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The Dolce Vita Turns Sour from The Times of London of December 22, 2007 |
| Published: December 23, 2007, 5:00 pm |
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La dolce vita turns sour as Italy faces up to being old and poorRichard Owen in RomeThe Christmas fair on Piazza Navona in the heart of Rome looks as cheerful as ever: glittering decorations, funfair booths and roasting chestnuts. In St Peter's Square the giant Christmas tree is lit, and the streets are full of visitors soaking up the festive version of la dolce vita.The markets in the residential districts tell a different story. The lights are bright but the mood is sombre. I'm buying fewer presents this year, and cheaper ones, said a woman fingering fur hats at a stall near the Vatican. And as for food . . . There is a sense of national angst in Italy as 2007 comes to a close. A defining moment came this week when, for the first time, Spain overtook Italy in terms of living standards. Greece is now breathing down Italy's neck.The self-lacerating mood goes far beyond prices and incomes, reaching into the heart of Italy's debate with itself over soul and identity. [ Full article ] |
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