Author: Gianni D’Amato

Magic Thinking: Past and Current

11.12.2024 , in ((Under the Volcano)) , ((No Comments))

“La Grande Magia,” a Neapolitan postwar play, blurs the line between illusion and reality, highlighting how we often prefer to entertain comforting illusions instead of facing the hard truths. This theme feels vividly relevant today. As we observe with astonishment the current US-American political events, the parallels seem too close ...

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Blood of Naples

07.11.2024 , in ((Under the Volcano)) , ((No Comments))

Arriving in Naples feels like diving into a whirlwind of life, history, and faith, all watched over by the silent, menacing presence of Mount Vesuvius. Streets paved in the historical center by the ancient Greeks now pulse with scooters and voices, each corner reveals layers of stories from centuries ago. ...

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History That Fades Away? The Long Farewell of Anti-Fascism as Civil Religion in Italy

28.08.2024 , in ((Under the Volcano)) , ((No Comments))

Italy’s complex history, marked by a century-long fragmentation, a difficult unification, a liberal period followed by 20 years of fascist rule, as well as persisting political and cultural divides, makes it challenging to define a cohesive national identity. Italians historically often felt a stronger connection to their municipalities than to ...

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The Struggle for Liberal Values

05.09.2023 , in ((Europe on the Brink)) , ((No Comments))

Putin’s war in Ukraine, as well as in Sub-Saharan Africa and various operational theaters in the Middle East, has the potential to severely shake the consensus in Western societies. While the Ukrainian conflict underscores Russia’s imperialistic approach, Western societies remain divided over providing assistance to Ukraine and other theaters due ...

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