“Italy, and the spring and first love all together should suffice to make even the gloomiest person happy.” – Bertrand Russell
“Everything you see I owe to pasta.” – Sophia Loren
This CST activities page celebrates Italy', as it is 'World Pasta Day' on 25th October.
After introductions and brief orientation, we asked members who had been to Italy, or who would like to go there? We went around the room and asked what people like about Italy or Italians? BASIC ITALIAN PHRASES We asked members to guess at their meaning ... Si - YES Per favore - PLEASE Grazie - THANK YOU Prego - YOU'RE WELCOME Mi scusi - EXCUSE ME Mi dispiace - I'M SORRY Buon giorno - GOOD MORNING Buona sera - GOOD EVENING Buona notte - GOOD NIGHT La dolce vita - THE GOOD LIFE
IDIOMS ABOUT ITALY
We asked members to complete these phrases ...
Rome wasn’t built IN A DAY
When in Rome do as THE ROMANS DO
Three coins in THE FOUNTAIN ('Fontana De Trevi')
While Rome BURNED
"Infamy, infamy. They’ve all got IT IN FOR ME" (‘Carry On Cleo’, 1964)
All roads lead to ROME
All that glisters is not GOLD ('Merchant Of Venice', William Shakespeare)
It ain’t over till the fat LADY SINGS (Opera)
Veni, vidi, vici. (I came, I saw, I CONQUERED) (‘Julius Caesar’, William Shakespeare)
Parting is such sweet SORROW (that I shall say good night 'till it be morrow) (‘Romeo And Juliet’, William Shakespeare)
Romeo Romeo where FOR ART THOU
"What have the Romans ever done FOR US?" (Monty Python 'Life Of Brian' - You Tube clip here)
REMINISCENCE
Do members remember the infamous 1957 'Panorama' April Fool's joke about spaghetti being harvested from Italian trees?
Possibly, the first pasta dish members had was Heinz 'Alphabetti Spaghetti'?
Do members prefer beans or spaghetti on toast for a midday snack, or something else?
First song ...
You might like to start off this session play standing and holding hands and singing 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond. Here is the link to a video with lyrics -
This tied in with this picture of 'The Vetruvian Man' by Leonardo Da Vinci below.
It is also sung at many sporting events, especially when England play ... Possibly against Italy!
"Hands, touching hands
Reaching out, touching me, touching you ..."
We then moved on to our MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ ...
ROUND 1. Around Italy
1. What is the capital city of Italy?
2. Where would you find the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church?
3. What is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region?
What is the name of the cathedral there?
4. Where would you find the ‘Bridge Of Sighs’? What are the tourist boats on the canals there called?
5. At what angle does 'The Leaning Tower Of Pisa’ lean?
6. Which volcano destroyed Pompeii in 79 AD?
7. Who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel between 1508-12? (Depicts scenes from 'The Book Of Genesis'.)
As a snub to the Pope, Michelangelo painted Adam (the first man) with what?
Part of this work (the touching fingers) featured in the opening titles in which TV arts programme hosted by Melvyn Bragg?
Here are the TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgB4j31-SXk
8. Where would you find the priceless statue 'La Pieta', sculpted by Michelangelo?
9. What is the name of this statue by Michelangelo (it's in Florence)?
10. What it the name of this religious relic? (It's name includes the place where it is kept)
(Ask if any members believe it to be the genuine burial shroud of Jesus Christ?)
('The Shroud' was discovered in 1357 (first record of it's existence), whereas photography wasn't invented until 1826. Thus the 'real' or negative photo image of Christ would not have been seen for hundreds of years!)
11. SONG. 'Nessun Dorma', The Three Tenors - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi1nTz3nlTc Which opera is this song from? Who were 'The Three Tenors'?
What does 'Nessun Dorma' mean?
ROUND 2. TV & Film
12. Which 1953 movie was about an Italian princess escaping her guardians and falling in love with an American news reporter?
Who starred in the movie?
13. Which 1959 film featured a chariot race at 'The Circus' in Rome?
Who starred in the title role?
14. Which 1969 crime caper movie saw three minis driving around Turin to escape the Carabinieri (Italian police)?
Who did it star?
Complete the phrase ... "You were only supposed to ..."
Here it is - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_PX1cVuaVA
15. Name this 1972 movie, featuring the criminal leader Vito Corleone?
Who starred in it?
What criminal organisation was it based on?
16. Which 1973 thriller, based on a short story by Daphne DuMaurier was set in Venice?
Who starred in it?
17. Who played the lead role in the 1970s TV drama ‘I Claudius’?
What was special about his character?
18. Who starred in the 1970s TV sitcom ‘Up Pompeii’?
What was his catchphrase?
19. Which 1999 film, set in 1930s Florence, starred three British dames and an American pop singer?
Can you name the movie?
