Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Pensieri di uno scrittore italiano: (1b)

Dott. Antonio Castaldo, sociologo e giornalista Brusciano, Italia

"Il Cinquantennio dell’emigrazione Italiana in Germania. Ricordo di un Gastarbeiter “lavoratore ospite”. (3)

(Continua da pagina: (2)

Nella generale condizione italiana restano però problemi di integrazione e di miglioramento della condizione sociale di molti, in maggior parte della prima generazione di emigrati che dopo decenni di permanenza in Germania non parlano bene o quasi del tutto la lingua tedesca. Sono pochi quelli che hanno anche un passaporto tedesco e la cittadinanza di origine è la più conservata fra tutte le presenze straniere in Germania.

La popolazione scolastica italiana è quella che più soffre la selettività della società tedesca. In Baviera sono stati rilevati dei dati che rispecchiano anche la dimensione nazionale: l’8% circa degli scolari italiani frequenta una scuola differenziale, diversamente da quelli provenienti degli altri paesi U. E. che sono il5,2% e dagli stessi tedeschi pari al 3,2%; il ginnasio vede presenti gli italiani con il 4,7%; gli altri scolari U. E. con il 9,1% ed i tedeschi con il 18,5%. La certificazione della formazione professionale è posseduta dal 46% dei giovani italiani rispetto la 64% dei tedeschi. Tale qualificazione è presente nel mondo del lavoro per il 45% e tra i disoccupati nell’85% degli italiani.

La situazione economica generale resta difficile, l’alta disoccupazione degli italiani ed il riformato sistema del welfare tedesco dispiegano un panorama di incertezza ed insicurezza per i nostri connazionali.

Secondo i dati dell’Istituto Federale di Statistica, il dato temporale di permanenza degli italiani ci dice che si superano i dieci anni con la dichiarata intenzione di un soggiorno provvisorio che spesso però si traduce nel mai compiuto rimpatrio.

La ricercatrice A. M. Minutilli conclusivamente, nella sua interessante ricerca, osserva che “gli italiani in Germania si trovano al centro del guado, con vecchi problemi irrisolti, ma anche con nuove sfide ed opportunità da cogliere in un contesto europeo. Il percorso che possono e devono compiere, da Gastarbeiter a cittadini a pieno titolo del paese di accoglienza, può consentir loro di lavorare come soggetti attivi al loro futuro nella società di accoglienza; e , paradossalmente, può offrire al paese di origine, in termini economici, di interscambio culturale e di integrazione europea, più di quanto (poco) essi abbiano ricevuto negli anni passati in assistenzialismi che non hanno sortito alcun effetto rilevante per la loro crescita sociale”.

Questo mentre l’Italia è divenuta essa stessa terra di immigrazione e a me resta nella memoria visiva l’amaro avvertimento nelle insegne al neon poste agli ingressi di alcuni locali pubblici di qualche città della civilissima Bassa Sassonia: “Keine Ausländer”. Vietato l’ingresso agli stranieri. Ma questa è storia passata. O è ancora attuale e riguarda tutte le nazioni occidentali sentinelle del varco di passaggio dei nuovi popoli migranti?

Dott. Antonio Castaldo

Contatto: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com

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Pensieri di uno scrittore italiano (1a)

Dott. Antonio Castaldo, sociologo e giornalista Brusciano, Italia

" Il Cinquantennio dell’emigrazione Italiana in Germania. Ricordo di un Gastarbeiter “lavoratore ospite”. (2)

(Continua da Pagina: 1)

Ricordo di un viaggio in Maggiolino, da Wolfsburg a Bremen e viceversa, per un concerto dei Genesis. Ero in compagnia di un amico pugliese il quale da Brindisi aveva risalito la nostra Penisola, per poi raggiungere il nord-est tedesco, con una Cinquecento che cedette infine ad un interessato concessionario ricevendone in cambio un Käfer.

Il successo industriale tedesco quindi è anche figlio di tanti operai italiani. Ma come si presente oggi la situazione? Assai interessante è la lettura di dati e condizioni dell’emigrazione italiana in Germania a cinquant’anni dal suo inizio (1955-2005) nella preziosa fonte trovata dello studio di Anna Maria Minutilli, dottore di ricerca in Storia contemporanea presso l’Università di Aachen. “La collettività italiana in Germania: Una sfida ancora aperta”, è presente in estratto sul sito www.bekar.net - www.giornalistiitalianinelmondo.

In questa ricerca si presenta l’emigrazione distinta in tre generazioni. La prima, dopo una vita di lavoro e sacrificio nella ricostruzione e nella crescita dell’economia tedesca, ora è tentata dal ritorno in Italia mentre avverte una certa instabilità del nuovo ruolo sia familiare e sia sociale.

La seconda generazione di italiani avverte il precariato e le minacce di insicurezza nel mondo del lavoro per la crisi economica che da tre anni investe anche la florida Germania.

Giunti alla terza generazione si incontrano i giovani che hanno acquisito l’abilità linguistica ma pagano una limitata formazione professionale e nel caso di una migliore scolarità scontano la scarsità delle offerte di lavoro ed i non lunghi periodi di occupazione. Anche qui ritroviamo, secondo lo studio di A. M. Minutilli, incertezze e precarietà.


Dal 1990 al 2002 sono emigrati in Germania circa 2 milioni di lavoratori in gran parte polacchi e rumeni. Gli italiani sono oggi circa 600.000, pari all’8,3% della popolazione. Il tasso di disoccupazone italiana è del 19,2% quasi il doppio di quello tedesco pari al 10,3%. Caduto il muro nel 1989, avvenuta la riunificazione tedesca, iniziati i grandi lavori nella Berlino capitale si è avuto un maggior afflusso migratorio dai paesi dell’est, calando quello proveniente dai paesi mediterranei. Dall’Italia nel solo 1995 sono giunti comunque 48.000 lavoratori, mentre per l’anno 2002 sono stati contati almeno 25.000 nuovi arrivi. La comunità italiana “appare caratterizzata da una forte presenza maschile (59,3%), connazionali che vivono in questo paese d’accoglienza da oltre 30 anni e da una discreta quota di giovani nati in loco (28,2%). Ci sono circa 71.500 scolari italiani: molte sono le presenze nella scuola dell’obbligo e in quella differenziale, poche alle superiori”. Tra i Paesi dell’Unione Europea siamo il più rappresentato e a Wolfsburg in Bassa Sassonia nella fabbrica della Volkswagen gli italiani rappresentano il maggior numero di operai stranieri. A Berlino, invece, troviamo con l’indagine della Minutilli una presenza più giovanile con diplomi e lauree alla ricerca di esperienze culturali, artistiche, lavorative e di vita in generale senza la spinta delle esigenze economiche che hanno caratterizzato le altre fasce migratorie.

In questa attraente metropoli internazionale in pieno sviluppo i nostri connazionali hanno aperto diverse attività autonome soprattutto nel commercio dell’abbigliamento e nella ristorazione che da sola impiega il 59% di essi . A Berlino sono presenti oltre 12.600 italiani circa 800 ristoranti-pizzeria e molte sono anche le gelaterie. Un cameriere arriva a guadagnare circa 2.000 euro al mese, comprese le mance, lavorando in un locale di buon livello.

Alla Prossima: (3)

Contatto: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
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Pensieri di uno scrittore italiano : Articolo #(1)

Dott. Antonio Castaldo, sociologo e giornalista Brusciano, Italia

"Il Cinquantennio dell’emigrazione Italiana in Germania. Ricordo di un Gastarbeiter “lavoratore ospite”.

Alla fine degli anni ’70, con la baldanza dei miei vent’anni, mi lanciai alla scoperta dell’Europa immettendomi nel circuito dell’emigrazione verso la Germania. Per un biennio ho vissuto la speciale condizione del popolo migrante nella multiculturalità di italiani, turchi, greci, jugoslavi, kurdi, pakistani ed altri ancora. Degli italiani ricordo i tantissimi siciliani e sardi, alcuni napoletani e rari settentrionali.

Ognuno di noi era Gastarbeiter, lavoratore ospite, nel panorama produttivo delle industrie, dei cantieri e dei servizi, datore di braccia e sudore che alimentava l’inarrestabile boom della Germania che, uscita distrutta dalla Seconda Guerra Mondiale, traduceva così la sua rivalsa con sicura rivincita nei termini di competitività sociale, economica e culturale con le altre ricche nazioni nella gara per il primato della società del benessere.

Le immagini indelebili della mia breve ma intensa esperienza migratoria sono, fra le tante altre, quelle del soggiorno a Wolfsburg, la città della Volkswagen sul Mittelland Kanal e dei festeggiamenti per il Cinquantesimo anniversario della fabbrica la cui prima pietra era stata posta il 26 maggio del 1938.

Nel 1934 Hitler e l’austriaco Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951) si incontrarono per la prima volta. Il dittatore tedesco illustrò la necessità di una “macchina per il popolo” secondo precise condizioni. Ben presto il prototipo venne presentato con le prescritte caratteristiche: velocità di 100 km/h, consumo di 7 km con un litro di benzina, motore raffreddato ad aria, robustezza ed affidabilità, capacità di trasporto per 2 adulti e 3 bambini e, per l’evenienza militare, di 3 soldati e un mitra. Anche il costo di meno di 1000 Reichsmark, il guadagno di 5 mensilità di un operaio specializzato rispecchiava le richieste di Hitler.

