REGARDLESS OF THE CRISIS
5) WINS 640000 € BUT STILL RECEIVED UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Leopard Print Elevator
Author: Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com)
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077

LINKS TO THE ARTICLES
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/02/24/news/smart_working_campagna_toscana-288925717/?rss
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/23/news/ricoveri-ai-minimi-storici-e-contagi-giu-livorno-resta-l-eccezione-della-toscana-1.39943579
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/02/23/news/processo_cannabis_walter_de_benedetto_vi_spiego_come_la_cannabis_mi_aiuta_a_sopportare_il_dolore_-288926206/?rss
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/02/23/news/mirella-l-artigiana-che-resiste-non-getto-via-40-anni-di-lavoro-1.39943810
https://www.iltelegrafolivorno.it/cronaca/reddito-di-cittadinanza-truffa-denuncia-cecina-1.6060311

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the stories that caught our attention today, Wednesday February 24th 2021, as selected by our journalists. If you like what we do, please subscribe and share this podcast on social media - it would be a very nice thing to do...

Let’s start today with a story we read this morning on La Repubblica, one that describes one of the lesser-known consequences of this pandemic, the escape from the city. A mini-exodus of families that leave the big cities to take advantage of the many incentives offered by villages across the region. This behaviour isn’t certainly new, the whole Decameron from Boccaccio is based around something similar, but has been proven true in this pandemic as well. According to a report from Coldiretti, only 0.3% of all contagions happen in the countryside. If you add to this the possibility of working remotely and the expansion of ultra wideband connections, there aren’t many reasons to remain in big cities. Small towns are taking the chance to invite people to settle there with a series of interesting incentives. Many families and companies are willing to take the risk. From Santa Fiora to Arcidosso to Radicondoli you can find commuting bonuses, discounts on heating bills but one of the contributing factors is the better quality of life. Smaller communities make it a lot easier to fit in quickly. Is it only a mini-bubble caused by the generous incentives or the first sign of a tendency already noticed in many countries? Only time will tell. We encourage you to read the article at the link below: it’s really worth your time.

Let’s talk again about the pandemic but with a totally different story that we read last evening on Il Tirreno. If the spread of the virus seems almost out of hand in many provinces, things in Leghorn are much better, with the situation improving day after day. A tendency contrary to the regional trend that has seen contagions drop from 35 per day in January to 26 per day. There could be many reasons for this anomaly but we have read some possible explanations. As the bulk of contagions registered from the beginning of the year happened in the workplace for people between 34 and 60 years of age, many think that this improvement was caused by better behaviours from owners and workers. The fact that the number of people in COVID wards has decreased could be explained by the lower average age of the patients. At the Leghorn hospital we’re far from the peak of last Autumn, when 116 people were being treated. This week only 53 people are in the COVID ward. It could very well be just a statistical fluke, but we’d rather believe that this is just the first step towards the end of this collective nightmare that could be ruining the lives of a multitude of people.

Let’s move now to a completely different story we read on La Repubblica, the first hearing of the trial of a man with chronic arthritis that, in order to manage his constant pain, started to grow marijuana in his garden. The story of Walter de Benedetto dates back to 2019 when, unable to procure the medical marijuana he was prescribed by his doctor, he decided to take things into his own hands. After he was caught, Walter seeked the help of several advocacy groups and seems determined to make his a “cause célèbre” to push for marijuana to be legalized. Walter is bedridden after his rheumatoid degenerative arthritis has worsened and the usage of medical marijuana is a way to alleviate his pain. Unfortunately it is very difficult to procure such substances and Walter is unwilling to give a single penny to the crime syndicates that dominate illegal drug trade, a principled position whose consequences do not seem to bother him. The next hearing in the Arezzo Tribunal will happen on April 27th - we will let you know how it goes.

Let’s move on to a story of ordinary heroism we read on Il Tirreno, that of an artisan that is braving the consequences of the crisis and seems unwilling to give up. Mirella Ricci, owner of an upholstery shop in downtown Massa, has to resist the temptation to sell everything each day but has managed to carry on so far. Her reasons? The pride for her work and the respect for the courage of her husband’s parents, who founded the company 50 years ago. Commerce downtown has been suffering for decades. People seem unwilling to spend money to reupholster quality furniture and the fact that the streets downtown are not as busy as before doesn’t really help. COVID was the final nail in the coffin for many shops. Mirella manages to stay afloat as she owns the premises, many others weren’t so lucky. Some days are worse than others. Mirella says that sometimes in an entire day not a single person steps into her shop...

Let’s close today’s episode with a story that could unnerve even the holiest of men, yet another episode linked to the controversial universal basic income. As we read this morning on Il Telegrafo, the Guardia di Finanza has discovered two cases where people were receiving the benefit without being entitled to it. If the first one is rather common, a 64 year old man that declared to be resident in Cecina despite having lived in Morocco for 10 years, the second one is much more unnerving. A 37 year old from Cecina “forgot” to declare 22500 Euros he received from selling his share of a flat he had inherited. Wait, it gets worse. He also “forgot” to declare 640000 Euros he had won betting online in the past three years. All to get around 6000 Euros of basic income between 2019 and 2020. Doesn’t happen often but I’m quite speechless. Not precisely - I’ve got plenty of words to describe this character, but none is suitable for a family-friendly show. Fill in the blanks with your favourite insults.

That was all for today, I’m your host Luca Bocci and I’ll see you tomorrow for another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye.

1) NO BROADBAND, NO WORK
2) ANTI CCP PROPAGANDA IN THE MAILBOX IN PRATO
3) SUMMER FEVER, BEACH CLUBS ALMOST SOLD OUT
4) A TICKET TO GET TO A PRIVATE POOL
5) THE MUGELLO FORREST GUMP RUNS ACROSS ITALY

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Blood Problems (Argofox release)
Author: Cityfires
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/cityfires/blood-problems-instrumental
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tANXMypu9Vw&t=0s

LINKS TO THE ARTICLES
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/lucca/cronaca/2021/02/24/news/senza-fibra-ottica-e-un-odissea-quotidiana-ne-ho-bisogno-il-mio-lavoro-e-a-rischio-1.39949802
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_febbraio_25/nella-chinatown-prato-posta-piena-di-volantini-contro-pechino-78442462-773f-11eb-84dc-eac143b95a3f.shtml
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/cecina/cronaca/2021/02/24/news/tutti-in-cerca-di-ombrelloni-per-l-estate-i-balneari-non-abbiamo-piu-posti-1.39948016
https://www.ilcuoioindiretta.it/cronaca/2021/02/24/faceva-pagare-il-biglietto-per-la-piscina-privata-multato-52enne-di-fucecchio/92938/
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_febbraio_24/michele-forrest-gump-mugello-sfida-fare-tutta-l-italia-corsa-1d9965b4-76bc-11eb-ad76-985f4a68d3f6.shtml

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the most interesting news of today, Thursday February 25th 2021, as selected by our journalists. If you like what we do, please subscribe and share this podcast on social media, we would really be thankful for that.

Let’s start with an article we read last night on Il Tirreno, a story that makes us all aware of how dependent on certain technologies we really are. If for the average user a slow connection is nothing but a nuisance, for those professionals forced to work remotely it can become a much more serious issue. Alessandro Giampaoli, electronic specialist based in Porcari, up until last year used to visit the factories of his clients to set up their machinery. Now he’s forced to work remotely but his connection isn’t up to par. Losing a gig is serious enough for an independent contractor but losing it due to a bad connection is just ridiculous. When machines stop, firms can lose thousands of euros every minute, a fast connection is critical. Alessandro lives just 50 meters away from optical fibre but, even if he offered to pay to bring it to his house, the net company hasn’t replied. He’s quite miffed about it. Quote: “especially in these days I would expect them to work harder to improve such fundamental infrastructures - and to be a bit more sympathetic towards our plight” end quote. Makes you really think that most of our lives revolve around something that, just 20 years ago, was considered “geek stuff”. Welcome to the future.

Let’s move now to a story we read this morning on the Corriere Fiorentino that shows how, especially in Prato, China is very near. The normally quiet community was startled by a flyer that reached most of the 24000 citizens of Chinese origins in town, whose content was quite odd. Rather than the usual advertisements, the flyer in Mandarin and Italian was overtly political and sharply critical of the work of Chinese Communist Party officials. If some of their claims seem rather outlandish, other criticisms of the behaviour of certain high ranking officials hits maybe too close to home. The party faithful in Prato have reported everything to the Chinese Consul in Florence and were quick to label the flyer as fake news. Others, probably, had a very different reaction but thought it best to just lay low and stay quiet. If some were quick to point to Guo Wengui, public enemy number one of the Chinese regime, others think that the flyer originated inside the Prato community. Tough to say if it was really fake news or a counter information effort by those that fight for a different China. One thing is sure: the community, well known for being almost invisible, could be torn apart by this controversy.

Let’s move now to the coast, where, according to an article we read on the Cecina edition of Il Tirreno, people have already booked their spot on the beach for the summer, with some operators saying they’re sold out. Maybe pushed by the unseasonably warm weather, in the establishment on the coast from Vada to Castiglioncello, bookings for the summer have doubled since 2020. Normally, aside from the regulars, new clients start booking after Easter - this year they started in January. To make things more complicated the anti-COVID restrictions, that have slashed the number of available umbrellas. Many operators say that they have no spots for August and that July as well is almost sold out. Everyone hopes that the pandemic will allow at least a summer like that of 2020. While many Europeans are so optimistic to have booked travel abroad, Italians only wish to be able to get a spot on a nearby beach...
Let’s move now to a curious story we read on Il Cuoio in Diretta last evening, surfaced only now after months of investigations. Last August, the owner of a secluded villa in the hills between Fucecchio and San Miniato thought to make a bit of extra cash by transforming his private pool into a public establishment. You could find snacks, a bar, loungers and an improvised life guard - the fella himself. All for a very reasonably priced entry ticket. You can admire his entrepreneurship but he had absolutely zero authorizations, the venture was totally illegal. After people started flocking to the place, the police showed up and started investigating. After a while, the pool was closed and the owner was fined more than a thousand euros. Now, if people won’t be able to find an umbrella on the beach, I’m sure that next summer many others will try to emulate our crafty entrepreneur.

Let’s close today’s episode with a very peculiar story we read on the Corriere Fiorentino, a thirty year old man from Mugello that decided to emulate Forrest Gump and run Italy from north to south. Michele Gramigni, a Barberino resident, will leave on April 5th from Predoi, the most northern town in Italy, to reach Marina d’Avola, the southernmost point, after 52 days. 1588 kilometers running without a single day of break, 35 to 40 kilometers per day on paved roads with height differences up to 1500 meters. On his back a small 30 liters backpack with the bare minimum. Aside from a shoes company sponsorship and the help of the towns he will traverse, Michele has no idea where he will sleep or eat, he just hopes people will help him. “Miccia Gump”, that’s his nickname, is imitating his hero also on this subject, leaving most of the planning to fate. A really singular initiative, without the usual fundraising for a good cause, just propelled by the desire to do something epic. Best of luck to Michele and to all those that, COVID or no COVID, still have the courage to think big and follow their dreams.

That was all for today, I’m your host, Luca Bocci, and I’ll see you tomorrow for another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye!

1) TRAVEL AGENCY CLOSED FOR A YEAR, OWNER COMMITS SUICIDE
2) PLANE CRASHED 40 YEARS AGO FOUND IN THE WOODS
3) CYCLIST HAS A STROKE, A TAXI DRIVER SAVES HIM
4) CHANGES THE METER, GETS A 3000 € BILL
5) BUYS AN APARTMENT WITH UNPAID TAXES, ARRESTED

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Reaction
Author:Wayne John Bradley
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/reaction-original-instrumental-royalty-free

LINKS TO ARTICLES
https://www.lanazione.it/prato/cronaca/si-toglie-la-vita-nella-sua-agenzia-viaggi-da-un-anno-l-attivit%C3%A0-era-ferma-per-il-covid-1.6068213
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/25/news/due-passi-nel-bosco-con-giallo-trovati-i-resti-di-un-aereo-1.39952807
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/25/news/rintracciato-il-pilota-del-piper-che-precipito-alla-valle-benedetta-38-anni-fa-mi-salvai-per-miracolo-1.39953980
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/regione/toscana/2021/02/26/news/dopo-il-piper-ecco-il-pilota-38-anni-fa-fui-miracolato-1.39956388
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/02/24/news/e-in-fin-di-vita-dopo-un-infarto-era-stato-rianimato-da-un-passante-1.39952502
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/02/25/news/cambiano-il-contatore-elettrico-e-gli-arriva-una-bolletta-da-3mila-euro-1.39953760
http://www.sienafree.it/siena/142-siena/122922-siena-acquista-appartamento-da-300mila-euro-con-i-soldi-delle-imposte-evase-denunciato-e-appartamento-sequestrato

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the most interesting news of today, Friday February 26th 2021, as selected by our journalists. As usual, we invite you to subscribe and share this podcast on social media, we would be really thankful for that.

Let’s start with a story that we read this morning on La Nazione that almost made us spit our breakfast. Since day one we talked about the mental health crisis that is gripping our region and how many small entrepreneurs are about to give up. One of them, the owner of a travel agency in the small town of Carmignano, near Prato, decided to take his own life in his shop, which has been empty for months. The news spread like wildfire in the 5000 inhabitants town. Stefano was 68 and for the past 25 years had been following his passion. In the end, the crisis was too much for him to bear. To find the body and the farewell letter his partner, late last evening. Local businesses, as the owner of the nearby bar, understand his motivations. Quote “he’s a victim of this pandemic as well. Small businesses have been left to their own devices. We hardly do any business but we still have to pay the rent”. A sad news that is not isolated: we remember a similar case last August, when a small business owner in Florence committed suicide when unable to pay the mortgage on his restaurant.

Let’s move now to a much less serious article we read on Il Tirreno. Near Livorno a small plane wreckage was found in the woods after almost 40 years. The plane was in the Valle Benedetta woods and was found by a photographer, Elena Bucelli. The photos published on social media prompted many to seek information on this accident. The Piper Cherokee Six 300 had crashed in the woods in the 80s when the pilot, confused by the fog, hit the treetops before crashing on the ground. Many were surprised by the fact that no one had removed the wreckage, in a difficult to reach forested area. This morning, again on Il Tirreno, we read the interview with the pilot that came out unscathed from the accident. Ennio Staffini, entrepreneur that is now living in the States, remembers the crash that happened on November 21st 1983 and how lucky he felt. Back then he worked for a small company in Piedmont as a pilot, working mostly with skydivers. After the six-seater crashed, insurance paid the company but no one removed the wreckage. We hope that the media attention will convince someone to act, before people hurt themselves just to get a selfie with the “forgotten plane”.

Let’s move now to Tirrenia, where yesterday morning a tragedy was avoided thanks to the help of a passerby. As we read on Il Tirreno, Cristiano Balestri, a 50 year old from Marina di Pisa, had a stroke while he was cycling. He collapsed to the ground around 11 AM and remained there for minutes, ignored by the cars, before a group of cyclists stopped. Simone Martini, a taxi driver from Pisa, recognized his friend and started practicing CPR. He kept going until, more than 30 minutes later, the ambulance finally arrived. Adrenaline and the defibrillator did their job but Cristiano is still in critical conditions in the Cisanello hospital. One thing is sure: without the help of the taxi driver, he would have died there, on the pavement, ignored by everyone.

Let’s move now to an interesting story we read on the Massa edition of Il Tirreno. After his meter was replaced, a resident received a massive electricity bill, over three thousand euros. The result of a check of his energy consumption from 2018 to 2020 left him stunned. His electricity bills always were normal. So he decided to seek the help of Confconsumatori, a consumer advocacy group. The association lawyer, Francesca Galloni, didn’t give up and protested against the provider estimate, which she considered outlandish. The provider realized their mistake and came up with an exact quote. According to the lawyer, it’s not an isolated case. Quote “many people seek our help after receiving massive electricity or heating bills. Sometimes they’re caused by faulty meters. In most cases we are successful and the massive bills are corrected” end quote. An advice to consumers? File your claim before the expiry date and don’t give up after the first negative response. A very useful advice, especially now, when an unexpected expense could cause massive problems for many families.

Let’s close today’s episode with a funny story we read on Siena Free, that of a nonchalant entrepreneur that forgot to file his tax returns for years and reinvested the money in a luxury flat for his daughter. The Guardia di Finanza started checking the man, who is a wholesaler of shoemaking products, when he didn’t file tax returns from 2014 to 2017. No income tax, no VAT, nothing at all, for a turnaround estimated in 1.2 million Euros. How did he do it? He moved the money to his daughter’s accounts, some in cash, other in checks from his clients. As the money accumulated there, he thought it best to invest in a 300000 Euros flat for his daughter, an university student. Now he’s been charged with tax fraud and the property has been seized by the authorities. Now, I understand that optimism is crucial for an entrepreneur but how did he think he could get away with it?! Unbelievable...

That was all for today, I’m your host Luca Bocci and I’ll see you tomorrow with our weekend episode, the “rest of the week” of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye.

1) COUNTERFEIT DESIGNER FACE MASKS
2) TO STOP THE VIRUS, REMOVES BENCHES FROM MAIN SQUARE
3) TEN THOUSAND BOTTLES UNDER THE SEA
4) WINE IN AN HOUR, THE CHALLENGE TO AMAZON
5) GOVERNMENT SELLS FOR 10 TO PAY 18 IN RENT FOR THE SAME BUILDING
6) FROM PATAGONIA TO PISTOIA SEARCHING FOR HER ROOTS

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Summercycle
Author: Wayne John Bradley
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Link: https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commons

LINKS TO ARTICLES
http://www.notiziediprato.it/news/scoperta-filiera-del-falso-con-le-mascherine-griffate-uno-dei-grossisti-era-a-prato
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/02/26/news/pisa_fabbrica_mascherine_fuorilegge-289305765/?rss
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/02/25/news/quarrata_pistoia_panchine_levate_piazza_sindaco_marco_mazzanti-289189091/?rss
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/grosseto/cronaca/2021/02/26/news/diecimila-bottiglie-sotto-i-mari-all-argentario-una-cantina-da-record-1.39956864
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/empoli/cronaca/2021/02/26/news/viniferi-piu-veloce-di-amazon-da-empoli-la-sfida-del-vino-a-domicilio-in-un-ora-1.39956691
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/grosseto/cronaca/2021/02/19/news/gli-affari-dello-stato-vende-per-10-milioni-e-da-inquilino-finira-a-pagarne-17-di-affitto-1.39927428
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pistoia/2021/02/20/news/27-anni-e-un-sogno-ritrovare-la-mia-famiglia-cosi-catalina-dalla-patagonia-cerca-le-sue-radici-pistoiesi-1.39933245

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the most interesting news coming from this extraordinary region. As every weekend, this episode will be slightly different, longer than usual and with all the stories we weren’t able to cover during the week. We hope you like this format - let us know your thoughts in the comments here below.

Let’s start now with a story we read on several websites, including La Repubblica, yesterday afternoon, a story that shows how certain Italians have a unique talent for fraud. During a routine search in a small dressmaker’s in Valdera, the Guardia di Finanza uncovered a vaste chain of counterfeit fashion products. Given the times we’re living, rather than clothes, the factory produced fake facemasks, using some of the most famous fashion brands. The cloth face masks branded Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Gucci and Chanel were distributed across Italy, produced using counterfeit cloth sourced in Lombardy. Almost half a million masks were seized by the police. Looking at the archive, investigators discovered that, during the first lockdown, when face masks were almost impossible to find, the factory produced generic masks, making them pass for medical devices. Some public authorities bought those masks, which generated 300000 Euros in profit for the forgers. With or without a pandemic, this industry always finds a way to make money. Who cares if someone might get sick using those masks...

Let’s talk again about the pandemic with a story we found a couple days ago on La Repubblica. Thursday morning the people of Quarrata, a small town near Pistoia, were startled when some workers started removing the thirteen benches in the main square. The move was authorized by the Mayor Marco Mazzanti to fight the spread of the virus. If the raise in people self-isolating is common knowledge, the mayor was fed up to see groups of senior citizens that spent hours around the benches, sometimes not wearing face masks. As soon as the municipal police tried to stop them, they briefly dispersed, only to return to their benches soon after. What to do? Let’s remove the benches, that’ll teach them! Sure, much better for senior citizens to stay locked indoors, where statistics show that most people get the virus, rather than outdoors, where the percentages are minimal. There is a saying in Napoli, “facite ammuina”. Google it if you want to know what I mean...

And now for something completely different, a story that we read a few days ago on the Grosseto edition of Il Tirreno. According to their article, the result of one of the many real estate disposal initiatives brought forward by the government in the early 2000s was a real disaster, at least in Grosseto. A six story office building was sold in 2004 for around 10 million Euros only to be then leased by some government agencies with a 18 year old lease. How much did they pay? Around a million euros per year, that went to a private real estate fund. When the contract expires next year, the agencies should move to a building on public owned land. Too bad that it hasn’t been built yet. Such a deal would be more than enough to get any CEO fired. Things in the public sector don’t work like that. One of the many small stories that made the public debt explode in the last decades. Who cares? The taxpayers will always foot the bill, right?

Let’s move now to a really intriguing story we read yesterday on Il Tirreno, a one of a kind wine cellar that will be built in the Argentario region. Instead of using a cave or building the cellar from scratch, more than 10000 bottles of wine will be placed in metal cages 35 meters below sea level, 500 meters from the shore facing Isola Rossa. The bottles of Talamo, a wine produced on the hills overlooking the town of Talamone, will remain underwater from one to two years. The temperature at that depth is around 16 degrees Celsius all year round, something that is great to age wine. The idea came to the winemaker Marco Bacci while sailing his boat. He noticed that wine aged better when he kept it in the bilge, where the temperature is almost constant. Once found the right spot, the first batch of wine to be aged like this will be ten thousand bottles of a 2018 red wine. The idea isn’t really new, as it was used in Portofino to age sparkling wine but it’s the first time such a solution is used in our region. We can’t wait to see how this wine will taste - we’ll let you know when it’s ready.

Considered it’s the weekend, another story related to wine, this time from Empoli, where two sommeliers decided to challenge the online commerce behemoths promising to deliver the clients’ favourite bottles in just an hour. According to the article we read on Il Tirreno, the extra quick delivery is limited to the area around Empoli but it’s still interesting. The idea was born during the first lockdown, when Andrea Vanni and Marianna Maestrelli created an online wine boutique, with an exclusive catalogue of wines from small vineyards, catering to those that look for something special. What can you do to stand out between the various online outlets? Promise extra quick delivery, maybe for those that buy their presents at the last second. Interesting concept, not sure if there’s a market for it but good luck anyway to this gutsy start-up.

Let’s close this weekend episode with a story we read some time ago on the Pistoia edition of Il Tirreno, the story of a 27 year old Argentinian woman that is doing everything she can to find her long lost relatives. Catalina Guidi lives in El Bolson, a town in Patagonia, close to the border with Chile. She has never been to Italy but she obviously comes from Italian stock. Her great grandparents died many years ago and no one seemed to be able to tell her where her family came from. It wasn’t an easy search. Guidi might be a very unusual surname in Patagonia but it’s pretty popular in Buenos Aires. After a while she managed to find the marriage certificates for her great grandparents. Giuseppe Guidi was born in Pistoia in 1908 and decided to move to Argentina in 1931, after the death of his mother. The impact with Argentinian society wasn’t easy. He divorced his wife in 1941 and then disappeared into thin air. Some relatives are sure that he got back to Italy after the end of the war but no one is sure about it. Catalina now is asking anyone on social media to help her know what happened to Giuseppe and find out if she has living relatives in Tuscany. We really wish her the best of luck and to be soon able to come to Tuscany and meet her extended family.

That was all for today, tomorrow we’ll take a day off. We’ll be back with week 3 of What’s Up Tuscany starting from Monday. Thanks for listening and goodbye.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it

1) 91 YEAR OLD DONATES HIS VACCINE DOSE TO MOTHER OF DISABLED CHILD
2) COPPER AGAINST COVID VIRUS?
3) SEPARATIONS, LAWYERS SAY THEY'RE DOUBLED
4) SOCCER ROUNDUP OF THE WEEKEND
5) FREE CLIMBERS FINED AFTER CROSSING FROM LAZIO
6) PLANE APOLOGY, EVERYONE'S LOOKING FOR MYSTERIOUS "ALE"

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Supernova (Argofox release)
Author: EzaOne
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: youtu.be/xZDYu5azS-c
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/ezaone-supernova

LINKS TO ARTICLES
https://www.lanazione.it/massa-carrara/cronaca/vaccino-1.6073882
https://www.lanazione.it/cronaca/vuole-donare-vaccino-1.6077656
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/03/01/news/covid_rame_antivirale_virus-289633539/?rss
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/prato/cronaca/2021/03/01/news/la-convivenza-forzata-raddoppia-le-separazioni-1.39965605
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/grosseto/cronaca/2021/02/28/news/sconfinano-dal-lazio-per-fare-arrampicata-in-maremma-multati-1.39965212
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/02/24/news/spostamenti_tra_regioni_multati_lazio_toscana-289017698/?rss
https://www.ilgiunco.net/2021/02/28/ale-perdonami-laereo-sorvola-la-citta-per-chiudere-scusa-al-suo-amore/

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the most interesting news of today, Monday March 1st 2021, as selected by our journalists. Let’s start week 3 of this podcast well rested after the weekend and ready to tell the stories of our beautiful Tuscany. Please, if you like what we do, subscribe, share this podcast and let us know what you think of it on L’Arno Facebook page or on Twitter. You can find the links here below.

Let’s start with a story we read Saturday and Sunday on La Nazione, that of a generous senior in Carrara willing to donate his vaccine dose to the mother of a disabled child. Giovanni, a fantasy name as he’d rather not be recognized, stepped forward after reading about the desperation of the mother, afraid of getting the virus and passing it to her child. Giovanni was promptly blocked by the bureaucracy, which doesn’t understand such gestures. Thursday he should receive his dose but will show up with the young woman, convinced not to take no for an answer. He thinks of this as normal behaviour. Quote “I’ve seen the plea of this mother and I didn’t think twice, she needs the vaccine more than I do. I don’t mind the restrictions, I never leave my home, I can see the sea and the mountains from here, I can walk in my garden, as for the rest my sons and nephews take care of me. I’m not a hero” end quote. Well, Mister Giovanni, we don’t see many people around as generous and courageous as you are. We’ll let you know how this story will end in the coming episodes.

Let’s continue with a very interesting article we read this morning on La Repubblica, about a Tuscan company that found a way to reduce the spread of COVID using an ancient material, copper. KME Italy, a firm based in Florence, manufactures a line of products made of copper alloys, a material that, as certified by the virology lab at the University of Pisa, eliminates the COVID virus in no more than 10 minutes. The virus survives up to two days on plastic. The products are being tested in the Malpensa airport, where they will replace handles and bars on the plane shuttles. Copper is recyclable and lasts much longer than many other materials. The real challenge will be to shrink the size of the copper particles so that they can be sprayed on cloth, plastics, metals, paper and to make sure they’re not washed away easily. If the experimentation being carried out at the Pisa CNR laboratory will be successful, the nanoparticles can be added to natural or synthetic fibres, making face masks and clothes much more effective against viruses, bacteria and fungi. Let’s hope they’re successful. Such products would have a massive market.

