By Lubna Abdel-Aziz There is seldom a rise without a fall -- so history has taught us throughout the ages. Great civilisations that have grown to incredible heights, invariably sank to degrading depths, notwithstanding the length and breadth of their prominence, among them China, India, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece and Rome. Rome, however, would not lay low for long. Time and again the Eternal City's flame would flicker and glow, and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Why do we continue to marvel at the rise, and rise again of Rome, a name now synonymous with greater Italy? Why do we all thrill at the sounds of Italian music, salivate at the sight of a spaghetti Bolognese, dream of viewing the seven hills of Rome, of throwing a coin in the Fontana di Trevi, sailing on a gondola on a sleepy lagoon in Venice, window gazing at the shops in Milan, strolling up and down the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, or basking on the beaches of Capri or Amalfi? For answers we turn to the pages of history that witnessed the incomparable feats of the Great Empire of Ancient Rome (753 BC-476 AD). For hundreds of years all roads led to Rome, which ruled the ancient world as the capital of the mighty Roman Empire. That included present day France, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, most of England and Wales, parts of Belgium and Germany, the Netherlands, as well as Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia. Rome controlled Asia Minor (Turkey), Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, and in Africa -- Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, and Morocco, and all islands of the Mediterranean. There is a part of Rome in all of us! Here we are, thousands of years later, still gazing once again at the Italian peninsula with admiration and delight, applauding its myriad contributions in industry, economy, arts, and sciences. Seat of the Roman Catholic Church, Italy led the Renaissance movement in Europe during the 14th and 15th centuries, bringing it out of the Dark Ages into the brilliance of modern enlightenment. Despite numerous conflicts and struggles, conquests and victories, failures and defeats, the passion of Italian culture remains invulnerable, indispensable, immortal. Within the lyricism of its language lies much of the romance of Italy. Like other Romance languages, Italian is derived from Latin, and retains the closest resemblance to its parent. It developed gradually around 1000 AD, from everyday speech of the people. Sicilian dialect was dominant around 1200, but later in the 13th century, when Florence and the surrounding region became the centre of Italian cultural life, the Tuscan dialect took over completely replacing Latin as the written and spoken language of Italy. Often referred to as the language of Dante, it was the dialect Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) used in his immortal epic, Divina Commedia (Divine Comedy). Following the joyless, rayless, years of WWII, Italy rose once more from the ruin and rubble of war, to enlighten and radiate the global firmament. Post-war Italy captivated Hollywood and the entire world with its melodious charm, its fountains and statues, its ancient monuments and magnificent churches, its stunning coastline and warm sunrays. Ever proud of their many gifts, the Italians have instituted an annual feast to celebrate the sweet-sounding, songlike melody of their language. "Italian Language Week" was inaugurated in 2001 to promote the language and culture of Italy in the international arena. Only 66 million people speak Italian, principally in the Italian peninsula, Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, and the province of Ticino in southern Switzerland, but it is also spoken in Argentina, Brazil, France, Monaco, Slovenia, Somalia and the US. The Italian language ranks 19th in the world, but rises to fourth/fifth judging by the number of courses attended by foreign students worldwide. Italy's music alone has thrilled every ear, every heart; have we not all been enchanted by the magnificence of a Verdi opera, a Vivaldi concerto, or a simple "Neapolitan canto?" This year Italian Language Week is paying tribute to "La Cucina Italiana" (9-15 October) at Italian cultural centres throughout the world, including our own in Cairo. Italian chefs flown from Italy will allow Cairenes to sample the various piatti, representing the different regions, from risotto Milanese to pizza Napolitana. On this occasion they are honouring several Egyptians, among them journalist and film critic Mary Ghadban, who will receive the Order of Officer of Merit of the Italian Republic, in appreciation of her timeless efforts for over half a century in covering Italian Film Festivals and reviewing Italian cinema. To crown their many gifts, Italy is contributing to the Arab world a comprehensive Essay: Renewal of a Dialogue Between Cultures, written by Italian ambassador to Egypt, Antonio Badini. The Arabic version will be launched at a special ceremony presided over by Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni, and Boutros Boutros-Ghali, president of the National Commission of Human Rights. Badini's long residence in the Middle East has given him a deep understanding and insight into the various complexions and complexities of the area. Who better than Ambassador Badini, can map out the road to a comprehensive dialogue between the Muslim world and the West, to bridge the gap created by recent events? The epitome of a Renaissance man, a seasoned and experienced diplomat, a scholar of Arabic and Islamic culture, a man of letters, poet, and author, he writes in a gentle style both entertaining and informative, urging a dialogue of diplomacy that should be initiated between races and religions. In his discourse on such a rapprochement he performs a dual role, representing both sides fairly, serving both cultures, admirably. With Italy sharing so many of its blessings, our cup runneth over. We pray their efforts to protect and preserve their culture, character, language, and romance will not be mercilessly crushed by the sweeping desire for European unity, as was their currency by the mighty euro. We hope all European cultures will preserve their uniqueness and beauty, and continue to dazzle and thrill future generations, despite the European Union. These success encourages: they can because they think they can -- Virgil (70-19 BC)