Il successo fu immediato e superò anche la guerra fino a diventare un simbolo della rinascita economica tedesca insieme alla fabbrica più grande al mondo la Volkswagenwerk. L’attenzione della Disney, nel 1969, contribuì a farne un fenomeno di costume attraverso una produzione cinematografica.

La catena di montaggio sulla quale ho lavorato per poco più di un anno non produceva più il Maggiolino il cui montaggio era stato trasferito nella fabbrica in Messico, mentre la regina era diventata la Golf. Mi ricordo che mi affannavo dietro le carcasse colorate alternandomi con un turco mentre un ragazzo napoletano cantava “O’ sole mio” e gli operai tedeschi con l’orgoglio di partecipare ad una comune impresa nazionale senza distinzione di ruoli e responsabilità, mentre in me cresceva la nostalgia della famiglia e degli amici in Italia.

La produzione del Käfer, cessata nel 2003, ha fatto contare nelle vendite complessive il record di 22.000.000 di esemplari piazzati sul mercato mondiale. Questo dato è stato poi superato dal modello Golf.

Alla Prossima: (2)

Contatto: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
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Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Goes the Merry-Go-Round of the Clock (3)


Time...just when you think you have your daily routine packed down to a science, its that time of the year when the clocks are turned back or forward, by one hour, bringing us to a halt, adding temporary shock to our pre-programmed minds. Given a short break to readjust, the ignition gets turned on, wheels start whirling and once again we find ourselves to be riding the Merry-Go-Round of the Clock yet again. Let's face it we are slaves to time.

Frequently we will hear someone say "I'm so stressed out....there, are not enough hours in the day to do all the things which I have to do." My dear friend, first I'll just say that I am sorry that your life is so frustrating... However, I think it extremely uncomfortable to accept the fact that I am also guilty of this, because it sounds exactly like my life. Since, I have always been a multi-tasking person; I do many things at once. Even when I was a young mom with two children, I frequently lamented: I have a full-time job; I have to take the kids to soccer and baseball practice; I have to attend parent-teacher conferences; I have to watch their homework assignments to make sure they are correct, and so on and so forth. Whereas, I am now matured, but still with an almost unlimited amount of laments related to time. Between the hours that I spend at work, including commuting to and from work, and activities such as writing, researching, translating, and administrating an informative website and blog, I have no time, as the expression goes, "to smell the coffee." Even when I am tired, my mind will just not stop working. I envy those individuals who live disciplined lives, those who are able to go to bed at the same time every night. I tend to crowd in, with one eye on that final draft that I have to do. The stress and the daily grind of activities keep eating at me constantly, but I can not resist a challenge. Tackling a lesser amount of work sounds fantastic, but then I ask myself, how does this relate to what is existent in the world today? The impression of having two feet in one shoe is normal for me when I get up. Totally confused and drained of energy, I see nothing done on my days off. Because of my personal experience, I think I can qualify as an expert in this subject. According to my understanding of space, I have created my crazy time schedule, juggling things around in order to cram in as much as I can. So then, who do, I blame?

There is no one to blame but myself.

I am guilty of allowing my schedule to dictate how I spend my days and nights. So will complaining to an unwilling listener infuse a sympathetic reply? As a New Yorker would say: ""Fugheddaboudit!" Then why am I wasting my time here? Let's continue discussing the Merry-Go-Round of the Clock.

What is space? It is an interval or area between or within points or objects." Saint Augustine states: "What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know." You got that right. I can not even explain it myself. Let's hear what Jack Addington has to say, so that we may be enlightened on this subject of both time and space.
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"For time to be understood, we must realize that time depends upon space. Space is the measurement. It is through space that we are able to measure time; time is the interval that it takes for an object to move from one point in space to another point in space. The concepts of time and space are essential to each other; each is dependent upon the relative value of the other." (J.E.A.)

So if, we do not like the frenetic life we live, then we need to make changes in the agenda and push ourselves to relax a little. I find the most effective forms of relaxation that work for me are walking, writing, soaking in a hot tub, and listening to calming music, such as sounds of nature, with delicate musical instruments in the background. However, the most important way to relax of all is to get plenty of good sleep. There is nothing better for overall relaxation than a decent night's sleep. Is this possible? If we go to bed all tensed up, worried about what has to be done the next day, we will generate disturbed sleep, which will not only make us wake up aggravated and surly, but may also increase our blood pressure. So then we are defeating the purpose. I am fully aware that with all this hurry-scurry, I am perpetually building up vital health issues. Most diseases are caused by a direct result of stress. When we are anxious, we work at a significantly reduced size of efficiency. Through relaxation, we can learn to conserve our energy. Tension in itself is not harmful to us; however, the constant stress that we subject our body to is what is dangerous.

Nonetheless, everyone's positions and conditions are different. It is our sole responsibility to find a solution that will reduce some of the demand of self-imposed time schedules that cause too much stress.

Oh no, speaking of time, is it that time already? Now I know I'm going to be late. Sorry, I have to run. See ya!

Tick Tock, Tick Tock Goes the Merry-Go-Round of the Clock!

Miriam B. Medina is an Expert Author at Platinum Level at EzineArticles.com.

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Goes the Merry-Go-Round of the Clock (2)


The clock is one of the oldest human inventions, "an instrument for measuring and indicating time; especially, a sizable mechanism having pointers that move over a dial marked off in hours."

The clock is a guide for just about anything we do. Repeatedly, during the day, we look at the clock. We watch it. We are governed by it. Be here then. Do such and such at this time. We are always hurrying. We hurry to eat breakfast. We hurry to drop the kids off at the bus stop or at school. We hurry to go to work, so we can hurry to our coffee break. We hurry back from the break, all the while glancing at the clock, counting the minutes until lunch time. We hurry to lunch, watching the clock as ever, to make sure that we can hurry back to work on time. Then as we are working, we are continually glancing at the clock, making sure we hurry up to accomplish what we are doing, so we can hurry home. Finally, rush out, walking hurriedly toward the stairs or elevator to take us out of the building. Everyone walks hurriedly past each other, without talking, not paying attention to one another, attempting to be the first one to get in their car. and hurry out. Suddenly, like a swarm of bees, cars, trucks, and buses from here, there, everywhere, all at the same time, hurrying to merge onto the main roads that will take them to wherever they are hurrying to go. All speeding, only to slow down to a snail's pace as they integrate into the "RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC JAM," the traveler's worst nightmare, bringing all the Hurry-Scurry to a sudden s-c-r-e-e-c-h-i-n-g stop.

Whew! That was close.

Therefore, the question is asked: "why does this always happen?

Because...Everyone who left their job and departed in a hurry were hurrying simultaneously to get to wherever they were in a hurry to go. Yikes! Oh dear, maybe I should have picked an easier topic to tackle. With all this hurrying and clock watching, I'm starting to feel anxious. I think I'll need a blood pressure pill to calm down. Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Goes the Merry-Go-Round of the Clock.

This brings to mind the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland:

"Oh dear!Oh dear!I shall be too late!' The Rabbit actually took a watch out of its waistcoat-pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on. `Oh my ears and whiskers, how late it's getting!' She was close behind it when she turned the corner, but the Rabbit was no longer to be seen:"

To be continued: (3)

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Goes the Merry-Go-Round of the Clock (1)


It strikes! one, two,

Three, four, five, six. Enough, enough, dear watch,
Thy pulse hath beat enough. Now sleep and rest;
Would thou could'st make the time to do so too;
I'll wind thee up no more.

~Ben Jonson

How many a nights after days of whirl-wind madness; of juggling a job, family and kids or whatever else there is to do, , do we drag our tired body into bed, only to find that no sooner do we lay our head down on the pillow only to hear the alarm go off, signaling that it was time for the marathon to start again. It seems as though we are constantly on a moving treadmill, never enough time to catch our breath.

My neighbor, who lives above me, has a grandfather clock. Its gong can be heard every hour on the hour. After so many years, I've gotten used to it. At 5 a.m. she wakes, rises gets ready to go to work. As I plugged in my coffee, I could hear her move about to and fro, across the squeaking wood floors, zigzagging back and forth like the swinging pendulum on her clock. At precisely 5:45 a.m., she would rush out the door, walking the five blocks to catch the 6:00 a.m. bus going to the Port Authority in Manhattan. She is a creature of habit. As we all are, in bondage, bound to time.

Continue on Page: 2

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
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Monday, March 29, 2010

Pensieri di uno scrittore italiano: (2c)

dott. Antonio Castaldo, sociologo e giornalista, Brusciano, Italia.

"A Passo Lento tra Arte, Storia e Memoria" (4)

(Continua da pagina: 3)

Andando verso il centro si passeggia sui nuovi marciapiedi in cubetti di porfido e passeggiata in pietra vulcanica. I varchi di accesso ai portoni ritornano al tradizionale basolato e alle volte di ingresso in piperno e si rimandano quasi a specchio con l’architettura dei vecchi palazzi costruiti con le pietre in tufo in un modulo ripetuto che dà un ritmo regolare allo sguardo ed al passo d’uomo.

L’incrocio, baricentro del tratto bruscianese, della Nazionale porta a monte verso Somma Vesuviana e a valle verso il centro storico con via Semmola, un casato qui presente ininterrottamente dalla fine del 1500 all’inizio del 1900. Di esso vanno ricordati esponenti che hanno dato lustro alla politica, alla medicina, alla farmacologia e all’impegno filantropico.