Can you name the three British dames and the American pop star?
20. Which 2000 film starring Russell Crowe had fight scenes set in 'The Colosseum' in Rome?
What was his character's name in this film?
Which actor, pictured below, died during the making of this movie?
21. Which ice cream advert featured a Gondola and was set in Venice?
Here is the advert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biL6zAMkOQs
What Italian named ice cream has different layers of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry?
What about the one with dried bits of fruit in it, e.g. papaya and glace cherries?
22. SONG. 'Three Coins In A Fountain', Frank Sinatra - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo8qV1bPqVM
What is the name of the fountain?
ROUND 3. The Vatican
23. Who is the current Pope and what is his given name and birth name?
Where is he from?
24. Name any of the previous Popes, in our lifetime?
25. When did John Paul 11 visit the UK?
(Did any members see him?)
26. What colour smoke comes from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel when a new Pope is elected?
27. Which 1968 film, starring Anthony Quinn, is a thriller based on the election of a new Pope at the time of a looming nuclear war?
28. What was the 2009 film, starring Tom Hanks as Prof Robert Langdon, set in Rome during the time of a Papal election?
29. Which security force protects the Pope?
30. Who was said to be the first Pope?
31. What are the Father, Son and Holy Spirit called?
32. Name the four Gospels of the New Testament?
HYMN. 'Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8eorCEMIK4
33. St Francis Of Assisi is the patron saint of what?
Make me a channel of your peace Where there is hatred let me bring your love Where there is injury your pardon Lord And where there's doubt true faith in you
Make me a channel of your peace Where there's despair in life let me bring hope Where there is darkness, only light And where there's sadness ever joy
Oh master grant that I may never seek So much to be consoled as to console To be understood as to understand To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace It is in pardoning that we are pardoned In giving to all men that we receive And in dying that we're born to eternal life
Oh master grant that I may never seek So much to be consoled as to console To be understood as to understand To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness ever joy
And where there's sadness ever joy
ROUND 4. Food
34. Why was the Mac Donald's 'Fillet O' Fish' developed?
35. Ask members to name as many different types of pizza as they can, and say which is their favourite?
36. Ask members to name some Italian liqueurs?
Which liqueur was this image of Joan Collins and Leonard Rossiter advertising?
Here is the advert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkjidE0WnAI
37. True or False. Italy is the largest producer of wine in the world? Ask members to name some Italian wines?
Of course, there are numerous non alcoholic drinks and coffees to be had ...
38. What is a person who pours coffee traditionally known as?
Ask members to think of some different types of coffee?
39. What is traditionally given and eaten as Italian Christmas cake?
40. What is 'Tiramisu'?
41. What type of wheat is pasta traditionally made from?
Ask members to name some different types of pasta? * (The poem below is a clever way to list them all.) *
42. What is pesto sauce made from?
43. Ask members to name some other pasta sauces?
Which pasta sauce advertised with the slogan, “Brings the Italian out in you!”
Here is the advert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbNXHDwyOGE
44. SONG. 'That’s Amore', Dean Martin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMMUxXs-Wl8
Who was the Roman goddess of love?
Ask members to think of some symbols or acts of love and affection?
Ask members to make a heart shape using their fingers and thumbs.
45. SONG. 'How To Be Americano', Sophia Loren - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdQqIkx3V88
There are several famous faces in this video. Can you spot any of them?
46. SONG. 'Quando Quando Quando', Engelbert Humperdinck - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=128LI6_4L-s Which two of his singles topped the charts in 1967?
- 'Please ******* **'
- 'Last *****' He had rather large sideburns. Which of the men in the room has facial hair?
What is the November Prostate Cancer awareness month known as, where men grow facial hair to raise funds?
FINAL SINGALONG (LYRIC VIDEOS LINKED)
SONG. 'Que Sera Sera', Doris Day - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87KV7DMUi1s What does the Italian Que Sera Sera translate into? Which 1956 Hitchcock thriller featured this song?
When I was just a little girl I asked my mother, what will I be Will I be pretty Will I be rich Here's what she said to me
Que sera, sera Whatever will be, will be The future's not ours to see Que sera, sera What will be, will be
When I grew up and fell in love I asked my sweetheart, what lies ahead Will we have rainbows Day after day Here's what my sweetheart said
Que sera, sera Whatever will be, will be The future's not ours to see Que sera, sera What will be, will be
Now I have children of my own They ask their mother, what will I be Will I be handsome Will I be rich I tell them tenderly
Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be
Que sera, sera
EXTRA MUSIC CHOICES IF MEMBERS FANCY A DANCE
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY
Make an image out of different types of dry pasta, stuck onto chipboard or similar with PVA glue.
REFRESHMENTS
Members may feel rather hungry at this point, so some pizza slices might go down well. Perhaps with a glass of Italian wine?
