Bolzano
—  Comune  —
Città di Bolzano Stadt(gemeinde) Bozen
Panorama of Bolzano
Coat of arms
Bolzano Location of Bolzano in Italy
Coordinates: 46°30′N 11°21′E / 46.5°N 11.35°E / 46.5; 11.35Coordinates: 46°30′N 11°21′E / 46.5°N 11.35°E / 46.5; 11.35
Country	Italy
Region	Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
Province	South Tyrol (BZ)
Government
• Mayor	Luigi Spagnolli (PD) (Democratic Party)
Area
• Total	52.34 km2 (20.21 sq mi)
Elevation	262 m (860 ft)
Population (Dez. 2010)
• Total	104,011
• Density	2,000/km2 (5,100/sq mi)
Demonym	Italian: bolzanini German: Bozner
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	39100
Dialing code	0471
Website	Official website

Bolzano  listen (help·info) (German: Bozen; Ladin: Balsan or Bulsan; Latin: Bauzanum) is a city and the capital of the South Tyrol province in northern Italy.

Bolzano is the seat of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, where lectures and seminars are held in English, German, and Italian.

In 2008 Bolzano was one of the locations, in the region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, where the seventh edition of the world renowned Manifesta, the European Biennial of Contemporary Art was held.

The city is also the home of the Italian Army's Alpini High Command (COMALP) and some of its combat and support units.^[1]

History[link]

Bolzano in 1898.

Inhabited by the Raetian Isarci people, a settlement was built by the Romans after the area's conquest by general Nero Claudius Drusus in 15 BC, to whom the name of the settlement Pons Drusi ("Drusus Bridge") referred. The nearby village was called Bauzanum. With the end of the Roman empire a Bavarian immigration began and the first mentioning of a Bavarian count as ruler of Bolzano dates from 679.^[2] The area has been settled by German populations since then. Bolzano has been an important trading point since its elevation to a town on 24 June 1190 by bishop Konrad of Trient, due to its location in between the two major cities of Venice and Augsburg. Four times a year a market was held and traders came from the south and the north. The mercantile magistrate was therefore founded in 1635. Every market season two Italic and two Germanic officers (appointed from the traders who operated there) worked in this office. The city was a cultural crosspoint at that time, and still is to this day.^[3]

Before World War I, Bolzano was part of the Austro–Hungarian county of Tyrol. It was annexed by Italy at the end of World War I and on 1 January 1927 became a provincial capital. At the time of its annexation, Bolzano was primarily a German-speaking city, with a pre-war population of 30,000 people. In the 1920s the city, along with the rest of the province, was subjected to an intensive Italianization programme under orders from Benito Mussolini. The aim was to outnumber the local German-speaking population by tripling the population with Italian-speaking immigrants drawn from the old provinces.^[4]

During World War II, Bolzano was the site of the Nazi Bolzano Transit Camp, a concentration camp for Jews and political prisoners.^[5]

Society[link]

Linguistic distribution[link]

According to the 2001 census, 73% of the city inhabitants speak Italian, 26.29% German and 0.71% Ladin as their first language.^[6]

Economy[link]

The city thrives on a mix of old and new—high-quality intensive agriculture (including wine, fruit and dairy products), tourism, traditional handicraft (wood, ceramics) and advanced services. Heavy industry (machinery, automotive, steel) installed during the 1930s has now been mostly dismantled. On the downside, the local economy is very dependent on the public sector, and especially the provincial government.

Bolzano is the biggest city in South Tyrol, which is an autonomous province in Northern Italy with a special statute. This statute preserves the rights of the autochthonous German-speaking minority in Italy. This unique system has been admired by the Dalai Lama, who visited the city on several occasions to study a possible application in Chinese-occupied Tibet. It has also been presented as role model for the successful and fair resolution of inter-ethnic conflict to other regions of the world.

Bolzano was ranked as having the second highest quality of life of Italian cities in 2007, with neighbouring Trento topping the list.^[7]

Climate[link]

Main sights[link]

Bolzano Cathedral.