La novella “Piazza XI Settembre”, poco distante dal viandante, collega questa parte di mondo con le tragedie e le aspirazioni solidaristiche internazionali.Andando oltre, una simpatica rientranza ci accoglie con la ristrutturata “Piazzetta San Sebastiano”, un alberello di ulivo e la Chiesetta di San Sebastiano Martire. La cappella della famiglia nel 1866 divenne per donazione chiesa parrocchiale che ora ha sede presso il maestoso complesso di via De Ruggiero diretto da Don Giovanni Lo Sapio.

Superando la Casa comunale ci approssimiamo a quello che una volta era un favoloso luogo denominato “ ‘ncoppo ‘a mulara ”.

In passato, ove ora è tutto colmo e coperto da abitazioni mentre sulla sopraelevata strada ferrata passano i treni della Circumvesuviana, si scendeva nel gigantesco cratere prodotto dall’uomo con le antiche attività estrattive del piperno. Qui ci si inoltrava in un ambiente selvaggio con fauna spontanea e, al livello più basso, si giungeva ad una piscina d’acqua piovana che d’estate richiamava frotte di ragazzi che si avventuravano sul “Lido Lubiam”. L’insegna era suggerita dalla scritta su di un cartellone pubblicitario che incentivava i primi consumi, figli di un miracolo economico collocato altrove in Italia.

Ma la storia antica ci riporta a drammatici episodi come quello dell’uccisione, per mano dei briganti, del sindaco di Castelcisterna Francesco Calabrese, piperniere di 60 anni.

Ed eccoci, quindi, a Castelcisterna che ci accoglie con la bella pavimentazione in porfido dei marciapiedi che però scompaiono del tutto nella strozzatura prima della sede comunale. La chiesa parrocchiale che svetta maestosa sulla via Nazionale, corso Vittorio Emanuele, è un’abbazia la cui costruzione risale al 1766 e fu inaugurata nel 1775 e dedicata a San Nicola di Bari. Ma interessanti tracce portano addirittura ai monaci di Montevergine e a Guglielmo da Vercelli giunto in questa parte del mondo nel 1134, con il beneficio di una donazione da parte di Ruggiero II comprendente Castelcisterna.

Siamo ormai alle porte di Pomigliano D’Arco si incrociano le grandi vie di comunicazioni provinciali, statali, autostradali che servono al traffico cittadino, allo scambio delle merci, alle forniture dei grandi centri commerciali e delle industrie e allo smistamento dei loro prodotti. E proprio a quel mondo industriale si ispira la collocazione dell’Istituto Tecnico “Barsanti”.

Regina della storia industriale locale è l’Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili che, in liquidazione ne1 1915, passò nelle mani di Nicola Romeo, ingegnere napoletano. Dopo la Prima Guerra Mondiale divenne Alfa Romeo e nel 1938, sotto il controllo dell’I.R.I., venne costruita questa fabbrica a Pomigliano. Sempre qui nel 1967 nasceva la famigerata Alfasud che trasformò migliaia di muratori, artigiani e contadini in operai metalmeccanici. Nel 1986 tutto il gruppo Alfa Romeo passò alla FIAT. Il trentennale “Gruppo Operaio ‘E Zezi” il cui leader è Angelo De Falco ha cantato per anni la sofferta mutazione antropologica che ha accompagnato tale esperienza industriale. Oggi Pomigliano è una cittadina che con il suo tenore di vita, di cultura, di servizi pubblici e di movimenti culturali offre un esempio positivo per l’intera zona. Noi ci fermiamo qui, all’altezza della vecchia stazione Circumvesuviana, dove la Nazionale diventata via Mauro Leone prosegue come via Roma, verso Napoli. La camminata è terminata con qualche conoscenza in più rallentando il tempo e soffermandoci sulle cose, i ricordi, gli affetti, i pensieri e “scoprire, strada facendo, l’invisibile nelle cose incontrate”. Lo afferma Duccio Demetrio nella sua recente opera “Filosofia del camminare. Esercitazione di meditazione mediterranea” , edita da Cortina editore, che consigliamo di leggere. E riparlarne, poi, con gli amici durante una lunga passeggiata.

Antonio Castaldo
Gennaio 2006

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To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
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Pensieri di uno scrittore italiano: (2b)

dott. Antonio Castaldo, sociologo e giornalista, Brusciano, Italia.

"A Passo Lento tra Arte, Storia e Memoria" (3)

(Continua da pagina: 2)

I marciapiedi di via Marconi, ridiventano di asfalto ma sono molto ampi e danno un senso di libertà e sicurezza, un vasto respiro coglie il passante, abituato con sofferenza, ai claustrofobici spazi ristretti dei centri storici e della totale invasione dei mezzi a motore. Buttando lo sguardo a periscopio, la curiosità è attivata da cinque ruote di granito fasciate in ferro e solcate da canaletti sulle facciate interne con un foro ferrato al centro: sono la testimonianza del mulino Itri che una volta produceva le farine dalle granaglie che i contadini portavano dai loro campi con carri, muli, cavalli, vacche e più tardi con trattori, furgoni e camioncini, fino a circa trenta anni fa.

La passeggiata sulle Taverne evoca la sosta ai pellegrini che da Napoli si recavano a Montevergine o dei carrettieri che collegavano la provincia interna con il capoluogo.

Se si è in compagnia di una dolce e bella ragazza si potrà citare la vecchia canzone “Nu poco ‘e sentimento” di Peppino Villani e Gaetano Lama:“Io vèngo a père da ‘a Mariglianella / e mme songo partuta a matutino… / me so’ fermata a ogne cantenélla / e mma’aggio fatto ‘nu bicchiere ‘e vino! / E mo sapite ‘ncuorpo che mme sento? / ‘A voglia ‘e fa ‘nu poco … ‘e sentimento…” e chissà, trarre così un qualche buon romantico auspicio.

In effetti una sosta ristoratrice presso qualche locale, fra quelli che stanno ritornando ad animare le Taverne di Mariglianella, ci sta bene anche per riposare dopo la partenza da Marigliano.

Più freschi riprendiamo la passeggiata. Subito uno striscione verticale ci saluta dall’alto della redazione de “Il Paese” che ha compiuto il suo primo decennale (1996-2006) quale “voce dell’Altra Provincia”. Intercettiamo poi la Chiesetta della Madonna della Sanità in un luogo storico che ci restituisce parte della biografia del venerabile Carlo Carafa (Mariglianella 1561-Napoli 1631) che iniziò con incertezze la sua vita irrequieta ed insalubre e la finì a 72 anni compiendola con una grande missione religiosa dedicandosi ai poveri, alla preghiera e alla dottrina cristiana e cattolica. La memoria personale invece ci porta all’asilo delle suore domenicane ed al ricordo di suor Lorenza e dei cari amici di infanzia. Con loro siamo cresciuti, poi, alle scuole elementari con il bravo insegnante Antonio Di Sarno e quindi alle scuole medie, succursali della “De Ruggiero” di Brusciano.

Ed è proprio a Brusciano “Comune d’Europa” che siamo giunti, dopo aver oltrepassato “la spada di Damocle” sospesa sul traffico veicolare, nella forma di una mastodontica insegna posta all’uscita come all’entrata di Mariglianella.

Un pino secolare solitario svetta sula Nazionale intitolata a Camillo Cucca (Brusciano 1829-Napoli 1893) ispettore della Regia Marina morto per causa di servizio in seguito ad una missione sanitaria.

Quel pino segna anche il limite delle proprietà che una volta erano della famiglia De Ruggiero il cui massimo esponente nella storia contemporanea è Guido De Ruggiero (Napoli 1888- Roma 1948), storico della filosofia, antifascista, ministro della Pubblica Istruzione del primo governo Bonomi dopo la caduta del fascismo. Egli riposa nella cappella gentilizia di famiglia, nel locale cimitero, dove l’epitaffio di Benedetto Croce ci ricorda che, “…auspicando / in tempi oscuri il ritorno alla ragione / fu alle nuove generazioni d’Italia / maestro ed apostolo di fede nell’umanità”.

Alla prossima: A Passo Lento tra Arte, Storia e Memoria (4)

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Pensieri di uno scrittore italiano : (2a)

dott. Antonio Castaldo, sociologo e giornalista, Brusciano, Italia.

"A Passo Lento tra Arte, Storia e Memoria" (2)

(Continua da pagina: 1)

La piazza sottostante, lo stesso municipio, l’esattoria comunale, il circolo dell’Unione, l’otto giugno del 1959 furono lo scenario della rivolta dei contadini per l’abbassamento del prezzo delle patate, loro unica fonte di sostentamento, comprate a 6 lire al chilo alla produzione e rivendute a 35 lire sul mercato. Gli scontri con la polizia portarono a 100 arresti, oltre a numerosi feriti, tutti provenienti dai paesi che stiamo attraversando con questa camminata.

Il primo incrocio stradale porta a sinistra al Convento dei francescani frati minori di San Vito e a destra alla Chiesa di S. Maria delle Grazie la cui costruzione della chiesa, a croce latina in un’unica navata e cinque cappelle per lato, risale all’anno 1000. Divenuta Collegiata nel 1494 ad opera di Alberigo da Carafa I feudatario di Marigliano, fu per volere dei Mastrilli, nel 1633, ulteriormente ampliata ed abbellita con tele di Domenico Antonio Vaccaro e di Ludovico Mazzanti. In essa hanno dimora le statue dei Santi Protettori Sebastiano, Rocco e Vito.

