SABATO MUSICALE - FOR A SPECIAL FRIEND

Today is the 71st anniversary of the sinking of the Arandora Star, a shameful episode in British history for which no British government has ever apologised.  It is, therefore, an appropriate day on which to remember my friend, Margo Giovannone, who was instrumental in the successful fund-raising campaign for a memorial to Welsh-Italian victims of the tragedy.

Campaigns formed an important part of Margo's life and I was often amazed at the speed at which, well into her sixties, she could march on demonstrations!   I'm sure she has a picket organised on St Peter's Gate by now.  Her political hero was Tony Benn and she even named her beloved cat, Wedgie, after him.  Margo lived according to her socialist and multi-cultural principles and  was always true to her Rhondda Valley roots:

Dyfnant Male Voice Choir - There's a Valley Called the Rhondda

Nowhere were her ideals on multi-culturalism more evident than in her classroom and she was the best ESOL teacher I have ever known.  Margo's classroom  was a refuge where difference was celebrated and many now integrated Cardiffians owe their English language skills to her.  In her classroom there was always laughter but this tiny woman was also capable of defending her charges like a lioness protecting her cubs.

Her interest in politics, contact with young people, travel and her tireless search for her Arpino ancestors kept Margo young at heart so this is for you, my friend:

Frank Sinatra - Young at Heart

A few years ago, not long before I moved to Italy, I was unhappy over a man and it was Margo who picked up the pieces and took me along to line dancing classes which, to my surprise, I enjoyed immensely.  This was one of her favourites:

Desert Rose Band - One Step Forward and Two Steps Back

Margo died on June 13th of breast cancer and I ask, in her name, how many wonderful, witty, life-enhancing women have to die of this disease before governments the world over divert even one tenth of the money they spend on killing people into cancer research?

My special Welsh-Italian friend also loved this so "Ciao, bella" and be sure to sing it on that picket line!

Rita Pavone - Bella ciao



For Margo Giovannone, please remember the Arandora Star and cancer research today.

THINKING PINK

Today bloggers in Italy are turning the blogosphere pink for the nastro rosa [pink ribbon] campaign against breast cancer.

Let us hope that, in encouraging awareness and supporting research, we can enable more women to live as long as my Italian heroine, Rita Levi-Montalcini:

Image: Wikipedia

During the month of October in Italy over 390 LILT [Lega italiana per la lotta contro i tumori] clinics will be open across the country for consultations and examinations.  To find out where your nearest LILT clinic is and the days and times of opening please call

numero verde SOS LILT: 800 - 998877

or visit the nastro rosa or LILT website.

You can find a full list of blogs participating in today's rivoluzione in rosa at the Mamma Felice site.