Calabria 2010
I did a Google search for the phrase testa dura which, in Italian, means “hard head”. It should come as no surprise that the search lead me to a site dedicated to the culture of Calabria, for the Calabrese are the original teste dure. The name of that site is Il Circolo Calabrese, and its goal is “to become the worldwide focal point for all information concerning the history, culture, language, and genealogy of Calabria–the southernmost region of the Italian mainland.” Cool enough… Well, there is a link on that site to Calabria 2010. It looked interesting so I checked it out. Calabria 2010, or il ritorno (the return), is a campaign to increase tourism in Calabria, a region visited annually by only 3% of Italy’s 45 million tourists. To jump start the flood of tourists to Calabria, the organizers are encouraging people from around the world with Calabrian roots to travel to Calabria in 2010 between June and September. More info from the Calabria 2010 website:
There are millions of Calabrese around the world who can trace their ancestors to Calabria. But…even though Calabria is bred in their bones, many of the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of those who left do not know much about the fantastic, complicated, beguiling, difficult place they and their ancestors have come from.
The Calabria 2010 Homecoming is an invitation to Calabrese everywhere to “come home” and celebrate the history, culture, art, music, food and stunning landscape of this veritable paradise on earth.
When thousands of Calabrese visit in 2010 it could begin an economic chain reaction that will bring confidence and prosperity to Calabria. Thousands of Calabrians will tell their friends and neighbors about their trip to Calabria, travel agents around the world will learn about the Region, and media organizations of all kinds will report on the event and about the Region generally.
Sounds like a fantastic idea to me! So, uh, Dad… shall we go?
Posted by Francesca
Tags: Calabrese, Calabria, Calabria 2010, Italia, Italy, Seen & Heard, testa dura
November 20th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Hey, Francesca, I forget - is your family Calabrese? If so, I’ve got two blogging friends who live in Calabria (American expats - one of whom is living in the town her family hails from) whose blogs you might like!
Email me if you want more info…
November 20th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
im in!!
November 20th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Jessica, yes, my family on my dad’s side is Calabrese. I would love more info on your friends’ blogs! Sending an email now…
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
In my response to your request to add my opinion. Don’t rush me to respond, I’m busy right now. I will answer when I’m ready.
November 25th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I have a small amount of time at this moment, so let me add some history. When I mentioned some of these topics you and your siblings considered them to be boring and krypto, but I realize I am a true “Testa Dura”. The name “Bruttii”, as derived from the word of Justin, was from a woman named Bruttia, who figured in the first revolt and she assumes the dignity of a Queen. Not the Queens from Belmont and Broadway streets in Chicago. The person Bruttus was the son of Hercules and Valentia and the name Bruttii was adopted by the Bruttians, the name was a term of reproach. It is said in history that the name Bruttii was given by the Lucanians, not the Greeks. The name meant, Fugitve Slaves, or, Rebels. The language they spoke at that time was Oscan, not Latin. Enough for now, I am bored, leave me alone.