Il bellissimo basolato scuro, figlio della lavorazione della pietra lavica del Vesuvio permette un calpestìo solido accompagnato dalle linee poligonali che invitano a zigzagare sui blocchi posti in varie misure e con recenti azioni di bucciardatura che assicurano l’appoggio antisdrucciolo per i piedi.

Siamo giunti all’altezza di quello che fu il ponte sopra il lagno, ora coperto, cementificato e asfaltato, la cui origine è nella vasca dove il Monte Somma degrada in pianura. A questo punto i ricordi personali assumono l’immagine del libero sciamare di migliaia di ragazzi che nel “Giorno della scampagnata” occupavano gioioso quell’invaso, trionfo di prateria ad ogni primavera. L’imitazione dei giochi erano spesso le citazioni cinematografiche assunte dalla visione di western di quando si proiettava “ ‘o cinema ‘ncoppo ‘o ponte” nella sala ora diventata un centro commerciale.

Lasciandoci alle spalle il centro di Marigliano ci avviamo verso Mariglianella costeggiando l’opificio tipografico dell’Istituto Anselmi rigoroso esempio di attività religiose, sociali, formative e produttive di successo.

Più avanti, passando sotto Villa Galdi, una tristezza ci coglie osservando il vestito di perenne cantiere che da decenni avvolge quella maestosa, bella e colorata costruzione che ancora oggi ospita qualcuno di quella famiglia dedito alla ricerca, allo studio e alla divulgazione e tutela del nostro patrimonio di arte, storia e cultura.

Eccoci ora sfiorare Lausdomini, cogliendo per un momento il punto di fuga in fondo al corso Campano che ci conduce verso le distese del Ponte dei Cani lungo la rete dei regi lagni borbonici. Là fluiva il corso dello scomparso fiume Clanio e su quelle sponde si avvicendarono popoli dell’antica Campania Felix confrontandosi in sanguinose battaglie.

Entrati in Mariglianella, attraversando una macchia orientaleggiante di sei palme da datteri, con uno spicchio d’occhio si saluta la dismessa stazione della Circumvesuviana, l’ultima a portare il nome del paese scomparso poi del tutto dal nuovo faraonico tratto in sopraelevata, oltre il cimitero comunale, nella straniante dimensione di un “non luogo” postmoderno.

Alla prossima: A Passo lento tra Arte, Storia e Memoria (3)

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Pensieri di uno scrittore italiano: Articolo # (2)

Dott. Antonio Castaldo, sociologo e giornalista Brusciano, Italia

"A Passo Lento tra Arte, Storia e Memoria" (1)

Quella che noi oggi indichiamo come Nazionale delle Puglie, specificata con varia toponomastica nei tratti dei comuni che attraversa, è l’antica “via Adrianea” nota fin dal II secolo d. C. . Essa collegava la colonia greca di Cuma con l’Ager Nolanus e il nome le derivava dall’Imperatore Publio Elio Adriano, morto a Baia nel 138 d. C., mentre trascorreva gli ultimi anni della sua vita sul litorale campano. Questo importante dato storico si rileva, finalmente, attraverso la lettura dell’antologica opera di Francesco Aliperti, “L’Opicia preromana e romana”, edita dalla LER la cui presentazione abbiamo seguito con piacere, in Sala consiliare del Comune di Marigliano, il 12 novembre del 2005.

Il riferimento agli antichi popoli, come quello autoctono degli Osci, ci rimanda ad un tempo di vita i cui ritmi naturali erano scanditi dall’assenza di macchine e motori. A noi, abitatori del frenetico tempo e dello rattrappito spazio del terzo millennio, oltre alla memoria resta la possibilità di riscoprirne la lentezza semplicemente concedendosi una escursione pedonale, in un tratto accessibile e non troppo faticoso per chi, ormai, è prigioniero della sedentarietà.

I dati ci dicono della nostra crescente immobilizzazione, come riferito, consultando la rivista internazionale “Nature Medicine”, da Francesco Bottaccioli sul settimanale “Salute-La Repubblica”, (gennaio 2006) , sull’aumentata tendenza a non camminare negli ultimi venti anni “con una diminuzione di oltre il 20% della quantità di chilometri annui percorsi a piedi da ognuno di noi; il fatto più grave è che sono soprattutto i bambini a non muovere più un passo: il calo nella fascia di età tra i 5 e i 10 anni è stato del 27% e addirittura del 30% nella fascia degli adolescenti dagli 11 ai 15 anni”.

Ebbene, non dobbiamo arrenderci! Risvegliamoci con una camminata, un walking come la chiamano gli anglosassoni, un micro walkabout per citare, sia pure impropriamente, la millenaria cultura degli aborigeni australiana, un trekking urbano o semplicemente un omaggio all’antico nomadismo umano. Eccoci dunque sul piede di partenza e, passo dopo passo tra storia e quotidianità, ripercorriamo un tratto della Nazionale Nazionale delle Puglie partendo da Marigliano per giungere a Pomigliano D’Arco, finalmente senza macchina in uno slow moviment di bipede umano.

Ci fa da viatico il pensiero della terapeuta Mechthild Scheffer la quale afferma che camminare è anche una espressione salutare perché “a chi cammina non si muovono solo gli astratti pensieri nel cervello, ma si mettono in movimento carne e sangue, così le sapienze inconsce depositate negli organi possono mobilizzarsi, montare in alto e riaffiorare nella coscienza”. Nel nostro caso coglieremo quel che c’è, quello che ci suggeriscono il panorama immediato e le testimonianze storiche con la possibilità che abbiamo di fermarci, attardarci, guardare, fissare, passare oltre, salutare, pensare o prendere appunti con una rinnovata intenzione verso la vita quotidiana ed il paesaggio urbano.

Uscendo dalla Villa comunale ci lasciamo alle spalle il monumento, dedicato “Pro Patria”, ai caduti della Grande Guerra (1915-1919) dal “Popolo di Marigliano nel IV Anniversario della Vittoria” su una massiccia colonna granitica. Sulla Nazionale, qui corso Umberto I, si apprezza, nella vissuta casa di ringhiera del secondo piano del palazzo di fronte, lo sventolio giallo-verde delle vissute bandiere di Lega Ambiente, un avamposto ambientalista. Deambulando nella direzione di Pomigliano D’Arco seguiamo il perimetro della testimonianza mussoliniana nell’architettura della Casa littoria e poi quello postunitario del Palazzo comunale dove, all’ingresso è scolpito l’anno 1862 e sulla facciata, si legge il ringraziamento “Al magnanime Re / UMBERTO I / che con decreto / del XVI gennaio MDCCCXCVI / concedeva a Marigliano / il titolo di / CITTA’ /. Il Comune riconoscente / MCMVII ”.

Alla prossima : A Passo Lento tra Arte, Storia e Memoria." (2)

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Saturday, March 27, 2010

Legal Matters: Evidence (4)

VI. WITNESSES' COMPETENCY:

A witness is not competent to testify until he has taken oath to testify truly. At common law an atheist or other unbeliever in the Christian religion was not a competent witness, because it was believed that he would not feel constrained by his oath to testify truly. At the present time a witness is generally allowed to testify on his oath or affirmation, no particular religious belief being requisite. A child is a competent witness if old enough to understand the nature and obligation of an oath, and an insane person may testify upon a matter concerning which his understanding is not affected by his insanity. At common law one convicted of a felony within the jurisdiction was incompetent as a witness unless pardoned. In most jurisdictions such a conviction now affects the credibility only, and not the competency of the witness. At common law a party to an action was not a competent witness in his own behalf, nor was one a competent witness if directly interested in the controversy. This disability has been generally removed by statute. Nor could either the husband or wife testify for or against the other at common law. This disability has been removed to some extent by statute in most jurisdictions, but not generally so as to permit testimony as to confidential communications between husband and wife.

It was the policy of the common law to protect the witness from being compelled to incriminate himself. He is therefore privileged from giving any testimony which tends to incriminate him or to subject him to a penalty or forfeiture. If the witness does not claim his privilege, his testimony is competent and subject to the usual rules of the law of evidence. Having once fairly waived his privilege, he must testify fully. Thus a defendant in a criminal trial is privileged from being compelled to testify; but having offered to testify in his own behalf, he must answer proper questions directed to him on cross-examination. At common law, also, an attorney and client were privileged from testifying as to any confidential communication between them. By statute this privilege has in most jurisdictions been extended to persons standing in other confidential relationships, e.g. physician and patient, clergyman or priest and layman, and in some jurisdictions, notably New York, attorneys, physicians, and clergymen are not competent to testify as to confidential communications received by them in their professional capacity. Upon the similar ground of public policy, a party is privileged from testifying as to his efforts or willingness to compromise the matter in controversy, and it is probable that the President of the United States and the Governors of States are privileged from appearing as witnesses under any circumstances.