ANSWERS
1. ROME
2. VATICAN CITY
3. FLORENCE / DUOMO
4. VENICE / GONDOLAS
5. ABOUT 4 DEGREES (5.5 DEGREES PRIOR TO RESTORATION IN 2001). THUS THE TOP OF THE TOWER IS NOW DISPLACED 12FT 10INS FROM THE BASE
6. VESUVIUS
7. MICHELANGELO / BELLY BUTTON (HE WAS THE FIRST MAN!) / 'THE SOUTH BANK SHOW/
8. IN 'ST PETER’S BASILICA'
9. 'DAVID' - IT CAN BE FOUND IN FLORENCE (ACADEMIA GALLERY)
10. 'THE SHROUD OF TURIN'
11. PUCCINI’S 'TURANDOT' / LUCIANO PAVAROTTI, PLACIDO DOMINGO & JOSE CARRERAS / "NONE SHALL SLEEP"
12. 'ROMAN HOLIDAY' / AUDREY HEPBURN & GREGORY PECK
13. 'BEN HUR' / CHARLTON HESTON
14. 'THE ITALIAN JOB' / MICHAEL CAINE / "You were only supposed to BLOW THE BLOODY DOORS OFF"
15. 'THE GODFATHER' / MARLON BRANDO / THE MAFIA
16. 'DON'T LOOK NOW' / DONALD SUTHERLAND & JULIE CHRISTIE
17. DEREK JACOBI / HIS STAMMER
18. FRANKIE HOWERD / "TITTER YE NOT"
19. 'TEA WITH MUSSOLINI' / DAMES MAGGIE SMITH, JUDI DENCH & JOAN PLOWRIGHT AND CHER
20. 'GLADIATOR' / MAXIMUS DECIMUS MERIDIUS / OLIVER REED
21. 'CORNETTO' / NEOPOLITAN & TUTTI FRUTTI
22. 'FONTANA DE TREVI'
23. POPE FRANCIS (JORGE MARIO BERGOGLIO / BUENOS ARIES, ARGENTINA
24. Benedict XVI — April 19, 2005-Feb. 28, 2013 (The first Pope ever to resign in 2013) John Paul II — Oct. 16, 1978-April 2, 2005 (The first Pope to have an assassination attempt made on his life in 1981) John Paul I — Aug. 26-Sept. 28, 1978 Paul VI — June 21, 1963-Aug. 6, 1978 John XXIII — Oct. 28, 1958-June 3, 1963 Pius XII — March 2, 1939-Oct. 9, 1958.
25. MAY, 1982
26. WHITE
27. 'THE SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN'
28. 'ANGELS AND DEMONS' (Based on the Dan Brown book.)
29. 'THE SWISS GUARD'
30. SAINT PETER ("ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH" - MATHEW 16:18)
31. THE HOLY TRINITY
32. MATHEW, MARK, LUKE & JOHN 33. PATRON SAINT OF ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENT
34. FOR CATHOLICS WHO COULDN'T EAT MEAT ON FRIDAYS
35. MARGHERITA, PEPPERONI, HAWAIIAN, MARINARA, MEAT FEAST, TRIPLE CHEESE, THIN CRUST, DEEP PAN, STUFFED CRUST
36. CINZANO BIANCO ADVERT
AMARETTO
CAMPARI
NEGRONI
MARTINI
LIMONCELLO
SAMBUCA
APEROL
GRAPPA
37. TRUE. Italy is the largest wine-producing country in the world (4,796,900 tonnes per annum).
LAMBRUSCO PROSECCO CHIANTI ASTI SPUMANTE MOSCATO SOAVE
38. BARISTA
ESPRESSO
LATTE
CAPPUCCINO
AMERICANO
MOCHA
FLAT WHITE
ICED
39. PANETTONE
40. COFFEE FLAVOURED ITALIAN DESERT (USUALLY WITH A LIQUEUR SUCH AS TIA MARIA)
41. DURUM
LASAGNE SPAGHETTI TAGLIATELLE MACARONI RIGATONI RAVIOLI PENNE LINGUINE CANNELLONI ALPHABETTI SPAGHETTI
42. GROUND BASIL, OLIVE OIL AND CRUSHED PINE NUTS
43. 'RAGU'
BOLOGNESE
CARBONARA MARINARA NEAPOLITAN ARRABBIATA
44. VENUS / CUPID, HEART, KISS, HUG, CWTCH, ROSES, CHOCOLATES, VALENTINES CARD, CHAMPAGNE
45. MARLON BRANDO, CARY GRANT, GEORGE PEPPARD, CLARK GABLE, GREGORY PECK, JOHN WAYNE & PETER SELLERS
46. 'Please - RELEASE ME' & 'The last - WALTZ' / 'MOVEMBER'
47. "WHATEVER WILL BE WILL BE" / 'THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH'
