Beyond The Darkness, You Can See The Stars

“For me art is a space where shame has no place. Only by leaving shame and other powerful negative emotions  behind  can I talk to others in a powerful way.” — Fiorenza Pancino

This is the credo of Fiorenza Pancino, the 2024 Esperienza artist in residence from Italy. She was born near Venice, but has lived and worked in the city of Faenza* in Emilia-Romagna for over 20 years. She is deeply passionate about ceramics, which she says — not unlike her — is sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. However, she also uses other media, such as videos, photography and materials, like paper and fabric, in her artistic endeavors.

Romagna on foot: The rewards of crossing the Apennines at human speed

“In an age of speed, I began to think, nothing could be more invigorating than going slow.” 

—Pico Iyer

Wise words from the famous essayist Pico Iyer.

I recently took the “In the Steps of St. Francis” tour with Esperienza, and I feel, to borrow Iyer’s word, extremely invigorated.

Our small group hiked from one spectacular hilltop town to the next, tracing ancient trails through the Apennines. It was a journey through Emilia-Romagna on foot—the way countless humans traveled before us. With each step, I felt more connected to the land, its people, and curiously, to myself. Moving slowly—with trekking poles in hand instead of phones—I noticed more, reflected more, felt more.

With Gratitude for Community

When I began imagining Esperienza in 2017, I consulted a friend of mine who was an expert on small business development. He thought the non-profit would have no future because only people like me want to go to rural Italy. And in his opinion, there were very few of us…

Seven years later, there is small but growing community of curious, caring, compassionate people who are embracing a new way of traveling. Not only do they want to stay in touch and come back to Romagna, they are inspired to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.

Generosity That Will Keep On Giving

The floodwaters have receded, after historic flooding in Romagna in May 2023. But the work will continue for months, and years to come.

Thanks to the contributions of our generous followers, Esperienza has been able to send financial support to a variety of organizations and individuals impacted by the damage, as they work to rebuild and restore their community. We offer here a summary of the ways in which our funds will help.

Sowing Seeds of Hope

My name is Elena Campacci. I am a woman and mother and daughter; a woman farmer, basket maker and educator. I believe in dreams and in the Earth. I believe in human relationships. I believe that daily actions done with the heart – respecting and listening to all that is alive – can really change the world, first within us and then around us.

Stories of Resilience in Romagna

If this land will soon raise its head from the mud, it will be due to the many volunteers who are working tirelessly to rebuild what has been lost. According to estimates by the Region of Emilia-Romagna, there are at least 3,000 individuals who have stepped forward, to which are added 2,000 volunteers from the Civil Protection and various associations. But these are only those who have “registered” as volunteers, through municipalities and groups.

As The Waters Rise, So Do The People of Romagna

Today, as I write, Romagna is on its knees. After two years of extreme drought the month of May has brought almost 2 feet of rain (500 mm) two big flash floods. The towns of Faenza, Cesena, Forlì, some parts of Ravenna are under water, as well as smaller municipalities and even the arcades of the Via Saffi in central Bologna. The devastation is massive: electricity blackouts, telephone lines out of order, trains haywire, all leading to the anguish fueled by the isolation of entire areas.

Travel’s Healing Power

Fifteen years and a lifetime ago our family of five—my wife, our three school-aged children and I—lived in Italy. It was our la dolce vita period. That experience reawakened a love for many things—family, simplicity, beauty, adventure, and notably, all things food-related. Upon returning to my American home, even as I resumed a conventional career and lifestyle, I was changed. Among other things, I spent more hours creating in the kitchen, relishing every moment. I was even inspired to enroll in a formal culinary arts training program. Life continued, enriched.

When Stones Speak

During our Ravenna tour we met the contemporary mosaic artist Marco De Luca in his studio. We expected to be impressed by this highly respected master, yet the time spent in his studio left more than a lasting impression on us. Perhaps it even changed the way we look at art objects and artists. Modest and reserved, now in his early 70s, De Luca had just created a large-scale mosaic for the church of Pegognaga, which was partially destroyed by an earthquake. The church was originally built in the 1950’s and was slated for demolition when they called upon De Luca to create a mosaic for the new construction they envisioned.

,

Thoughts Inspired By A Special Summer

,

Having now returned from my late summer travels in Romagna. I’m pleased to say it was a month of deep immersion and unexpected creativity, filling me with great energy for the time ahead.

Much of my time was spent with our adventurous and inspiring Esperienza travelers as we explored the region and co-created so many beautiful moments together during our new Art, Cuisine and Language tours.

Reflections on Visiting Emilia-Romagna

As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been in Italy these past few months. All through the long isolation, sadness and uncertainty of Covid I have been dreaming of Italy. Throughout the past 18 months, I have promised myself at the first real possibility I will travel: I will not delay any longer visiting and physically being present with my friends there. And luckily I have been here since August - living in Cesena, the city which was my home for a while in pre-pandemic times. It also has given me a chance to visit the places we’ll be going to in 2022 and reconnect with the friends we’ll be seeing when we return in 2022 with Esperienza.

A Visit to “Festa Artusiana”

Being back in Italy is, well, a blast! And in August, there is an abundance of cultural events! Plus, everyone is in an especially good mood because they are already on or are anticipating an upcoming vacation. For me this time, in the very memorable August of 2021, it all started with the Festa Artusiana – a 9-day culinary marathon from July 31st to August 8th. It has taken place since 1997 in Forlimpopoli, Emilia Romagna, and includes a celebration of the birthday of Pellegrino Artusi, the author of the Italian cooking bible and therefore the "father" of Italian cuisine. I was invited to participate by Esperienza collaborator and Festa Artusiana key organizer, Casa Artusi, the first cultural center in Italy dedicated completely to home cooking.