I’ve been having an interesting discussion over on Twitter via my @newsfromitaly persona. The question I posed was ‘Who’s your Italian of the Decade? Someone who has raised Italy’s image positively throughout the world.’
Those who have been mulling this question over, Italians and non-Italians, have come up with an interesting list, which has now been turned into a couple of polls.
See what you think, and then vote for your Italian woman and an Italian man of the decade.
Here are the names of those nominated – with links to Wikipedia entries:
Italian Men
- Guido Bertolaso, – Wikipedia entry in Italian
Italian Women
- Sophia Loren – a late entrant, so you’ll have to add her name as an ‘other’ to vote for her.
- Laura Pausini – another late entrant, so you’ll have to add her name as an ‘other’ to vote for her.
Italians of the Decade Poll Results Here
Update: 2nd January 2010 – The Italian Woman of the Decade is actually Italian ‘Women’.
Vote here for Your Italian Man of the Decade:
Vote here for Your Italian Woman of the Decade:
I do not think than many of the Italians listed here are well known outside of Italy.
Do you agree? One of the people on the list is my own choice, but I’m having second thoughts.
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Any other nominations more than welcome.
Actually, I’ve decided that there should be an Italian woman and an Italian man of the decade.
You may express your opinion the polls above, and updates will be given via @newsfromitaly on Twitter.
On the basis of the poll results, one Italian man and one Italian woman will become the ‘Italians of the Decade’.
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Interesting choices.
Just one woman…I couldn’t help but noticing. though, I suppose, it is just a reflection of the way Italian society is.
psst – Tiny typo: it’s Luciano PavArotti.
my friend Elisa M, perhaps?
They are interesting, Elisa – this is true.
Now there are two women – although the latest one is a ‘reflection of Italian society’!
And thanks for the psst – typo (there were two) fixed!
Best,
Alex
Indeed. I’m mildly amused.
Mildly amused -you sound like Queen Victoria. Not good.
Best,
Alex
Oh dear! Perhaps I should feel mildly offended now.
As an Italian, I’ll go with Luciano Pavarotti.
He surely represented our country in an unforgettable way with his music.
Hi Titti,
You are not alone in nominating Luciano Pavarotti. He seems to be a popular choice.
Best,
Alex
I voted quickly for Grillo, but then I scrutinized the list and wish I had voted for Pavarotti instead. Anyway… maybe Pavarotti should be voted “Italian of the 20th Century”.
Thanks for voting, Joe – remember -it’s a good idea to think before voting!
Christmas Cheers,
Alex
Hmmm, none of my suggestions made the list.
Could it be that a New Zealander living in Belgium actually doesn’t know enough
Hi Di,
“Could it be that a New Zealander living in Belgium actually doesn’t know enough?” – No, not at all. I too wonder how many of the names above, with the exception of one or two, are known outside of Italy.
Don’t feel obliged to vote!
Festive best,
Alex
I voted Saviano, but did he make Italy look good or Mafia-ridden? Anyway, the idea that they have to have made Italy look good is really restrictive, because news about Italians doesn’t get out much, as you see from other comments.
I could not get myself to vote anyone dead or anyone famous just for being good looking. Your female list is now down to 3 for me, so I voted the Nobel prize winner who is, actually, also very good looking!
“I voted Saviano, but did he make Italy look good or Mafia-ridden?” -You know Judith, I think your words sum up how I feel about Saviano. He’s doing something good, but not really making Italy look great in the process -odd.
“..news about Italians doesn’t get out much” -I think this is very true, but I don’t think Italians realise this and I don’t intend to be at all condescending. I thought a few people in the UK were world famous -until I got to Italy! I wuz wrong!
Dare I hint that the French are better at getting others to speak about their country than the Italians.
Thanks for voting!
Happy New Year to You and Yours,
Alex
It should be Silvio Berlusconi as he exemplifies and is the personification of the level of corruption in Italy. The corruption begins at the top and trickles all the way down to the bottom- to the common man. Not everyone is corrupt mind you, but the system fosters and perpetuates it as a means of survival and therefore it becomes almost necessary to adapt.
I still believe Italy to be an extremely beautiful country with a rich culture, an influential history and, of course, wonderful people.
Just an observation.