Let’s move now to the latest chapter of a story we reported a few days ago, that we read this morning on Il Tirreno. A few days ago the Prato registry office reported how the pandemic had reduced the number of separations and divorces. Well, according to many local attorneys those were old data. Since last autumn, the number of separation requests has almost doubled. According to Michele Giacco, women usually ask for an immediate separation, deciding to go back to their parents to regroup and try to get enough money for a divorce. Laura Badiani is sure that being forced to live together has made everything that didn’t work in a relationship almost unbearable, prompting many to break up, even when they have children. Before, when people were outside the house most of the time, a solution could be found. Now that we’re stuck together all the time, people have much less patience. So, just when we thought that the pandemic had brought the best out of many, we’re forced to change our mind. Bummer...

As every monday, let’s move now to a quick recap of the football - soccer if you must - results of clubs from Tuscany. In Serie A new stop for Fiorentina, which was defeated 1-0 in Udine. Eight away loss in 12 matches for Prandelli’s men. The Viola still have 25 points, plus seven from the relegation zone. In Serie B, home draw for Empoli against Venezia: despite this they’re still top of the table with 46 points, three above Monza and 4 above Venezia and Salernitana. Two-all draw for Pisa against Vicenza, with the Nerazzurri coming back from 0-2 in the second half. Mixed bag in Serie C: more or less uneventful draws for Pistoiese and Lucchese, against Albinoleffe and Olbia respectively. Convincing 3-1 win for Grosseto against Pontedera while the downward spiral of Livorno Calcio continues with another loss at Pergolettese. Good 2-all draw in Trieste for Arezzo.

Let’s move on with a story we read Sunday on the Grosseto edition of Il Tirreno, a new border crossing of sporting enthusiasts from Lazio. A few days ago we had read how a couple of surfers from near Rome were caught in Ansedonia chasing the big waves, this time it was two free climbing enthusiasts from Rome to be surprised while climbing the Tagliata cliff face. The two thirty year olds were stopped by the Guardia di Finanza, fined between 400 and 800 Euros and invited to go back immediately to their residences. Their reasons? If the surfers ended there when they couldn’t find decent waves in Tarquinia, the free climbers said they couldn’t find anything as good as the Ansedonia wall in their area. Again, the passion for sport clashed against the harsh reality we’re all living. So far, fines won the day. We’ll see how it will go in the future...

Let’s close today’s episode with a funny story we read Sunday evening on Il Giunco, an apology painted in the sky that puzzled the citizens of Follonica. Saturday afternoon a banner behind a small plane had a cryptic message: “Ale forgive me”. The plane circled over the town several times, enough so that people could snap pictures and post them on social media. In a matter of minutes everyone was looking for the mysterious Ale. Will it be a man or a woman? Who did what? Did he/she betray him/her? How will the story end? The entire town is trying to figure out what happened and if Ale accepted the apology or not. We will definitely keep an eye out for this. We’re curious to know as well.

That was all for today, I’m your host Luca Bocci and I’ll see you tomorrow for another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it
1) NURSE GETS VIRUS JUST BEFORE RECEIVING THE VACCINE
2) PRIEST FAINTS DURING MASS, GOOD SAMARITAN GETS COVID
3) ALCOHOL POISONING SPIKES BETWEEN FLORENCE YOUTH
4) A VERY PARTICULAR HOOLIGAN IN LUCCA
5) LOOKING FOR THE CHILD HELPED BY HIS GRANDPA DURING THE WAR

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Siege (Argofox release)
Author: Zentra
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: youtu.be/57Dgj1nssXA
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/zentra-siege

LINKS TO ARTICLES
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/cecina/cronaca/2021/03/01/news/l-infermiera-57enne-del-reparto-covid-e-il-tampone-positivo-il-giorno-del-vaccino-1.39968283
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/03/01/news/ho-pensato-a-un-infarto-e-ho-aiutato-don-ettore-ora-sono-in-quarantena-1.39971499
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_marzo_02/firenze-effetto-covid-cresce-l-allarme-alcol-giovani-oltrarno-l-ultimo-coma-etilico-4089bd22-7b16-11eb-a431-957d0ab51442.shtml
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/lucca/cronaca/2021/03/01/news/arrestato-di-nuovo-il-danneggiatore-seriale-e-pericoloso-qualcuno-deve-intervenire-1.39968551
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/03/01/news/seconda_guerra_mondiale_inghilterra_borgo_san_lorenzo_neda_totoonchii_bambina-289724539/?rss
https://www.lanazione.it/cronaca/bimba-salvata-soldato-inglese-1.6080419

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the most interesting news of today, Tuesday March 2nd 2021, as selected by our journalists. As usual, we invite you to subscribe, share this podcast on social media and let us know what you think of it in the Arno Facebook page or on Twitter. The links are here below in the description.

Let’s start today with an article we read Monday evening on Il Tirreno, a story that puts a face and a soul to those contagion numbers that we hear every single day. Daniela Parenti, a 57 year old nurse from Cecina, on January 13th was scheduled to receive the first dose of the COVID vaccine. Shortly before getting the shot, she felt something was wrong. A quick swab revealed that she had just been infected by the virus. Daniela, who worked from day one in the COVID ward, therefore was forced into quarantine, a process that lasted 35 days. To make things worse, the fact that she had spread the virus to some of her family members. Luckily no one was hospitalized and everyone, Daniela included, managed to beat the virus. All the precautions were useless but Daniela feels she’s lucky. The fear and apprehension are still vivid but she hopes to be able to breathe some freedom soon. From your mouth to God’s ear, ma’am.

Let’s keep in topic with an article we read this morning on Il Tirreno. In Bientina, a small town in Valdera that has been hit hard by the pandemic, during Friday’s Mass, the vicar, don Ettore Baroni, fainted while celebrating. Fearing for a stroke, one of the faithful, Stefano Susini, immediately rushed to his aid - an instinctive gesture that could have serious repercussions. Don Ettore, in fact, had a high fever after being infected with the COVID virus. The entrepreneur is now self-isolating with his wife, while the church has been temporarily closed. Stefano would do it again, though. Quote “I was worried when I saw don Ettore fainting. When the ambulance arrived, I stayed there to help him get on the gurney. I thought it was nothing serious but then I started thinking it could be COVID” end quote. A simple, very human gesture that could come with a high price tag for this Good Samaritan. These are seriously weird times...

Let’s move on now to a story we read this morning on the Corriere Fiorentino, one that talks about how many youngsters are trying to numb their pain with alcohol. Valentino Patussi, head of the Alcohol Addiction Service at the Careggi hospital is worried from the explosion of alcohol poisoning in the Florence area. The latest accident happened Sunday morning when two American students in the Oltrarno area asked for help at 3 AM when a friend fainted after a private party. It is not an isolated accident. Of the six thousand alcohol dependencies followed by the Careggi centre, 10% have between 11 and 15 years of age while 45% are between 16 and 18. Quote “if during the lockdown alcohol consumption dropped significantly, now we are experiencing a spike, especially in very young patients. The problem is mostly reported by the families, who are much more present, as many work from home. What are the causes? A simple change of behaviours. These are the same kids that used to go to discos. If before you waited until the evening to go get a drink, people now start in the early afternoon” end quote. Alcohol-fueled binges that sometimes last until late at night...

Let’s try to lighten the mood with a story we read Monday evening on the Lucca edition of Il Tirreno, that of a very peculiar hooligan that has been targeting people downtown since last October. The author of a long series of accidents is a 76 years old pensioner that, once in a while, goes out and smashes anything that gets in his way - cars, road signs, postboxes, everything. Latest episode involved a large vase in front of a pub on the Viale di San Concordio. The pub owner, Nicola Centoni, is beyond himself. Quote “he turned over a vase that could weigh 100 kilograms, making it fall from a wall, he is very dangerous. We know who he is, he strikes only in this area. It’s the third time he damages my property. When he gets angry, he just lashes out” end quote. The senior citizen was arrested but it’s quite likely that he won’t be detained, just as it happened the last two times. One time he was arrested while damaging a car with a large stick, while on January 23rd he was caught after placing two large gas tanks in front of a party office. A really unusual story indeed. We will let you know how it develops in the coming episodes.

Let’s close today’s episode with a story we read this morning on La Nazione, a story that brings us back to the tough days of Winter in 1944, when the front was slowly moving through our region. In Borgo San Lorenzo, two British soldiers of the Royal Scots, while on patrol, found a young child hiding in a destroyed house. She was lost and hungry so they helped her find her family. As food was scarce for civilians, they brought them something from the regiment’s canteen. The family was so thankful they invited the soldiers to a home-cooked dinner. The nephew of one of those soldiers knows this story very well: his grandpa told it all the time. Now that he’s married to a woman from Florence, he sought out the help of people on social media to find that young child, to know if she remembers the soldier that helped her back then. His grandfather, Harry Rodney, died in 2012 but the picture he shot with that child from Borgo remained with him for all his life. He couldn’t forget the expression on her face when he found her. Let’s hope someone helps them to get in touch. We could all use a happy ending.

That was all for today, I’m your host Luca Bocci and I’ll see you tomorrow for another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it

1) MASSIVE BRAWL IN DOWNTOWN LEGHORN
2) VIAREGGIO, THE MAYOR CLOSES MAIN SQUARE
3) MONTEPULCIANO, ATM TORN AWAY WITH EXPLOSIVES
4) SOCCER, THE MIDWEEK SERIE B ROUNDUP
5) THE ADOPTED PUPPY IS NOT A DOG BUT A WILD WOLF
6) THE ESCORT IS REALLY A PIZZAIOLO

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Pick You Up
Author: Wayne John Bradley
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons

LINKS TO ARTICLES
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/03/02/news/c-e-una-rissa-tra-bande-di-ragazzi-in-piazza-attias-arriva-la-polizia-1.39974420
https://www.iltelegrafolivorno.it/cronaca/video/rissa-violenza-livorno-1.6084310
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_marzo_02/viareggio-sindaco-chiude-piazza-shelley-ci-va-troppa-gente-1c507e12-7b7c-11eb-a431-957d0ab51442.shtml
https://www.sienanews.it/toscana/acquaviva-di-montepulciano-assalto-al-bancomat-con-esplosivo-crolla-muro-dei-negozi-accanto/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=acquaviva-di-montepulciano-assalto-al-bancomat-con-esplosivo-crolla-muro-dei-negozi-accanto
https://www.lanazione.it/pistoia/cronaca/la-storia-di-rufus-cucciolo-di-lupo-adottato-da-una-famiglia-che-credeva-fosse-un-cane-1.6083450
https://www.lanazione.it/viareggio/cronaca/avvocato-detective-1.6080165

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the most interesting news of today, Wednesday March 3rd 2021, as selected by our journalists. As usual, if you like what we do please subscribe, share this podcast on social media and let us know what you think of it on the Arno Facebook page and on Twitter.

Let’s start today with yet another episode of social unrest that startled people in downtown Leghorn Tuesday evening. As we read on Il Tirreno, around 7 PM in Attias Square people saw a massive fight between groups of youngsters. The footage of a video published by Il Telegrafo shows a no-holds-barred brawl between several young people, who also threw stones at each other, surrounded by the screams of many supporters. All happened in a few minutes and when the police cars showed up the situation was more or less back to normal. People living there were rather shaken nonetheless. Many remember when, last october, Carabinieri were assaulted while conducting routine anti-COVID checks. According to the first reports, the massive brawl started when two youngsters attacked each other, prompting the reaction of their friends. No consequences have been reported so far but this again shows how many of us, especially young people, are one heartbeat away from a mental breakdown.

Let’s remain on a similar topic with a story we read Tuesday evening on the Corriere Fiorentino. In Viareggio, the mayor has decided that, from this morning, a square downtown will be closed to the public, in order to avoid people gathering there. In a video published on the official social media accounts, mayor Giorgio del Ghingaro announced that from today Shelley Square will be blocked to anyone that doesn’t live or have a shop there. Despite the action of the municipal police, too many people gathered there. If the situation shouldn’t improve, the mayor could close other areas of the city, especially during the weekend. A while ago the mayor protested when too many people were walking on the promenade, back when Tuscany was in yellow. More recently he spoke against young people coming from other towns to enjoy the winter sea. After the mayor of Quarrata removed benches from the main square, now we have the mayor of a major tourist destination that fights against people that could help local bars and restaurants to avoid bankruptcy. Don’t know about you, I’m quite speechless...

Let’s move now to a story we read this morning on Siena News, an assault against an ATM in Montepulciano that startled citizens overnight. At 3 AM a Carabinieri patrol got in front of the local Monte dei Paschi branch only to find a bunch of rubble where the ATM machine used to be. A large explosion had dislodged the ATM from the wall, severely damaging a hairdresser shop nearby and throwing debris more than 100 meters away. It’s not the first time events like this happen in the area, usually in the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. It is definitely the work of a professional: moving an entire ATM by hand is no easy feat. So, while in Leghorn people are trying to blow parking meters for change, in Montepulciano people steal entire ATM machines. We’ll let you know should the police manage to stop these criminals or not.

As soccer has a midweek matchday, here is a quick recap of the results of Tuscan clubs in Serie B. Leaders Empoli won three nil away at Reggio Calabria: now they have 49 points, plus five from Venezia and plus four from Monza, who drew away at Frosinone. Great result for Pisa Sporting Club in Ascoli, where the Nerazzurri won two nil thanks to the goals of Mastinu and Marconi. Pisa is now only two points away from the playoffs.

Let’s move now to a curious story we read on La Nazione, that of a very peculiar animal adoption. After finding a puppy injured after being run over by a car, a family in Pistoia decided to adopt him and pay for the surgeries he needed to get back to health. Rufus, despite having an unusually dark coat, was not a dog but a wild wolf. As he grew, the family realized that his behaviour wasn’t that of a dog and was forced to call the wildlife authorities. After being sedated, the young wolf has been moved to a wildlife refuge in Modena. If the injuries he sustained will prevent him from being released in the wild, Rufus will share a large forested area with several other rescued wolves. Not exactly the same, but definitely better than a small flat.

Let’s close today’s episode with an incredible news that we read on the Viareggio edition of La Nazione, a sexy con that was thwarted by a local Perry Mason. After posting on a local announce board, a fifty year old man was contacted by a young lady from Forte dei Marmi. She said she was available to have a casual relationship. The couple exchanged several encouraging pictures, then the request for money. 350 Euros for a house visit, 150 Euros down payment required. The man thinks there’s nothing strange and brags about it with his lawyer, who is immediately suspicious. A quick check and he realizes that the photos were stolen from the profiles of several escorts. When he asks the bombshell for her fiscal code, the woman blocks him and disappears into thin air. Behind the online profile was not a curvaceous young lady but a pizzaiolo from Liguria that had come up with this trick to make some money from overly optimistic middle aged men. Remember, people, nothing is as it seems on the Internet.

That was all for today, I’m your host Luca Bocci and I’ll see you tomorrow for another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it

1) BOTH GRANDPA AND THE MOTHER OF A DISABLED CHILD VACCINATED
2) ENTERTAINMENT COLLAPSE, ONLY HOPE AN OPEN SUMMER
3) MASSIVE FINE TO FISH POACHERS IN LEGHORN
4) 10000 EUROS IN CASH STOLEN FROM PARKED CAR
5) LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT AT 93, SEPARATES FROM HIS WIFE

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Children of the Son
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental

LINKS TO ARTICLES
https://www.lanazione.it/massa-carrara/cronaca/vaccino-genitori-disabile-e-novantunenne-generoso-1.6088799
https://www.lanazione.it/massa-carrara/cronaca/il-nonno-che-vuol-donare-alla-madre-di-disabile-il-suo-vaccino-ministro-mi-autorizzi-1.6083277
https://firenze.repubblica.it/tempo-libero/articoli/musica/2021/03/03/news/covid_musica_concerti_toscana_appello_speranza-290118148/?rss
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/regione/toscana/2021/03/03/news/per-non-licenziare-svendo-l-attrezzatura-1.39977350
https://www.quilivorno.it/news/cronaca/pesca-illegale-di-cee-maxi-multa-e-due-denunce/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/03/03/news/pescano-le-anguille-di-notte-in-due-multati-per-undicimila-euro-1.39977072
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/03/03/news/denunciano-un-maxi-furto-ci-hanno-rubato-centomila-euro-dalla-panda-1.39978527
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/03/03/news/arezzo_lui_93_anni_si_separa_dalla_moglie_ho_un_altra_voglio_rifarmi_una_vita_-290122418/?rss

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the best news of today, Thursday March 4th 2021, as selected by our journalists. If you like what we do, please subscribe, share on social media and let us know your thoughts on the Arno Facebook page or on Twitter. Links here below in the description.

Let’s start with an update of a story we reported a few days ago. As we read on La Nazione, the battle of Giancarlo, 91 year old from Carrara who offered to donate his vaccine dose to Cinzia, mother of a disabled child, had a positive ending. This morning, at the appointment to get the first dose of the vaccine, both Giancarlo and the parents of the disabled child will get the shot. They were included in the list of extremely vulnerable people, whose vaccination starts today. Governor Giani said he’s satisfied with this solution but there are many parents of disabled children, who act as their medics and nurses, not included in the official lists. It is a weird situation, derived from the decision of choosing who gets the vaccine based on their job. Elsewhere, for example in England, to avoid discrimination they are proceeding based only on age. We will see which solution will be most effective.

Talking again about the pandemic, Wednesday evening we read an article on La Repubblica talking about the serious crisis that could wipe out the entire entertainment industry. To voice their concern this time are concert promoters, who are fed up with the meager public subsidies and just want to know when they’ll be able to get back to work. If in Israel the success of the vaccination campaign has allowed to schedule live concerts, in Tuscany even the planned reopening of theaters at vastly reduced capacity looks like a joke. Promoters say that the only way to avoid the collapse of their industry is to be able to organize live open air concerts with a maximum of 1000 people starting from the summer. The crisis is hitting the sector really hard. In an article we read on Il Tirreno the owner of an event planning company in Florence has been forced to liquidate most assets in order to avoid firing her employees. Federica Rotundo worked last time in February 2020 and has just sold the company van, stages, audio and video equipment just to be able to pay something to her eight employees. Despite what seems a desperate situation, Federica keeps on working and stays positive. Quote “we have to think about the future, this emergency will end sooner or later” end quote. We wish we shared her optimism. The situation looks really dire for many industries.

Let’s move now to a story we read wednesday afternoon on QuiLivorno, a massive fine from the Guardia di Finanza against a group of fish poachers. One of the traditional staples of Pisan and Leghornese cuisine are the so-called “cee”, newborn eels, fry. As the specific race of eels is protected, it is illegal to fish them, to help the population recover. There are plenty of aficionados that still love this dish and less scrupulous fishermen are very willing to indulge them. After a series of high tech stakeouts, the Leghorn finanzieri arrested two 45 year old fishermen near a dam on the Scolmatore channel. Their boat was immediately impounded and 350 fries were freed. On top of that, a massive 11000 Euros fine. There is in fact a 20 Euros fine for every baby eel caught alive, double if dead. So what could have been a very productive evening turned into a financial disaster. Gourmets of discerning taste will probably have to forget their favourite “cee alla livornese”...
Another story from Leghorn we read on Il Tirreno, that of a suspiciously lucky break for some thieves. Wednesday afternoon two women showed up at the police station in Leghorn to denounce that two suitcases had been stolen from their car, parked at Il Romito, a panoramic road just outside town. Nothing strange here, the ladies had decided to take a walk and enjoy the scenery and the great weather. After a few minutes they noticed that the glass had been shattered and that the suitcases in their boot had been stolen. The agents were surprised when informed of their content: 10000 Euros in cash. Apparently, one of the ladies, a 43 year old woman from Sassari, has just moved to Leghorn and decided to bring with her some pocket money. The investigation seems complicated, as in the area there are no CCTVs but there are many doubts on the event. How could the thieves know what was inside the suitcases? Such a lucky break seems highly improbable. We will let you know of the developments in the coming episodes, obviously.

Let’s close today with a curious story we read wednesday evening on La Repubblica, a love story from Arezzo that defies age. He’s 93 years old, his wife 86, they’ve been married forever, they have children, nephews, a comfortable life. Then, out of the blue, love at first sight. The husband meets a single lady at a social club, they get closer and fall desperately in love. In a few months, here comes the separation request. The wife is understandably upset and, together with the rest of the family, denies his request. The man doesn’t take no for an answer. Quote “I want my freedom, I want to build a new life with her” end quote. So, the couple ended up in front of a judge for what looked like an acrimonious legal battle. The judge proposes a solution and, after a bit of back and forth, the husband agrees. Anything to be able to live with his new love. In six months he’ll be able to file for divorce and start a new life with his new companion. What to say? Congratulations for your optimism and best of luck to the new couple!

That was all for today, I’m your host Luca Bocci and I’ll see you tomorrow for another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it
1) 17 YEAR OLD COLLAPSES DRUNK IN PLAIN DAYLIGHT
2) YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS OUT OF CONTROL?
3) DISTANCE LEARNING, PARENTS PROTEST WIDENS
4) GAS TANK SETS HOUSE ON FIRE, JUMPS OUT OF THE WINDOW
5) FROM SPAIN TO FLORENCE LOOKING FOR HIS LOST FATHER

BACKGROUND MUSIC
WATER WOOD AND STONE by Audionautix | http://audionautix.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

LINKS TO ARTICLES
https://www.quilivorno.it/news/cronaca-nera/coma-etilico-17enne-trasportata-in-ospedale/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/03/04/news/diciassettenne-soccorsa-in-coma-etilico-nel-parco-della-leccia-1.39983014
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_marzo_03/sindaco-firenze-nardella-il-disagio-giovanile-sta-aumentando-dismisura-db06a1ae-7bf6-11eb-abe9-00d070392cf2.shtml
http://www.notiziediprato.it/news/la-scelta-della-dad-al-100-non-piace-a-presidi-e-famiglie-divisi-gli-studenti
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/03/04/news/fiamme-dalla-bombola-e-la-casa-va-a-fuoco-quasi-illesa-la-proprietaria-e-un-miracolo-1.39981896
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_marzo_04/dalla-spagna-firenze-cerca-padre-mai-visto-vorrei-fargli-sapere-che-esisto-dfb774ee-7d09-11eb-8ae0-28e344f62ca5.shtml

SCRIPT
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be, however you might be listening, welcome to another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you will find the most interesting stories of today, Friday March 5th 2021, as selected by our journalists. If you wish, please subscribe, share this podcast on social media and let us know your thoughts on the Arno Facebook page or on Twitter.

Let’s start today with a few stories that describe the serious malaise that is hitting a large part of the youngsters in our region. Yesterday evening, yet another story of an alcohol binge that could have turned into a tragedy. As we read on QuiLivorno, a 17 year old girl from Leghorn was hospitalized after being found severely intoxicated in plain daylight. The accident happened in the late afternoon of Thursday in the Leccia public park, where the young woman had spent most of her day drinking with friends. At the end, she lost her senses, collapsing on a bench. The quick reaction from the ambulance crew avoided the worst. She is now awake and is recovering in the hospital. Still it is another warning sign of a situation that has been underestimated by many. Luckily some authorities are reacting. As we read on the Corriere Fiorentino, Thursday the Florence mayor sounded the alarm on this issue. According to Dario Nardella the attempted suicides, self-harm and psychological issues in young people have skyrocketed in the last few weeks. The director of the Meyer Hospital in Florence, Alberto Zanobini, agrees. Quote: “we’re observing a trend that we fear is nothing but the tip of the iceberg of a hidden malaise. We see more and more cases of self-harm, eating disorders, sleep disorders, that sometimes lead to attempted suicides. It is a phenomenon that builds on an existing frailty, that was worsened by the pandemic. In the first phase of the emergency, people were sustained by the thought that all would turn for the best but when that didn’t happen, things turned for the worst. The deterioration of our youths' psyche will cause problems for years. We have to find ways to fight it” end quote. To make things worse the closure of schools in red zones, as planned by the last governmental decree. As we read on Notizie di Prato, many parents are fed up and have decided to voice their concern, mail-bombing the email account of governor Giani. The members of the committee Priorità alla Scuola have sent hundreds of emails to the governor, announcing a strike next March 26th. Others have hung banners in front of many schools, requesting for them to remain open. Parents are afraid that 100% distance learning could cause further delays and ultimately ruin another school year. Opinions vary wildly but many are concerned that automatic promotions to the next grade could make students accumulate delays hardly recoverable in the future, permanently harming their education. A very complex issue, whose consequences could damage an entire generation of Tuscan youths.

Let’s move on now to a happy ending story we read on the Massa edition of Il Tirreno, one that could have had much more serious consequences. Maria Luisa Drago, head of the Franciscan Centre in Massa, around 9 AM Thursday was in her kitchen when she noticed that the gas tank in her stove had malfunctioned. Despite her frantic efforts, flames spread rapidly throughout the ground floor, fueled by the many books and by the wool of her mattresses, which she was reupholstering. The 79 year old woman called the fire brigade and then rushed upstairs to her bedroom. It wasn’t a smart move. When she saw the flames engulf the door, she knew she could only survive by jumping out the window. The four meters jump left her miraculously unharmed. Her neighbours rushed to help her but she was just fine. The ambulance crew feared for the worst, and had a helicopter ready to transfer her to the Pisa hospital but she didn’t need anything. Aside from a few minor burns to the face, she was unharmed: no broken bones, no concussions, nothing at all. Her house is devastated, the memories of a lifetime gone, but she’s still alive. She thinks it was a miracle - we tend to agree. It could have gone much much worse.

Let’s close today’s episode with an interesting story we read on the Corriere Fiorentino Thursday evening, that of a young Spaniard that is looking for the father he never met. Sergio is 30 and now lives in Switzerland but his mind is focused on Florence, where his father should live. Quote “I don’t ask nothing from him, on the contrary, if he needed anything from me I’d be happy to help. My aim is only to meet him, let him know me, meet him in person even for just one time” end quote. Sergio’s story started back in August 1989 when, like many Tuscan youths, his father was on vacation in Benicassim. The man, who was around 25 at the time, meets Rosa. The two like each other and spend together five passionate days and nights. Once the vacation is over, they keep in touch until, a couple months later, Rosa realizes she’s pregnant. After a massive fight on the phone, she lets him know that she will have an abortion. When she’s at the clinic, though, she changes her mind and carries on the pregnancy, without informing the father. Thirty years later, Sergio is determined to meet his father, to solve the mystery that he’s carried with him for all his life. Quote: “I don’t even know if he imagines that I’m alive. I’ve spent my whole life wondering who he is, if he needed help or not. My mother told me how he was, even if she decided to raise me by herself. I just want to know if he would be willing to meet me, let him know me for who I am and understand how he is. I’m doing everything I can to meet him but the more time passes the more it becomes difficult. I don’t want to lose him without meeting him” end quote. Well, best of luck to Sergio in his quest. We really hope someone can help him meet his father.

That was all for today, I’m your host Luca Bocci, I’ll see you on Monday for another episode of What’s Up Tuscany, the daily podcast from L’Arno where you’ll find the news that, according to us, are well worth a second look. Thanks for listening and goodbye.