This section requires expansion.

The city's with its medieval city center, Gothic and Romanesque churches and bilingual signage give it a unique flavour of a city at the crossroads between Italian and Austrian cultures. This, and its natural and cultural attractions make it a renowned tourist destination.

Among the major monuments and sights are:

• Walther Square, with a statue of Walther von der Vogelweide, a German minstrel (minnesinger)
• the Lauben, a mile long street in the city center with medieval arcades along its entire course, now housing countless high street shops
• the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, which hosts the mummy of Ötzi the Iceman
• the Gothic Cathedral, started in 1184, expanded in the 14th century by architects Martin and Peter Schiche (completed in 1382)
• the Old Parish church of Gries, with the Altarpiece of Michael Pacher
• the monastery of Muri-Gries, with baroque paintings of Martin Knoller
• various castles, including Castle Maretsch, Runkelstein Castle and Firmian/Sigmundskron Castle
• Victory Monument, a Victory gate built on orders from Benito Mussolini in 1928
• Messner Mountain Museum of Reinhold Messner

For more historical and geographical information, see South Tyrol.

City districts and neighboring communities[link]

Location of Bolzano.

City districts:

• Centro-Piani-Rencio (German: Zentrum-Bozner Boden-Rentsch)
• Don Bosco
• Europa-Novacella (German: Europa-Neustift)
• Gries-San Quirino (German: Gries-Quirein)
• Oltrisarco-Aslago (German: Oberau-Haslach)

Neighbouring communities are: Eppan, Karneid, Laives, Deutschnofen, Ritten, Jenesien, Terlan, and Vadena.

Transportation[link]

Bolzano is connected to the highway A22-E45^[9] to Trento and Verona and to Innsbruck (Austria) and Munich (Germany).

The city is also connected to the Italian railway system. Bolzano railway station, opened in 1859, forms part of the Brenner railway (Verona–Innsbruck), which is part of the main railway route between Italy and Germany. The station is also a junction of two branch lines, to Merano and Mals, respectively.

There is a 50 kilometer network of bike paths and about 30% of journeys in Bolzano are done by bicycle.^[10]

Different airlines provide flights from Bolzano Airport (IATA: BZO) to Rome, Vienna, Milan and other destinations.

Sport[link]

The town is host to an annual road running competition – the BOclassic – which features an elite men's 10K and women's 5K races. The event, first held in 1975, takes place on New Year's Eve and is broadcast live on television by Rai Sport Più.^[11][12]

Local teams[link]

Football

• F.C. Südtirol-Alto Adige plays in Lega Pro Seconda Divisione (Promoted to Lega Pro Prima Divisione in 2009–10 season)
• F.C. Bolzano 1996 played 2011/12 in Promozione
• F.C. Neugries played 2011/12 in Promozione
• Bozner F.C. played 2011/12 in Promozione
• Virtus Don Bosco played 2011/12 in Promozione

Handball

• SSV Bozen Handball A-Elite Liga

Ice hockey

• HC Bolzano Bozen Foxes plays in Serie A1
• EV Bozen 96 plays in Serie A2

Rugby

• Sudtirolo Rugby Cavaliers The Cavaliers plays in Serie C

American Football

• Giants Bolzano The Giants plays in IFL (Italian Football League), the first league of the FIDAF

Softball and Baseball

• Softball Club Dolomiti
• Pool 77
• Adler

Fistball

• SSV Bozen plays in the FBL (Austrian Fistball League), the first Austrian league.