VII. EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES:

Witnesses may be classified as favorable or opposing. A favorable witness is one called by a party to testify in support of his contention in the controversy to testify in his behalf. The favorable witness on one side is therefore the opposing witness of the other. As a general rule one is not allowed to ask his own (or favorable) witness leading questions, that is, questions which by their form indicate the answer desired. The extent to which leading questions may be asked, however, rests in the discretion of the trial judge, and should the witness prove hostile leading questions may be asked. One may not impeach the credibility of his own witness; that is, he is not allowed to introduce testimony to show generally that the witness is not worthy of belief. He may, however, contradict the testimony of the witness by other witnesses for the purpose of showing the truth as to a fact about which the first witness has testified. At the close of the direct examination, or the examination of a favorable witness, counsel for the other side may cross-examine, that is, may examine him as an opposing witness. On cross-examinations it is permissible to ask leading questions. The cross-examiner may also attack the credibility of the witness, and for that purpose may ask questions not otherwise relevant. The witness, however, may refuse to answer questions of this class which tend to incriminate or degrade him. The credibility of an opposing witness may also be attacked by introducing testimony to show that he is generally unworthy of belief.

THE BURDEN OF PROOF.

From the nature of pleading and the trial of an action at law it follows that upon one party or the other to the controversy rests the burden of introducing some evidence in order to establish his intention. The burden of proof is said to rest upon the party against whom a judgment must be given if no evidence be introduced in his favor. The same doctrine is stated in slightly different terms by saying that the burden of proving a fact rests upon him who asserts the existence of the fact in his pleading, and not on him who denies it. The party on whom the burden rests may, by the introduction of some evidence, make out a prima facie case, and then arises the legal necessity for the other party to introduce evidence enough to destroy the prima facie case of his opponent. Thus at various stages of the trial the burden of introducing evidence may shift from one side to the other. It is evident, therefore, that the common expression that the burden of proof shifts during the progress of a trial is not exact, unless the word proof be taken in the sense of attempt to establish the truth of a fact, and not in its usual legal sense as such evidence as satisfies the mind. In civil trials the party on whom rests the burden of proof must sustain his case by the preponderance of evidence. In criminal trials the burden of proof rests upon the prosecution, which is required to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. In sustaining the burden of proof the party upon whom the burden rests is aided in making proof by the doctrines of judicial notice, and of presumption. It is unnecessary to prove facts of which the court will take judicial notice. In general these are facts of such common and universal knowledge that it would be idle to prove them by affirmative testimony. Thus (to cite a few of the innumerable cases) it is unnecessary to prove the calendar, the multiplication table, that water will freeze, or that ice will melt. The party sustaining the burden of proof is also aided in making proof by proving one fact or set of facts from which certain consequences are presumed to flow. All so-called circumstantial evidence is evidence intended for the purpose of creating a presumption of some other fact sought to be proven.

In general courts of equity follow the rules of evidence as adopted by the common-law courts. The important exceptions have been noticed above.

In the United States the Federal courts in civil cases follow rules of evidence applied by the local State courts, unless a different rule is required by Federal Statute. In criminal trials they follow the common law as interpreted by the Federal courts, and as modified by Federal statutes. In the several states the common-law rules of evidence are generally followed with comparatively few statutory modifications, the more important of which have been noted. Consult: Greenleaf, Treatise on the Law of Evidence (16th ed., Boston, 1899) ; Thayer, Preliminary Treatise on Evidence at Common Law (Boston, 1898); id., Cases on Evidence (Boston, 1900); Stephen, Digest of the Law of Evidence (May, editor, Boston, 1877); Abbott, Select Cases on Evidence (New York, 1895); id., Trial Evidence (New York, 1900); Powell, Principles and Practice of the Law of Evidence (7th ed., London, 1899); Best, Principles of Evidence (9th ed., London, 1902).

Bibliography: From my Collection of Books: The New International Encyclopedia: 1902-1905 Dodd, Mead and Company-New York
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To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Legal Matters: Evidence (3)

IV THE PAROL-EVIDENCE RULE:

This is properly a rule of substantive law which is, in effect, that the terms of a contract or other legal instrument should be deemed to be embodied wholly in the written instrument executed by the parties thereto, or, stated in terms of evidence, the rule is that parol or oral evidence shall not be introduced for the purpose of varying the terms of a written instrument. The rule, though necessarily subject to many exceptions, is founded upon the just notion that when parties have deliberately embodied their agreement or transact in writing, they should not thereafter be allowed to dispute its terms. The following are the most important cases in which to vary the express terms of a written instrument testimony may be given:

a) Where the parties did not intend to reduce all the terms of the agreement to writing.

(b) When the writing or agreement is varied by a subsequent parol agreement.

(c) When the evidence is introduced to show that the written instrument has never takes effect because of the non-occurrence of some agreed condition precedent.

(d) When a term of the instrument is ambiguous and parol evidence is necessary to explain the meaning, and upon analogous grounds where the term of a written instrument has a technical or local meaning requiring oral explanation.

(e) When the proof of a custom which is in law a part of a contract or other document varies the effect or meaning of the written language.

(f) When in equity an action is brought to reform or rescind a written instrument, or construe a conveyance as a mortgage.

V. OPINION EVIDENCE.

In general witnesses are allowed to testify only as to facts, and not as to their inferences or opinions based upon facts within their knowledge. To permit the witness to indulge in opinion testimony would be a usurpation of the function of the jury, whose duty it is to draw inferences of fact and to form an opinion, where an opinion is necessary to the verdict. Thus the witness, when the facts of a conversation are in issue, must testify as to the terms of the conversation and not his conclusions as to its meaning. There are, however, three important exceptions to the rule that opinion evidence is inadmissible. They are:

(a) Matters of common experience;

matters of common knowledge to a certain extent the result of inference. Thus, to testify that a certain day was cold, or that a knife was sharp, involves the operation of the witness's mind in drawing a conclusion; but since these are matters of common experience about which the conclusions of the witness are as trustworthy as those of a jury, such testimony is legally admissible as evidence.

(b) Matters not of common experience:

but about which the opinion of the witness is under the circumstances more trustworthy than any which could be formed by the jury. Thus, a witness may be so situated with reference to an event or combination of circumstances as to be able to draw a more accurate conclusion from them than the jury, which should rely wholly upon verbal testimony about the occurrence. Thus, the witness may be allowed to give his opinion of the distance between an approaching street-car and a pedestrian before warning of the approach was given; or, under certain circumstances, he may be allowed to give his opinion of the rate of speed at which the car was moving. His presence at the time of the event enables him to form a more accurate opinion than the jury, which can only rely upon a necessarily imperfect description of the occurrence.

(c) Expert Testimony:

A witness may be allowed to testify as to his opinion because, by reason of experience or special study and investigation, he is better qualified to form an opinion than the jury. Thus, physicians, engineers, handwriting experts, etc., are allowed to give opinion evidence in order to aid the jury in reaching a correct conclusion. They are not allowed, however, to express any opinion as to the truth or untruth of other evidence submitted to the jury, that being a matter of which the jury is qualified to judge. The testimony of experts, so far as it is opinion evidence is based upon the evidence already before the jury, assuming it or parts of it to be true. For that reason questions asked of expert witnesses are usually required to be hypothetical in form.

To be continued: Evidence (4)

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Legal Matters: Evidence (2)

2. HEARSAY. What others than the witness have said before the trial is not generally admissible in evidence because not sworn to, and because not subject to cross-examination. This because not subject to cross-examination. This rule, known as the 'hearsay-evidence rule,' is subject to several important exceptions:

a) Admissions and Confessions:

Statements, either oral or written, made at any time by a party to an action or by his predecessor in interest, may be introduced in evidence against him, but not by him or in his favor. The rule is based upon the inherent probable truth of statements which are prejudicial to the interests of the party making them. Under the rule as to predecessor in interest, the admissions of a deceased person are admissible in evidence in actions against his executor, or admissions as tot he title of real estate made by its then owner are admissible in an action founded upon the title brought against his subsequent grantor. Admissions made by an agent within the scope of his authority are admissible in evidence against the principal. Confessions are strictly admissions made by one charged with a crime, and, because of the necessity of safeguarding one charged with a crime, are not admissible when obtained by means of threats or promises of favor. This rule has been extended by statute in many of the States.

b) Reported Testimony in a Prior Trial:

In general the testimony of a witness in an earlier trial between the same parties and relating to the same issues, or between parties identical in interest with the parties at the present trial, may be introduced in evidence if the witness is dead, insane, unable to attend the trial, out of the jurisdiction, or kept from appearing at the trial by an opposing party. The testimony in the earlier trial must have been sworn to and subject to cross-examination thus obviating the usual objection to hearsay evidence.

C) Dying Declaration:

Declarations made by a person in extremis are admitted in evidence upon the trial of one charged with the crime of homicide, either in favor of the prosecution or the prisoner.