First episode of the new format of our podcast, where we will go in depth on a single story from our region each day. Today we talk about the war launched by Tuscan mayors against benches and, in general, against "unlawful gatherings" in the street or in public parks. The escalation brought many mayors to close public parks or threaten with serious fines those who stop to talk with friends on the street has absolutely no scientific foundations. Elsewhere, from Israel to Texas, successful vaccination campaigns have allowed the governments to remove or relax many anti-COVID restrictions. There are plenty of political reasons, though: keep on blaming regular citizens to cover mistakes made in the past. The crusade against benches will solve no problem at all.
Do you agree with us? Let us know on our social accounts here below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: A Dark Blue Arc (Instrumental)
Author: Pipe Choir One
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental

LINKS TO SOURCES
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/03/06/news/covid_zona_rossa_prato_divieti_multe-290657142/?rss
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/regione/toscana/2021/03/07/news/coronavirus-i-sindaci-toscani-il-virus-non-e-in-classe-troppo-cene-allargate-fra-amici-e-parenti-1.39995503
https://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/coronavirus-assembramenti-weekend-controlli-multe.html
https://www.055firenze.it/art/204635/Vietato-il-consumo-di-cibi-bevande-su-aree-pubbliche-nuova-ordinanza-Montespertoli#.YEStS2hKiUk
https://www.ilcuoioindiretta.it/cronaca/2021/03/06/pronti-a-fare-verbali-e-multe-santa-croce-sullarno-chiude-i-parchi-e-aumenta-i-controlli/93633/
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_marzo_07/toscana-altro-weekend-irresponsabili-alcol-musica-addio-mascherine-20350324-7f21-11eb-b9b0-e12183650a75.shtml
https://www.agenzianova.com/a/60449e93411f10.08542401/3345405/2021-03-07/covid-vaccinazioni-e-badge-verdi-israele-torna-gradualmente-alla-normalita/linked
https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/diagnostics/experts-suggest-fresh-air-ventilation-may-avert-coronavirus-infection/74078415

In today's episode we will talk about the terminal crisis that is hitting small shops and how many, including the mafia, are trying to profit from the suffering of those who are not able anymore to fight against the uncertainty, the turnaround collapse and the eternal lockdowns. As far as we're concerned, the only alternative to the desertification of city centres is to open up everything, right now, before it's too late. What do you think about it? Let us know on our social media accounts.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it

LINKS TO SOURCES
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/26/news/la-rabbia-dei-commercianti-livornesi-trasloca-in-piazza-grande-fatturato-crollato-fino-al-90-1.39957336
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_febbraio_20/covid-ha-creato-toscana-7500-imprese-zombie-4b08360e-7385-11eb-b64d-73c72046d4f0.shtml
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_febbraio_27/firenze-speculatori-all-assalto-centro-storico-comprano-poi-rivendere-il-covid-15e5b512-78c8-11eb-92a3-f55819ef8a83.shtml
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/regione/toscana/2021/03/05/news/ora-le-mafie-comprano-i-locali-in-crisi-da-covid-1.39986093

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Lo-fi
Author: Profound Beats
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-download

In today's episode we'll talk again of the so-called "Lupin-Judas", the house robber that is terrorizing the residents of the small Capraia island. Another home invasion against a Milanese manager, even if many think this is just a copycat. The collective psychosis continues to spread anyway. As far as we're concerned, it won't be limiting our freedom that will make us safer, but working more with our neighbours - and a few extra locks. What do you think about it? Join the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it

LINKS TO SOURCES
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/regione/toscana/2021/03/08/news/lupin-e-tornato-a-colpire-cosi-mi-ha-rubato-in-casa-1.39999781
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/regione/toscana/2021/02/18/news/nell-isola-di-lupin-ora-a-capraia-vince-la-diffidenza-e-l-occasione-per-fare-pace-con-un-tragedia-di-21-anni-fa-1.39922895?amp_js_v=0.1&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA==
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/16/news/ho-fatto-i-nomi-ma-ho-perso-ricordi-e-amici-1.39908405
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/16/news/sull-isola-del-sospetto-1.39908398
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/14/news/longilineo-e-bravo-con-arnesi-e-casseforti-ecco-il-profilo-del-giuda-lupin-di-capraia-1.39900351
https://www.iltelegrafolivorno.it/cronaca/furti-ladri-inverno-1.6021102

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Generation Bounce (Argofox release)
Author: Jinxpr0
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: youtu.be/AgAW0aWC8dE
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/jinxspr0-generation-bounce

In today's episode we deal with the thorny issue of generalized corruption in ample areas of public administration in our region. Even if the flashier cases like the arrest of San Vincenzo's mayor for irregularities in public tenders are the ones that make more noise, the real damage to public/private relationships are the many minor ones. According to us, rather than crucifying the few black sheep, it would be best for public servants to remember that their real boss is the user, the citizens. With millions one step away from unemployment, continue to act superior and feel like they're untouchable could have very serious consequences for everyone. What do you think about it? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it

LINKS TO SOURCES
https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2021/03/09/san-vincenzo-sindaco-e-due-imprenditori-in-manette-per-corruzione/?fbclid=IwAR2aredpOA9AtVpdc4lol9Gwm3lWyQvr9y5bEBSFE7ZYlNRQjDBm9bbbnEo
https://www.iltelegrafolivorno.it/cronaca/corruzione-appalti-abusi-1.6112063
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/piombino/cronaca/2021/03/09/news/abusi-edilizi-terremoto-nel-comune-di-vincenzo-arrestato-il-sindaco-1.40003622
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/01/16/news/spariti-659mila-euro-al-comune-di-colle-spesi-dall-economa-in-droga-e-giochi-1.39780507
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_marzo_09/firenze-vaccini-parenti-amici-mandela-denuncia-iene-dosi-piu-l-ho-fatta-mio-figlio-28549698-80b9-11eb-85cc-cae2eedd6c6d.shtml
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/prato/cronaca/2021/03/08/news/esami-ad-amici-e-parenti-senza-pagare-il-ticket-33-indagati-rischiano-il-processo-1.40000413
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/03/06/news/cup-dipendente-fingeva-di-fare-rimborsi-e-s-intascava-il-denaro-1.39993023

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Render (Argofox release)
Author: Prism
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: youtu.be/WAg8iCoH07w
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/render-prism

In today's episode we will talk about the very low-key celebrations of the 75 year anniversary of Vespa, the scooter that made famous Piaggio and the city of Pontedera. The celebrations planned for April 23 and 24 by Piaggio and the municipality have been cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. Maybe it's for the best, as both the company and the Lower Valdarno city are light years away from their respective heyday. An uncertain future, the risky transition to electric mobility, the shift to a mainly seasonal workforce have caused the decline of many areas of the small city. What is our take on it? It's pointless to dream about going back to the past. Jobs guaranteed for life are gone forever - in the future each worker will have to face the market on his own, offering his skills to the best offerer. Instead of looking back, much better to think of something new, just like those workers of a devastated airplane company back in 1946. What do you think about it? Let us know on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it

LINKS TO SOURCES
https://www.lanazione.it/pontedera/cronaca/covid-ferma-fetsa-1.6117003
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/03/04/news/l-ex-culla-dell-ape-ora-e-un-inferno-di-droga-degrado-e-prostituzione-1.39981617
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/03/10/news/piaggio-migliorano-le-prospettive-secondo-l-agenzia-standard-amp-poor-s-1.40008320
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/03/01/news/piaggio-alleanza-con-ktm-honda-e-yamaha-per-la-produzione-di-batterie-elettriche-intercambiabili-1.39968543
https://www.pisatoday.it/politica/vertenza-precari-piaggio-mozione-reintegro-consiglio-comunale-pisa.html
https://www.ticonsiglio.com/piaggio-assunzioni/
https://www.lanazione.it/pontedera/cronaca/ben-vengano-le-assunzioni-ma-con-certezze-1.5988281

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Children of the Son
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental

In today's episode we talk about how the incomprehensible war between the airports of Pisa and Florence could precipitate the situation in a sector devastated by lockdowns and the collapse of international air travel. The possible sale of the company that handles ground services in the Galilei and Vespucci airports could be the first step towards the acquisition of the two hubs from an international operator. After a disastrous 2020, the future of airports in Tuscany is at risk, despite the launch of new internal routes from Pisa to various city in the South of Italy from June 1st. Despite this, the investment plan keeps ignoring the coastal airport in favour of the Florence one. As far as we are concerned, such a behaviour could have dire consequences for tourism in Tuscany, just when a partial re-opening looms at the horizon. This pointless feud between cities and interest groups is the last thing our region needs in this complicated period. Let us know your thoughts on our social media profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it

LINKS TO SOURCES
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/03/12/news/anziche-la-smentita-arriva-la-conferma-toscana-aeroporti-handling-e-sul-mercato-1.40021247
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/03/11/news/sostegno-convinto-alla-nuova-pista-di-peretola-1.40015756
https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/12/associazione-in-pista-attacco-a-nardella-allaeroporto-esprimiamo-solidarieta/
https://www.pisatoday.it/cronaca/toscana-aeroporti-handling-vendita-stato-agitazione.html
https://www.pisatoday.it/cronaca/sindacato-di-base-cub-su-vendita-handling-all-aeroporto-di-pisa.html
https://www.firenzetoday.it/economia/toscana-aeroporti-handling-vendita-offerta-sindacati.html
https://www.pisatoday.it/economia/traffico-passeggeri-bilancio-2020-aeroporto-pisa.html
https://www.firenzetoday.it/economia/passaporto-vaccinale-viaggi-cina-italia-europa-green-pass.html
https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/10/lavori-straordinari-aeroporto-vespucci-firenze/
https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/10/aeroporto-di-firenze-prc-toscana-e-firenze-scalo-autorizzato-a-funzionare/
https://www.pisatoday.it/cronaca/volo-wizz-air-pisa-brindisi-catania-palermo.html
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/03/09/news/altri-tre-mesi-di-cassa-integrazione-per-i-lavoratori-aeroportuali-toscani-1.40007077
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/03/09/news/ryanair-scommette-sul-galilei-per-l-estate-43-rotte-una-in-piu-dello-scorso-anno-1.40003946
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/regione/toscana/2021/03/02/news/ora-l-europa-indaga-sullo-scalo-fiorentino-1.39972691
https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/02/toscana-aeroporti-arrivano-10-milioni-per-la-toscana/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/03/06/news/lavoro-a-rischio-ipotesi-di-vendita-e-presto-niente-piu-cassa-integrazione-1.39991162

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Blue Hope New Sky
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-blue-hope-new-sky-creative-commons-instrumental
http://www.pipechoir.com/

In today's episode we talk about how Tuscany is getting ready to get the most from the return of international travel that could be happening this summer thanks to the progress of the vaccination campaign and the introduction of the COVID pass by the European Union. While many operators are still struggling, there have been a series of innovative initiatives across the region that are becoming more popular with tourists. From five star luxury camping resorts to sites dedicated to forest theraphy, from remote working places in scenic villages, tourism operators are getting creative and this could be a way to get some visibility in the increasingly crowded tourism market. Will it be enough to avoid the collapse of the hospitality industry, severely hit by the lockdowns? As far as we're concerned, while these initiatives are encouraging, only a serious discussion on the many inefficiencies that have slowed down the growth of this sector in the past will be the real way of guaranteeing a future to the industry in our region. This is our take, let us know what you think by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN)
https://www.quotidiano.net/esteri/pass-covid-ue-1.6143225
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/03/15/news/montepulciano_e_pienza_trendy_secondo_airbnb_firenze_fuori_dalla_top_ten-292234341/?rss
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/grosseto/cronaca/2021/03/11/news/nei-camping-di-lusso-della-maremma-i-turisti-stranieri-hanno-gia-prenotato-1.40012978
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/versilia/cronaca/2021/03/14/news/l-estate-della-rinascita-1.40025385
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/versilia/cronaca/2021/03/14/news/a-lido-il-mercato-e-fermo-ma-la-stagione-sara-buona-1.40027719
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/versilia/cronaca/2021/03/13/news/estate-con-restrizioni-le-aziende-del-turismo-non-ce-la-faranno-1.40024035
https://www.toscana-notizie.it/archivio/-/asset_publisher/Lyd2Is2gGDzu/content/id/47159627
https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/10/il-palio-di-siena-si-fara-il-sindaco-decisione-dipendera-anche-da-vaccini/
https://www.ilcuoioindiretta.it/cultura-e-spettacoli/2021/03/10/la-torre-di-pisa-riapre-il-10-aprile/93932/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pistoia/cronaca/2021/03/06/news/nella-foresta-sopra-maresca-nasce-il-campeggio-sospeso-1.39991236
http://www.sienafree.it/turismo/319-turismo/123192-turismo-esperienziale-sulle-strade-del-vino-di-toscana-e-online-il-portale-di-prenotazione-delle-attivita-turistiche
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/03/09/news/nomadi-digitali-c-e-un-ufficio-felice-in-un-agriturismo-nel-borgo-di-apella-1.40006822

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Snow Ticket
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-snow-ticket-creative-commons-instrumental

In today's episode we will be talking about a phenomenon that is gaining traction in the last few months, the escape from the city to resettle in a small village. If there are many that are taking advantage of remote working to move to communities much more tightly knit, those charming towns have their own set of very real problems. Pandemic aside, the lack of infrastructure could turn the dream into a real nightmare. What is our take? Better to be extra-cautious before taking the plunge, as going back could be very complicated. Running away from the chaos of the city can be an attractive proposition but it could also be disastrous once things go back to normal. Let us know what you think about it by joining the conversation on our social media profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN)
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/versilia/cronaca/2021/03/10/news/carolina-la-superdonna-che-alleva-le-pecore-ai-piedi-del-monte-corchia-1.40011229
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/03/07/news/nasce-nell-agriturismo-di-famiglia-mulazzo-in-festa-dopo-48-anni-1.39996786
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/03/11/news/stop-allo-spopolamento-con-lo-smart-working-1.40013711
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/cecina/cronaca/2021/03/13/news/anche-santa-luce-in-zona-rossa-in-bilico-riparbella-e-casale-1.40024173
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/grosseto/cronaca/2021/03/14/news/il-tampone-di-massa-nei-piccoli-borghi-1.40026445
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/piombino/cronaca/2021/03/17/news/vaccino-di-massa-all-elba-adesso-l-ancim-fa-sul-serio-1.40038819
https://www.toscana-notizie.it/archivio/-/asset_publisher/Lyd2Is2gGDzu/content/id/49105980
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/03/12/news/montagna-senza-internet-e-problemi-quotidiani-servono-infrastrutture-1.40019749
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/03/07/news/torna-il-bancomat-a-lari-1.39998481
https://www.ilcuoioindiretta.it/altre-news/2021/03/05/cerretti-avra-la-sua-farmacia-autorizzata-lapertura-dopo-anni-di-attesa/93558/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/lucca/cronaca/2021/03/05/news/armati-di-guanti-e-sacchi-contro-i-rifiuti-i-cittadini-si-prendono-cura-del-territorio-1.39989788
https://www.ilgiunco.net/2021/03/17/i-cacciatori-ripuliscono-i-boschi-dai-rifiuti/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/03/06/news/derubata-a-105-anni-in-casa-mentre-dorme-basta-servono-piu-controlli-1.39992677
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/02/28/news/la-banda-del-buco-assalta-le-poste-portati-via-30mila-euro-a-caniparola-1.39967033
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/lucca/cronaca/2021/02/24/news/colpito-con-un-sasso-dal-ladro-mascherato-ragazzino-perde-i-sensi-1.39948418

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Trampled
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-trampled-creative-commons-instrumental

In today's episode we take the chance of the huge wave of celebrations across Italy to mark the 700 years from the death of Dante Alighieri to look into the unique relationship between Tuscany and its most famous poet. Aside from the many events that will be organized all over the region in the next weeks and months, the bond between everyday Tuscans and Dante is much more intimate, almost visceral. For centuries there were many sharecroppers that couldn't read or write but were able to recite by heart entire chants of the Divine Comedy. The influence of his poetry extended across all aspects of everyday life, including popular festivals that lasted for millennia. The "Calendimaggio", a spring festival of Celtic and Etruscan origins, created the so-called "maggianti", groups of travelling troubadours that went from farm to farm to improvise poems to wish good luck to the owners. They always used the "ottava rima" made famous by Dante seven centuries ago. Sometimes they had battles, like today's rappers, to demonstrate who was the best or to settle scores. If for "the others" it may be enough to visit the places where Dante lived, for us Tuscans the only way to pay homage would be to make his poetry a living part of our lives, like it used to be in the past. Are you aware of some particular way people in your area celebrate the arrival of spring? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN)
https://www.danteotosco700.it/
https://firenze.repubblica.it/tempo-libero/articoli/cultura/2021/03/25/news/dante_alighieri_commedia_orme_poeta_paesaggio-292401377/rss
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/empoli/cronaca/2021/03/24/news/gli-studenti-della-vanghetti-rendono-omaggio-a-dante-1.40066661
https://www.lanazione.it/cronaca/dantedi-1.6165518
https://firenze.repubblica.it/tempo-libero/articoli/cultura/2021/03/25/news/dante_alighieri_casa_museo-293597192/?rss
https://www.valdichianaoggi.it/notizie/cortona-il-programma-delle-celebrazioni-dantesche-oltre-30-appuntamenti/
https://www.ilgiunco.net/2021/03/24/tutti-leggono-dante-i-follonichesi-recitano-il-canto-di-pia-per-i-700-anni-dalla-morte-del-sommo-poeta/
https://firenze.repubblica.it/tempo-libero/articoli/cultura/2021/03/24/news/firenze_dante_poesia_novecento_universita_di_firenze_centro_studi_palazzeschi_700_anni_della_morte_anno_dantesco-293580460/?rss
https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/24/dantedi-una-cartolina-speciale-da-poste-italiane/
https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/23/dante-mosaico-ragazzi-cerbaiola/
https://www.lanazione.it/massa-carrara/cultura/verso-il-danted%C3%AC-il-sommo-poeta-e-la-lunigiana-dove-si-incontrano-storia-e-leggenda-1.6161012
https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/20/palazzo-blu-dantedi-anteprima-mostra-tom-phillips-dantes-inferno/
https://www.carmignanodivino.it/it/2017/05/la-tradizione-del-calendimaggio/
https://www.carmignanodivino.it/it/2017/05/a-carmignano-si-canta-maggio/
https://www.toscanaoggi.it/Cultura-Societa/Siam-venuti-a-cantar-maggio
https://www.ilfilo.net/cantamag.htm
http://www.cantamaggiobarberino.it/i-maggiaioli/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: A Dark Blue Arc (Instrumental)
Author: Pipe Choir One
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental

The economic crisis, a constantly shifting marketplace and the change of consumers' habits are forcing many Tuscan winemakers to innovate their production techniques in order to expand their market share. Responses vary wildly: there are those that seek a return to a more natural approach to grow grapes next to those that come up with cutting edge techniques such as aging their wine 40 meters under the sea, where temperature is constant year round. There are also much more extravagant attempts, such as that of a new winery in Verona that decided to offer their wines not in bottles but in monodose aluminium cans with very bright colours, QR codes and cartoons that seem taken straight from DC or Marvel comics. What would be the best way to guarantee the survival of a century old tradition such as Tuscan winemaking? Let us know what you think by joining the conversation on our social media channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2021/02/23/aiutiamo-le-viti-ad-autogestirsi-riducendo-lintervento-delluomo-intervista-allenologo-jacopo-vagaggini/
https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2019/06/17/export-il-vino-toscano-supera-quello-veneto-e-piemontese/
https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2020/06/08/lazienda-la-croce-dei-fratelli-zari-arte-del-vino-da-generazioni/
https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2020/07/01/il-buon-vino-toscano-arriva-sullape/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/grosseto/cronaca/2021/02/26/news/diecimila-bottiglie-sotto-i-mari-all-argentario-una-cantina-da-record-1.39956864
https://st.ilsole24ore.com/art/food/2016-12-27/dalla-liguria-mare-nord-cosi-ivini-invecchiano-sotto-mare-133227.shtml?uuid=ADaM09KC
https://www.ligurianautica.com/viaggi/vino-sottacqua-a-sestri-levante-ormai-e-una-consuetudine/14893/
https://www.finedininglovers.it/articolo/fondo-al-mar-4-cantine-sommerse-intorno-al-mondo
https://winecouture.it/2021/03/22/zai-e-la-nuova-sfida-ecosostenibile-del-vino-in-lattina/
https://it.businessinsider.com/tiene-lexport-dei-vini-italiano-nel-2020-malgrado-il-covid-scalza-la-spagna-dal-trono/
https://www.lanazione.it/arezzo/cronaca/anche-il-vino-nella-bufera-ma-ci-aiuta-l-e-commerce-1.6183242/amp
https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2021/02/23/aiutiamo-le-viti-ad-autogestirsi-riducendo-lintervento-delluomo-intervista-allenologo-jacopo-vagaggini/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Pick You Up
Author: Wayne John Bradley
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons

As the pandemic continues to have most of Europe under strict lockdown, for the second year in a row all the celebrations and festivals that make Easter in Tuscany a truly unique experience have been cancelled. In order to lift our spirits and maybe offer some hints for a future travel, today we have decided to illustrate some of the most famous festivals across our region, from the famous ones such as the "Scoppio del Carro" in Florence to the more peculiar, such as the flowers display in San Casciano or the Palio of the Barrels in Bibbona. We take this chance to wish all those who love Tuscany, wherever they may live, a happy and blessed Easter, hoping to be able to meet each other next year for a finally normal Easter. Are you aware of some special Easter traditions in the area where you live? Let us know by joining the conversation on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.nove.firenze.it/torna-lo-scoppio-del-carro-per-pasqua-2021-si-fara.htm
https://www.seidifirenzese.it/2018/03/30/le-tradizioni-fiorentine-pasqua/
https://www.italybyevents.com/eventi/toscana/scoppio-del-carro-firenze/
http://www.frammentiditoscana.it/processioni-settimana-santa-arezzo-siena/
https://www.livornosera.it/eventi-livorno/usanze-pasquali-dalla-ruzzolata-delluovo-alla-gita-porta/
https://www.intoscana.it/it/articolo/pasqua-in-toscana-feste-tradizioni-e-rievocazioni-della-passione/
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2014/04/18/news/pasqua_le_tradizioni_in_toscana-83957137/
https://www.nove.firenze.it/pasqua-una-tradizione-secolare-in-toscana.htm
https://www.firenzetoday.it/eventi/pasqua-2015-firenze-toscana.html
https://www.coopfirenze.it/informatori/notizie/ovunque-in-toscana
https://www.vignaiolidiscansano.it/la-pasqua-in-maremma/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Cold Weather Kids (Argofox release)
Author: Aerocity
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: youtu.be/ZIPM4w0ZdU0
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-cold-weather-kids

After a long spring break, we come back with a new episode and a peculiar story, that of a small village that came to fame after centuries of peace and quiet when it drowned under the water of a hydroelectric dam reservoir back in 1947. The tale of Fabbriche di Careggine, hamlet of less than 200 souls that went under the lake created by the new Vagli dam, has been made popular by the fact that it came back to light four times since then, when the reservoir was emptied to perform maintenance on the dam. Last time this happened, in 1994, almost a million tourists from all over the world flocked there to visit the sunken village. The new resurfacing, planned for this summer, has been postponed to 2022 due to the pandemic but we take the chance to tell you the story that not many people know, that of the seven centuries that happened before the so-called "Little Atlantis" went under. The story began when a group of blacksmiths from Brescia was forced to leave their homes from the cruelty of an extraordinarily despotic ruler. They brought to the Garfagnana hills their love for forging iron, something that made the fortunes of the village until recently. An extraordinary story that we hope to narrate more in detail next summer, when the houses and the church of the village will see the light once again.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/lucca/cronaca/2021/05/03/news/il-paese-sommerso-dal-lago-ora-e-pronto-a-riemergere-1.40226356
https://www.verdeazzurronotizie.it/prima-del-paese-sommerso-la-vera-storia-di-fabbriche-di-careggine/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZQMKoCTvtc&ab_channel=piemme71
https://www.pensierinmoto.it/lago-di-vagli-sara-svuotato-nel-2021-e-riemergera-il-paese-fantasma/
https://www.artribune.com/arti-visive/fotografia/2021/02/fabbriche-di-careggine-toscana-progetto-silvia-camporesi/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: earth2earth
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-earth2earth-creative-commons-instrumental

In this week's episode we will tackle the complicated issue of the extreme localism that involves towns big and small in our region in a perennial battle of mockery and slights. If the roots of these rivalries are well identified when it comes to the feud between Pisa and Leghorn or between Siena and Florence, when we get to much smaller towns, it becomes almost impossible to explain why people don't like each other's guts. Foreigners are always bewildered by this phenomenon and by the enthusiasm that Tuscans have for mocking their neighbours mercilessly. What do you think about it? Are you aware of other local rivalries that involve towns in your neck of the woods? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN)
http://lacompagniadeirubbaorsi.it/la-storia-del-ponzacchiotto/
https://www.quinewsvaldera.it/campanili-e-campanilismi-tra-orsi-cispia-e-mota.htm
https://ricerca.gelocal.it/iltirreno/archivio/iltirreno/2010/02/24/LN2PO_LN202.html
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/politica/articoli/2008/08_Agosto/29/battaglia_montaperti_toscana.html
http://www.lavocedilucca.it/post.asp?id=44688
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/perche-livornesi-e-pisani-si-odiano/
https://vittynablog.wordpress.com/2018/07/22/toscani-tutti-contro-tutti/
https://www.toscanaoggi.it/Cultura-Societa/Le-eterne-rivalita-dei-campanilismi2

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Snow Ticket
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-snow-ticket-creative-commons-instrumental

In this week's episode we will tell you some of the most fascinating stories linked to the ghosts that, apparently, would haunt many of the stately homes and castles that dot our countryside. The tales of these young women are inevitably tragic and harrowing, suspended as they are between myth, legend and real history. Some of them are in fact historical figures, even if the legends surrounding them are most certainly made up. Our brief walkabout into mysterious Tuscany will bring us from Fosdinovo to Poppi, from Capannori to Fiesole, with the legends that have managed to somehow preserve the memory of some extraordinary women for centuries. What is your take on it? Are you between those that would swear that ghosts are real or do you belong to the possibly wider skeptical camp? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media channels, which you will find here below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN)
https://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/leggenda-fantasma-castello-vincigliata-fiesole.html
https://www.mitiemisteri.it/castelli-infestati-case-maledette/castello-malaspina-fosdinovo
https://www.arezzonotizie.it/social/fantasma-matelda-castello-poppi.html
http://dimensioniocculte.blogspot.com/2017/04/fantasmi-dianora-lo-spettro-del-castelo.html
http://ifantasmi.it/il-fantasma-di-dianora/
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/lucida-mansi/
https://www.toscanaovunquebella.it/it/sovicille/il-ponte-della-pia

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: The Opening Closing (instrumental)
Author: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

After our trip across the legends of our distant past, this week we will revisit the much more recent past of Tuscan sports with one of its most controversial episodes, game 5 of the Italian national basketball championship of the 1988/89 season. From that May 27th of 32 years ago, everyone still remember the buzzer beater of Andrea Forti and those two points that would have earned Libertas Livorno their first title of champion of Italy. The many non-basketball fans definitely remember the pitch invasion at the end, the wild celebrations and the aggression to Milan shooting guard Roberto Premier. Everyone also remembers how the final basket was considered valid first and how the most popular evening news reported on the win of the Tuscan minnows against the Milan dynasty. Unfortunately the second referee had clearly heard the siren before the ball left the hand of the Livorno player. Olympia Milan won their 24th national crown, starting a controversy that continues to this day. Let us know if you like these stories by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN)
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/05/25/news/ritorno-in-grande-stile-e-la-pl-sogna-di-nuovo-1.40312782
https://www.corriere.it/sport/20_maggio_01/basket-livorno-batte-milano-anzi-no-quando-1989-l-enichem-perse-scudetto-mentre-gia-festeggiava-ab13f012-8b03-11ea-a2b6-e57bd451de7e.shtml
https://www.basketworldlife.it/basket-room/enichem-philips-la-finale-piu-discussa-compie-trentanni.html
https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/11/12/livorno-milano-finale-scudetto-1989-arbitro-zeppilli-troppo-tardi-non-era-canestro/1207132/
https://losservatore.com/index/2021/05/27/32-anni-fa-la-finale-scudetto-tra-livorno-e-milano/
https://www.livornotoday.it/cronaca/morto-bucci-finale-scudetto-enichem-philips-1989.html
https://www.museodelbasket-milano.it/leggi.php?s=&idcontenuti=356