Twin cities[link]

• Sopron, Hungary

See also[link]

• Italianization of South Tyrol

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bolzano

• Bolzano City Hall Official website (in Italian and German)
• Bolzano Tourist Board Official website
• Bolzano travel guide from Wikitravel

v t e Municipalities of South Tyrol Ahrntal Aldein Algund Altrei Andrian Auer Badia Barbian Bolzano Brenner Brixen Bronzolo Bruneck Burgstall Corvara Deutschnofen Eppan Feldthurns Franzensfeste Freienfeld Gais Gargazon Glurns Graun im Vinschgau Gsies Hafling Innichen Jenesien Kaltern Karneid Kastelbell-Tschars Kastelruth Kiens Klausen Kuens Kurtatsch Kurtinig Laas Laives Lajen Lana Latsch Laurein La Val Lüsen Mals Mareo Margreid Marling Martell Merano Mölten Montan Moos in Passeier Mühlbach Mühlwald Nals Naturns Natz-Schabs Neumarkt Niederdorf Olang Partschins Percha Pfalzen Pfitsch Plaus Prad Prags Prettau Proveis Rasen-Antholz Ratschings Riffian Ritten Rodeneck Salorno San Martin de Tor Sand in Taufers Santa Cristina Gherdëina St. Leonhard in Passeier St. Lorenzen St. Martin in Passeier St. Pankraz Sarntal Schenna Schlanders Schluderns Schnals Sëlva Sexten Sterzing Stilfs Taufers im Münstertal Terenten Terlan Tiers Tirol Tisens Toblach Tramin Truden Tscherms Ulten Unsere Liebe Frau im Walde-St. Felix Urtijëi Vadena Vahrn Villanders Villnöß Vintl Völs am Schlern Vöran Waidbruck Welsberg-Taisten Welschnofen

v t e Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol · Districts of South Tyrol Bolzano (urban district) Burggrafenamt Eisacktal Pustertal Salten-Schlern Überetsch-Unterland Vinschgau Wipptal

Beppe Grillo
Leader of the Five Star Movement
Incumbent
Assumed office October 4, 2009
Personal details
Born	(1948-07-21) 21 July 1948 (age 63) Genoa, Italy
Nationality	Italian
Political party	Five Star Movement
Relations	Married
Children	6
Occupation	Comedian, Activist, Politician
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Website	http://www.beppegrillo.it/

Giuseppe Piero Grillo, better known as Beppe Grillo (born 21 July 1948), is an Italian activist, blogger, comedian and actor. He has been involved in politics since 2009 as leader of the Five Star Movement.

Biography[link]

Grillo was born in Genoa, Liguria.

After receiving his degree as an accountant, Grillo became a comedian by chance, improvising a monologue in an audition. Two weeks later he was discovered and launched by Italian TV presenter Pippo Baudo. He subsequently participated in the variety show Secondo Voi for two years (1977–78). Later, in 1979, he participated in Luna Park by Enzo Trapani, and Fantastico.

In the 1980s his success rose further, thanks to shows like Te la do io l'America (1982, 4 episodes) and Te lo do io il Brasile (1984, six episodes). In these shows, he narrated his experiences of his visits to the United States and Brazil, with anecdotes and witticisms about the culture, lifestyle and beauty of these places.

As a result, his popularity grew more and more, and he became the protagonist of another show developed especially for him, called Grillometro (Grillometer). In 1986, he was the star of prize-winning advertisements for a brand of yogurt.

Soon after this, his performances began to be characterized by an increasing level of political satire, often expressed in such a direct way that he quickly offended a lot of Italian politicians. In 1987 during the Saturday night TV show Fantastico 7, he attacked the Italian Socialist Party and its leader Bettino Craxi, then Italy's Prime Minister, on the occasion of his visit in the People's Republic of China. Grillo said:

If the Chinese are all socialists, whom do they steal from?

The joke hinted at the totalitarianism of the PRC, but even more to the widespread corruption for which the Italian Socialist Party was known. As a consequence, Grillo was effectively and silently banished from publicly owned television; yet, he was vindicated a few years later when the Italian Socialist Party had to be disbanded in a welter of corruption scandals known as Tangentopoli, uncovered by the Mani pulite investigation. Craxi himself died in Tunisia, unable to return to Italy where he would have been jailed for several convictions.

