associazione culturale - Kulturzentrum
Etrurien ruft Europa
Etruria meets Europe
Etruria incontra Europa
NEWSLETTER
Since the 1980's it has almost become the norm amongst the upper middle class to own a "second home" in a foreign country.
Thousands of people from many countries have houses here, in central Italy. The estimated number of foreigners is around 200,000.
The idea of a "second house", particularly in a foreign country, is relatively new. However, the ever-increasing improvement in the transport systems makes it possible to commute between two places. There is no reason why people of different cultures and backgrounds cannot live together and understand each other.
But here, it hasn't really come to that point yet.
In most cases, in central Italy the "new second-home" owners know neither the native born Italians, nor their "foreign" neighbours.
This is partly because of the short time they spend in their new (second) environment and in many cases because of the language. So, it is not so easy to make contacts.
How can the problem be solved?
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Early in 1995, Professor Dr. Roland Günter who has his second home in Anghiari discussed this situation with Dott. Giordano Castagnoli, a specialist in rural-leisure real estate. |
Other people then took part in these discussions - both foreigners and local Italians - seeing the chance to increase their knowledge of the area, and each other.
It was established that those who owned a house were very keen to get to know their Italian neighbours, as well as other foreigners in the area, and so have a broader horizon of the country around them.... In this way each would get "something" from the other - both culturally and personally.
Exchange of ideas and advice for the "new" homeowners (or would-be purchaser) could be more helpful and available.
Problems are more easily solved when more people, particularly those with some experience in local ways, get together and pool their information.
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The discussions finally came to the point where it was decided to form an association, and ETRURIA meets EUROPE was founded.
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It was officially located in the historic "Castello di Montauto" near Anghiari (not far from Arezzo - in Tuscany) with a view of the valley of the Tiber and Arno rivers. |  |
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As co-ordinator, the knowledgeable and well known Dott. Giordano Castagnoli was engaged. In July 2000, the association has 120 members. There is little doubt that this number will increase. |
To stimulate interest in the association, many enjoyable and instructive meetings are arranged, and visits to local cultural centres are a feature.
The native born Italians are also pleased to take advantage of the interest of the "new" neighbours to keep their cultural heritage maintained or restored.
To stimulate interest in the association, many enjoyable and instructive meetings are arranged, and visits to local cultural centres are a feature.
The native born Italians are also pleased to take advantage of the interest of the "new" neighbours to keep their cultural heritage maintained or restored.
ETRURIA meets EUROPE prides itself in being the first of such associations where people of different backgrounds and who for part of the year at least, get to know those around them better and can establish perhaps not only a "second home" but a "second homeland"!
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Italy - Dott. Giordano Castagnoli - Via Consuma, 5 - 06012 Città di Castello (Perugia)
Tel: +39075 8558065 e-mail: etruria-europa@tline.net
Germany - Prof. Dr. Roland Günter Werrastr. 1 - 46117 Oberhausen
Tel: +49 208 669868 - Fax: +49 208 669038