D) Admissions Against Interest:

These should not be confused with admissions. (See above) They are admissions in any form against financial or proprietary interest of the person making them and made by one who, at the time of trial is dead. Unlike admissions, they need not be made by one having some connection with the party to the action. They must, of course, in themselves be relevant to matters in issue at the trial. Thus an endorsement written on a note by the holder that a part of the note is paid, or a book entry that a bill has been paid, or a statement that the declarant is a tenant (rather than the owner), are all admissions against financial or propriety interest, and are admissible in evidence upon proper authentication if relevant, and if the declarant be dead.

e) Book Entries:

Book entries or reports made pursuant to a legal duty or in the usual course of business by one since deceased having personal knowledge of the matter so entered or reported are admissible in evidence to prove the truth of matters contained in the entry. Thus the book entries of clerks or written reports of officers are admissible in evidence under this head, but not the entries in a diary, because not made pursuant to a duty. Closely related to the rule as to entries made in the course of business is the so-called shop-book rule. This rule varies considerably in different jurisdictions, but the effect in all is substantially to allow a party to an action, although present at the trial in person, to prove an account by introducing in evidence his book of account. He is usually required to make preliminary proof that he is engaged in the business in which the charges in the book are made, and that he has made correct entries. A witness may always be allowed to refresh his memory by referring to memoranda or book entries; in that case the memoranda or book entries are, however, not directly in evidence, and the jury may rely only upon the witness's oral testimony.

(f) Res Gestae:

Any statement made at the time of the happening of an event by one who was then present may be introduced when the event itself is in issue or relevant. Such evidence is admitted on the theory that the statement is incidental to the event itself, and to some extent characterizes or explains it. Thus on the murder trial of a defendant it is proper to prove a statement made at the time of the homicide by any person present, which tended to show that the defendant committed the homicide or that the act was intentional or malicious. There are some other exceptions to the hearsay-evidence rule, but these are of infrequent occurrence and of comparative unimportance, and do not admit of discussion here.

To be continued: Evidence (3)

Bibliography: The New International Encyclopedia 1902-1905 Dodd, Mead and Company
.

Legal Matters: Evidence (1)

The means by which the truth or untruth of any relevant fact is established in the trial of an action at law. What is and what is not legal evidence is determined primarily by the pleadings in the action. The early common-law system of pleading was so devised as to narrow down all matters of dispute between the plaintiff and defendant to a single issue of law or fact.

If the issue was one of law, a question was raised for the court only; but if the issue was one of fact, a question was raised for determination by a common-law jury, after a trial in which evidence was introduced on the one side to prove the alleged fact, and on the other to disprove it. The whole system presupposed, on the part of the jury, inability to consider more than one issue of fact at a time, and in the consideration of that one issue, to some extent, lack of capacity to give to different classes of logically relevant evidence their proper weight. It is to the historical development of the jury system, therefore, that many rules of the law of evidence may be attributed, which now seem to be unwarranted in logic and unsuited to the times.

Modern systems of pleading permit the raising of numerous issues of fact, and have thus imposed on the jury duties requiring a higher standard of intelligence than under the ancient system. The rules of evidence, however, partly because they have been found to be practically sufficient, and partly because of the necessity of fixed and definite rules in the branch of the law, have not undergone a corresponding change, and many matters of evidence logically relevant and of considerable probative force are still not legally admissible evidence because of their supposed tendency to 'confuse and mislead the jury.'

1. MUST BE RELEVANT: The rule of first importance in the law of evidence is that it must be relevant in order to be legally admissible. Relevancy depends directly or indirectly on the issue raised by the pleadings. Thus, evidence of a fact may be relevant because it tends directly or indirectly to prove or disprove the fact in issue that is affirmed by one side and denied by the other; or the evidence may be relevant because it tends to prove or disprove some matter of evidence already introduced by the other side for the purpose of proving or disproving the issue raised by the pleadings. But, as has been pointed out, all logically relevant evidence is not legal evidence. Thus evidence which is logically relevant may not be legally admissible because:

(a) Its relevancy is slight or remote. Thus evidence that the defendant was insolvent at a certain time is not admissible to prove that he borrowed money of the plaintiff at that time.

(b) The evidence is of collateral transactions, or (as is sometimes said) res inter alios acta. Thus, in an action to recover damages for negligence it is not permissible to show that the defendant was negligent toward others than the plaintiff, or on trial of a defendant for steal, that he stole from others. The general rule is, however, subject to many limitations and modifications more or less arbitrary. Thus it is permissible to show, in an action of tort, brought to recover for injuries caused by a defective appliance belonging to the defendant, that others were injured by it in a similar manner, and generally, value of land may be shown by proving the selling price of other land similarly situated.

A full consideration of these limitations and modifications is not within the scope of this article. So far, however, as they may be said to rest on any settled principle, their extent now depends upon, whether there is other more available and satisfactory evidence, and to some extent upon the discretion of the trial judge. The character of a party to a civil action is not regarded as relevant, and is, therefore, not the subject of evidence, unless the character is directly put in issue by the pleadings, as in an action for libel. In a criminal trial, however, the defendant may, if he so elects, introduce evidence of his character, which evidence the prosecution may then rebut.

To be continued: Evidence (2)

Bibliography: From my collection of Books: The New International Encyclopedia 1902-1905 Dodd, Mead and Company-New York
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To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Art Forms In Music: Sonata

In music, an instrumental composition in cyclical form, originally any instrumental work as opposed to a cantata or vocal work. At first the sonata was almost identical with the suite, but it soon abandoned the pure dance forms which the suite embodied. The violin sonata attained a somewhat perfected form before that of any of the keyed instruments. Its slow introductory first movement generally shows traces of ecclesiastical influence; the second movement, an allegro, which corresponds to the first movement of a modern sonata, was derived from vocal madrigals or part music; the third movement, which is characteristically slow, was evolved from solo vocal music, while the last movement showed elements of dance music, and was therefore a pure suite movement. Of the popular dance forms, the minuet survived the longest but was ultimately supplanted by the scherzo, while the gigue and chaconne, of which Bach left so many examples, were succeeded by the finale or rondo. The first noteworthy advance is in a set of seven sonatas for the clavier. Frische Klavierfruchte (1703), by Johann Kuhnau, in which he shows a partial recognition of the relation and balance of keys. Johann Mattheson chose the gigue for the concluding movement of his sonatas, and both he and Alessandro Scarlatti did much to define and unify the sonata form.

In the works of Domenico Scarlatti are found the first traces of a distinct secondary subject in the first allegro. The domain of the sonata was long monopolized by writers for the violin, and through the advances made by Locatelli, Geminiani, and Tartini the sonata finally reached the four movement type. Johann Sebastian Bach wrote many sonatas for various instruments and for combinations of instruments, but he did not aid in the direct development of the form. His son, Philipp Emanuel Bach, established the number of movements as three. Haydn is important principally for having clearly indicated the outlines and for having made the use of the minuet and the rondo imperative. Mozart adds to Haydn's unemotional forms symmetry, grace, and more mature and elaborate themes and harmonies. Beethoven brought the sonata to its greatest perfection. In the Kreutzer sonata, for violin and pianoforte, and in the pianoforte sonatas, in D minor (Op. 31), C Major (Op. 53), F minor (Op. 57), B flat (Op. 106), and C minor (Op. 111), he attains to such a command of technical resource and emotional expression that the form seems incapable of further development.

SONATA FORM is a term applied to the form of the first movement of a sonata, symphony, or chamber-music composition. The first movement of a sonata or kindred cyclical form consists of three sections: (1) the exposition. (2) the development. (3) the repetition. The first section begins with the principal subject in the tonic key. An episode consisting of some development of the principal subject leads into the secondary subject. This appears in the key of the dominant, if the movement is in major. If the movement is in minor the secondary subject is announced in the key of the relative major. Then follows some slight development of the secondary subject. After this the entire exposition section is repeated literally. The second or development section is devoted to a full thematic working out of either one or both the themes announced in the previous section. In the development section episodes built upon new themes may also be introduced. The third or repetition (also recapitulation) section is a repetition of the exposition section, though composers generally vary the instrumentation. In this section the secondary subject appears in the key of the tonic. A more or less extended coda, constructed either upon the material already introduced or upon new material, closes the movement. Frequently the movement is preceded by a shorter or longer introduction in slow tempo. The essential features of this form have not been changed since Beethoven's time. Consult Shedlock, The pianoforte Sonata (London, 1895).

Bibliography: From My Collection of Books: The New International Encyclopedia: 1902-1905 Dodd, Mead and Company New York.

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Art Forms in Music: Fugue

In music, the name of a composition wherein the parts do not all begin at once, but follow or pursue one another at certain distances; hence the name Fuga, a flight or chase, each part successively taking up the subject or melody. Any voice may begin the fugue, but the others follow according to fixed rules. The subject is generally a few bars of melody, which is given out in the principal key by the voice which begins. The subject of a fugue should always be short, three or four bars, so that it impresses itself upon the memory, and can be followed and distinguished in the course of the composition. Also, it must never be constructed periodically. After the subject (dux) has been announced, the second voice repeats it a fifth above or a fourth below. It is then called the answer (comes). The first voice meanwhile proceeds with a counterpoint, as does every successive voice upon the completion of the fugue theme. This counterpoint is constructed so as to afford the composer opportunities for ingenious contrapuntal combinations in the further development of the fugue. The third voice follows with the subject again in the principal key, but an octave higher or lower than the first voice, and is answered by the fourth voice in the same manner as the second voice answers the first. When the subject and answer have been introduced in all the parts, the first section or first development of the fugue is said to be completed; an episode of a few bars then follows, sometimes in its form like part of the subject, and with a modulation into a nearly related key. The subject and answer are again brought forward, but following in a different order from the first section; while at the same time all the parts are continued, and in some of them the original counterpoint appears either simply or inverted, the subject and answer forming the predominating idea throughout the whole composition.

