Category Archives: Politics

A Dummy’s Guide to Voting in Como’s Local Election

Posted on June 5, 2017 by

The first round of voting in Como’s local administrative elections is on Sunday June 11th. The vote in Como and in a number of other provincial councils is for the mayor and for the team of councillors listed under the … Continue reading →

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Liberating the Lakefront – Como Recovers Its Greatest Asset

Posted on May 18, 2017 by

For residents and tourists alike, Como’s greatest asset must be its magnificent lakefront with its views north to Cernobbio, Moltrasio, Torno and to the summit of Mount Bisbino – so why has access to a large tract of it been … Continue reading →

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From Liberation Day to May Day

Posted on April 26, 2017 by

April 25th was Liberation Day in Italy – a public holiday to honour the signing of the Armistice in Rome 72 years ago. This brought an end to the Nazifascist regime in Northern Italy. It is a day of commemoration … Continue reading →

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Don’t Mention the Mafia!

Posted on April 5, 2017 by

The title ‘Don’t mention the Mafia!’ takes inspiration from the episode in Fawlty Towers when Basil admonishes his staff to not mention the war to his German guests. For those not brought up on UK comedy from the 1970’s, my … Continue reading →

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Como’s Cultural Highlight of the Year – ‘Noir in Festival’

Posted on December 8, 2016 by

This time the hyperbole is all mine – the annual celebration of crime and mystery film and literature known as ‘Noir in Festival’ has moved from Courmayeur to Como and Milan. Courmayeur’s loss is definitely our gain since over the … Continue reading →

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Como and Contraband – A Romanticised Legacy?

Posted on August 30, 2016 by

The geological layout of Como tends to conceal the fact that it is definitely a border town. That is until political factors, such as the recent Swiss clamp-down on refugee entries, remind us of its physical location. And when those … Continue reading →

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Como – Its Role in the Birth of a Nation

Posted on May 30, 2016 by

The Republic Day holiday comes up on June 2nd to celebrate the result of the referendum held on June 2nd 1946 to determine the constitutional form of the Italian state following the overthrow of fascism.  I thought this ‘national’ celebration … Continue reading →

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Tribute to Marco Pannella

Posted on May 20, 2016 by

Yesterday (19th May 2016) an extraordinary politician died of cancer in a Rome hospital. He was Marco Pannella. Italian politics does not and will not feature heavily on this site but Pannella was special, even inspirational – and he was … Continue reading →

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