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Monthly Archives: March 2011
Umbra in the News Again!
Umbra Institute is in the news again! This time, Umbra Institute receives attention in the regional newspaper La Nazione because of an interesting article published by its very own professor of history and coordinator of its new food studies program (to be launched in Fall 2011) Zachary Nowak. In the Diomede: Journal of Political and Cultural Studies, Nowak basically disproves what “every Perugian knows”: that the bread here is unsalted because of the Salt Wars of 1540. Instead he shows that this is basically an urban myth and that the tradition of unsalted bread dates back much further.
Which, of course, does not make unsalted bread taste any better!
Tiramisù Heaven
What do chocolate, sugar, and coffee have in common?Yes, they all are delicious, but they’re also the ingredients in the famous Italian dessert known as tiramisù, or in English, ‘Pick me up!’. Some say the recipe for this dangerously satisfying dessert can be traced back to 17th century Siena where it was created for the Grand Duke Cosimo de’ Medici III. Others contest that it was invented in Treviso at Le Beccherie restaurant by the confectioner’s apprentice whose maiden name was Tiramisu.
Students in Italian 310 learned cooking terms as they prepared tiramisù with the professoressa Barbara. Each student had a hand in making the dessert which will ‘pick them up’ after tomorrow’s Italian quiz. No matter its origins, everyone can agree that this dessert doesn’t disappoint and is a sweet reward for hard work studying!
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A Walk Through the Renaissance
The fortunate students of the Umbra Institute’s Renaissance Art course got what few who visit Florence receive: a professional tour that, in two days’ time, visits all of the major sites. What could be better? How about an expert in the field, noted Renaissance Art scholar Adrian Hoch. Professor Hoch’s class made its way from the Uffizi (Botticelli, Adriano da Fabriano, Leonardo, Michelangelo) to the cathedral, sacristy, and refractory of Santa Croce before closing the day with the Capponi Chapel. Day Two featured the Brancacci Chapel, Santo Spirito, San Marco (Savanorola’s cell and hair-shirt were on display), and finally, fittingly, the David. At Umbra, students don’t just study art: they get right into it. Coming up is Professor Hoch’s Leonardo field trip to Milan to see the Last Supper.
Photo of the Month Winner
Congrats to Amy Wilcox from UMass-Amherst for her winning photo “Valencia.” Amy will enjoy free pizza from Quattro Passi Pizzeria. Auguri Amy!
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