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Almost Time (instrumental)
Author: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

This week we will tell you a different, more personal story, that brings us back to the roaring 1980s, when the right brand was enough to make you feel at peace with the world. The recent bankruptcy of the historic Tuscan brand Rifle and the sad sale of the remaining inventory for a couple euros brings us back a lot of memories to those of us who were going through adolescence in their heyday. Back then some brands were necessary to be considered part of one of the urban tribes that dominated the youth landscape of the time. Those that like myself were branded a "paninaro" dreamed to own Timberland boots, Best Company sweatshirts, Stone Island or Schott jackets. Back then fashion was not all about marketing, though. Behind the brand there was the courage of many entrepreneurs, the genius of fashion icons such as Enrico Coveri or Elio Fiorucci. The sky was the limit for them, who dared to dream big, of world domination. In our complicated times, when even a slight deviation from the dominating ortodoxy can cost you your life, their courage and spirit should be our inspiration to build a better future for our children. What do you think about it? Do you have any memories of those years? Were you also a part of an urban tribe? A metalhead, a goth? Let us know by joining the conversation on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN)
https://www.vanityfair.it/fashion/abbigliamento/2018/12/04/paninari-look-moncler-timberland-vans-cult-anni-80?refresh_ce=
https://primacomo.it/glocal-news/da-capo-dabbigliamento-cult-dei-paninari-alla-svendita-totale-addio-jeans-rifle/
https://www.esquire.com/it/stile/moda-uomo/g16800011/moda-anni-80/?slide=1
https://womoms.com/moda-anni-80-ma-come-ti-vestivi/
https://www.linkiesta.it/2016/04/marchi-resistenti-i-miti-degli-anni-ottanta-che-pensavamo-di-aver-pers/
https://st.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-07-29/best-company-171627.shtml?uuid=AbbZTVII#navigation
https://www.lastampa.it/cultura/2015/07/21/news/chiude-il-mcdonald-s-di-san-babila-e-si-spegne-un-icona-degli-anni-80-1.35243977
https://donna.fanpage.it/da-el-charro-ad-american-apparel-i-marchi-di-moda-falliti-o-che-sono-stati-ceduti/
https://www.financialounge.com/news/2021/01/22/fast-food-burghy-monza/?refresh_CE
https://docmanhattan.blogspot.com/2013/03/il-dizionario-del-paninaro.html
https://www.wired.it/lifestyle/food/2021/01/21/burghy-tornando-campagna-pubblicitaria/?refresh_ce=
https://diotifaboca.wordpress.com/2020/02/24/vestirsi-bene-comportarsi-male-come-ha-fatto-stone-island-ha-cambiare-per-sempre-il-modo-di-pensare-del-calcio-europeo/
https://www.angelo.it/it/best-company-the-cool-factor
https://www.heddels.com/2013/03/meet-your-maker-cone-mills-of-greensboro-north-carolina/
https://donna.fanpage.it/fiorucci-celebra-il-50esimo-anniversario-con-il-rilancio-sul-mercato/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Blood Problems (Instrumental)
Author: Cityfires
License: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Links: https://soundcloud.com/ljayofficial/blood-problems-instrumentalby-cityfires

In a few hours, Italy will be swept by football fever again, when the Euro 2020 tournament will kick off in Rome. We have decided to tell you a story from the past, when a few months before the USA 1994 World Cup, the Italian national team was defeated in a friendly match against a fourth division team. The historic 2-1 in the Coverciano Federal Training Centre allowed Pontedera to beat Arrigo Sacchi's Italy and brought Francesco D'Arrigo's men fifteen minutes of global fame. Many know how things went for Italy in the World Cup, with the heartbreaking penalties at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena when a miss by Roberto Baggio handed the fourth cup to one of the worst Brazil squads of all time. Not many know what happened to the players that had stunned the world. Many had a great career, almost reaching the national team. After retirement, several of them became successful coaches or assistant coaches to famous managers such as Spalletti or Simone Inzaghi. What is even less known is how the famous upset could have had an even more incredible follow-up. Pontedera owner invited the World Champions of Brazil to play a "super-final" in the Valdera capital to settle scores once and for all. Brazil liked the idea but then changed their mind later. Many think that that defeat helped Italy to become more resilient, while others think it was just a bad day from a squad of champions that weren't able to switch gears when facing an aggressive, physical opposition. One thing is sure: no one in Pontedera will ever forget the "miracle in Coverciano". Do you have memories from past international football tournaments? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN)
https://ilnobilecalcio.it/2020/02/18/quella-volta-che-la-nazionale-perse-contro-il-pontedera/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/sport/2019/04/02/news/quando-il-pontedera-batte-l-italia-di-sacchi-e-tutti-volevano-mandarlo-al-mondiale-1.30154707
https://www.tuttoc.com/altre-news/6-aprile-1994-quando-il-pontedera-sconfisse-l-italia-63505
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/sport/18_ottobre_08/clamoroso-coverciano-quando-pontedera-batte-l-italia-2a567f8e-cad5-11e8-8ff3-092f2dbc882c.shtml
https://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/6-aprile-1994-Italia-Pontedera-1-2-racconto
https://calciatoribrutti.com/it/quella-volta-che-il-pontedera-batte-la-nazionale-italiana-video
https://www.goal.com/it/notizie/pontedera-italia-2-1-limpresa-piu-incredibile-del-calcio/lqm4vyozwc4e1kn8y13r9ybhp
http://www.calcioromantico.com/una-giornata-particolare/6-aprile-1994-pontedera-batte-italia-2-1/
http://www.delinquentidelpallone.it/6-aprile-1994-pontedera-italia-2-1/
https://2017.gonews.it/2015/04/13/pontedera-italia-2-1-giulio-drago-racconta-di-quando-batte-la-nazionale/
https://www.ultimouomo.com/italia-pontedera-sconfitta-amichevole/
https://www.radiobruno.it/6-aprile-esattamente-27-anni-fa-il-pontedera-batteva-la-nazionale-di-sacchi/
https://www.calciofere.it/2021/04/24/la-promozione-della-ternana-vista-dal-preparatore-atletico-bartali/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: A Slave to Nothing (Instrumental)
Author: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-a-slave-to-nothing-instrumental
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Many lovers of our region envy us "natives" as we are lucky enough to live a few miles from a wealth of historic, architectural and natural landmarks unparalleled anywhere else. Sometimes, though, living in a postcard-picture region has a long list of drawbacks that can turn your life into a nightmare. Ask the residents of the many towns and villages that are touched from mass tourism for reference. The arrival of hordes of tourists makes that many of the historic shops downtown are replaced by restaurants, bars, ice cream and souvenir shops overflowing with all sorts of tacky knick-knacks that have nothing to do with the products of our land. Lured by the prospects of renting to tourists, many landlords turn their flats into bed and breakfasts or places to offer on AirBnB. The locals, sooner or later, move away, starting a vicious cycle that in a few short years turns a vibrant community in a desert that comes to life only during the summer months. More and more towns are therefore turned into open air museums, where the most vital members of the community are slowly cast aside. Looking for the lowest common denominator to lure tourists have pushed local governments to cast aside centuries old traditions to try to reinvent themselves as beacons of "high culture". The events they organize sometimes lure wealthier tourists but have nothing to do with our real culture. How can we make sure that Tuscany isn't turned into a sort of "Renaissance Disneyland"? As far as we're concerned, we should go back to our centuries-old traditions. Our popular culture has nothing "low" about it, we should stop being ashamed of it. Tuscany lovers from all over the world would be thankful for it. What is your take on it? Are you aware of events and initiatives that are trying to recover old traditions in towns and cities in your area? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.nove.firenze.it/jazz-and-wine-in-montalcino-la-musica-conquista-le-terre-del-vino.htm
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/grosseto/cronaca/2021/06/13/news/feste-paesane-sagre-palii-marinari-e-non-il-covid-impone-un-altra-estate-di-rinunce-1.40385833
https://www.sienanews.it/toscana/siena/monteriggioni-inaugura-piazza-dante-barbero-si-puo-fare-cultura-anche-fuori-dalle-metropoli-qui-ce-lesempio/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=monteriggioni-inaugura-piazza-dante-barbero-si-puo-fare-cultura-anche-fuori-dalle-metropoli-qui-ce-lesempio
https://www.sienanews.it/in-evidenza/antonio-carapelli-tartuca-continuate-a-voler-bene-alle-contrade-sono-determinanti-per-la-citta/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=antonio-carapelli-tartuca-continuate-a-voler-bene-alle-contrade-sono-determinanti-per-la-citta
https://firenze.repubblica.it/tempo-libero/articoli/arte-e-fotografia/2021/06/12/news/cavriglia_parco_arte_museo_opere_arezzo-305756021/?rss
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/06/15/news/fino-al-25-giugno-volterra-e-esoterica-1.40394749
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/06/12/news/ottimismo-per-il-grande-ritorno-del-teatro-del-silenzio-a-lajatico-1.40384394
https://www.nove.firenze.it/perche-a-new-york-non-costruiscono-un-bellalbergo-nel-central-park.htm

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Children of the Son
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental

A simple Google search reveals how much the perception of Tuscans around Italy has changed. We've been described as "bad mannered", "mean" and "unfunny", a veritable U-turn from just 30 years ago, when our accent was considered charming and our penchant for making fun of everything was quite cool. Have we really changed or is this only a result of the success of Tuscan comedians like Roberto Benigni and his brand of over the top, manic, crass humour? According to many, this wave of ill will towards Tuscans has been caused by the fact that comedians only pointed on the most trivial, obnoxious stereotypes on our region. The worrying thing is that the success of this popular brand of humour has started a downward spiral towards vulgarity and general unpleasantness in the population as a whole. Maybe the question is a bit deeper, maybe our determination of poking fun of everyone and everything is a way to hide the fact that we're afraid to be left behind in this constantly changing world. Maybe the fact that we cling tight to the time when Tuscany was the economic powerhouse of Europe, our language was universally used in commerce and people traded with Florentine Florins is a way to cope with the belief that those times will never come back. Maybe it's something even deeper, the fact that we're not even sure of what being a Tuscan today really means. What is your take? Are we funny or just mean? Is it just the comedians or have we lost our way, being forced to describe ourselves just using the stereotypes promoted by media and advertising? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN)
https://www.vice.com/it/article/v7ga53/analisi-antipatia-per-i-toscani
https://italianintransito.com/2014/11/19/ma-i-toscani-son-tutti-delle-malelingue/
https://flanauchocolat.wordpress.com/2013/12/13/perche-e-difficile-vivere-con-un-toscano/comment-page-4/
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/2014/28-agosto-2014/irene-grandi-fiorentini-diffidenti-pensiamo-essere-migliori-siamo-23031210506.shtml
https://ricerca.gelocal.it/iltirreno/archivio/iltirreno/2005/02/06/LA9PO_JXX01.html
https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/commento/ma-noi-toscani-siamo-simpatici-o-antipatici-1.5572939

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Snow Ticket
Author: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-snow-ticket-creative-commons-instrumental

A very special episode this week, influenced by the peace and quiet of my small house in the hills of Deep Tuscany. The boredom of small town life has made me think about my father, who sadly passed away three years ago, taken away by an intestinal aneurysm in literally five minutes. He didn't like this small town at all, despite being born in a slightly bigger town in an even more harsh and remote corner of Tuscany, in the middle of the Cecina Valley. Whenever we went there to visit our relatives, I could never shake the impression of not being really welcome there, as if that place would have never been home to me. A few years ago I tried to know this harsh land better and get acquainted with this proud and rough people through the tales and legends that populate this place. Some are really extraordinary, like the one that Don Mario, the historian of our family, told me to explain how one of the most picturesque corners of the area, the Maidens' Rock, got his name. Seeing those bare hills from the walls of the Rocca Sillana, proud and remote fortress in the middle of nowhere, explore the tunnels of the Pavone mine, trying to imagine the lives of the ancient miners who risked their lives every time they ventured into the bowels of the earth is an experience that will definitely touch you very deep. Maybe you won't understand the small talk mindset, what brings them to remain there, clinging to those hills now that the metals and the jobs are gone but maybe you'll have a glimpse of the mysterious beauty that makes this land unique. Let us know what you think about this hidden corner of Tuscany by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN)
http://www.weekendromanticotoscana.info/blog/percorsi-e-idee-romantiche/il-masso-delle-fanciulle-pomarance/
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/pomarance-larderello/
https://carrozzadergambini.it/it/berignone/masso-fanciulle.html
http://www.girosognando.it/2019/02/06/museo-geotermia-larderello/?fbclid=IwAR3nYkJ3MB0GiWfmHiMCbx0C_WqH9QLHfqrcWQlucvnEbOeFaPwWJ1sbB6c
http://www.girosognando.it/2018/11/28/visitare-museo-delle-miniere-montecatini-val-di-cecina/
https://www.parkhotellefonti.com/casa-bicocchi-mostra-dei-guerrieri/
http://stats-1.archeogr.unisi.it/repetti/includes/pdf/main.php?id=3647
https://carrozzadergambini.it/it/pavone/la-racca-sillana-e-la-pieve-di-san-giovanni.html
https://carrozzadergambini.it/it/pavone/la-miniera-del-pavone.html
https://carrozzadergambini.it/it/2013-10-01-10-16-32/san-giusto.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6B3hxfR-DA&ab_channel=PaulLambs

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Gemini Instrumental
Author: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-gemini-instrumentalcreative-commons

Now that summer is in full swing, many are trying to figure out how to spend some time in a cooler place to recharge the batteries. According to many reports, Tuscan families are looking to escape the hustle and bustle and spend their holidays in the many small towns that dot our region. No one seems to consider reviving the traditional summer holiday of the last century, when Italians spent the entire month of August in seaside resorts. In an uncertain time like ours, a return to tradition would make sense but no one seems to be biting. Is it possible that those summers spent lazily on the beach, killing time by walking up and down the promenade have scarred us so much to turn the only holiday we knew in our youth a relic of the past? Times have changed, but those quiet, boring summers were really so horrible? Spending our summers in the same place, year after year, created a parallel reality, a new community you were part of, that of the "friends from the sea". Maybe the past will never come back but one thing is sure: for many Tuscans the warm season will always mean beach, sun and sea. Maybe once in a while, for a day or two, but it will always be "our sea". What is your take? Would you consider spending an entire month by the sea in the same place? What are your most cherished summer memories? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.teladoiofirenze.it/firenze-life-style/fiorentino-al-mare-se-lo-riconosci-lo-eviti/
https://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/come-riconoscere-fiorentino-mare-stereotipi.html
http://www.bassavelocita.it/la-villeggiatura-chi-se-ne-ricorda-piu/
https://www.iodonna.it/attualita/costume-e-societa/2020/06/27/vacanze-italiane-anni-60-nostalgia/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Leopard Print Elevator
Author: Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com)
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077

We've been saying from day one how Tuscany is so rich of beauties that has a legend under every rock but even us Tuscans know only a fraction of those amazing stories. This week we've decided to tell you five of them, coming from all corners of our region. Some are really extraordinary, from the tale of the Pisan Joan of Arc that saved the city from a Saracen raid around the year 1000 to the quirky story of a street in downtown Pistoia called "Be Patient Alley". We will explain why the Chianti Classico consortium chose to use a black rooster as the logo on their bottle and tell you the story behind the small pyramid that lies in a mystical garden built almost a century ago by a former Garibaldi fighter as a tribute of his Masonic allegiance. We will end up with the monumental tree that dominates the land near Lucca that, after hosting many witches in the Dark Age, became the inspiration for Carlo Collodi when he was writing his masterpiece Pinocchio. Some say that the dark legends surrounding the tree influenced him to write the first ending of the novel, where Pinocchio died hanged from that very tree. Do you know any particular story from your neck of the woods that would deserve to be shared? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
http://www.giugnopisano.com/regata-repubbliche-marinare-pisa/la-leggenda-di-kinzica/
http://zweilawyer.com/2017/06/21/storia-di-pisa-la-guerra-contro-gli-arabi-in-sardegna-1005-1022/
https://www.montefioralle.wine/it/blog/dettaglio/6
https://initalia.virgilio.it/bosco-isabella-giardino-esoterico-romantico-radicofani-34832
https://www.natifly.com/it/bosco-di-isabella-esoterico-massonico-radicofani/
http://www.amiatanews.it/radicofani-nuova-vita-bosco-isabella/
https://www.placidasignora.com/2011/09/21/via-abbi-pazienza-storia-di-una-strada-pistoiese/
https://www.domanidoveandiamo.it/2020/04/quercia-delle-streghe-toscana/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Almost Time (Instrumental)
Author: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Despite Tuscany is one of the regions in the world where human presence is more visible, there are places out of time, shrouded in a mystical, sometimes unsettling, atmosphere. Garfagnana has always been a land rich in legends, myths and stories passed down for generations. Lately, though, one of its mountains have become famous as a sort of interstellar crossroads, where sightings of unidentified flying objects are common. Mount Palodina, near the small town of Gallicano, has become a mecca for mystery and UFO aficionados after a long series of sightings starting from the 1950s. Apparently, some of this alien visitors liked the place so much they've decided to take a walk in the woods. The sighting of a 2 meters high reptilian monster in the late 1980s brought Mount Palodina all over Italian media, turning into a must visit destination for eccentric mystery hunters. There are some that call it the "Tuscan Area 51" and stories about crazy compasses, electromagnetic interferences, black unmarked helicopters looking for something in the woods abound. Lately a series of mysterious symbols appeared randomly in the woods. Some say they mark the path to the entrance of a secret alien base, others say that they're markers for illegal rave parties. One thing is sure: the "mystery mountain" has been fascinating people for decades. What is your take? Did you ever had a close encounter of any kind? Have you seen things in the sky you can't explain? Do you think aliens are real and are visiting us all the time or do you think there is always a scientific explanation? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.lagazzettadelserchio.it/l-evento/2016/01/ennesimo-avvistamento-ufo-a-gallicano/
https://grupposhado.wordpress.com/2016/09/21/avvistamento-ufo-sul-monte-palodina/
https://www.noitv.it/2016/09/un-ufo-fornaci-barga-cosa-puntino-bianco-cielo-134012/#comment-16895
https://www.intoscana.it/it/articolo/alla-scoperta-di-gallicano-e-del-monte-palodina-luogo-dei-mille-misteri/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX__Em6wD08&ab_channel=DavidMelani-MidnightTeam
http://paolomarzi.blogspot.com/2014/07/leggende-metropolitane-il-mostro-della.html
https://umbertogaetani.blogspot.com/2013/05/monte-palodina-dal-folklore-agli-x-file.html?view=flipcard
https://www.verdeazzurronotizie.it/ufo-e-creature-misteriose-la-garfagnana-oltre-il-folklore/
https://ilnavigatorecurioso.myblog.it/2013/05/13/monte-palodina-dal-folklore-agli-x-files-uomini-rettili-ufo/
https://www.lagazzettadelserchio.it/garfagnana/2013/04/il-mistero-della-palodina-qualcuno-riesce-a-svelarlo/
https://www.welcome2lucca.com/monte-palodina-il-monte-dei-misteri/
https://www.itstuscany.com/it/garfagnana-terra-di-misteri-e-folklore/
https://www.segretiemisteri.com/2013/05/misteri-sul-monte-palodina-in-garfagnana/
https://www.verdeazzurronotizie.it/monte-palodina-larea-51-italiana-torna-alla-ribalta-grazie-ai-simboli/
https://portalemisteri.altervista.org/blog/ufo-alieni-misteri-monte-palodina/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
WATER WOOD AND STONE by Audionautix | http://audionautix.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Many of the words Tuscans use every day are quite unique and incomprehensible to anyone not born and raised here. Aside from causing problems to foreigners, the funny thing is that not many Tuscans are aware of their origins and how they became so popular. Many of their stories are quite fascinating. That's why this week we have decided to present you with five words you need to know to get the most from your trip to Tuscany and to gain some insight into this land and the people that makes it so special. Why acting like a fool makes you a "bischero"? Where does the word "ghiozzo" comes from? What is a "grullo"? How many meanings the word "ganzo" has? Did you know that until a few decades ago "bucaiolo" was not an insult? Follow us into this small trip into the intricacies of our incredible language and into the mind of Tuscans. What is your take? Do you have a favourite Tuscan word? Is there a term used in your neck of the woods that is impossible to translate? Is there a Tuscan word that still puzzles you? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts and we'll do our best to help:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://amp.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/dialetto-toscano.html
https://www.055firenze.it/art/103015/Guida-modi-di-dire-fiorentini
https://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/bischero-storia-motivo-firenze.html
https://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/grullo-significato.html
https://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/bucaiolo-origine-parola-firenze.html
https://www.florencecity.it/ganzo/
https://acasadisimo.blogspot.com/2015/07/la-ganza.html
http://www.lavocedelserchio.it/vediarticolo.php?id=22582&page=0&t_a=da-ganzo-a-ghiozzo

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Cold Weather Kids
Author: Aerocity
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Links: https://soundcloud.com/aerocity/cold-weather-kids

One of the most terrifying questions for a Tuscan is what are the local dishes that every tourist should taste before going back home. Aside from the greatest hits like ribollita or cacciucco there is an enormity of thousands of local recipes that not even a born and raised Tuscan know and appreciate as they deserve. As our mission is to illustrate what it means to be a Tuscan in 2021, we decided to tell you the stories of five amazing dishes coming from various parts of our region that not many people outside of their hometown are aware of. Did you know that in Lucca there is a vegetable soup that can only be made for a couple of weeks each year or that in Pistoia the most traditional dish came into being as the result of a prison riot two centuries ago? Have you ever tasted the "Tuscan spaghetti", a recipe so old that people think originated with the Etruscans centuries before Rome? I myself have never tasted what locals say is the best cake in the world, despite it being born in a town a little more than 20 miles from my hometown? Follow us into a quick trip into traditional Tuscan cuisine and discover five recipes that should get a lot more respect and recognition. What is your take on it? Do you have a recipe from your neck of the woods that we should try? What of these dishes inspired you the most? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO RECIPES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://darcontadino.it/pages/prodotti-toscani-10-piatti-tipici-per-10-province
https://www.dissapore.com/cucina/14-piatti-tipici-toscani-la-cucina-della-toscana-da-provare/
https://www.lifebeyondtourism.org/it/viaggio-in-toscana-per-assaporare-i-piatti-tipici-del-territorio/
http://www.lavocedelserchio.it/vediarticolo.php?id=13698&page=0
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_aprile_06/torta-co-bischeri-che-unisce-san-giuliano-terme-san-paolo-3caa27fc-9635-11eb-930b-4b9ae8ba9cd7.shtml
https://tuttatoscana.net/storia-e-microstoria-2/microstoria-in-cucina-la-scottiglia/#:~:text=L'origine%20di%20questo%20piatto,pezzi%20di%20carne%20o%20avanzi.
https://www.universy.it/2014/01/il-carcerato-pistoiese-una-ricetta-dalla-toscana/
https://www.acquabuona.it/2011/04/il-carcerato-pistoiese/
https://tuttatoscana.net/storia-e-microstoria-2/microstoria-in-cucina-i-pici-e-laglione/
https://coccolatime.wordpress.com/2014/04/12/un-piatto-antico-la-garmugia-lucchese/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Trampled
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-trampled-creative-commons-instrumental

Tuscans are generally considered a very down-to-earth, sceptic people but we're not immune from being fascinated with certain popular superstitions, especially when they should bring us some luck. In this week's episode we will present you with some of the most interesting rituals that, according to believers, are guaranteed to bring you good luck. Many were born around Tuscan universities so that students would have good grades in their finals. When facing a tough exam, even the most rational of students will be tempted to court Lady Luck. If in Pisa they resort to a famous lizard sculpture, in Leghorn they have some seriously complicated rituals involving a famous Catholic sanctuary nearby. If in Siena students stay well clear of a cursed archway, in Florence the best way to get some extra luck is to rub the nose of the famous Porcellino Fountain. I wouldn't bet on the effectiveness of these good luck charms but some people swear by them. What is your take? Are you a believer or a sceptic? Do you know any specific good luck charm or ritual from your neck of the woods? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.visittuscany.com/it/idee/la-toscana-portafortuna-le-tradizioni-e-i-riti-di-buon-augurio/
https://www.pisatoday.it/social/laurea-superstizioni-universitarie-toscana.html
https://www.toscanainside.com/it/aneddoti-e-curiosita/post/i-riti-propiziatori-dei-maturandi-toscani/
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/fontana-porcellino-firenze-fortuna/
https://www.teladoiofirenze.it/storie-firenze-2/la-fontana-del-porcellino-perche-porta-fortuna/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Pick You Up
Author: Wayne John Bradley
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons

The woods and mountains of Garfagnana are very different from the typical image of Tuscany that many have. According to locals, their wild beauty also hides many secrets and a whole lot of supernatural creatures. Traditions and legends have been rediscovered lately and there are many that believe that this ancient land would host many creatures. Some are funny, a bit mischievous, others are definitely more scary. This week we have decided to have a quick trip into Tuscan folklore and tell you some of the tales that involve elves, witches and other creatures. Most of the stories revolve around little pranksters like the "linchetto" of Lucca and the "buffardello" of Garfagnana, that looks a lot like your regular leprechaun. These small people walk around at night, making a mess of people's houses and making small pranks to humans and farm animals. Some of the legends are a lot darker and tell tales of satanic rituals, magic potions, curses and all sorts of dark rituals that happen on a New Moon. At the end of the XVI century, the Lucca countryside had its own version of the Salem trials, with a lot of young single women being burned alive or strangled. While no one has seen witches lately, their stories are still alive in this magical part of Tuscany. What is your take? Do you believe that the woods hide some sort of supernatural creature that sometimes just wants to have a laugh at our expense? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.justinlucca.it/2019/10/12/che-cose-il-linchetto/
https://www.welcome2lucca.com/il-linchetto/
https://www.lagazzettadelserchio.it/mediavalle/2019/08/linchetto-fest-cultura-tradizioni-e-leggende-lucchesi-rivivono-nel-centro-di-pescaglia/
https://www.fantasymagazine.it/6080/lucca-streghe-folletti-e-diavoli
https://terraevita.forumfree.it/?t=52978584
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/folletto-buffardello-leggenda-garfagnana/
http://paolomarzi.blogspot.com/2014/05/il-buffardello-folletto.html
https://www.aneddoticamagazine.com/it/non-solo-il-buffardello-ecco-gli-altri-folletti-toscani-che-leggenda-narra/
http://www.economiaitaliana.it/it/articolo.php/La-Garfagnana-che-non-ti-aspetti-tra-folletti-streghe-misticismo-e-magia?LT=CULT&ID=29705&ARCHIVIO=1

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Children of the Son
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental

Tuscany is almost synonymous with its unique bread without salt, with its thick and well-cooked crust. People always ask why we're the only ones in Italy not to use salt in bread but this stereotype is quite incorrect. Sure, most of us have the traditional "pane sciapo" on their desk but there are many other types of bread that are quite popular in our region. That's why we have decided to bring you along for a quick tour of five breads that have nothing to do with the traditional "panaccio". From the potatoes bread of Garfagnana to the saffron-infused panina of Arezzo, from the German-born semelle of Florence to the chestnut-rich marocca of Lunigiana, there are plenty of interesting choices. Some of these specialties have managed to gain traction and become popular in other parts of Italy and turning their homes into prime spots for foodies. What is your take? Would you be willing to try some of these weird concoctions if you had the chance? Is there a special bread from your homeland that you think should get more recognition? Please let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.visittuscany.com/it/idee/5-pani-tradizionali-toscana/
https://www.alimentipedia.it/pane-tipico-toscana.html
https://www.taccuinigastrosofici.it/ita/news/moderna/pani---dolci/Pani-tradizionali-Toscana.html
https://www.taccuinigastrosofici.it/ita/news/contemporanea/usi-costumi/Parole-e-cibi---semel-e-ciorba.html
https://www.terredilunigiana.com/riviera-apuana/paniapuani.php
https://www.arezzonotizie.it/cucina/panina-aretina.html
https://www.ilgiornaledelcibo.it/pani-tradizionali-italiani/
https://www.fiorentininelmondo.it/it/home/243-pan-di-ramerino-il-dolce-tipico-di-firenze-per-il-giovedi-santo.html
https://visitlunigiana.it/la-marocca-di-casola/
https://www.cittadiprato.it/IT/Sezioni/149/Il-Pane/
https://www.stamptoscana.it/anche-ad-arezzo-ci-si-prepara-per-la-pasqua-sul-piatto-panina-unta-e-gialla/
https://www.iviaggidelgoloso.it/2021/08/pane-di-vinca/
https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/it/presidi-slow-food/pane-di-patate-della-garfagnana/
https://www.turismo.it/gusto/articolo/art/toscana-cosa-ha-di-speciale-il-pane-marocco-id-11160/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Hot soup on cold days
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-hot-soup-on-cold-days-creative-commons-instrumental

This week we will talk about one of the most prestigious research institutions on the planet, at the forefront of a very promising research field, gravitational waves. Not many know that it's in the middle of the countryside outside Cascina, in the lower Valdarno. We attended a public meeting with two lead scientists of the European Gravitational Observatory, better known as VIRGO, and learned many things about the facility's history, its amazing characteristics and the love story between Tuscany and science. Walking on the footsteps of Galileo and Leonardo da Vinci, their heirs follow a method that is both scientific and very Tuscan: never believe in anything unless you have experimental proof, never accept the status quo, always keep an open mind. One of the researchers like to say that "if it's beautiful, it works", a sentence that could both describe a physics equation or the Tuscan hills landscape. Follow us in this quick journey into the far reaches of the universe that starts just a few miles from my home. Let us know what you think and if you would rather us cover this kind of topics instead of our traditional mix of legends, traditions, cuisine and quirky facts about our land. Drop us a direct message on our social media accounts: we're more than happy to receive all sorts of feedback or suggestions. Links here below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2021/04/11/le-onde-gravitazionali-virgo-e-luniverso-a-cosa-serve-la-fisica-teorica-ce-lo-spiega-il-professor-federico-ferrini/
https://www.sif.it/riviste/sif/sag/ricordo/giazotto
https://www.unipi.it/index.php/news/item/20059-ai-rivelatori-virgo-e-ligo-la-milestone-ieee-della-scienza-e-della-tecnologia
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2017/press-release/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Leopard Print Elevator
Author: Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com)
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077

Not many know that my family's favourite seaside resort, Tirrenia, didn't exist until the 1930s, when between Pisa and Livorno existed only a large swamp riddled with criminals and prostitutes. The town was created from scratch by the Fascist regime, that wanted to build there an upscale resort. In order to convince people to shell out the big money to buy the expensive villas, they came up with a brilliant plan: make this new town the home of Italian cinema. Thanks to an ambitious producer and the heir of the Agnelli family, Tirrenia was home to the first studios in Italy able to produce talking movies. The "Hollywood on the Arno" was born. Follow us while we tell you the tale of this dream and how it was ultimately doomed by Mussolini's megalomania. Now of those state-of-the-art studios there are only a few decrepit buildings and the memories of those that learned their trade there. Things could have gone very differently, though. In 1957 a British producer almost chose Tirrenia as the location for his latest project: turning into movies a series of novels on a suave, womanizing but ultimately ruthless special agent. If not for the shaky financial situation, James Bond would have been shot in Tirrenia. Let us know what you think about the incredible story by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.repubblica.it/spettacoli/cinema/2016/03/13/news/hollywood_in_riva_al_tirreno_il_lungo_sogno_di_pisorno-135289248/
https://news.cinecitta.com/IT/it-it/news/55/66251/alla-scoperta-di-tirrenia-citta-del-cinema.aspx
https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2021/01/15/quando-tirrenia-era-la-hollywood-sullarno/
https://iris.unito.it/handle/2318/1575976#.YTiLsp0zaUk
https://www.lanazione.it/pisa/cosa%20fare/tirrenia-studi-cinema-1.2291537
https://www.ilpost.it/2016/03/27/mostra-tirrenia-pisa/
http://www.boccadarno.it/pisorno-la-storia/
http://www.lakinzica.it/tirrenia-citta-del-cinema

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: The Opening Closing (instrumental)
Author: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

There is a part of Tuscany so wild and different from the rest of the region that many of us don't consider it to be a part of it. For centuries, Maremma was synonymous with disease, danger, hard living - many old Tuscans still use its name as a curse. This reputation was well deserved, as the area was plagued with brigands and highwaymen. The most famous of them, Domenico Tiburzi, became such a nuisance for the government to force a massive hunt to track his gang down. The people of Maremma, though, loved him, as he forced wealthy landowners to pay a special tax that he distributed to the poor. When he was finally killed, many mourned his passing. This is the story of the Tuscan Robin Hood, both the official version and the much more interesting tale told by the son of one of the few witnesses to his downfall. Let us know what you think about it by sending us a direct messages on our Twitter and Facebook accounts. If you like what we do, please share this episode with your friends - every little helps :-)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.ilgiunco.net/2021/06/13/chicche-di-maremma-la-storia-di-domenico-tiburzi-il-brigante-amato-dal-popolo-2/
https://www.ilgiunco.net/2019/10/23/la-vera-storia-di-tiburzi-raccontata-da-un-contadino-maremmano-che-visse-con-lui-intervista-esclusiva/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Gemini Instrumental
Author: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumental

For our 50th episode, we take a stroll down memory lane, going back to a special time in the history of Florence when the city, as a result of an international city, became the capital of the newborn Kingdom of Italy. What was thought as a permanent solution in order to avoid the fact that Rome is the seat of the Catholic Church, lasted only six years and caused massive upheavals to the cradle of the Renaissance. While the first move was accompanied by riots in Turin, the Florentines weren't particularly fazed when the crowd of diplomats and public servants left to move to Rome in 1871. The city was changed beyond recognition, though, as many of its Medieval features were razed to the ground. The fact that the Crown refused to contribute to the massive public works that had been ordered to make Florence a proper capital caused the city government to go into bankruptcy. The mayor, who had been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the renovation, decided to fall on his sword and paid most of the debts with his own money, ending up penniless. Follow us into this controversial chapter of Tuscan history. Let us know what you think by joining the conversation on our social media platforms:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

I LINKS ALLE FONTI
https://www.lanazione.it/cronaca/almanacco-del-giorno-15-settembre-1864-convenzione-verso-firenze-capitale-1.6797533
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/firenze-capitale-ditalia/
https://mole24.it/2020/11/14/spostamento-della-capitale-da-torino-a-firenze/
http://www.palazzospinelli.org/architetture/itinerari-scheda-dettaglio.asp?Id=10
http://www.storia-toscana.it/1865/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Children of the Son
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental

While the weather holds up, we've officially entered autumn, which means we'll have to wait almost a year before being able to get back to the beach and enjoy some sea and sun. If today a beach holiday is almost integral to the Tuscan idea of summer, this wasn't always the case. In the past centuries people would have found the idea utterly bizarre. This modern concept has a much longer history than most people think. The first establishments by the sea were founded in Tuscany in the beginning of the 19th century and were among the firsts in Europe. Viareggio was the first and quickly became one of the most fashionable resorts in the Mediterranean, catering to a wealthy crowd of sophisticated foreigners. Tuscany being Tuscany, its crown isn't undisputed. Leghorn can prove that the first "bagni" were founded there some 40 years before, around 1780. They looked a lot like thermal baths but they definitely came first. Crowned heads and aristocrats loved them, even if they sound really weird today. This is the story of the love affair between Tuscans and the sea. Hope you find it interesting. Let us know what you think of it or anything else that pops into your head by sending us a direct message on our social media accounts. The more, the merrier!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/versilia/cronaca/2021/05/27/news/nereo-e-dori-cosi-nacquero-i-bagni-ma-al-mare-uomini-e-donne-erano-divisi-1.40320909
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/stabilimenti-balneari-storia-viareggio/
https://ricerca.gelocal.it/iltirreno/archivio/iltirreno/2005/06/19/LA9LG_LA901.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Trampled
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-trampled-creative-commons-instrumental

While many Tuscan towns claim to have had a bigger role in history than they actually had, Pietrasanta is right in boasting to have had the inventor of the internal combustion engine born there, 200 years ago. While not many have heard about his story, the engine that powers most of our world today was invented not in Germany but in Tuscany, almost 20 years before Otto and Benz patented their versions. Father Eugenio Barsanti, a monk who loved mathematics and physics, created the first combustion engine back in 1854. Instead of gasoline or diesel, his engine used a mixture of hydrogen and air. The exhaust, therefore, was only hot steam. Despite his best efforts, the engine never gained much commercial traction and quickly became a footnote in engineering history. If only people would have been wise enough to realize how damaging to the environment hydrocarbons would become, our world would be very different today. Let us know what you think about this story by joining the conversation on social media and sharing this podcast with your friends - the more, the merrier!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.gonews.it/2021/10/07/linventore-del-motore-a-scoppio-e-toscano-per-i-200-anni-premio-a-bombassei-brembo/
https://www.versilia.org/it/territorio-versilia/cultura/padre-eugenio-barsanti
https://www.informagiovani-italia.com/eugenio_barsanti.htm
https://www.comune.pietrasanta.lu.it/home/comune/amministrazione-trasparente/amministrazione-trasparente-2/organizzazione/articolazione-degli-uffici/museo-barsanti/il-museo
https://vehiclecue.it/il-motore-barsanti-matteucci/13867/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Blue Hope New Sky
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-blue-hope-new-sky-creative-commons-instrumental
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Despite what many people think, not all Italians own a Ferrari or are obsessed with fast cars. Passion for cars and engineering isn't uncommon, though, but not many people are able to turn their dreams into reality. There are exceptions to the rule. One of them happens to come from my hometown. His story is quite remarkable. 47 year old Luca Mazzanti went from working in his father's classic cars workshop to designing and crafting a supercar with his own hands. From his first prototype back in 2005, he now has his own company that produces high performance, light, extremely exclusive cars that are sold to discerning car collectors in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. His cars are built to the client's specifications, turning them into something quite unique. Now that his dream is a reality, Mazzanti doesn't stop there. To fund the development of his new model, he has had a successful crowdfunding campaign a few months ago. His company is also the first to offer blockchain as a payment solution for his exclusive cars. The next step? Planning the entry into the very competitive US market with enthusiasm and optimism. After all, he's come a long way from restoring classic cars. Let us know what you think of this story by joining the conversation on our social media channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.ansa.it/canale_motori/notizie/acquisti/2021/09/30/mazzanti-automobili-ora-lacquisto-e-anche-con-criptovalute_b2e19ed6-0277-4220-a87d-591d4851775a.html
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/10/10/news/mazzanti-porta-pontedera-in-vetrina-a-dubai-ora-cinque-auto-all-anno-e-nuovi-mercati-1.40795318
https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/cronaca/lauto-di-lusso-come-un-abito-supercar-su-misura-negli-emirati-1.6900017
https://it.motor1.com/news/535364/mazzanti-evantra-pura-nuova-hypercar/
https://www.hdmotori.it/auto/articoli/n544176/mazzanti-evantra-bronze-modelli-prezzi/
https://www.lastampa.it/motori/attualita/2020/05/09/news/mazzanti-automobili-un-crowfunding-per-finanziare-la-crescita-del-marchio-toscano-1.38825179

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: The Opening Closing (instrumental)
Author: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Autumn in Tuscany is a bit of a mixed bag for locals. Some hate the rain and the sudden cold spells, others adore this time of year. They're not looking forward to pumpkin spice anything. The smell of the Tuscan autumn is that of mushrooms, a real passion for many of us. While many adore porcini or other varieties, the king of mushrooms is definitely the white truffles, especially those that grow in the area of San Miniato, a few miles from my hometown. White truffles are exceedingly expensive and in a bad season they can get to cost 5000 Euros a kilogram. There are families that make their living by looking for the white gold of the Tuscan hills, breeding champion search dogs that can be worth tens of thousands of Euros. Their stories are very fascinating, as the festivals that between October and November will happen in many Tuscan towns to celebrate these delicacies. What is your take? Are you a mushroom aficionado? Do you have a favourite recipe? Let us know by joining the conversation on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_ottobre_11/tartufo-clima-fa-salire-prezzo-4500-euro-bianco-introvabile-deb41168-2ac1-11ec-a8a7-97c00bb2b6f7.shtml
https://www.ilcuoioindiretta.it/altre-news/2021/10/11/il-tartufo-bianco-si-sta-facendo-attendere-preoccupata-coldiretti-siamo-a-un-deficit-di-raccolta-del-90-rispetto-alla-normalita/106259/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/10/13/news/il-tartufo-migliora-di-giorno-in-giorno-quotazioni-tra-2-000-e-2-200-euro-al-chilo-1.40805897
https://www.ilcuoioindiretta.it/altre-news/2021/10/16/a-ponte-a-ego-torna-la-sagra-del-tartufo-bianco/106585/
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/10/11/news/toscana_tartufo_bianco_funghi_porcini_raccolta_prezzi_sagre_feste_-321781679/?rss
https://tartufobiancosanminiato.blogspot.com/2013/08/per-trovare-i-tartufi-serve-un-cane.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Snow Ticket
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-snow-ticket-creative-commons-instrumental

Despite being seen as sort of a foreign object, there are a few things that everyone loves about Leghorn. Even the harshest critic must admit that their favourite drink, the "ponce alla livornese" is actually quite extraordinary. This special blend of espresso coffee, a local version of rum, sugar and lemon has become almost synonymous with the city itself. It is quite fitting, considered that its main ingredients come from all over the world. The ponce is indeed the symbol of a city that is much more open and cosmopolitan than the rest of Tuscany, which might explain why many Tuscans just don't like it. The story and the legends that surround this special drink and its mother church, the famous Bar Civili, are quite remarkable. Listen to them in this week's episode and be sure to let us know what you think of them by dropping us a line on social media. Any feedback is wildly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://bottegheria.com/magazine/il-ponce-alla-livornese/
https://villatramonto.com/2014/10/ponce-livornese-caffe-tradizione-con-una-nota-alcolica/
https://web.archive.org/web/20030523115040/http://www.geocities.com/marcosisilivorno/ponce.html
http://www.comune.livorno.it/_cn_online/index003b.html?id=13&lang=it
https://www.coffeando.it/il-ponce-livornese-il-primo-cocktail-italiano-e-al-caffe/
https://www.beverfood.com/taccola-1895-orgoglio-toscano-difende-tradizione-wd107671/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/21/news/gt-la-bottiglia-magica-che-fa-del-caffe-una-dolce-bomba-1.39935533

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Leopard Print Elevator
Author: Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com)
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077

Very few places in the world are as enamoured with their history as is Tuscany. While this has slowed down progress in many ways, it has also allowed us to keep alive many traditions that date back to the antiquity. One of the most interesting is the alabaster carving industry that has survived in Volterra since the VIII century BC. It may not be as vibrant or creative as it was in the past, but there are still many master scupltors and artisans that work this deceptive and very versatile stone. Of the 52 varieties still present in the quarries around the town, artisans produce all sorts of sculpture, from the small souvenirs to the big and extremely expensive sculpture that end up in some of the most exclusive collections around the world. Using techniques that sometimes date back to antiquity, this very special industry is to this day one of the most characteristic of Tuscany. Let us know what you think about this kind of episode by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS ALLE FONTI
https://www.itinerarieluoghi.it/artigiani-dellalabastro-a-volterra-quattro-indirizzi-da-non-perdere/
https://www.itstuscany.com/it/le-origini-della-lavorazione-dellalabastro/
https://www.alialabastro.it/alabastro-estrazione-e-lavorazione.htm
https://www.paesionline.it/italia/prodotti-tipici-e-artigianato-volterra/botteghe-di-alabastro
https://www.stilemargherita.it/artieri-dellalabastro-centanni-di-tradizione-a-volterra/
https://www.quinewsvolterra.it/volterra-apre-al-pubblico-una-antica-bottega-di-alabastro.htm

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Children of the Son
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental

Not many foreigners are aware of it, but Tuscans have quite the reputation of being massive fans of practical jokes. While usually we don't care much about what other people think about us, this time the reputation is rather well deserved. Every Tuscan secretly dreams of being able to pull out massive pranks and make fun of everyone. Not many are actually able to turn this dream into reality but when it happens it's truly glorious. Back in 1984 three Leghorn university students threw into one of the city canals an imitation of one of Amedeo Modigliani's famous primitivist sculptures as the city government was looking for it. Incredibly everyone was so happy to have found a new sculpture of the artist 100 years from his birth that no one figured out it was a hoax. Art critics everywhere attested the sculpture was real until, the day after it was displayed in a new exhibition, they went public admitting they had made it the night before with an electric drill. The story of the biggest prank of the century is much more complex and fascinating, with a final surprising twist. Find out what it is by listening to this week's episode - you won't regret it. By the way, when you're done, let us know what you think about this kind of episode by joining the conversation on our social media accounts. Every feedback is wildly appreciated:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2020/07/24/news/livorno_36_anni_fa_la_beffa_del_secolo_dei_falsi_modi_-262766078/
https://www.zetatielle.com/la-piu-grande-beffa-darte-le-teste-false-di-modigliani/
https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2017/01/24/modigliani-32-anni-fa-la-burla-delle-teste-false-che-fece-arrossire-il-mondo-dellarte/2957324/
https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/cos-brutte-teste-mod-ingannarono-i-grandi-critici-1974677.html
https://www.quotidiano.net/cronaca/mod%C3%AC-le-altre-statue-finite-in-carrozzeria-il-mistero-resta-sono-quelle-vere-1.7019006

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Hot soup on cold days
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-hot-soup-on-cold-days-creative-commons-instrumental

We Tuscans like to brag about the fact that every rock in our land can tell a fascinating story. While many other parts of the world have amazing vistas, beautiful buildings or artistic masterpieces, what makes this land unique is the incredible density of such beauties. Even the most uninspiring tracts of land, such as the flats south of the Pisa airport, have had a major role in history. In the hamlet of Coltano, Guglielmo Marconi installed his first "ultrapowerful" intercontinental station back in 1911, an installation that was at the forefront of technology for several decades. When the huge antennas were destroyed by the retreating German army, the station fell into disuse before being completely forgotten by everyone. Now only the original building remains standing, even if it is in a very sorry state. The latest effort by the Pisa municipality to restore the Coltano station and build a museum of wireless communication has failed a couple years ago. The structure needs urgent repairs to avoid the worst but maybe there is a ray of hope. A Pisa University professor has recently published a comprehensive study on the historical significance of the site on an international academic magazine. Hopefully the English language article will cause enough interest to convince another company to finance the renovation. Listen to the story of this remarkable installation and its sister station in Hawaii on the latest episode of this podcast. Let us know what you think about it by joining the conversation on our social media platforms:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN & ENGLISH)
http://www.stilepisano.it/leggende/leg(g)ende_pisane_N09_coltano_27nov2017.pdf
https://www.unipi.it/index.php/news/item/10131-ecco-la-vera-storia-della-stazione-di-marconi-a-coltano
https://i0yqx.jimdofree.com/i-luoghi-della-memoria/
https://www.altreinfo.org/riflessioni/10766/2-luglio-1897-guglielmo-marconi-brevetta-la-radio-cosa-resta-oggi-della-sua-celebre-villa-stazione-radio-a-coltano-filippo-bovo/
http://www.giornidistoria.net/19-novembre-1911-coltano-alle-origini-della-radiotelegrafia/
https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2020/02/22/pisa-la-storia-della-stazione-da-cui-marconi-collego-litalia-con-il-canada-da-piu-potente-del-mondo-a-rudere-in-rovina/5708438/
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/hawaii/abandoned-marconi-wireless-station-hi/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Almost Time (Instrumental)
Author: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

If you happen to travel on Tuscan back roads on a sunny day, chances are you'll bump into a group of cycling enthusiasts. The love story between this land and the bicycle dates back to the glory days of the sport, when it was the most popular in the land. While the names of the champions are known by almost everyone, not many know that probably the greatest of the lot, Gino Bartali, was responsible for saving more than 800 Jewish Italians from deportation during the German occupation. Cycling alone between Assisi, Florence and Rome, knowing full well that if discovered he would be executed on the spot, the champion just did his part. The most extraordinary part of his story is that he didn't say a word about it until his death in 2000, when details of his work with the resistance finally came into light. Why he didn't say anything? According to him, "good deeds are better left unspoken" and that was the end of it. For him, cycling was a way to keep in touch with God and express his profound Catholic faith. Bartali, who became a figurehead for traditional values in the years after WW2, remained extremely humble and true to his values until the very end. That's maybe why an Italian bishop initiated three years ago the process of beatification of the Tuscan champion. Will there soon be a day dedicated to Saint Gino Bartali, patron saint of sportsmen? No one knows. One thing is sure: people will keep on talking about the grumpy Florentine champion for a long time. What do you think about this story? Let us know by joining the conversation on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.famigliacristiana.it/articolo/gino-bartali-nelle-parole-del-figlio-mio-padre-un-giusto.aspx
https://www.elasticinterface.com/it/magazine/gino-bartali-shoah/
https://thevision.com/cultura/gino-bartali-ebrei/
https://www.viaggiatoriignoranti.it/2021/05/gino-bartali-il-giusto-e-lattivita-a-favore-degli-oppressi.html
https://www.osservatoreromano.va/it/news/2021-10/quo-246/gino-bartali-beato.html
https://www.tempi.it/bartali-yad-vashem-giusto-nazioni-firenze-seconda-guerra-mondiale-ebrei-salvati-bicicletta/
http://osservatorioglobalizzazione.it/dossier/ritratti/bartali-ciclismo-italia/
https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/gino-bartali-l-angelo-due-ruote-AFW33kK?refresh_ce=1
https://www.ildubbio.news/2020/05/05/ginettaccio-il-campione-che-salvava-gli-ebrei-nascondendo-carte-nella-bici/
https://www.bicidastrada.it/gino-bartali-beato/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: A Slave to Nothing (Instrumental)
Author: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-a-slave-to-nothing-instrumental
http://www.pipechoir.com/

As long-time listeners know for sure, we're not fans of the picture-perfect image of Tuscany that is so popular with foreigners. According to us, in order to figure out the real character of this land you have to look away from the manicured countryside and delve deep into the more savage parts of the land we call home. The wild region that lies across the Southern border with Latium has become integral to Tuscan character, providing us with many myths and legends. A few weeks ago we told you the story of Domenico Tiburzi, the Tuscan Robin Hood - now it's time for another Maremma legend, the one about the "butteri", the Tuscan cowboys that back in 1890 won a bet against none other than Buffalo Bill. When his Wild West Show arrived in Rome, he challenged the locals. He would give them the equivalent of a year's pay if they were able to tame and ride the wild horses he brought across the Atlantic for five minutes. Under a driving rain, the "butteri" were able to complete the task, drawing massive cheers from the crowd. While this legend is known and cherished by all Tuscans, some not-so-minor details are left aside. Despite this, "butteri" have come to represent the heart and soul of Maremma, with their "uniform" becoming very popular. As with their American cousins, "butteri" are nowadays barely surviving, now that the massive ranches they worked in have been broken up and the wild marshes have been drained in the 1930s. You can still see how they lived and worked in the past in many shows that are organized around Grosseto in the summer. Listen to the story of the Tuscan cowboys in this week's episode. If you like it, let us know what you think by joining the conversation on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
http://firenze.unuci.org/articolo.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/world/europe/05italy.html
https://www.quinewspisa.it/i-butteri-dellalta-maremma-tra-storia-e-leggenda.htm
https://romah24.com/prati/speciali/8-marzo-1890-quando-i-butteri-laziali-cacciarono-buffalo-bill-dal-quartiere/
https://www.maremmatoscana.it/blog-post/butteri-della-maremma/
https://ricerca.gelocal.it/iltirreno/archivio/iltirreno/1999/06/16/LF204.html
http://www.anamcavallomaremmano.com/index.php?id=70&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=393&tx_ttnews[backPid]=117&cHash=4b5353d820
https://maremma-magazine.it/primo-piano/eventi/cera-volta-maremma-mito-dei-butteri-rivive-nella-cornice-del-marruchetone/
http://www.sferamagazine.it/sfera-today-attualita/120%C2%B0-anniversario-sfida-butteri-contro-cowboys-di-buffalo-bill/
https://www.historynet.com/how-the-west-was-spun-buffalo-bill-codys-wild-west-show.htm

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: A MIDNIGHT ON JAQUAY (Instrumental)
Artist: Pipe Choir
Source: www.pipechoir.com
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumental

People around the world go absolutely bananas for Christmas, coming up with all sorts of traditional celebrations for the holiday. The relationship between us Tuscans and Christmas is a bit contentious, so to speak. It's not that we hate the holiday, it's just that it's too cold to properly celebrate. Now, Easter, that's our thing. Despite this, there are several places around the region that have come up with quirky and fascinating ways to celebrate the birth of Christ. This week we've listed five of these ancient traditions that have managed to survive to this day. Most of them involve fire and most probably born in pagan times as a way to celebrate winter solstice. We go from the massive bonfires in the town at the foot of an ancient volcano to the even more massive torches on the hills surrounding a Garfagnana hamlet. Did you know that until not many years ago, Tuscan children thought that their presents were brought not by Santa but by the magical tree stump that burned for days in their fireplace? There are also fun ways to celebrate the festivity, as the panforte cake throwing contest organized from Boxing Day in Pienza. Listen to these five eminently quirky ways to celebrate Christmas, Tuscan style. Next Friday we'll go one step further and tell you the dishes and specialty you have to have on your table to have a proper Tuscan Christmas - stick around, you'll love them! What do you think about these traditions? Do you have a favourite from your neck of the woods? Let us know what you think by joining the conversation on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.firenzetoday.it/social/ceppo-natale-firenze-storia.html
https://www.aneddoticamagazine.com/it/le-leggende-di-natale-in-toscana/
https://www.visittuscany.com/it/idee/5-tradizioni-di-natale-in-toscana/
https://www.ursamajorbubble.com/2020/12/01/natale-in-garfagnana-tradizioni-e-curiosita/
https://www.sienanews.it/toscana/siena/natale-in-toscana-e-il-rito-magico-del-ceppo/
https://www.snapitaly.it/abbadia-san-salvatore-tutta-la-tradizione-della-citta-delle-fiaccole/
https://sentieridicioccolata.it/fiaccolata-di-natale-di-monteriggioni-lungo-la-via-francigena/
https://garfagnanadream.it/storia/le-leggende-di-natale-della-garfagnana/
https://www.lagazzettadelserchio.it/garfagnana/2019/12/a-gorfigliano-la-magia-dei-natalecci-il-cielo-illuminato-a-giorno/
http://www.pienza.org/gioco_panforte_it.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Coffee And Time
Artist: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-coffee-and-time-creative-commons-instrumental
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Christmas is now around the corner and everyone is getting ready for the most important holiday of the year. In Tuscany, every family has its own recipe for the perfect holiday meal, but can have some problems when it comes to Christmas Eve, when a still popular religious precept imposes to serve no meat. While there are endless variations on the theme, we chose to present you with our very own perfect recipe for a successful and proper traditional Tuscan Christmas Eve dinner. It won't be an easy or light meal, far from it. From starter to dessert, it is still going to impose heavily on your waistline. As there will be plenty of time to think about getting back in shape, why don't you try some of the staples of Christmas in Tuscany, from the humble pasta e ceci to the sformato di cardi, compose the perfect Christmas cheese platter or bake your own versions of the many cakes and cookies that Tuscans adore this time of the year. Get the detailed recipes in the links below and follow us in our guide on how to avoid the many pitfalls of the first culinary ordeal of the long holiday season that will last until January 6th. What do you think of these recipes? Do you have a favourite from your neck of the woods? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.chefsilvia.it/ricette-di-natale/item/insalata-di-polpo-e-patate.html
https://blog.giallozafferano.it/max3cocco/pasta-e-ceci-alla-toscana/
https://www.elviradolciecucina.it/2019/12/20/crespelle-alla-fiorentina/
https://www.cacciuccopridelivorno.it/il-cacciucco/la-ricetta-del-cacciucco-5c/
https://www.repubblica.it/sapori/2020/11/11/news/stoccafisso_con_le_patate_alla_pisana-273887502/
https://it.julskitchen.com/contorno/sformato-di-cardi
https://www.pecorinotoscanodop.it/fuoridalgregge/natale-a-tavola-cinque-consigli-per-un-perfetto-tagliere-dei-formaggi/
https://www.chefsilvia.it/ricette-di-natale/item/panforte-di-siena.html
https://www.ricettedellanonna.net/ricciarelli-di-siena/
https://www.ricettedalmondo.it/castagnaccio.html
https://turismoinmaremma.wordpress.com/2014/12/28/natale-porto-santo-stefano-pagnottella/
https://www.valcor.it/ricetta/cavallucci-toscani/
https://www.cucchiaio.it/ricetta/torta-ricciolina-del-monte-amiata/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Stand Up
Artist: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Links: www.pipechoir.com
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-stand-up-creative-commons

