When I set myself the challenge almost three years ago to publish a blog every single Monday, I realised that this could get quite challenging at times. Would I find the inspiration to write a piece every week? After one hundred and fifty blogs, I can say that one of my biggest lessons has been that inspiration can be found anywhere. Usually, my own adventures during the week are inspiration enough. I often mix it with my personal tips for Italy, an insight into the daily life – and hence, the culture – of the Italians and some of the latest news. And that’s how I always manage to be satisfied with the blog I publish on Monday evening.
700 dancers, 200 musicians, 100 choir members and 952 models. In one word, spectacular
So, it isn’t exactly the case that now, on this fourth Monday of September, I cannot think of a topic to write about. On the contrary. Italy dominated the international headlines more than once last week. Probably, you immediately think about last Sunday’s elections, which were won by the far-right and which were the subject of plenty of speculation beforehand. After all, what would this mean for the future of Italy and Europe? But also the entire international fashion scene had her eyes on Italy last week. On Milan to be precise, where the Milan Fashion Week took place. Just like pre-covid, there were countless shows, where everyone who’s considered even slightly important in the Italian and international fashion scene was sitting front-row once again. Beautiful creations were shown to the world, which I can always really enjoy. Fashion week ended more spectacularly than ever: on the square in front of the gigantic Duomo in Milan, Moncler performed a show to mark the brand’s 70th anniversary. A cast of 1952 people, a reference to the founding year of the brand, performed a dance in front of eighteen thousand spectators. 700 dancers, 200 musicians, 100 choir members and 952 models. In one word, spectacular.
It’s those heart-breaking news stories you actually don’t want to read at all
So the contrast could not have been greater with the shocking news reports from the Italian region of Le Marche, a few hundred kilometres to the south. Extreme rainfall resulted in major flooding and mudslides had already caused fatalities in the previous week. Last week, on top of this came the extremely sad news that a number of people still missing had now also been found dead, including Mattia, an eight-year-old boy torn from his mother’s arms by the swirling waters. It’s those heart-breaking news stories you actually don’t want to read at all. A little further south, in Naples, people have gathered en masse in front of the city hall where energy bills are collectively burned. Mainly in protest against the absurdly high prices, but also because people can simply not afford it, even if they wanted to. The Neapolitans also made it to the international headlines.
I realise how much can happen in a week. How lives can be completely changed in just a week’s time
So, as I try to choose a topic for this blog on this Monday, I find myself struggling with it. Just like I said last week, politics is a bit of a no-go topic, and I don’t feel like talking about the election results at all. The Milan Fashion Week, perhaps? That doesn’t feel quite right either, with all the grief caused by the natural disaster Italy has suffered, and the many Italian families being pushed beyond all financial limits. I realise how much can happen in a week. How lives can be completely changed in just a week’s time. But what has not changed is the message I ended the previous blog with: there is little (or really nothing) more important in life than love. Today that is perhaps even more true than ever.