A bit about me

Name: Claudio Castronovo

Class: V Bsp ( ITGC "Foderà - Brunelleschi")

Age: 18 (I'm born 07-05-1991)

Hometown: Caltanissetta

Hobbies: My preferred hobby is to play football! Also I like to listen to music! My favourite Italian singer is Ligabue, so much I also like Skunk Anansie, a English Rock Band!

Things I love about Sicily: In Sicilia I love the sea, the sun and the food!

Things I would change in Sicily: I would like to change so many things about Sicilia. Above all the many prejudices against its people. Everybody thinks that Sicily = Mafia, while is not being this way! In Sicily above all there are people that have a love for life!

My favourite Sicilian: They are many the Sicilians that have with their works made Sicily great: for example Archimedes, for his inventions like the law of the communicating vases, Pirandello, Sciascia and Verga for the literature, and Falcone and Borsellino for their honesty and their courage! But certainly the Sicilian person most important to me is my beautiful girlfriend!

U taganu

Every year the feast of Aragona’s tagano is held on the first Sunday after Easter. It is a moment when tagano is distributed accompanied by local wine in Rosario plaza. The plaza is crowded with people who taste the dish. “U taganu” is a dish that symbolises Easter in Aragona. The pasta dish is seasoned with meat, eggs and cheese. The name comes from the earthenware pan. It’s cooked in the afternoon of Holy Saturday to be consumed on Easter Monday. “U taganu” is baked in the oven for at least two hours and it can be eaten cold or hot.

Marcello V Bsp

L'isola che non c'è

Never Never Land

Second star to the right
this is the way
and then straight on ‘til morning
then you’ll find the road by yourself
that leads to Never Never Land.

Perhaps this will seem strange to you
But you’re thinking with your head and not your heart.
and now you’re almost convinced that
there can’t be a Never Never Land.

And to think,
that insanity is a fable,
it’s just fantasy
and the wise ones, the older ones,
know it can’t exist in reality!

I agree with you
there is no land
where there are neither saints nor heroes
and if there are no theives
if there’s never war
perhaps it really is
never never land, never never land

it is not an invention
not even a pun
if you believe in it that’s enough because
then you’ll find the road by yourself

I agree with you,
no thieves nor policemen
what kind of land is it?
no hatred and violence
no soldiers nor weapons
perhaps it really is
never never land, never never land

Second star to the right
this is the way
and then straight on ‘til morning
then you’ll find the road by yourself
that leads to Never Never Land.

and they make fun of you
if you keep on looking for it
but do not give up, because
those who have already given up
and laugh behind your back
perhaps are even crazier than you.

Song translation by Vinti Giovanni Samuele, IV Bsp

The secret to success

The history of Italian fashion is crossed with economic history- dress has always been understood as an expression of social success. Cinema is influenced by fashion. Dress took this role because it was a talisman in ancient tales. It is the magic ingredient that allows transformation. In short, the story is narrated as Italian fashion because its function is profoundly different from Paris and other cities for us. Fashion is an instrument of social redemption and thus a rise in class through one’s clothing. Fashion is a tool to confirm status.

Racinello, Salvatore, IV Bsp

An uncertain term

The term mafia has an uncertain etymology. In 1863 the popular dialect play “The mafioso of the vicarie” was written by Giacomo Rizzotto. However, the current term only came into use in the nineteenth century. The phenomenon of the mafia was established in Sicilia, consisting of armed squads who fought against political groups to radically change and subvert the state. Outwardly the mafia is organised in “cosche” (clans) with a well established hierarchy. The cosche are groups directed by one authoratative person to whose orders the twelve members act. The allied cosche and rivals intend to achieve prestige and profit, maintaining their place as leaders of the territory.

Modica Lorenzo, IV Bsp

Gocce di Memoria - Giorgia

My favourite song is “drops of memory” by Giorgia. This song has a special significance because it seeks to express the meaning of love in all the smallest details. It stirs emotions deep inside me. It reminds me of the best things of my past, and at the same time gives me the strength and the desire to live life with enthusiasm.

Salvatore Racinello, IV BSP

Click here for Giorgia's official music video or below to listen to the song.

Mignolata

A delicious recipe by Maurizio Fiore, IV BSP

A dish from Agrigento, Mignolata is as a popular alternative to pizzette (mini pizzas), with a crisp pastry and a tasty Mediterranean filling.

Ingredients for the dough:
1kg flour
30g brewer’s yeast
Tepid water
2 tablespoons of olive oil

Ingredients for the filling:
800g pork mince
5 onions, finely chopped
200g black olives, diced
Salt & pepper

1. Put the flour and brewer’s yeast into a mixing bowl. Gradually add tepid water, mixing at the same time until you have a soft dough.
2. Add two spoons of olive oil and mix.
3. Leave to rest for 15 minutes.
4. For each mignolata take around 150g of dough and roll it into a circular sheet with a rolling pin.
5. Add a little pork mince, onion and black olives, no more than you would add to a normal pizza.
   
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Roll up the mignolata.
8. Cut into small sections, shape into rounded buns and place on a baking tray.
   
9. Put into the oven at 220° for 30 minutes.