We're back in our little studio in the Arno valley after almost three weeks in London, where I finally had the chance to spoil my 18-month-old nephew, which I had only seen once due to the pandemic. This gave me the chance to think about my homeland and to appreciate how many beautiful things and charming traditions can be found literally everywhere. To show that this is no empty bragging, think about the fact that a few miles from my home there is a town that has been organising for centuries a horse race that has nothing to envy to the world-famous Palio in Siena. Rather then in the heat of the summer, the Palio delle Contrade in Buti is held every year in the third Sunday of January. The seven contrade of the small town each have their horses and jockeys run a half-mile in-line course up the hill to claim a silk banner painted by a local artist. There are many traditions and culinary delicacies linked to this historic festival, the first of the year when it comes to traditional horse races. Yet I've never even bothered to show up to see what the fuss was all about. Listen this episode to learn everything there is to know about the winter Palio up the hill and the charming town that hosts it. If you want to let us know what you think about this episode and this podcast in general, drop us a line in our social media accounts. Every feedback is greatly appreciated:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.lanazione.it/pontedera/cronaca/palio-buti-1.7185576
https://magazine.dooid.it/destinazioni/toscana/palio-delle-contrade-citta-di-buti-dooid/
https://www.paliodibuti.eu/il-palio/storia/
https://necrologie.iltirreno.gelocal.it/news/24345
https://www.pisatoday.it/cronaca/cavallo-morto-palio-buti-2016-cause.html
http://lanazione.campionatodigiornalismo.it/lanazione-archivio-20182019/2019/03/19/il-palio-di-buti-antico-ma-attuale/
https://fondoambiente.it/luoghi/castel-tonini?ldc
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palio_di_Buti

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Followers (Instrumental)
Artist: Pipe Choir
Source: www.pipechoir.com
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
#Pipechoir #Followers Instrumental #CreativeCommonsRock
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumental

Not sure if you believe it or not, but this week is supposed to be the most depressing of the entire calendar year. Blue Monday might be just a clever marketing ploy but the whole January Blues is something that is quite real throughout the Northern Hemisphere. What was the solution that our ancestors came up with? Why not choose this time of the year and make it so that it is not only allowed to get silly, a bit rowdy and consume way too much sweets and alcohol? Yes, we're talking about carnival, something that Tuscans take very seriously. While the most famous carnival is the one in Viareggio, where hundreds of thousands of people gather to witness the massive, elaborate, satirical floats that parade on the Passeggiata every year, there are many other carnivals, a bit more quirky, that take place across the region. This week we've decided to tell you the stories of four of those special celebrations of the time before Lent, traditionally reserved to penance and restrain. There are some really unique and very ancient festivals that deserve way more attention than what they get now. Listen this episode and learn how a small town near Arezzo has pulled off an incredible feat: create from nothing a Venetian-style carnival that is neither cringeworthy or just plain awful. Listen to the story of how the workers of a massive steel mill on the coast managed to create a mascot for their carnival and use it as a way to express their grievances without getting arrested by the police. Find out how some clever partygoers used a very noble intention, helping out the poor, as a good excuse to have a massive banquet right before Lent. Plenty of surprises, as always so stick around! If you like what we do, just let us know what you think by dropping us a note on our social media accounts - all feedback greatly appreciated:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
http://www.carnevaledeifiglidibocco.it/
https://www.quinewsarezzo.it/castiglion-fibocchi-la-pademia-ferma-pure-vi-figli-di-bocco-comune-castiglionesi-carnevale.htm
https://valdarnopost.it/edizioni-locali/il-carnevale-dei-figli-di-bocco-una-tradizione-storica-di-castiglion-fibocchi-apprezzata-da-tutta-italia/
http://www.carnevaledifoiano.it/
https://www.greenme.it/viaggiare/italia/carnevale-foiano-della-chiana-antico/
https://www.arezzonotizie.it/attualita/annullato-carnevale-foiano-2022.html
https://www.facebook.com/carnevaledipiombino2014/
https://www.festedicarnevale.it/carnevale-di-piombino/
http://www.comune.piombino.li.it/moduli/output_immagine.php?id=3674
https://www.quinewsvaldicornia.it/piombino-la-leggenda-di-cicciolo-gordiano-lupi-blog.htm
http://news.prolocosangiovannivaldarno.it/festivita/
https://www.quinewsvaldarno.it/san-giovanni-valdarno-uffizio-di-santantonio-le-immagini-e-la-storia.htm
https://www.girovagate.com/2010/01/gli-uffizi-di-carnevale-di-san-giovanni.html
https://www.arezzonotizie.it/eventi/cultura/festa-salacca-2021-san-giovanni-valdarno.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Waiting
Artist: Wayne John Bradley
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Links: https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commons

Despite Tuscans being completely in love with the past of their homeland, we haven't had the chance to talk about "big history" events, the ones that get into the books and are taught in schools. There is a reason for this: history hasn't been kind to this land. After being the centre of Western civilisation for half a millennia, the tide of history left Tuscany behind. When world trade shifted from the Mediterranean to the oceans, our land became just another backwater territory littered with relics of a glorious past. Things didn't necessarily have to go this way, though. There was a crucial time in our history when Tuscany funded a serious expedition to the Americas and was ready to build their very first colony overseas, on the north coast of Brazil. The expedition was a complete success but when the ships came back to Leghorn, the Grand Duke had died and his son was much more interested in what was going on in Lebanon than across the Atlantic. The story of the only expedition by an Italian state in the Americas is quite fascinating, with plenty of facts that are unknown by many Tuscans as well - myself included until a couple of days ago. What would have happened if Ferdinand I had lived just a few months longer and given the green light to the colony of New Tuscany? Would that have been enough to avoid Tuscany from sliding into irrelevance in just a few decades? Plenty of interesting food for thought in this episode. Let us know what you think about it by sending us a message on our social media accounts. Remember, folks, if you don't speak up, we're flying blind. Any feedback is crucial for the future of this podcast. Thanks in advance.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.corrieremarittimo.it/ports/da-livorno-la-spedizione-thornton-tentativo-coloniale-di-ferdinando-i-propeller-club/
https://www.polimathes.com/caffe-lettere/storia-della-spedizione-thornton/
http://falsariga.altervista.org/la-toscana-coloniale-la-spedizione-thornton/
https://www.nove.firenze.it/b402280923-toscana-e-mezzogiorno-spagnolo-nel-diario-dell-emiro-fakhr-ad-din.htm
http://www.fmboschetto.it/Utopiaucronia/Darien_Scheme.htm

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Mapping The Stars (Instrumental)
Artist: Pipe Choir
Source: www.pipechoir.com
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-mapping-the-stars-instrumental
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
#Pipechoir #Mapping The Stars Instrumental #CreativeCommonsRock

In the year we have spent telling you the stories of this land, we've often said that Tuscany is more of a state of mind rather than a fixed geographic entity. Even us Tuscans have endless debates where we never agree even on the borders of this land. Is Carrara Tuscany or Liguria? Does Maremma really belong? We hardly ever talk about the elephant in the room, the one that stares us in the face every time we look to the West. The largest of the islands that faces Tuscany had been linked to the mainland since forever and is the only other place where our dialect is spoken currently. The fact that Corsica is now part of France is the result of a bizarre turn of events and a revolution to overthrow Genoan rule that had Corsican patriots trade one dilapidated foreign ruler for a much richer and ruthless one. Everything in Corsica reminds of the centuries where the flag of the Republic of Pisa waved there: from the architecture to folk songs, proverbs and poems. That's why when last year they celebrated 200 years from the death of the most famous of the sons of Corsica, Tuscany joined in big time. Napoleone Buonaparte, in fact, was always proud of his Tuscan roots, his family always spoke Italian and were front and centre in the struggle to obtain independence for their land. The fact that the boy that hated the French and loathed his father when he turned his back on the cause became the most famous and celebrated military commander of that foreign land is truly remarkable, as the story of how those Tuscan roots were the foundation on which the boy from Ajaccio built his incredible career. This week we will tell you the tale of the emperor that changed the face of Europe forever and how, in his own words, he always considered himself as Tuscan as they come. Despite all the efforts of our cousins on the other side of the Alps, Napoleon is ours. Live with it. Let us know what you think of this story and this podcast by dropping us a note at our social media accounts. All feedback is greatly appreciated.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
http://www.giovanniarmillotta.it/pisa/pisa94_corsica.html
https://www.corsicaoggi.com/sito/avivavoce/corsi-rifugiati-a-calci-e-in-toscana-dopo-la-sconfitta-contro-la-francia/
https://toscana.uno/le-origini-toscane-di-napoleone-buonaparte/
https://www.stamptoscana.it/napoleone-e-la-toscana-quei-lucchesi-sciabigotti/
http://www.italiadiscovery.it/storia/la-famiglia-di-napoleone-bonaparte.html
https://www.piananotizie.it/quando-napoleone-giocava-alla-guerra-a-sesto/
https://www.historypage.it/le-origini-della-famiglia-bonaparte/
https://blog.libero.it/Buonaparte/2687969.html
http://www.ildialogodimonza.it/quando-i-grandi-erano-piccoli-napoleone-bonaparte/
https://ricerca.gelocal.it/iltirreno/archivio/iltirreno/2003/06/21/LT1PO_LT102.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Talk To Me (Instrumental)
Artist: Pipe Choir
Source: www.pipechoir.com
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-talk-to-me-instrumentalwav
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
#Pipechoir #Talk To Me #CreativeCommonsRock

To celebrate the one year anniversary of our podcast, we have decided to tackle another stereotype linked to our beloved homeland, the one that paints it as a serene place, where the living is easy and people are always laughing. When foreigners think that Tuscany is like that, we locals get annoyed very quickly. Sure, you can find places like that around here but never forget that this land of ours was forged by centuries of wars, fought with unparalleled savagery. The mean streak in our national character was also the result of a threat that may surprise many foreigners, that of pirate raids. Way before finding their place in the world consciousness on the warm seas of the Caribbean, pirates were the scourge of the Tuscan seas for many centuries. If the Americas had Blackbeard, the Jolly Roger and many legends, around here there were pirate captains that would put them to shame. The stories of Musetto, Barbanera and Dragut Reis are so remarkable to have forever changed the mindset of the people that live in the islands off the coast of Tuscany. Surviving the Turkish terror made them stronger, harder, with a penchant for gallows humour and a taste for foods that seem to be taken from a North African cookbook. This week we will tell you their remarkable stories, the legends that spawned out of their raids and the many myths that surround their lost treasures. Let us know what you think of this episode by dropping a message on our social media accounts. Every feedback is greatly appreciated!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.quinewselba.it/isola-d-elba-pirati-allelba-tra-leggende-misteri-e-luoghi.htm
https://parentesistoriche.altervista.org/vichinghi-italia-ix-secolo/#:~:text=Il%20contesto%20in%20cui%20avvennero,e%20Bj%C3%B6rn%20Fianco%20di%20Ferro.
https://corsaridelmediterraneo.it/musetto/
https://www.cagliarimag.com/storia/nuraghe-diana/
https://www.mucchioselvaggio.eu/FOTO_D8/dimenticata/12_la%20leggenda%20di%20luceri/index.php
https://tuttatoscana.net/curiosita-2/a-capraia-la-leggenda-di-un-cercatore-di-tesori/
https://www.repubblica.it/online/cronaca/elbamare/elbamare/elbamare.html
https://www.isoladelba.online/storia/il_terribile_cinquecento.asp
https://www.quinewselba.it/isola-d-elba-pirati-allelba-tra-leggende-misteri-e-luoghi.htm
http://www.instoria.it/home/pirati_isola_elba.htm

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: The Family Breaks
Artist: Pipe Choir
Source: www.pipechoir.com
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Link: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-family-breaks-creative-commons-instrumental

Despite the postcard image famous around the world, the sunny disposition of its inhabitants is just a clever disguise. Every Tuscan has been in mourning for a few centuries. Deep in our hearts we fear that we will never be able to rival the accomplishments of our ancestors and get back to the golden age of our land, when a perfect storm of financial power, brains and political savvy made our region the heart and soul of Western Civilisation. While there are tons of books dedicated to the Renaissance, not much is said about the fuel behind this amazing blooming of art and culture: money. Tuscany was rich, so rich that for the first time since antiquity was able to start producing regularly gold coins, the "fiorini d'oro". The coins with the Florentine fleur de lys and the icon of the patron saint of the city, Saint John the Baptist, became the universal currency of Christendom, where they were literally considered "good as gold". The story of the golden florin and how its availability was a game changer, allowing the explosion of trade that would transform Europe forever, is quite fascinating, which is why this week we've decided to talk about the "dollar of the Middle Age". From its birth fueled by a string of military victories to the constant fight against attempts of forgery, a crime that was punishable by death at the stake, the march of the coin that made Tuscany rich seemed unstoppable. Many tried to copy it but were unsuccessful. Its demise came when the Medici family started believing their own hype and considering themselves bigger than Florence. Their political ploy to build a cult of personality was probably one of the greatest own goals in history. Follow us as we tell you the tales around this remarkable coin and its surprising role in history. Let us know what you think of this story by dropping us a note on our social media accounts - every feedback is greatly appreciated:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
http://www.ilgiornaledellanumismatica.it/dossier-speciale-il-fiorino-di-firenze-breve-storia-del-dollaro-del-medioevo/
https://wordsinfreedom.com/come-nasce-moneta-la-storia-del-fiorino-doro/
http://www.grandoblone.it/div/fiorino-oro.html
https://www.florencecity.it/larte-del-cambio-e-il-fiorino/
https://curiositasufirenze.wordpress.com/2011/08/06/san-giovanni-non-vuole-inganni/
https://www.bpp.it/Apulia/html/archivio/1995/II/art/R95II004.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Coffee And Time
Artist: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-coffee-and-time-creative-commons-instrumental
http://www.pipechoir.com/

After spending the last few episodes going through the least known pages of the history of our region, we go back to one of the original missions of this podcast: tell the tales and legends that made this land so special and unique. Rather than a weird collection of random stories, we will bring you to the wonderful town of Lucca, a Medieval gem that is quite misunderstood. How is it so? Most people, Tuscans included, are so astounded by its charm to miss the fact that the beautiful small streets and the magnificent palaces hide a pretty dark side. Lucca, despite being known as a very religious town, is a place where angels and demons walk hand in hand, constantly fighting for the souls of its inhabitants. Come with us on a journey on the many legends that surround some of the most popular landmarks of the town, from the Renaissance walls, the only ones that survive intact to this day, to the quirky cathedral, with its weird, asymmetrical facade. We will delve into the myths that surround the Volto Santo, the most ancient wooden sculpture survived in Europe, centre of a devotion that brought thousands of pilgrims from all over Europe to the Tuscan town on their way to Rome. We'll also talk about the miracles linked to the crucifix that, according to tradition, represents the real face of Jesus Christ and why in front of it there is an executioner's axe. We'll try to explain the mystery behind the small labyrinth on one of the pillars of the church and its mystical link with the notorious monastic fighting order of the Templar Knights. Our journey will then lead us to the nearby church of San Frediano, whose south door became known as the "door of the angel" after a very saintly housemaid act of charity went very wrong. Follow us as we go through the legend of the "Devil's Stone", the ledge of a window on the facade of a 15th century palace that no human hand is apparently able to fix. Lucca, as many other things in Tuscany, has so much more to offer than the postcard image everyone is so in love with. You just need to look a bit deeper to realise that under the skin there is so much more. Let us know what you think of this kind of episode or if you'd rather have us talk more about history, art, culture, food or any other aspect of Tuscany. If you have a question, don't hesitate: send us a message on social media or an email at podcast@larno.it - all feedback is greatly appreciated. After all, we're here to serve you:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.bartolomeodimonaco.it/online/leggende-le-mura-di-lucca/
https://www.mamaisonservices.com/it/vivere-la-toscana/leggende-e-curiosita-su-lucca/
https://www.lanazione.it/lucca/cosa%20fare/10-leggende-1.2678716
http://www.enciclopediadelledonne.it/biografie/santa-zita/
https://www.paranormalitalianblog.it/la-leggenda-della-porta-dell-angelo-a-lucca/
https://lucca.online/1539-il-mistero-del-labirinto-di-lucca-tra-fascino-e-leggenda/
https://www.loschermo.it/lenigma-del-labirinto-della-cattedrale-di-san-martino/
https://www.luoghimisteriosi.it/toscana_luccaduomo.html
https://arttrip.it/tutti-i-misteri-della-cattedrale-di-lucca/
http://www.duepassinelmistero.com/Le%20chiese%20di%20Lucca.htm
http://www.viadelvoltosanto.it/index.php/La_leggenda
https://www.leonardouno.net/lucca-e-dintorni/storie-racconti-leggende/138-la-leggenda-del-volto-santo-di-lucca-e-la-qluminaraq
https://www.avvenire.it/chiesa/pagine/volto-santo-lucca-datazione
http://www.archiviovoltosanto.org/it/archivio/bibliografia-studi/la-leggenda-del-volto-santo-di-lucca-nascita-e-diffusione-di
https://www.welcome2lucca.com/la-pietra-del-diavolo-di-palazzo-bernardini-a-lucca/
https://blog.zingarate.com/luccadascoprire/palazzo-bernardini-la-pietra-del-diavolo/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/lucca/cronaca/2019/05/23/news/la-pietra-del-diavolo-e-l-inganno-a-martino-bernardini-1.32896248
https://www.loschermo.it/lopera-del-diavolo-a-palazzo-bernardini/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Snow Ticket
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-snow-ticket-creative-commons-instrumental

In our constant fight to dispel some of the stereotypes that surround our homeland, sometimes we have to struggle to undo the work of some of our compatriots, who seem a little bit too eager to be liked and tend to stick to whatever works best with the audience. While understandable when you're trying to sell a product, this is much more questionable when it comes to our very own history. Our regional government, for example, has chosen November 30th as the day to celebrate Tuscan heritage, the very day back in 1786 when the Grand Duke of Tuscany granted a new penal code, the first in the world to outlaw capital punishment and torture. While the gesture earned him a fair amount of praise in progressive circles all over Europe, the reasons behind were a lot more practical and had a lot more to do with public relations than adhering to some principles. The story of the complex relationship between Tuscany and the death penalty gives us the chance to delve deep into the history of capital punishment in our region throughout time and several very interesting stories. Rather than just some funny tidbits of history, they are a way to shed a bit of light into the Tuscan character, ready to joke and make fun of everything except death. We just don't do it, for a variety of reasons that you'll find amply described in this week's episode. From the time when the hated guillotine was burned in the main square and the blade thrown in the sea in Lucca to the other time in Siena when a botched execution prompted the crowd to try to lynch the executioner. You'll also find details on the danse macabre that accompanied every execution in Garfagnana and the remarkable life of Tuscany's last "master of death", who was paid twice as much as a tenured college professor. Stick around for this very unusual episode and let us know at the links below if we've had a good hunch or just wasted everyone's time :-)
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.lanazione.it/cronaca/almanacco-30-novembre-1.7068295
https://www.storiadifirenze.org/?temadelmese=novembre-1786-abolizione-della-pena-di-morte-e-la-festa-della-toscana
https://www.risorgimentofirenze.it/labolizione-della-pena-di-morte-in-toscana-30-novembre-1786/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/regione/2009/11/26/news/pena-di-morte-il-ducato-di-luccae-quella-ghigliottina-finita-negli-abissi-1.1761280
http://www.luccamuraurbane.it/ultima_ghigliottina_porta_san_donato.php
https://www.verdeazzurronotizie.it/lucca-tra-leggenda-e-realta-lultima-ghigliottina/
http://www.ortodepecci.it/webnew/a-tavola-con-la-storia-le-condanne-capitali-a-siena-tra-xv-e-xix-secolo/
http://paolomarzi.blogspot.com/2015/12/la-condanna-morte-in-garfagnanala-sua.html
https://www.ilgiunco.net/2021/03/07/chicche-di-maremma-lultima-ghigliottina-a-grosseto/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Stand Up
Artist: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Links: www.pipechoir.com
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-stand-up-creative-commons

Looking back at the episodes we released in the past year, we've come to realise with some horror that we've provided you with plenty of legends but not much practical info, the kind of local knowledge that might help anyone who finds himself landing in an airport miles and miles away from his final destination. If you're interested in a bit more than what you can find on the front page of your tourist guide, this land of ours has plenty to offer - probably too much to offer. That's why starting from this week, we will try to help you plan interesting day trips starting from the main tourist centres of Tuscany, giving you the chance to discover little known corners of this land that are able to offer a lot. Our first suggestion is the town of San Giuliano Terme, a few miles from the Pisa airport, a place that is overlooked by many despite having had quite a successful past in terms of tourism. The local spa had been active since the times of the Etruscans but was the third most visited in Europe in the 1700s, when it was the choice of royalty and aristocrats alike. All sorts of beauty treatments are available, including a vapour bath in the secret hammam of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, only recently rediscovered. A mile or something away you can find one of the most beautiful Renaissance villas in Tuscany, Corliano, owned since the 1550s by the same family, which has now turned it into a boutique hotel with a renowned restaurant. The main attraction, though, is the ghost of Teresa, a remarkably intelligent, progressive woman that in the second half of the 18th century was raising eyebrows in town by driving her own carriage and being an outstanding member of many cultural circles. The villa of Corliano hosted in the centuries many famous people, from kings to generals, artists and writers, including the very Mary Shelley, who spent several weeks there in the early 1800s. According to many, it was in Corliano that she knew a Pisan surgeon whose innovative experiments with natural electricity gave her the inspiration to write her most famous book. You'll know this and way more by listening to this week's full episode. Let us know if you liked this idea, if you find it interesting or if you'd like it to be different. You can reach us at the addresses below - any feedback is greatly appreciated!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://solelunasmile.wordpress.com/alla-scoperta-della-toscana-insieme-a-noi/passeggiando-per-pisa-e-dintorni/
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/san-giuliano-terme-bagni-di-pisa/
http://guide.supereva.it/toscana_meravigliosa/interventi/2009/07/le-terme-di-san-giuliano-gli-antichi-bagni-di-pisa
http://www.lavocedelserchio.it/vediarticolo.php?id=30540&page=0&t_a=i-fantasmi-di-corliano
https://www.pisatoday.it/eventi/fantasmi-in-villa-visita-guidata-teatralizzata-e-cena-a-corliano-city-grand-tour-guide-turistiche-7891332.html
https://fotoenotizie.it/2020/05/15/viaggio-nel-mistero-alla-villa-di-corliano-tra-frankestein-e-il-fantasma-di-teresa/
https://www.lanazione.it/cultura/2012/11/18/804126-villa-corliano-fantasma-teresa-contessa-gaetana-san-giuliano-tv-americana.shtml
https://www.montepisano.travel/frankenstein-mary-shelley-e-il-fantasma-della-villa-di-corliano/
https://www.viaggiamo.it/villa-di-corliano-fantasma/?refresh_ce
https://www.citygrandtour.it/tour/ghost-tour-in-villa/?lang=en

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough Instrumental
Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - earth2earth
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-earth2earth-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