Consequently, from the beginning of the 1990s his appearances on television became rare: according to many people, the reason for this is a silent ostracism by politicians offended by his revelations about their hidden financial activities, frauds and false claims. When one of his shows was finally allowed to be broadcast by RAI, in 1993, it obtained a record share of 16 million viewers. He was later banned definitively from Italian television.

He currently performs in theatres in Italy and abroad, often with outstanding success.^[1] Grillo's themes include energy usage, political and corporate corruption, finance, freedom of speech, child labour, globalization, and technology. Recently Grillo started to encourage the use of Wikipedia as the future of knowledge sharing, and generally he is a strong proponent of internet freedom.^[2]

Political activism[link]

Beppe Grillo in Bologna speaking at V-Day.

Grillo has spearheaded several national and international political campaigns. On Sept. 8, 2007, he organized a "V-Day Celebration" in Italy; the "V" stood for vendetta, vengeance, and vaffanculo ("fuck off"). During the rally, Grillo projected the names of two dozen Italian politicians who had been convicted of crimes ranging from corruption and tax evasion to abetting a murder. More than 2 million Italians participated in this rally.^[3] Grillo also used this rally to urge Italians to sign a petition calling for the introduction of a Bill of Popular Initiative to remove members of the Italian Parliament who have criminal convictions of any kind from their office.^[4] According to Internet scholars, V–day was the first case in Italian history of a political demonstration developed and promoted via word–of–mouth mobilization on the blogosphere and the social web.^[5]

This was followed by the second V-Day on 25 April 2008, in Turin, S.Carlo square. This V-Day was dedicated to the Italian press and its government financial support; Grillo heavily criticized the Italian press for the lack of freedom; Umberto Veronesi (about his support for incinerators); NATO bases in Italy, the politicians (Silvio Berlusconi had recently been re-elected) and Retequattro, still holding on to TV frequencies already assigned to Europa 7 [2].

Beppe Grillo in Turin during electoral campaign.

On 1 September 2005, thanks to contributions from readers of his blog, Grillo bought a full page advertisement in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica in which he called for the resignation of the Bank of Italy's (then) governor Antonio Fazio over the Antonveneta banking scandal. In October 2005, Time chose him as one of the "European Heroes 2005" for his constant battle against corruption and financial scandals.^[6]

On 22 November 2005 Grillo also bought a page in the International Herald Tribune, again claiming that members of the Italian Parliament ought not to represent citizens if they have ever been convicted in a court of law, even in the first degree of the three available in the Italian system.^[7] His blog now contains a regularly updated list of members of the Italian Parliament who have been convicted in all three degrees, in what he calls "operation Clean Parliament".^[8] Grillo claimed, in 2007, that data suggested that even Scampia, the most dangerous suburb of Naples and one of the areas with the highest crime rate in Europe, actually had a lower crime rate than the Italian parliament's membership.^[9]

On 26 July 2007 Grillo was permitted to speak to the members of the European Parliament in Brussels, where he drew attention to the dangerous, negative state of current Italian politics.^[10]

In August 2008, Grillo was the subject of a report on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC-TV) international affairs program "Foreign Correspondent". Titled "The Clown Prince" the report profiled Grillo's life, political activism, V Day campaign, and use of the internet as a political tool.^[11]

In 2010, he started a political movement called "Movimento 5 stelle" ("Movement five stars"), without the desire to be a leader and to be elected, but only to join, by the Internet, people who believe in ideals like honesty and direct democracy, and saying that politicians are only subordinates of the people and that they should work for the country only for a short time and only if they are not condemned for crimes, and thinking about the problems of their country without any other interest. The movement will be truly a party chance only from the next political round, when they will purpose their name not only in some regions but also in the political elections. The five stars represent the five basic points of the shared program: Water, Environment, Transport, Connectivity, Growth.