This is the second development, and is again followed by an episode. The greater the number of voices that are employed in a fugue, the greater will be the number of development sections. A four part fugue admits of no less than 24 possible development sections; while in a five-part fugue the composer may use any number of developments out of a possible 120. In extended fugues the composer must exercise all his ingenuity on the episodes, otherwise the frequent repetitions of the development section will tire the hearer. Beginning with the third or fourth development, the answer is often given in another interval than the fifth, so as to avoid monotony. Even transposition into other keys is permissible. Masters of the fugue sometimes give the answer in inversion, augmentation, or diminution. The last development is generally an exhibition of all the composer's contrapuntal art. Bach generally closes with a stretto, where the subject and answer are crowded together, so that the latter begins before the former is completed. Often the stretto is elaborated over an organ point. When the subject does not extend in compass beyond the half of an octave, the answer is invariably made in the other half, and to avoid modulation out of the key, the progression of a fifth is answered by a fourth. A Fugue consisting of one subject with a counter-point throughout is called a strict fugue.

When a second subject is introduced in the middle of the composition and afterwards worked up with the first subject, it is then called a fugue on two subjects.

A double fugue begins at once with two subjects in different parts, both of which are strictly treated throughout.

There are also fugues with three subjects (triple fugue); a famous example is that in the finale of Mozart's C Major (Jupiter) Symphony. A free fugue is that in which the subject and counterpoint are not strictly treated throughout, but mixed up with episodes and ideas not connected with the subject. The fugue is not, as has been erroneously believed, a production of German genius. This form was gradually developed from the canonic tricks of the Dutch masters by the great Italian masters of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries__Merulo, Frescobaldi, Pasquini. It reached its highest development in the eighteenth century, in the works of Bach (instrumental) and Handel (vocal). Bach's fugues have never been equaled, and are, in fact, musical problems of great depth. He devoted a special work to the subject, Die Kunst der Fuge (1749). His Invention and Das wohltemperirte Klavier (1722) are necessary to every pianist, and his Musikalisches Opfer, elaborated on a theme given to him by Opfer, elaborated on a theme given to him by Frederick the Great in 1747, are among his best examples. Handel ranks next to Bach. Celebrated treatises on fugues are by Mattheson, Marpurg, Fux, Albrechtsberger, Andre, Marx, Lobe, Jadassohn, Cherubini, and Fetis.

Bibliography: From my Collection of Books: The New International Encyclopedia 1902-1905 Dodd, Mead and Company New York

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Thoughts of an Italian Writer: (1d)

Dr. Antonio Castaldo, Sociologist and Journalist, Brusciano, Italy

"A Slow Walk between Art, History and Memory" (5)

(Continued from Page: 4)

And here we are, therefore, to Castelcisterna that welcomes us with the beautiful paving in porphyry of the sidewalks but disappears entirely in the narrowing before the communal center. The parish church which towers majestically over via Nazionale, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, an abbey which was built in 1766, opened in 1775 and dedicated to St. Nicholas of Bari. Yet interesting traces even lead to the monks of Montevergine and Guglielmo da Vercelli arrived in this part of the world in 1134, with the benefit of a donation by Ruggiero II comprising Castelcisterna.

We are now at the gates of Pomigliano D'Arc which is the junction between the main provincial routes, state highways that serve the city traffic, the exchange of goods, deliveries of large commercial centers and industry and the sorting of their products. And to that industrial world inspires the positioning of the Technical Institute "Barsanti."

Queen of the local industrial history, is the anonymous Lombarda Automobile Factory, which, in liquidation ne1 1915, it passed into the hands of Nicola Romeo, Neapolitan engineer. After World War I it became Alfa Romeo and in 1938, under the control of I.R.I., this factory was built in Pomigliano. In 1967 spawned the infamous Alfasud that transformed thousands of masons, artisans and farmers into metal-working workers. In 1986 the group went to Alfa Romeo FIAT .The thirty year "Group Workers' E Zezi" whose leader is Angelo De Falco has expressed for years the suffered anthropological mutation which has accompanied the industrial experience. Today Pomigliano is a small town with its standard of living, culture, public services and cultural movement which provides a positive example for the whole area. We stop here, at the height of the old station Circumvesuviana, where the Nazionale became via Mauro Leone and continues as via Roma, towards Naples. We have now ended the walk with some knowledge in slower time and dwelling on things, memories, feelings, thoughts and "finding the way, as well as the invisible in things encountered." The Duccio Demetrio affirms in his recent work " Filosofia del camminare. Esercitazione di meditazione mediterranea," edited by Cortina Editore, we recommend that you read it so you can discuss it then, with your friends during a long walk.

Dr. Antonio Castaldo
January 2006
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Translation from Italian to English by Miriam Medina
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Friday, March 26, 2010

Thoughts of an Italian Writer: (1c)

Dr. Antonio Castaldo, Sociologist and Journalist, Brusciano, Italy

"A Slow Walk between Art, History and Memory" (4)

(Continued from Page: 3)

And it is to Brusciano "Municipality of Europe" that we have reached, after passing "the sword of Damocles" suspended over the vehicular traffic, in the form of a gigantic sign placed at the exit just as it was to the entrance of Mariglianella. A solitary secular pine stands out on the Nationale entitled Camillo Cucca (Brusciano 1829-Napoli 1893) inspector of the Royal Navy who died in the line of service responding to a medical mission.

That pine marks also the limit of the properties that once belonged to the De Ruggiero Family whose maximum exponent in contemporary history is Guido De Ruggiero (Naples 1888-Rome 1948), historian of philosophy, anti-fascist, Minister of Education of the first Bonomi government after the fall of Fascism. He was laid to rest in the family chapel in the local cemetery, where the epitaph of Benedetto Croce reminds us that, "...hope/ in dark times return to reason/was the new generation of Italy/ teacher and apostle of faith in 'humanity."

Moving toward the center you walk on the new sidewalks laid in bricks from porphyry, and walk through the volcanic stone. The access passages to the main doors return to the traditional basalt and sometimes to enter in Piperno they are referred nearly to mirror with the architecture of old buildings constructed in tuff stones in a duplicated form that gives a regular rhythm to the look and the step of man. The crossing, the center of gravity of the Bruscianese line, from the door of the Nationale leads upstream to Somma Vesuvius and downstream toward the historical center of Via Semmola, there is a house that exists today without interruption from the late 1500s to early 1900s. It should be mentioned that its members have brought success through politics, medicine, pharmacology and philanthropic efforts.

The short story "Piazza XI Settembre," a little distance from the wayfarer, connects this part of the world with the tragedy and international solidarity aspirations. Walking further, a nice recess welcomes us in the renovated "Piazzetta San Sebastiano," an olive tree and the chapel of San Sebastiano Martire. The chapel of the family in 1866 became the parish church for the donation which is now located at the magnificent complex of via De Ruggiero directed by Don Giovanni Lo Sapio.

Passing the communal house we approach what was once a fabulous place called "ncoppo' a mulara."

In the past, where now it is all filled and covered with houses, while on the elevated railway the train of the Circumvesuviana is passed , and can descend into a giant crater produced by men of ancient mining of Piperno. Here we move forward into a wild environment with spontaneous fauna and, at the lowest level, you will reach a pool of rainwater which in the summer drew throngs of kids who ventured on the "Lido Lubiam." The sign was suggested by the inscription on an advertising poster to encourage early consumption, children of an economic miracle placed elsewhere in Italy. But the ancient history brings us to dramatic episodes as that of the killing, at the hand of the bandits, of the mayor of Castelcisterna Francesco Calabrese, 60 year old piperno.
Continue: "A Slow Walk between Art, History and Memory " (5)
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Translation from Italian to English by Miriam Medina
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To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
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Thoughts of an Italian Writer: (1b)

Dr. Antonio Castaldo, Sociologist and Journalist, Brusciano, Italy

"A Slow Walk between Art, History and Memory"

(Continue from Page: 2)

Leaving behind the center of Marigliano we approach Mariglianella along the typographic workshop of the Anselmi Institute, a rigorous example of religious, social, educational and productive activities of success.

Later, passing under Villa Galdi, a sadness grips us in observing the dress of perpetual yard that has wrapped for decades that majestic beautiful and colorful building which still retains some family members that are dedicated to research, study, dissemination and guardianship of our heritage of art, history and culture.

We now touch Lausdomini, grasping for a moment the vanishing point in the bottom of the Campano course that leads us to the stretch of the "Ponte dei Cani" along the net of the "Regi Lagni Bornoci." There the course of the disappeared Clanio River flowed and on those banks the people of ancient Campania Felix alternated in confronting each other in bloody battles.

Entering into Mariglianella, crossing a patch of six oriental date palms, we observe closely the disused station of Circumvesuviana, the last to bear the name of the region ,then disappearing altogether from the new Pharaonic elevated stretch beyond the town cemetery, in the alienating dimension of a "none" postmodern place.

The sidewalks of via Marconi, became asphalt but they are very large and give a sense of freedom and safety, the passer-by, who is accustomed to suffering the claustrophobic confined spaces of the historic centers and the total invasion of motor means, lets out a deep breath. Take a look at the periscope, the curiosity is activated by five granite wheels wrapped in iron and crossed by canals on the inner face with an iron hole in the center. It is the testimony of the Itri mill that once produced flour from grain which the peasants carried from their fields with wagons, mules, horses, cows and later tractors, vans and trucks, up to about thirty years ago.