While Tuscany remains a land of small towns, not all of those hamlets perched on the hills are as charming and impeccably maintained as we see in the pictures of magazines or travel guides. Some have adapted to the unrelenting march of progress, others have just faded away, falling into disrepair and oblivion. In Italy there are 2 million homes that have been practically abandoned by their owners. There are some efforts to bring back some of the towns that have gone deserted, but many villages remain desolately empty. Tuscany has some of these ghost villages, but few are as fascinating or haunting as Toiano, between Palaia and Volterra. In less than 20 years, after the Second World War, all the families went away, moving to the valley to get jobs in the factories that sprung up around Piaggio, the makers of the Vespa scooter. If you visit, the desolation is both magnificent and eerie. Some of the houses look like they've been abandoned in a hurry, with plenty of household items from the 1960s around, as if they're waiting for their owners to come back. This ghost village, though, has a dark history behind, the tale of an efferate murder that brought this isolated hamlet on the front page of the country for more than 2 years. The homicide of Elvira Orlandini, the most beautiful girl in town, captivated the country, with the trial of her fiancee Ugo Ancillotti becoming the first to be covered obsessively by the media, turning it into a farce. When the fiancee was found innocent, the death of the "Bella Elvira" became one of Italy's most famous cold cases, still unsolved to this day. Toiano sits there, barely standing on its peak, completely empty, visited occasionally by cyclists, amateur photographers or paranormal enthusiasts, looking for the ghost of the village belle, who apparently wanders the empty streets at night. Listen to the story of this town left behind by history and the tale of the murder that was the beginning of its end. Let us know what you think of this story and if you like this kind of episode or not. Every feedback is greatly appreciated!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.vanillamagazine.it/toiano-un-paese-quasi-fantasma-capsula-del-tempo-degli-anni-60/
http://www.palaiatoscana.it/notizie/toiano-alle-brota-il-borgo-fantasma/
https://www.lanazione.it/pontedera/cronaca/palaia-toiano-demolito-1.2895954
https://www.daicollifiorentini.it/nel-decadentismo-toscano-una-domenica-a-toiano-paese-fantasma
http://www.lazonamorta.it/lazonamorta2/?p=5119
https://viaggiareoltre.it/toiano-paese-abbandonato/
https://initalia.virgilio.it/toiano-omicidio-irrisolto-leggenda-32614
http://www.girosognando.it/2018/12/19/toiano-di-palaia/
https://www.cioletticlaudio.it/toiano-pi-il-paese-fantasma-di-elvira-orlandinila-bella-ragazza-sgozzata-nel-bosco-5-giugno-1947/
https://www.scenacriminis.com/delitti-biografie-criminali/delitto-del-corpus-domini-chi-ha-ucciso-elvira-orlandini/
https://www.viaggiatoriignoranti.it/2018/11/lomicidio-del-corpus-domini.html
https://www.lanazione.it/pisa/2008/08/10/110566-giuseppe_meucci_dice_notte_fantasma_della_bella....shtml
https://www.nuovatlantide.org/il-delitto-irrisolto-della-bella-elvira-di-toiano/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough Instrumental
Pipe Choir - Coffee and Time
Pipe Choir - Stand Up
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-coffee-and-time-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-stand-up-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Sometimes the simplest of questions are the ones that you just can't answer. When foreigners ask us what to see when they visit Italy, we are completely stuck. Too many choices, too many different things to talk about. The same applies to even simpler questions, such as the one we were recently asked: "why should I spend more than 30 minutes in Pisa". So, you've seen the Leaning Tower, snapped a silly picture to post on your social media but would like to see a bit more, something that a zillion other people haven't seen? Don't fret, What's Up Tuscany will give you some handy advice, listing some of the places that you can't miss when you visit Pisa. We'll delve deep into the mysteries of the majestic cathedral that has become almost a sideshow to the famously crooked tower, from the marks apparently left by the enraged Devil to the many oddities of this building. We will then move to the outskirts of town, where 2000 years ago the ships docked to the harbour of Pisa. According to tradition, the very ancient church of San Piero a Grado hosted the first Mass in Europe, held by none other than Peter, the Apostle that became the first Bishop of Rome. We'll close our quick tour with the other two towers in Pisa that aren't straight. One is definitely prettier than the sister in Piazza dei Miracoli and has a very fascinating mathematical mystery that has just been discovered. The other is definitely the ugly duckling, but it's even more crooked than the famous one and has been able to survive all sorts of disasters in its history. Follow us into a quick tour of some of the quirky places you shouldn't miss next time you're in Pisa. Let us know what you think of this kind of episode, if you'd like for us to talk about some other less popular attractions or if you'd prefer we just stick to our usual fare of myths, history and food. You can get in touch by dropping us a direct message on our social media accounts or an email - all feedback is greatly appreciated.
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.glistatigenerali.com/palermo_storia-cultura/quando-pisa-era-regina-dei-mari/
https://www.luoghimisteriosi.it/toscana/pisa-duomo.html
https://osservarcheologia.eu/pisa-le-terme-di-nerone-lunica-testimonianza-emergente-della-pisa-romana-di-carmen-cannizzaro/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/12/27/news/luci-accese-sui-bagni-di-nerone-e-la-storia-segreta-di-pisa-1.41068045
https://www.luoghimisteriosi.it/toscana/grado.html
https://www.pisatoday.it/cronaca/torri-pendenti-pisa.html
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/torre-di-pisa/
https://www.intoscana.it/it/articolo/pisa-scoperta-la-serie-di-fibonacci-sulla-facciata-di-san-nicola/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2015/06/26/news/san-michele-la-chiesa-dove-il-campanile-pende-piu-della-torre-1.11679453

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough Instrumental
Pipe Choir - Coffee and Time
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - The Family Breaks Instrumental
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-coffee-and-time-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-family-breaks-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

In our constant quest for the unexpected corners of the beautiful land we call home, this week we'll bring you to a destination that, despite being probably the first thing that tourists see when they step off their plane, is very far away from their thoughts. The mountains that overlook the city of Pisa have been inhabited since antiquity and are home to many myths and legends. It's not easy to get there, you'll have to walk quite a bit but there is plenty to wet your appetite. In the Monte Pisano you can find the once mighty fortress that was nickamed the "eye of Pisa", an iconic place that gave rise to many legends, including the one on a hidden tunnel that would link it to the city, more than 6 miles away. There is a smaller hill nearby that was revered by Etruscans and home to many hermits in the Middle Ages, enough to make it famous all over Europe. The monasteries that gave refuge to the pilgrims on their way to Rome on the famous Via Francigena were crucial in keeping knowledge alive and passing down many fascinating legends on the holy men and women that lived there. Follow us on a very special day trip on the Monte Pisano, one of the least known treasures of Tuscany, one that is hidden in plain sight. In the episode you'll also get some practical advice, from guided tours that will get you on the best trails to a very special trattoria in a small village nearby that locals and adventurous foodies absolutely love. Let us know if you like this kind of episode or if you'd prefer we focus on other aspects of Tuscany. We're exceedingly easy to get in touch with - every feedback is greatly appreciated, as always.
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.montipisani.com/la-storia-dei-monti-pisani/monte-castellare-e-verruca-la-loro-funzione-di-monti-divini-dallantichita-sino-al-medioevo/
http://www.usserorivista.it/?p=86&cn-reloaded=1
https://www.luoghimisteriosi.it/toscana/verruca.html
https://www.azimut-treks.it/post/l-itinerario-migliore-per-visitare-la-rocca-della-verruca-sui-monti-pisani
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g580236-d1867657-Reviews-Trattoria_di_Montemagno-Calci_Province_of_Pisa_Tuscany.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough Instrumental
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Pipe Choir - A midnight on Jaquay Instrumental
Pipe Choir - Coffee and Time
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-coffee-and-time-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

In the year we've spent trying to explain what makes Tuscany so special, we haven't talked as much as we should have about the fairer half of the world, the extraordinarily complex people that make our lives worth living. Tuscan women, as far as we're concerned, are really one of a kind. You would have to travel far and wide in order to find people so able to effortlessly combine so many diverse and confounding traits. Don't be fooled by their gentle manners or good nature: they're as dangerous as they come. Need some proof to this extraordinary claim? Happy to oblige. What about the 16 year old girl from Maremma that was kidnapped by pirates, sold as a slave in Constantinople and was still able to buy back her freedom and convince the most eligible bachelor on the planet to marry her? How's that for a comeback story? Follow us as we tell you the amazing tale of Margherita Marsili, the noblewoman from Siena who went from just a girl in the harem to the only wife of Suleyman the Magnificent, the most powerful emperor in Ottoman history. Her incredible story of resilience and courage is only made even more special by the fact that not many experts, outside of Tuscany, seem to recognise that she was indeed born around here. The story, the legend and the proof of her Tuscan heritage in this week's episode of our podcast, available pretty much everywhere. Let us know what you think about this kind of content, if you like it or if you'd prefer we spend more time talking about art, culture, hidden corners of our region or travel tips. Every feedback is greatly appreciated, as always:
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://goffredoademollovalle.blogspot.com/2017/02/roxelana-ovvero-margherita-marsili-una.html
https://www.ilgiunco.net/2021/05/30/chicche-di-maremma-la-leggenda-della-bella-marsilia/
https://www.paginecuriose.it/2020/03/01/la-bella-marsilia-dalla-maremma-al-sultano/
http://www.scopriresiena.it/la-leggenda-di-rossellana-tra-siena-e-loriente/
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_della_Bella_Marsilia
http://perstorie-eieten.blogspot.com/2011/02/margherita-marsili-la-rossellana.html
https://www.sienanews.it/cultura/il-viso-dangelo-della-bella-marsilia/
https://www.maremmans.it/2020/la-bella-marsilia-in-viaggio-tra-maremma-e-istanbul-2/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Ignite to Light (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Gemini (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Mastered
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-ignite-to-light-creative-commons-instrumental
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

This week we've decided to accept a challenge in order to prove just how extraordinary our beloved Tuscany really is. We've been saying since day one that our land is so full of beautiful things that it would take a lifetime to know them all. Yes, Florence, Lucca and Siena are splendid but what about the many other, very forgettable towns? If you know where to look, even the ugliest of them has so much to offer. That's why we left our tiny studio and joined a couple of volunteer groups in a three hour walk in the historic centre of one of this frankly ugly small towns, Cascina. In our first away trip we found out a splendid Baroque chapel that is always closed, plenty of curious things about the XI century church, a wonderful oratory on Main Street with rare frescoes that no one knows it's there and many other things. Follow us as we tell you about the woodworking master that had a passion for building extraordinarily complex sculptures and the tiny museum that hosts a veritable treasure trove of historic relics, closely related to the furniture industry that for decades kept Cascina afloat. Tuscany is really beautiful everywhere, with so many incredible things that are sometimes hidden in plain sight. Let us know what you think about this episode by dropping us a message on our social media accounts or an email. Every feedback is greatly appreciated. If you could also write a review on your favourite platform that would help us a lot - thanks in advance!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.facebook.com/Compagnia-Di-Calci-665675203542437
https://www.facebook.com/societaoperaiacascina.cascina
https://www.terredipisa.it/en/attrazione/cascina-museum-of-the-workers-society-wood/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough Instrumental
Pipe Choir - Coffee and Time
Pipe Choir - Earth2earth
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Almost Time Instrumental
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-coffee-and-time-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-earth2earth-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

So you've finally took the plunge and arrived in Tuscany. You're in Pisa and realise you have a day off before going back home. Where to go? Don't fret, What's Up Tuscany is here to help! What if I told you that, less than an hour away from the Leaning Tower, there are the remains of a city that was so rich that a Viking warlord, after sacking it, told everyone he had pillaged Rome? The ancient port town of Luni, the city dedicated to the Moon goddess, so wealthy that it was known as the "city of marble and gold", soared high for almost a millennia before disappearing from the face of the earth. The story of this once great city, whose amphitheatre rivalled the Colosseum in Rome, is really fascinating. You will learn of the origins of the town, how it grew powerful and how a combination of natural disasters, diseases and pirate raids consigned it to the ashheap of history. Follow us and we'll tell you the legends of this ancient city, from the clever trick of the Viking warlord to the local hermit that managed to defeat a fierce sea dragon that loved to swallow entire ships, sailors included. On top of the usual legends and stories, we'll add the best winery around, a great agriturismo where you will eat some local delicacies and the absolute best place where to get a panino with the world-renowned lardo di Colonnata. Next time you come to Tuscany, consider a trip to Lunigiana - you won't regret it. Let us know if you like this kind of episode or if you'd rather have us talking about something else. Remember, we're here at your service. Just drop us a message on our social media accounts or an email. Every feedback is greatly appreciated!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.toscanaoggi.it/Cultura-Societa/Fra-storia-e-leggenda-le-citta-toscane-scomparse
https://antoniolombardi00.altervista.org/luni-il-porto-della-dea-luna.html
https://tuttatoscana.net/storia-e-microstoria-2/luni-tra-storia-e-leggende/
https://tuttatoscana.net/storia-e-microstoria-2/luni-nellantica-etruria/
https://tuttatoscana.net/gallery/i-mosaici-romani-di-luni/
https://tuttatoscana.net/storia-e-microstoria-2/luni-tra-storia-e-leggende/
https://www.lavocedigenova.it/2020/02/22/sommario/liguria-storia-e-leggenda/leggi-notizia/argomenti/liguria-storia-e-leggenda/articolo/luni-la-citta-di-marmo-scambiata-per-roma-dai-barbari-del-nord.html
https://www.lavocedigenova.it/2021/09/11/sommario/liguria-storia-e-leggenda/leggi-notizia/argomenti/liguria-storia-e-leggenda/articolo/storia-e-leggenda-di-san-venerio-il-pesce-dragone-e-lisola-del-tino.html
https://ecodellalunigiana.it/luni-in-occasione-apertura-museo-ripercorriamo-storia-antica-colonia-romana/?amp_markup=1#gsc.tab=0
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g13431997-d4551090-Reviews-Cantine_Lunae-Colombiera_Molicciara_Province_of_La_Spezia_Liguria.html
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1150638-d4936978-Reviews-Agriturismo_Il_Fienile_di_Arcola-Arcola_Province_of_La_Spezia_Liguria.html
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g2056862-d4893767-Reviews-Lardarium_Lard_Rock_Cafe-Colonnata_Province_of_Massa_Carrara_Tuscany.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough Instrumental
Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Pipe Choir - Ignite to Light (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Children of the Son (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - A dark blue Arc (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-ignite-to-light-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

While we continue to look for the best way to spread the love for our homeland as far and wide as possible, we realised that most foreigners always put the word "wine" together with "Tuscany" on their searches. The relationship between this land and its wine is very deep, enough to make some people think that if you drew blood from a Tuscan, you'd get at least 50% Chianti in it. The story of how the most famous of Tuscan wines became one of the most recognisable brands on the planet is fascinating, but very few people talk about how this rise was enabled by the iconic pear-shaped bottle. The history of Chianti, the ingenuity and hard work behind every fiasco, the clever inventions that made it so effective, the story of the bottle that made Chianti is very interesting. This week we will guide you in a journey around Tuscany, following the footsteps of the red nectar of the gods that became almost synonymous with our region. Please let us know if you like this kind of content. We are planning a series of episodes dedicated to the best wine tasting experiences, how wine can help your health and improve the way you look and the many little-known brands of wine around Tuscany, the secrets only locals know about. It's very easy to get in touch with us,
just drop us a message on our social media accounts or an email. Every feedback is greatly appreciated as always!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://blog.blancavite.com/2020/06/10/i-vini-toscani-storia-dei-vitigni-e-vini-piu-famosi-della-regione/
https://www.florencecity.it/storia-del-fiasco/
https://winenews.it/it/a-300-anni-dal-bando-di-cosimo-iii-il-chianti-classico_330901/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough Instrumental
The Passion Hi-Fi - Buried
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Exit Exit
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buried
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/exit-exit
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Cities in Tuscany are famous for many reasons: amazing monuments, art treasures in their museums to the incredible wine and food. A town in the North has risen to fame for something different: a rock that has become synonymous with luxury - white marble. Carrara has a lot more to offer than the famous quarries, starting from its fearsome reputation as a hotbed for civil dissent. Anarchists have always dominated the social landscape and are very well present today in town. The mountains above Carrara have also produced many legends and myths, from the famous seer that predicted the rise of Julius Caesar to the siren that was turned into a statue after leaving him behind when he was old and grey. Follow us in our tour of Carrara, from the "most anarchic" bar in the world to a very special museum dedicated to everything marble. It may not be on the front page of any travel guide but if you give it a chance, Carrara and its mountains will find a special place in your heart. If you have any question on everything Tuscany, don't keep it for yourself - we're more than happy to help! It's very easy to get in touch: just drop us a message on our social media accounts or an email. Every feedback is greatly appreciated as always!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
http://www.tuttomondonews.it/carrara-o-dellanarchia/
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moti_di_Lunigiana
https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1990/05/04/gaetano-bresci-gli-anarchici-in-piazza.html
https://garfagnanadream.it/storia/la-leggenda-di-aronte-il-gigante-che-difendeva-le-alpi-apuane-da-qualsiasi-nemico/
https://www.ilmiomondolibero.it/aronte-storia-e-leggende/
https://www.carraraonline.com/monumento_la_sirena.php
https://web.comune.carrara.ms.it/archivio34_turismo-itinerari-di-viaggio_0_24.html
https://ecodellalunigiana.it/cammino-aronte-cai-carrara/#gsc.tab=0
https://www.lanazione.it/massa-carrara/cronaca/bar-anarchici-gragnana-1.2268190
https://carmi.museocarraraemichelangelo.it/pagina2721_carmi.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough Instrumental
Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing
The Passion Hi-fi - Buried
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buried
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Of the many areas of Tuscany that are little known by many tourists, few are as beautiful or fascinating as the hills and mountains of Casentino, between Florence and Arezzo. What can be considered the dark heart of Tuscany has many things working for it. Outstanding natural beauties, the largest wild forest in the region, plenty of historical castles, abbeys and villages, food specialties to die for. Despite everything, this is quite a peculiar part of our homeland, whose character was shaped by isolation and centuries of hardship, wars and constant strife. In order to get a glimpse of the soul of the people of Casentino, we'll walk you through some of the most fascinating myths and legends of this land. They're not your regular fairytales: people here definitely have a taste for the macabre. We go from the legend of the winged reptile spawned out of a small lake that has a diamond on its forehead and can paralyze anyone with its breath to the myth of the star-crossed love between a beautiful fairy and a peasant. We will also walk you through the backstory of the ancient spring whose waters are said to do miracles and the story of the castle on a hill that was built only after liberating the place from a pack of demons. Follow us in our trip to the dark heart of Tuscany, a place that will definitely leave a mark on your heart. If you have any question on everything Tuscany, let us know - we're more than happy to help! It's very easy to get in touch: just drop us a message on our social media accounts or an email. Every feedback is greatly appreciated as always!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.arezzonotizie.it/social/leggende-casentino-badalischio.html
https://www.casentino2000.it/incontri-ravvicinati-col-badalischio/
http://yogaarezzo.blogspot.com/2013/05/9-la-leggenda-del-badalischio.html
https://livingfaeries.wordpress.com/2015/03/08/la-leggena-della-fata-serpente/
https://www.toscanaoggi.it/Cultura-Societa/Fonti-aretine-sorgenti-capaci-di-donare-il-latte
http://www.trekkinando.it/Descr_itineriario/25_Cetica_UomodiSasso/CETICA-UOMO%20DI%20SASSO%20DESCRIZIONE%20ITINERARIO.pdf
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/castel-san-niccolo-casentino-toscana/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough Instrumental
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing
Pipe Choir - Children of the Son (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Summercycle
Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Despite being clearly visible at the horizon from most of Tuscany, not many people know and appreciate the mountains that protected our region from invaders since the dawn of time. They may be far away from the stereotypical image many have when they think about Tuscany, but the mountains are just as stunning and full of interesting places as the rest of our homeland. This is why this week What's Up Tuscany will get the boots out and walk you through some of the most charming places hidden in the mountains that separate Pistoia from Bologna. In the full episode you will hear about the weirdly shaped slope of a mountain, the one where nothing will ever grow after it was touched by the foot of the Devil himself. We will visit an ancient castle where there is a vial of milk, a precious relic that, according to locals, comes from the Virgin Mary herself and is able of performing real miracles. We will end our quick tour just across the border with Emilia, on a small lake where nothing lives, no fish or plants. Locals believe that on the bottom of the lake there is the entrance to Hell and that, if you throw a stone in the water, demons will unleash a fierce storm. Follow us as we walk you through the best spots in the Montagna Pistoiese, where you can find a park your children will love, cheese so tasty that you won't believe and a rich pasta dish that people say it's out of this world. Let us know if you like this kind of content or not. Send us a direct message on social media or an email - all feedback is greatly appreciated. We answer to everyone - promised!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.linealibera.info/montagna-da-scoprire-la-leggenda-della-pedata-del-diavolo/
https://www.eventimontagnapistoiese.com/evento/sulle-tracce-dei-malandrini/
https://tuscanymountain.it/arte-e-cultura/localita/maresca/
https://www.discoverpistoia.it/09-05-mito-templare-tra-storia-e-leggenda/
https://tuscanymountain.it/arte-e-cultura/la-pieve-di-santa-maria-assunta-e-la-pieve-vecchia-di-piteglio/
https://www.cornoallescale.net/personaggi-leggende/la-leggenda-del-lago-scaffaiolo
https://orizzontiblog.it/il-lago-scaffaiolo/
https://www.amicheinwanderlust.it/lago-scaffaiolo-un-luogo-reso-magico-da-leggende-e-curiosita/
https://www.bimbiagiro.it/2019/07/19/il-parco-avventura-spiderpark-a-marliana-pistoia/
https://www.comune.abetonecutigliano.pt.it/home/vivere/turismo/prodotti-e-gastronomia.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough Instrumental
Pipe Choir - Exit Exit
Pipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - A Dark Blue Arc (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/exit-exit
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

The month of June is special everywhere in Tuscany but in Pisa it's really something else. For the so-called "Giugno Pisano" there are many events that celebrate the rich heritage of the ancient harbour city and its folklore. In the first of our mini-series dedicated to the celebrations in Pisa, we'll walk you through the first event. On June 16th, the landmarks of Pisa are lighted by 100000 oil lamps that punctuate the contours and turn the city into a splendid display of lights. While the "Luminara" is one of the most characteristic events, not many know the very odd saint to whom it's dedicated. Saint Ranieri had quite a troubled time when he was young. A womaniser, party animal and no stranger to a bar fight, he managed to completely turn his life around after a fateful meeting with a former knight turned preacher and a long trip to the Holy Land. The remarkable life of this very quirky holy man and many other stories in the full episode of our podcast. If you stick around until the end, you will also get several useful travel tips, from the best bakery to cure your sweet tooth, to the place where you can get a great panino and a few choice places where to get a drink by the river. Let us know if you like this kind of episode by dropping us a message on our social media or an email. Every feedback is greatly appreciated as always!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.turismo.it/tradizioni/articolo/art/pisa-tutte-le-suggestioni-della-luminara-di-san-ranieri-id-14823/
https://www.lanazione.it/pisa/cronaca/la-vera-storia-di-san-ranieri-dalla-giovent%C3%B9-dissoluta-al-mignolo-tagliato-1.1065699
https://www.pisatoday.it/social/san-ranieri-storia-curiosita-luminara-pisa.html
https://www.toscanaoggi.it/Edizioni-locali/Pisa/SAN-RANIERI-VISTO-DAGLI-STORICI
https://www.pisatoday.it/cronaca/menu-luminara-ristoranti-pisa-sconti-16-17-giugno-2020.html
https://www.agrodolce.it/2017/12/23/dove-mangiare-a-pisa/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough Instrumental
Pipe Choir - A Midnight on Jaquay (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Waiting
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

As we realised that we hadn't talked much in the past about one of the most famous cities in Tuscany, this week we will walk you through some of the stories and least known places in Siena, the city of the Palio. This rather peculiar city seems to revel in the fact that it's a bit isolated, difficult to reach. The "senesi" are very welcoming, warm people but may feel a bit insular, as if no one that isn't born and raised there can understand fully their amazing hometown. We will tell you the stories around the very imposing and quirky belltower that dominates Piazza del Campo, who was the infamous Mangia that gave it its name and how casting the massive bell that sits on top of it was a real struggle. We will also tell you the tale of the Diana, the mythological underground river that has been rumoured to exist for centuries without anyone being able to find it. On top of that we will also provide you with plenty of practical advice on how to plan your next trip there. From the best place where to take a breather after walking up and down the cobbled alleys in town to the favourite spots where to taste the world-famous sweets of Siena, to a couple of very special restaurants that locals swear by. Let us know if you think we got the mix between folk tales and travel tips. We had so many other places to point but if you don't let us know if we're heading in the right direction, how are we supposed to improve? Drop us a direct message on our social media accounts or an email. Every feedback is precious!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.ciaotoscana.it/luoghi-e-immagini-toscana/la-torre-civica-del-palazzo-comunale-di-siena-detta-torre-del-mangia/
https://www.ilpalio.siena.it/5/Personaggi/mangia-guadagni
https://www.ilpalio.org/campanone.htm
http://www.scopriresiena.it/fontebranda/
https://massilosa.blog/2020/02/18/siena-la-diana-fiume-fantasma-di-siena-i-bottini-e-le-leggende-2/
https://palazzodivalli.it/2021/02/18/siena-sotterranea-il-fiume-mitico-ed-i-bottini/
http://viaggiandoconlastoria.altervista.org/gli-orti-dei-tolomei/?doing_wp_cron=1653906337.4119219779968261718750
https://www.lacucinaitaliana.it/storie/luoghi/siena-le-trattorie-preferite-dagli-studenti/
https://www.palazzoravizza.it/enogastronomia/dove-mangiare-un-buon-panforte-a-siena/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough Instrumental
The Passion Hi-fi - Buried
Pipe Choir - Children of the Son (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - A Midnight on Jaquay (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buried
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Last Saturday your friendly neighbourhood host was finally able to visit one of the most iconic places in Tuscany, a very special and grandiose abbey built quite literally in the middle of nowhere. What makes this hard to reach place so unique? The fact that it's quite big, doesn't have a roof, windows or pavement. And, yes, nearby there is an antique sword thrust into a rock. The abbey of San Galgano is quite remarkable and a favourite spot for romantic couples to tie the knot, including my niece. The story of this incredible place, how it became rich and powerful in a few decades only to get back to obscurity when a certain warrior monks order was wiped from existance is really special. Even more so it's the tale of the knight turned holy man that became famous all over Europe. Some scholars say that it was Saint Galgano to provide the Breton troubadours inspiration for the early version of the King Arthur myth. Follow us as we journey deep into the heart of Tuscany and tell you the tales around this quite remarkable place and the amazing stories it offers. Let us know if you like this kind of episode, if you think they're too long, if we're trying to cover too many things. Any feedback is really precious. If you don't tell us, how are we supposed to improve? We answer to everyone - maybe not immediately but we sure do!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.cicap.org/n/articolo.php?id=200008
https://orizzontecultura.com/labbazia-di-san-galgano-e-la-leggenda-della-spada-nella-roccia/
https://www.bluedragon.it/non_fantasy/misteri/galgano.htm
https://castellitoscani.com/san-galgano-la-leggenda/
http://www.opinione.it/cultura/2021/05/21/pierpaola-meledandri_san-galgano-spada-roccia-templari-scheletro-pietra-montesiepi-ostelli/
https://www.corriere.it/extra-per-voi/2017/08/12/san-galgano-mistero-spada-roccia-toscana-c81b3924-7f5b-11e7-8c75-7e93437e930b.shtml
https://gastroranking.it/ristoranti/toscana/siena/chiusdino/
https://gastroranking.it/r/la-grotta-di-tiburzi_197666/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough Instrumental
Wayne John Bradley - Waiting
Pipe Choir - Almost time
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing
Pipe Choir - A dark blue Arc (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

This week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to one of our region's least known but more fascinating areas, the wild and charming Garfagnana. Almost a year ago, we told you the tale of the village that was drowned by the waters of an artificial lake created by a new hydroelectric dam and how it resurfaces every 20 years, attracting tourists from all over the world. Not too far from the "little Atlantis", there is another village that suffered a similar fate but had a very different ending. After being abandoned by its inhabitants, the hamlet of Isola Santa has come back to life after the owners of the ancient houses have turned the place into a distributed hotel, renovating tastefully the place and turning it into a very special place. The emerald waters of the small lake are full of trouts, the woods and mountains are splendid but the real treat of Isola Santa is the enchanted atmosphere that you can breathe in this village frozen in time. The tales and legends of this hidden gem of our region, where fairies whispered ancient knowledge and giants went out of their way to help people that were struggling to survive and plenty of practical advice on how to turn your visit into an unforgettable experience. Let us know what you think of this episode, if we missed something, if there is any way we could help you. It's exceedingly easy to get in touch with us: just drop us a message on our social media or an email. We answer to everyone - maybe not immediately, but we always do :-)
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://officialfdnf.com/isola-santa-un-albergo-diffuso-che-ricorda-il-passato/
https://irintronauti.altervista.org/il-borgo-incantato-di-isola-santa/
https://travel.thewom.it/italia/toscana/isola-santa.html
https://www.giornirubati.it/borgo-delle-fate-isola-santa-in-garfagnana-lu/
https://garfagnanadream.it/storia/la-triste-storia-di-un-vero-gioiello-garfagnino-lisola-santa/
https://garfagnanadream.it/storia/il-monte-sumbra-e-le-marmitte-dei-giganti-luoghi-meravigliosi-abitati-da-personaggi-leggendari/
https://www.terredilunigiana.com/natura/marmitteapuane.php
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/versilia/cronaca/2014/04/23/news/tornano-visibili-le-spettacolari-marmitte-dei-giganti-1.9096836
http://www.grottadelvento.com/ITA/home.aspx
https://irintronauti.altervista.org/antro-del-corchia/
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/antico-borgo-isola-santa-garfagnana/
https://www.isolasanta.com/il-ristorante-da-giacc%C3%B2
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1537410-d15124339-Reviews-Mattarello_L_Osteria_dell_Isola-Isola_Santa_Province_of_Lucca_Tuscany.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Waiting (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Pick You Up
The Passion Hi-fi - Buried
Pipe Choir - Children of the Son (Instrumental)
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buried
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

