On Wednesday 18th January 2023, the Italian department held a dinner with guest speaker John Foot, Professor of Modern Italian History at the University of Bristol. Over the course of the evening, we were treated to a delicious three-course Italian meal starting with fagioli all’uccelletto followed by ossobuco alla milanese.
After the dinner Professor Foot spoke on the links between politics and sport, especially football and cycling; there were fascinating insights into the racism that takes place in football even today, and the connection between sport and power, most dramatically illustrated by Silvio Berlusconi, who used his popularity as owner of AC Milan to help bring him to power as Prime Minister. Earlier in the evening, Upper Sixth Italian pupils had been treated to a seminar on Professor Foot’s most recent publication, Blood and Power: the rise and fall of Italian Fascism, in which he answered questions on the role of women in fascism and the popular support Mussolini received. Overall, the evening was highly enjoyable, inspirational and useful for all the Hundred, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth pupils who attended.
Review by Hermione L