Beppegrillo.it[link]

Grillo maintains a blog (available in Italian, English and Japanese) at beppegrillo.it which is updated daily. Comments to posts regularly top the thousands (in the Italian version). According to Technorati, the blog is ranked among the 10 most visited blogs in the world. In 2008, The Guardian ranked Grillo's blog among the world's most powerful blogs.^[12]

Grillo often receives letters of appreciation and support from prominent figures, such as Antonio Di Pietro (former Italian Minister of Infrastructures), Fausto Bertinotti (former President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies), Renzo Piano, and even Nobel Prize Winners (like Dario Fo, Joseph E. Stiglitz, Dalai Lama, Muhammad Yunus).^[13]

Legal issues[link]

In 1980 he was found guilty of manslaughter for a car accident in which he was the driver; three passengers lost their lives.^[14]

During his shows Grillo never hesitates to name firms and personalities he considers corrupt, always supporting his views with data and documents^{[citation needed]}. For this reason he has been sued several times for libel by many people and organizations which he had exposed, such as Telecom Italia.

When Italian judges were investigating the Parmalat scandal, which was then the world's largest corporate bankruptcy scandal ever, Grillo was called to testify as he anticipated the imminent collapse of the dairy conglomerate in one of his shows. When he was asked by judges how he has been able to discover that, he simply said that Parmalat's financial holes were so evident that anybody who had enough ability to see them would see them, since the corporate accounting was easily accessible.^[15]

Criticism[link]

Grillo is often criticized for his lifestyle. In particular, critics blame him for owning a motor yacht and a Ferrari sports car, both being in contradiction with his well known ecologist stance. In his blog he admits that he did, in fact, acquire both but has since sold them.^[14]

Grillo is also criticized for taking advantage of the Condono Tombale, a fiscal amnesty granted by the first Berlusconi government in 2001, which Grillo publicly opposed.^[16] Grillo commented on this issue during the V-Day demonstration. He said that he had personally benefitted by only €500^{[citation needed]}.

Grillo has proposed that members of the Italian Parliament who have a criminal record should be barred from public office. As Grillo himself has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter caused by a car accident^[14] his critics^[who?] say he has no right to represent Italians either. Grillo has always stated that he is not interested in becoming a member of the Italian Parliament anyway.^[14] Despite this, in July 2009 he publicly expressed his intention to present himself as a candidate for the PD's primary elections^[17] which, however, does not imply automatic presence in the Italian parliament.

Another proposal of his is that members of Parliament be limited to two government terms of office after which they might not stand again. Detractors^[who?] argue that this would shorten the political life of competent and expert politicians, usually drawing Alcide De Gasperi, Aldo Moro and Enrico Berlinguer as examples of brilliant politicians who served more than two terms. Marco Travaglio replied that, for that sake, also the political life of much less popular Clemente Mastella would have suffered.^[18]

Grillo is criticized as being a mere demagogue who attacks politicians on superficial issues and their private lives while unable to provide a valid alternative. For instance, Daniele Luttazzi, famous Italian satirist, criticized Grillo in 2007 in an open letter published on the website of the news magazine Micromega. Luttazzi accused Grillo of being a "demagogue" and a "populist", suggesting Grillo to choose between satire and politics, asserting the two are incompatible.^[19]

In 2007 Grillo criticized the "Memorial Day of Foibe Massacres and Istrian-Dalmatian exodus" and the President of the Italian Repubblic Giorgio Napolitano^[20]

Filmography[link]

Grillo has appeared in three movies:

• Cercasi Gesù (1982)
• Scemo di Guerra (1985)
• Topo Galileo (1987)

In 2008, Grillo featured in the documentary, The Beppe Grillo Story, produced by Banyak Films for Al Jazeera English.

References[link]

External links[link]

Official websites[link]

• The English version of Beppe Grillo's personal blog
• Beppe Grillo's fans meeting map around the world

Other resources[link]

• 'Time' article about Grillo
• 'New York Times' video about Grillo
• 'New Yorker' Beppe’s Inferno