As we promised a couple of weeks ago, time for our second instalment of the mini-series of episodes dedicated to the festivals that populate the calendar of Pisa during the month of June. After waxing lyrical on the Luminara, the amazing light festival that turns the city of the Leaning Tower into a fairytale scenario, time for the big daddy, the main event that closes the month. On the last Saturday of June, teams from the North and South side of the city fight each other on the most ancient bridge trying to push a very heavy cart, in a sort of reverse tug of war. This is probably one of the oddest historical celebrations in the whole of Italy and this should surprise exactly no one. This weird competition was created in the 1940s to replace the real Gioco del Ponte, a simpler and much more violent contest that had been held in the ancient harbour city for centuries. Calling it a "game" is definitely a misnomer: it was in all effects an organised brawl that involved hundreds of fighters per side and could last up to one hour. And yet, Pisans loved it so much that not even a devastating flood could stop them from having their beloved game. Follow us as we delve deep into the history of this brutal clash and how it was crucial in maintaining alive the fighting spirit of the ancient sea power after the devastating defeat against Florence. This week What's Up Tuscany brings you to the Gioco del Ponte, the battle on the bridge that kept Pisa alive. Let us know if you'd rather have the episodes shorter, if we're trying to cover too much or too little. Every feedback is crucial to help us grow. It's exceedingly easy to get in touch with us: just drop us an email or a direct message on our social media accounts. If you love Italy, its art, culture, food and history follow us on your favourite podcasting app. You definitely won't regret it!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
http://www.pisa24.info/il-gioco-del-ponte-compie-450-anni-e-festeggia-con-una-mostra-e-con-un-grande-capodanno-pisano/
https://www.toscanainside.com/it/eventi-in-toscana/grandi-eventi/gioco-del-ponte/
http://www.giocodelpontedipisa.it/storia-mazzascudo.php
http://www.stilepisano.it/giocoponte.html
http://manoscritti.altervista.org/gioco%20ponte%20pisa%20risse%201755.html
https://www.lanazione.it/pisa/cultura/tramontana-mezzogiorno-1.3993570

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Ignite to Light (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Mapping the Stars (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-ignite-to-light-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-mapping-the-stars-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

After a 2 year pause due to the pandemic, Piazza del Campo will be crowded yet again this weekend thanks to the inimitable madness made in Siena called Palio. This ancient race is so peculiar to be completely incomprehensible to whoever wasn't born and raised under the Torre del Mangia. Instead of wasting your time in a long monologue to explain you what makes this event unique, we have decided to focus on five aspects of this race that are really interesting. In the full episode you will find out why it took centuries to distill the particular blend of madness named Palio and how it was the "contrade" to be instrumental in the process. We will discover together how going from 42 to 17 contrade was particularly complicated and how the famous "drappellone" isn't the only award given to the winner of the Palio. We will also talk about the very curious nickname that Senesi have for one of the contrade and how it was linked to a curse that kept the Chiocciola away from a win in the Piazza for 23 years. In the final chapter we will tell you the most peculiar stories of those mad men that risk their lives on the burning turf every year. From the jockey that shot the angry fans to the one that was knifed because he didn't perform as expected to the infamous "Fiammifero", the jockey that was disqualified for life after throwing away a race he had already won. From the complicated diplomacy between the contrade to the unexplainable passion that makes the contradaioli cheer more for the defeats of their enemies rather than their wins, our journey into the strange universe of the Palio has many surprises in store for you. Do you like this kind of episode? Do you find our podcasts too long or boring? Let us know by dropping us an email or a direct message on our social media accounts. Every feedback is precious!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/palio-di-siena/
https://www.magnaromagna.it/leggende/palio-di-siena/
https://www.ilpalio.org/aneddoti_onda01.htm
https://www.ilpalio.org/aneddoti_chiocciola03.htm
https://www.sienanews.it/cultura/randellone-il-fantino-provocatore/
https://www.sienanews.it/cultura/bubbolo-e-le-budella-in-mano/
https://www.oksiena.it/news/storia-del-palio-fiammifero-il-fantino-infedele-120516111458.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Mapping the Stars (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Summercycle (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - A Midnight on Jaquay (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Pick you up (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Gemini (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-mapping-the-stars-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Now that the warm season is finally on, Tuscany has been flooded with tourists coming from all over the world looking to enjoy everything that this remarkable region has to offer. Near the top of their priority list, in many cases, drink plenty of great Tuscan wine. If you love to visit the birthplace of the wines you're passionate about, Montalcino definitely won't disappoint you. The home of the original Super Tuscan, the famous Brunello, is a charming Medieval town still surrounded by thick walls and with many things to see and experience. If you venture a bit in the lush countryside, you will find one of Tuscany's best kept secrets: the isolated Abbey of Sant'Antimo. This Romanesque masterpiece was founded, according to tradition, by none other than Charlemagne, possibly with the help of some magical creatures. The remote abbey has an incredible story to tell. After being abandoned for 5 centuries, in the 1990s it has come back to life, hosting a young and energetic monastic community that has come up with all sorts of interesting things to do. If you stay there for more than an afternoon, you could learn how to sing Gregorian Chant, how to make miniatures like a Medieval monk or even how to create from scratch your 100% natural remedies in the ancient pharmacy. In the full episode you'll learn everything that this remarkable corner of the beautiful Val d'Orcia can offer to the discerning visitor. Welcome to Montalcino, beyond the Brunello. Do you like this kind of episode? Would you like them to go more in depth or be a bit shorter? Don't keep things for yourself, let us know. It's exceedingly easy to get in touch with us: just send us a message or an email. Every feedback will be precious to make this little podcast grow!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://discovertuscany.com/it/montalcino/guida-di-montalcino.html
https://www.sienanews.it/cultura/il-misticismo-la-natura-la-luce-di-santantimo-e-le-leggende-delle-fate/
https://www.toscanainside.com/it/aneddoti-e-curiosita/post/labbazia-di-santantimo-a-montalcino-una-due-tre-leggende/
https://tuttatoscana.net/storia-e-microstoria-2/labbazia-di-santantimo-parte-prima/
https://tuttatoscana.net/storia-e-microstoria-2/santantimo-tra-leggenda-e-mistero-seconda-parte/
https://www.antimo.it/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Profound Beats - Lo-fi
Pipe Choir - A Dark Blue Arc (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-download
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

For every negative about the warm season in a particularly muggy place like the Arno valley, there is a silver lining. None is more tasty and enticing as a cup overflowing with freshly made gelato. The icy treat that has taken the world by storm has a complex history and no one is really sure where it came from. People in Florence have no doubt about it: gelato is their thing, one of the many contributions of the Tuscan capital to the world. They have a point, considering that two of the people that were instrumental in making gelato a worldwide hit were indeed born in Florence. Their story, how it took the help of a queen to make it popular and how the passion for cold treats changed forever the Tuscan capital is really fascinating. If you stick around until the end of the episode, you will also learn the best 3 gelaterie in Florence where you can taste the most authentic and surprising gelato in town. We're trying to make our episodes more focused, less rambling, without much success - we always find too much interesting stuff! Do you like them just the way they are or would you rather have them shorter? Let us know by dropping us a message or an email. Every feedback will help us grow, so thanks in advance!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.ilforchettiere.it/chi-invento-il-gelato-sfida-buontalenti-ruggeri/
http://gelateriailbacio.it/il-gelato-ad-arte-il-buontalenti/
https://abcschool.com/it/blog/160-la-storia-del-gelato
https://www.indiscreto.org/la-storia-del-gelato/
https://www.cioccolatitaliani.it/it/blog/storia-e-origini-del-gelato-chi-lo-ha-inventato.html
https://magazine.misya.info/trend/chi-ha-inventato-il-gelato/
https://www.lacucinaitaliana.it/news/in-primo-piano/gelato-storia/
https://www.ilsicilia.it/procopio-dei-coltelli-il-siciliano-che-invento-il-gelato/
https://www.arteleonardo.com/it/blog/197/la-piramide-delle-cascine
https://www.gamberorosso.it/notizie/classifiche/le-migliori-gelaterie-di-firenze-i-gelati-piu-buoni-della-citta/
https://visitflorence.com/it/mangiare-e-bere-a-firenze/gelaterie-firenze.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Waiting
Wayne John Bradley - Summercycle
Tbe Passion Hi-fi - Buried
Cityfires - Blood Problems (Instrumental)
Profound Beats - Lo-fi
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buried
https://soundcloud.com/ljayofficial/blood-problems-instrumentalby-cityfires
https://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-download
https://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-download
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

With the whole of Europe sweltering under a prolonged heat wave, the task of producing a 30 minutes scripted show every week is proving to be a bit too taxing on our little team. That's why for the summer we've decided to keep things pithy and leave room for those quirky stories that were a bit too short to make it to the regular show. This week the summer edition of What's Up Tuscany will bring you near the Raticosa Pass, up on the Appennini between Tuscany and Romagna. Here you will learn why a darker than usual mountain has given birth to one of the weirdest legends of Tuscany: the Sasso di San Zanobi. You will learn why its unusual position was the result of a strange race between a feisty holy man and the Devil in person. If you stick around until the end of the episode you'll also know why this saint is so close to the heart of the people of Mugello and why one of his miracles might be the reason for the incredible taste of the goat cheese of this area. Let us know if you like these shorter, less ambitious episodes or not by dropping us a direct message on social media or an email. It might take a while, but we answer to everyone!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://erottodottore.wordpress.com/2019/01/29/26-gennaio-426-dc-lolmo-rifiorito/
https://tuttatoscana.net/curiosita-2/il-sasso-di-san-zanobi-e-la-sua-leggenda/
https://cultura.ilfilo.net/la-leggenda-e-la-storia-del-sasso-di-san-zanobi/
https://www.okmugello.it/news/attualita/1112977/firenzuola-storie-mugellane-le-origini-e-la-leggenda-del-sasso-di-san-zanobi

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Mapping the Stars (Instrumental)
Aerocity - Cold Weather Kids
Tbe Passion Hi-fi - Buried
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-mapping-the-stars-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-cold-weather-kids
https://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buried
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

This week, instead of guiding you to a lesser known corner of this incredible region, we'll read from one of the pages in the big book of Tuscan history that have remained somehow stuck. Curiously enough, the stars of this remarkable story are two of the most famous people this land has ever had. Pretty much everyone knows about Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance man that was able to excel as a painter, scientist and inventor of fantastic machines way ahead of his time. Many also have heard of the politician who came to incarnate the maxim "the end justifies the means", Niccolò Machiavelli. Almost no one knows that these two giants of Renaissance Florence joined forces to follow an impossible dream: changing the course of the mother river of Tuscany, the Arno. While Leonardo wanted to do a massive project to make the frequent and deadly floods a thing of the past, Machiavelli had something else in mind for the talented man from Vinci: deviate the river just before Pisa to starve the city of fresh water. The story of how a possible genocide was averted by the temperamental Arno and the impact of this failure on the careers of the two men is one of the most fascinating and lesser known pages of Tuscan history.
Do you like these slightly shorter episodes? Do you have any advice or some burning question you'd like us to answer? Don't keep it to yourself! Get in touch and we'll be glad to help.
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES
https://www.latoscanadileonardo.it/it/luoghi/provincia-di-pisa/comune-di-pisa/pisa-e-il-progetto-per-la-deviazione-dell-arno.html
https://www.toctocfirenze.it/progetto-leonardo-vinci-per-larno/
https://www.lanazione.it/empoli/cronaca/2013/04/27/879652-monsummano-celebra-progetto-deviazione-arno-leonardo.shtml
https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/codice-vinci-anti-alluvioni-leonardo-voleva-deviare-l-arno.html
https://www.firenze1903.it/leonardo-da-vinci-il-primo-che-discorresse-sopra-il-fiume-darno-per-metterlo-in-canale-da-pisa-a-firenze/
https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/17/books/books-of-the-times-a-river-ran-through-their-dreams.html
https://prosperousnetwork.com/2020/12/il-ghiribizzo-di-leonardo-da-vinci/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Children of the Son (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - A Dark Blue Arc (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

After reading from one of the least known pages of Tuscan history, we go back to our favourite pastime: telling you the little myths and legends that make this land really unique. Instead of scouring the region in search of small hamlets in the middle of nowhere, we will just take a leisurely walk in the centre of the most famous Tuscan city: Florence. While its charm and beauty is known all over the world, the city of the Duomo has a fairly substantial dark side. If you scratch a little under its shiny surface, you will find all sorts of very interesting little mysteries, made all the more colourful by the unending popular imagination. We will tell you three of these small myths that Florentines are rightfully proud of. From the curious whirlwind of the main square in town to the very odd presence on the wall of an ancient bell tower, to the folk tale that sits behind the exceedingly curious name of an alley downtown, this is the hidden Florence that many tourists don't even know it's there. This week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to the capital, a city that is just as weird as it is beautiful. Florence has so many other little quirks and places that would very well deserve your attention. If you're interested in hearing more about them, drop us a note or an email. Remember that we're your go-to place for everything Tuscany. We'll be more than happy to help you in any way we can!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.florencecity.it/la-storia-del-rifrullo-del-diavolo/
https://francescarachelvalle.com/2015/09/03/la-vera-storia-della-testa-pietrificata-la-berta-e-cecco-dascoli/
https://www.florenceparking.it/chi-e-la-berta/
https://www.florencecity.it/la-leggenda-di-via-della-mosca/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
The Passion HiFi - Buried
Profound Beats - Lo-Fi
Pipe Choir - Mapping the Stars (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - A Midnight on Jaquay (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buried
https://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-download
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-mapping-the-stars-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Things in Siena are about to heat up again, and this time the heat wave has got nothing to do with it. It's Palio time again, the second of the year, the final chance to settle scores and earn bragging rights for the long winter. A few weeks ago we told you many stories about this very special event that is so much more than a horse race but we didn't have time to talk about the heart of the matter, the thing that sets the Palio apart: the overflowing river of hate that twice a year tears the city apart. In order to get a glimpse into the character of this very odd city, we will talk to you about the rivalry between the contrade of the Onda and the Torre. These two neighbours have been hating each other's guts for more than 4 centuries, an enmity so deep to have generated many serious incidents. Now that these tragedies are luckily a thing of the past, the hate between the Wave and the Tower takes many other forms, from refusing to wear the colours of the "enemy" to many other minor incidents that can tear close friendships and families apart. We will also talk about the wave of "accidental falls" that fill the A&E department of Siena hospitals this time of the year, the so-called "Palio casualties" that are the result of the many fistfights that happen everywhere in town. The really remarkable thing is that all this loudly professed hate doesn't harm the social fabric of the city at all. Senesi go from beating each other to shaking hands in a heartbeat, something that is uniquely Tuscan. "United but rivals" could be the motto of our very weird homeland, something that makes the Palio a perfect representation of this region. Let us know if you like this kind of episode or not by dropping us a message on social media or an email. Remember, we're your go-to place for everything Tuscany. We'd be more than happy to answer any of your questions. Speak up and we'll do our best to help!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.ilpalio.org/rivali_ondtor.htm
https://www.ilpalio.org/aneddoti_onda03.htm
http://www.lamiaterradisiena.it/Uniti%20e%20Rivali/unitierivali.htm

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Pipe Choir - Gemini (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Not many of the millions of tourists that every year flock to Tuscany to enjoy everything that this remarkable land has to offer realise how this place is positively weird. It's easy to be overawed by the beauty that surrounds you and not notice the many inconsistencies that surround you. In Versilia, for example, there are several towns where you can find the crest of the Medici family, despite the fact that Lucca was never conquered by Florence and remained independent until the unification of Italy. The story of how this sliver of land carved between the mountains and the sea is fascinating and involves a grabby and well connected Pope, a frustrated superstar artist and the wild goose chase that kept him busy for 2 years. Michelangelo's struggle to open a road from the quarries of Mount Altissimo to the sea was the foundation for the wealth of this particular corner of Tuscany, made of and by marble. Everything around here was built with the back-breaking work of the quarrymen, many of whom lost their limbs and lives trying to extract the white gold of the mountains. If you listen to the whole episode, you will get also plenty of travel tips to get the most of this hidden corner of Tuscany overlooked by way too many tourists. The towns of Pietrasanta and Seravezza are really special places that you won't forget anytime soon. If you liked this episode or have any question related to Tuscany or Italy, don't keep them for yourself! Remember, we're always happy to help you understand this weird land. Just holler and we'll be glad to be of assistance!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.toscanaoggi.it/Cultura-Societa/Cosi-Leone-X-invento-la-Versilia
https://www.toscanaovunquebella.it/it/seravezza/la-via-dei-marmi-di-michelangelo
https://www.fiorentininelmondo.it/it/home/713-michelangelo-e-lenigma-divino-che-inebria-di-spavento-e-destasi.html
http://renatosacchelli.blogspot.com/2015/12/il-marmo-e-le-cave-di-seravezza.html
https://galateaversilia.wordpress.com/2013/08/26/michelangelo-allorigine-del-forte-marmi-ma-non-solo/
https://ptithotel.com/itinerario-le-vie-del-marmo/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - A Dark Blue Arc (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Waiting (Instrumental)
Audionautix - Water Wood and Stone
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commons
https://www.free-stock-music.com/audionautix-water-wood-and-stone.html
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

No matter how much of a world citizen you think you are, living many years under an alien sky will leave a mark on your soul. Yours truly, for example, has spent almost a third of his life far from his homeland. One of the things I missed the most were the little treats of my childhood, those sugar-filled bits of heaven that your parents would buy you when you went to the fair. With time I realised that most of these junk foods were not very popular outside of Tuscany and are almost impossible to find. The thing that I dreamed the most was the anisette smell that fills your nostrils every time I went to the fairground when I was little. Every Tuscan will immediately recognise it as the smell of freshly baked "brigidini", the diminutive treat that has become a staple of every town and village fair in our region. Despite its popularity, not many people know that this treat was born out of an accident and is named after a holy woman born far away from this land. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to the town that was changed forever by the success of the brigidino, Lamporecchio. If you listen to the full episode you will also know more about the remarkable life of the saint from Sweden that gave to this treat its very weird name. We haven't been talking a lot about the food and specialties of our homeland. If you're interested and want us to devote more episodes to this, drop us a line. We're all ears!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigidino_di_Lamporecchio
http://www.vivipistoia.it/mangiare/brigidini-di-lamporecchio/
https://www.toscanainside.com/it/aneddoti-e-curiosita/post/la-storia-dei-brigidini-di-lamporecchio/
https://tuttatoscana.net/storia-e-microstoria-2/i-brigidini-i-dolci-delle-fiere/
http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/28400

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Pick You Up (Instrumental)
Profound Beats - Lo-fi
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-download
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Since when we started this podcast, we've been repeating that, here in Tuscany, if you keep your eyes open and look beyond the picture-perfect postcard image, you can find all sorts of hidden treasures. Sometimes it just takes a bit of luck and a whole lot of determination. A walk down the high street of a random town can mean that you bump into a weird logo and fall precipitously into a veritable rabbit hole. For a pop-up art exhibition spot, the city government of Cascina, near Pisa, has chosen a weird logo, a stylized fish that wears a crown. Not many know that this is actually an ancient Christian symbol, dating back to the origins of Christianity. Even less people know that the crowned fishes are an integral part of a fresco that covers one of the walls of the little church of Saint Jacob's, in the hamlet of Zambra. What makes this fresco special? Well, it's 12 centuries old and it's the only one of its kind in Italy. Follow us for this very particular episode, where we will walk you through the treasure hunt that led us to uncover the mystery of the crowned fishes and discover how this unassuming little church in the middle of nowhere is one of Tuscany's best kept secrets. You only need a bit of patience - and a valid library card. Do you like the episodes dedicated to the least known corners of our region? Let us know by commenting here or sending us an email: we'll be more than happy to answer. It'd be swell if you also followed us on your favourite podcasting app, so that you don't miss a single episode. Remember, we have a world of stories to tell you!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Aerocity - Love Lost
Cityfires - Blood Problems (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Summercycle
Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-love-lost
https://soundcloud.com/ljayofficial/blood-problems-instrumentalby-cityfires
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Since we started this little podcast, we have been spending quite a substantial amount of time telling you the stories that made our remarkable homeland what it is. We firmly believe that the best way to know the heart and soul of a place is through the stories, real or imagined, that its people tell each other. There are some stories, though, that are so powerful that they become firmly embedded into the psyche of an entire planet. The sad tale of the star-crossed lovers from Verona is definitely one of them. Since when it became a global hit, the story told by the immense William Shakespeare has attracted a lot of attention. There are a few scholars that say that the Bard actually "borrowed" it from similar stories that had been circulating for a long time way south, in that odd peninsula in the middle of the Mediterranean. We had a look around and found two different stories coming from Florence and Siena that look A LOT like the tale told so beautifully by the English master. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will tell you how Ginevra and Giannozza might have been the real inspiration behind the character of Juliet Capulet. Were these young ladies real? While the Juliet from Siena comes from a book published a century before Shakespeare, the Florentine tale could be one of the most successful gossip stories of all times, powerful enough to transcend hearsay and enter the Pantheon of Tuscan legends. Do you like this kind of episodes, more focused on the stories themselves than on the way they impacted Tuscany? Let us know by dropping us a note on social media or an email. All feedback is greatly appreciated! Remember, we have no other way of growing.
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.firenzetoday.it/social/halloween-firenze-storia-ginevra-amieri.html
https://www.conoscifirenze.it/personaggi-fiorentini/585-Ginevra-degli-Amieri.html
https://www.florencecity.it/lamore-vince-sempre-ginevra-degli-almieri/
http://lafirenzedefiorentini.blogspot.com/2015/12/ginevra-la-sposa-fantasma.html
https://francescarachelvalle.com/2015/09/02/ginevra-degli-almieri-la-sposa-che-visse-due-volte/
http://insolitaitalia.databenc.it/storia/mariotto-e-ganozza-romeo-e-giulietta/
https://it.wikisource.org/wiki/Il_Novellino/Parte_quarta/Novella_XXXIII
https://arzyncampo.altervista.org/257963465-2/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - A Dark Blue Arc (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Despite the great wealth of amazing things to do and see, most foreigners come to our region firmly determined to get just two things that have very little to do with either art or culture: wine and food. Tuscans moan endlessly about it, especially when said foreigners ask them what is the dish they absolutely have to taste as soon as they land. Easier said than done. Tuscany is so varied that it's really hard to find a specialty that is available everywhere in our region. Maybe there is an exception, though: a winter stew that is very popular all over the Arno valley. Its weird name, "ribollita", is almost synonymous with this land and so popular that restaurants abroad try to charge ridiculous amounts of money for it. This is quite outrageous, considering that this earthy dish is the ultimate comfort food, born out of the very real necessity of feeding a large family with very little money. The history and evolution of this recipe is quite fascinating, especially if you think that it's made of very simple and inexpensive ingredients: cabbage, bread and beans. The ribollita is so famous that it's almost outrageous we have covered Tuscany for almost two years without ever mentioning it. That is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to our very kitchen, where we will tell you everything there is to know about the queen of Tuscan cuisine, its infinite variations and all the advice you might need to recreate this great classic for your family. Beware, though: if you listen to the whole episode you might get really hungry. Let us know if you like this kind of episode or not. Drop us a line on social media or an email. Feedback is always greatly appreciated. We would love to hear from you!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.casaagricolarossi.it/lantica-storia-della-ribollita/
https://www.gazzettadelgusto.it/cibo-e-storia/ribollita-toscana-storia-origini-natura/
https://redacademy.it/la-ribollita/
http://www.gastronomiamanzi.it/articolo-zuppa-di-pane-pisana-ribollita/
https://www.gazzettadelgusto.it/ricette/primi/ribollita-toscana-di-pellegrino-artusi/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Waiting
Wayne John Bradley - Pick you up
The Passion HiFi - Buried
Wayne John Bradley - Summercycle
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buried
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

One of the most common gripes that foreigners have about us Tuscans is that we're so proud of our rich history to never miss the chance to sneak it into any conversation. While this has some merit, it would be quite difficult to act any differently. You see, history for us is not a distant thing, something you read in a book. It's literally everywhere around us, sneaking up on you when you least expect it. Need an example? Let's talk about the odd hospital that is just a stone throw's away from the Leaning Tower in Pisa. No matter how impractical and old-fashioned, Pisani love it so much to have delayed for decades its transfer to a more modern facility. They love it so much because it's possibly the oldest in the world, founded almost eight centuries ago. Not only it's very old, but it's the only one in the world that was born out of a massive naval battle and the clash of two giants of European politics who just hated each other. People in Pisa don't care much about the other hospitals in London or Paris that claim to have been around even longer: as far as they're concerned, the Santa Chiara is the template that was used all over Europe to create hospitals as we know them today. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to Pisa to tell you the fascinating story of the hospital born from a battle and why it became an integral part of Pisan identity. Remember it next time a Tuscan will bore the hell out of you with yet another anecdote from a long gone age. History never dies around here - and this is also what makes this land so unique. Let us know if you like this kind of episode or if you'd rather have us talk more about food, wine or the many hidden corners of this land only locals know about. Remember: we're at your service. Drop us a note at the links below: we'd be glad to hear from you!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
http://www.stilepisano.it/leggende/leg(g)ende_pisane_N48_battaglia_giglio_19_nov2018.pdf
http://www.stilepisano.it/leggende/leg(g)ende_pisane_N49_nascita_ospedale_20_nov2018.pdf
https://www.lanazione.it/cronaca/santa-maria-nuova-l-ospedale-pi%C3%B9-antico-del-mondo-compie-732-anni-1.5245465

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - A dark Blue Arc (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Children of the Son
Pipe Choir - Talk to Me
Pipe Choir - Mapping the Stars
Profound Beats - Lo-Fi
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-talk-to-me-instrumentalwav
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-mapping-the-stars-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-download
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

When we had the crazy idea of hosting a dual language podcast on Tuscany we could never imagine how much we would have learned about our homeland along the way. Now, 100 episodes later, we have had the chance to tell you many stories about places that you won't find on the cover of your travel guide. Rather than coming out with something special to celebrate this milestone, we'll just keep doing what we do: bring you to some of the least known corners of this remarkable region through the stories that made them. There are some places in Tuscany that have a lot more to offer than the more popular destinations. The imposing presence that dominates the horizon in the South of the region is quite unique, as you can expect from an ancient volcano that, once in a while, still makes its presence heard with devastating earthquakes. The people that live in its shadow have developed certain quirks that make them at the same time fascinating and weird. In order to give you a glimpse of their character, we will tell you two of the fairytales they used to tell to their children when the only way to spend a winter night was to tell stories around the fireplace. Follow us and you will hear the tale of the fearsome beast that plagued the woods near a monastery and how it was defeated by a famous knight. If you have a little girl to entertain, what about the delicate story of how a charming meadow was born out of the love between two star-crossed lovers? While they might look like nothing, people of the area swear that these stories actually happened in a distant past, so much that they can also provide some proof! This week's episode will bring you to the foot of Mount Amiata, the ancient fire mountain whose presence changed Southern Tuscany forever. Let us know if you like this kind of episode or if you'd rather have us talk more about history, food or practical travel tips. We would be very happy to hear from you!
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
http://www.webamiata.it/tiraccon.htm

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Blue Hope New Sky (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Trampled (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Waiting (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - A Midnight on Jaquay (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-blue-hope-new-sky-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-trampled-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/