The walk on the Tavern evokes a rest period for the pilgrims on their way from Naples bearing towards Montevergine or for carriers connecting the inner province with the capital.

If you are in the company of a sweet and beautiful girl we could quote the old song "Nu poco ‘e sentimento” by Peppino Villani e Gaetano Lama: Io vèngo a père da ‘a Mariglianella / e mme songo partuta a matutino… / me so’ fermata a ogne cantenélla / e mma’aggio fatto ‘nu bicchiere ‘e vino! / E mo sapite ‘ncuorpo che mme sento? / ‘A voglia ‘e fa ‘nu poco … ‘e sentimento…” and who knows, so take a few good romantic auspices.

Indeed, a refreshment stop at any time, among those who are returning to liven up the Tavern of Mariglianella, which is also good for resting after the departure from Marigliano.

Feeling refreshed, we resume the walk. Now one vertical banner greets us from above the newspaper office of "Il Paese" which has completed its first decennial (1996-2006) as "voce dell’Altra Provincia”. We then intercept the small church of "Madonna della Sanita" in a historic place that returns to us part of the biography of venerable Carlo Carafa (Mariglianella 1561-Napoli 1631) who began with uncertainties, finishing his restless and unhealthy life at age 72, completing it with a great religious mission of dedicating himself to the poor, prayer, Christian and Catholic doctrine. Personal memory instead leads to the asylum of the Dominican nuns, and the memory of Sister Lorenza and dear childhood friends. We grew up with them, during elementary school with the good teacher Antonio Di Sarno and then in junior high, branch of "De Ruggiero" of Brusciano.
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To be continued: "A Slow Walk between Art, History and Memory "(4)
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Translation from Italian to English by Miriam Medina
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To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
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Thoughts of an Italian Writer: (1a)

Dr. Antonio Castaldo, Sociologist and Journalist, Brusciano, Italy

"A Slow Walk between Art, History and Memory" (2)

(Continued from Page: 1)

For the journey, there is food for thought from the mind of the therapist Mechthild Scheffer who says that walking is a healthy expression because "those who walk not only move the abstract thoughts in the brain, but the flesh and blood are also placed in motion, so the wisdoms deposited in the unconscious bodies can mobilize, mount up and re-emerge into consciousness." In our case we take what there is, what we suggest the immediate panorama and the historical testimonies with the possibility that we have to stop, linger, look, fix, pass over, greet, think or take notes with a renewed intention towards daily life and the urban landscape.

Exiting from the communal Villa we leave behind the monument, "Pro Patria," situated on a massive granite column dedicated to the fallen of the Great War (1915-1919) by the "People of Marigliano in the fourth anniversary of Victory." On the National, here Avenue Umberto I, is appreciated, there lived in the house of railing on the second floor of the building in front, where yellow-green flags are waving , the Lega Ambiente, an environmentalist outpost. Wandering in the direction of Pomigliano D'Arco we follow the perimeter of the Mussoliniana testimony in the architecture of Casa Littoria and then the post-unification of the Town Hall, where the year 1862 is carved on the entrance and on the facade a thanksgiving is read "The Magnanimous King/Umberto I/that according to decree/XVI of January MDCCCXCVI/it granted in Marigliano/ the title/ CITY/ The Grateful Municipality/ MCMVII."

The square below, the same municipality, the municipal tax office, the circle of the union, the eighth of June 1959, all, became the scene of an uprising of peasants for lowering the price of potatoes, their only source of income, which bought 6 lire per kilo to produce and sold at 35 pounds on the market. Clashes with local police led to 100 arrests, as well as numerous people being hurt, of which many came from the regions that we are crossing with this walk.

The first intersection bears left at the "Convento dei Francescani Frati Minori di San Vito and to the right of the church St. Maria delle Grazie, whose construction of the church, a latin cross in a single aisle and five side chapels, dates from the year 1000. It became a Collegiate in 1494 a work of Alberigo da Carafa I feudal of Marigliano, at the behest of Mastrilli, in 1633, further extended and decorated with paintings by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro and Ludovico Mazzanti. In it the statues of the Protecting Saints Sebastiano, Rocco and Vito have their abode.

The beautiful dark basalt, child of the workmanship of the lava stone of the Vesuvius allows a sturdy trample accompanied by polygonal lines that invites people to zigzag on the blocks of different sizes and recent actions of bucciardatura ensuring non-slip support for the feet.

We have now reached the height of what was the bridge above the lamentation, now covered, cemented and asphalted, whose origin is in the basin where the Monte Somma slopes in the plains. At this point memory recalls the image of thousands of kids swarming freely about on the "Day of the Picnic” enjoying to its fullest the outdoors, an event that is celebrated joyfully every spring in the grasslands. The cinematic themes of the games were copied from the westerns when projecting "‘ cinema ‘ncoppo ‘o ponte” from the room which has now become a commercial center.
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To be continued: "A Slow Walk between Art, History and Memory" (3)
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Translation from Italian to English by Miriam Medina
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To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
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Thoughts of an Italian Writer: Article # 1

Dr. Antonio Castaldo, Sociologist and Journalist, Brusciano, Italy

"A Slow Walk between Art, History and Memory" (1)

Introduction by Miriam Medina
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It is said that New York is a city that never sleeps, where the past and the present collide. The Big Apple is known for its prestigious walking tours where Historians and experienced lecturers lead visitors and local residents alike on exciting and unforgettable strolls through New York City's ethnic neighborhoods, places of history, tradition and craftmanship, creating indelible memories of an astonishing past.

The dual-benefits of Walking Tours, far outweigh, the riding around in a crowded sight-seeing bus for days, because it not only helps you to appreciate the architecture, history and cultural development of the neighborhoods and towns, but it is the least expensive exercise that can be done just about anywhere, anytime, and by anybody. For humans, walking is the most common mode of transportation and is highly recommended for a healthy lifestyle.. Jill Garrigan, fitness activities coordinator at Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics states: "Walking, is the most popular exercise in the country, and its popularity is growing by leaps and bounds.Its health benefits have been proven in numerous studies. A regular fitness walking program can help reduce blood cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, increases cardiovascular endurance, boosts bone strength, burns calories and keeps your weight down." Amazing, and all you would need is a pair of comfortable walking shoes, a brilliant and passionate historian with a sense of humor as your guide, and you're all set for an interesting Walking Tour through New York City-- or perhaps Italy if you prefer.

Dr. Antonio Castaldo, sociologist and Journalist of Brusciano, Italy is a firm believer in walking as his exercise of choice. In his article "A Slow Step Between Art, History and Memory," he invites you and your comfortable shoes to take a leisurely historical stroll with him through five little towns located on the National Street. The "Nazionale delle Puglie" winds through Marigliano, Mariaglianella, Brusciano, Castello di Cisterna and Pomigliano D'Arco, 15 Km from Naples, where a total of 100,000 inhabitants live. Italy, a land of ancient ruins, paintings, sculptures, churches, and museums --not to mention the food-- has for centuries drawn spectators from all over the world. But even seasoned travellers often fail to stroll the National Street. For them, for all of us, Dr. Antonio Castaldo has written the magnificent description of its rich history. Read his" A Slow Walk between Art, History and Memory" and you'll be resoling your walking shoes first thing tomorrow morning.

"A Slow Walk between Art, History and Memory "
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What we indicate today as Nazionale delle Puglie, specified with varying topography of the municipalities it crosses, is the ancient "Via Adrianea" which notes since the second century D.C. It links the Greek colony of Cuma with the Ager Nolanus of which the name was derived from the Emperor Publio Elio Adriano, who died at Baia in 138 D.C., while spending the last years of his life on the Campania coast. This important historical fact is noted, finally, through the reading of the anthological work of Francesco Aliperti, “L’Opicia pre-romana e romana”, published by LER whose presentation we followed with pleasure, in the council room of the City of Marigliano, on November 12, 2005.

The reference that is made to ancient peoples, like that of native Osci, refers us to a time of life where natural rhythms were scanned by the absence of cars and motors. We, who are the inhabitants of frenetic times and diminishing space of the third Millennium, in addition to memory remains the possibility of rediscovering the simple indulgement of a slow pedestrian excursion, in an accessible stretch, not too tiring for those who by now, are imprisoned in a sedentary lifestyle.

The data informs us of our increasing immobilization, as reported, in the international magazine "Nature Medicine," by Francis Bottaccioli on the weekly "Salute-La Repubblica," (January 2006), the increasing tendency not to walk in the last twenty years" a decrease of over 20% of the amount of miles a year of walking to each of us, the most serious fact is that they are predominantly children who are no longer exercising: a decrease in the age group between 5 and 10 years was 27% and 30% even in the range of adolescents ages 11 to 15 years."

Well then, we do not have to give up! Let's awaken with a walk, a walking as the Anglo-Saxons call it, a micro walkabout to quote, albeit improperly, the ancient culture of the Aborigines in Australia, an urban hike, or simply a tribute to the ancient nomadic human. So here we are about to depart, step by step through history and everyday life, spanning a stretch of the National Nazionale delle Puglie departing from Marigliano to reach Pomigliano D'Arco, finally without a car, in a slow movement of human bipeds.

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Translation from Italian to English by Miriam Medina
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To be continued: "A Slow Walk between Art, History and Memory" (2)
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