Coordinates: 40°30′N 16°30′E / 40.5°N 16.5°E / 40.5; 16.5

Basilicata (Lucania) Regione Basilicata
—  Region of Italy  —
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Italy
Capital	Potenza
Government
• President	Vito De Filippo (PD)
Area
• Total	9,995 km2 (3,859 sq mi)
Population (2010-11-30)
• Total	587,680
• Density	59/km2 (150/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
GDP/ Nominal	€ 11.4[1] billion (2008)
GDP per capita	€ 19,100[2] (2008)
NUTS Region	ITF
Website	www.regione.basilicata.it

Basilicata (Italian pronunciation: [baziliˈkaːta]), also known as Lucania, is a region in the south of Italy, bordering on Campania to the west, Apulia (Puglia) to the north and east, and Calabria to the south, having one short southwestern coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea between Campania in the northwest and Calabria in the southwest, and a longer one to the southeast on the Gulf of Taranto on the Ionian Sea between Calabria in the southwest and Apulia in the northeast. The region can be thought of as the "instep" of Italy, with Calabria functioning as the "toe" and Apulia the "heel". The region covers about 10,000 km² and in 2010 had a population of about 600,000. The regional capital is Potenza. The region is divided into two provinces: Potenza and Matera.

Geography[link]

A view of Mount Vulture

Basilicata covers an extensive part of the southern Apennines, between Ofanto in the north and the Monte Pollino massif in the south. It is bordered on the east by a large part of the Bradano river depression which is traversed by numerous streams and declines to the south eastern coastal plains on the Ionian sea. The region also has a short coastline to the south west on the Tyrrhenian side of the peninsula.

Basilicata is the most mountainous region in the south of Italy, with 47% of its area of 9,992 km² covered by mountains, whereas 45% is hilly and 8% is made up of plains.

Geological features of the region include the volcanic Monte Vulture and the seismic faults in the Melfi and Potenza areas in the north and around Monte Pollino in the south. Much of the region was devastated in an 1857 earthquake. More recently, there was another major earthquake in 1980.

The combination of the mountainous terrain combined with the rock and soil types makes landslides prevalent. While the lithological structure of the substratum and its chaotic tectonic deformation contribute to the cause of landslides, this problem is compounded by the lack of forested land. This area, similar to others in the Mediterranean region, while originally abundant with dense forests, was stripped and made barren during the time of Roman rulers.

The variable climate is influenced by three coastlines (Adriatic, Ionian and Tyrrhenian) and the complexity of the region's physical features. The climate is continental in the mountains and Mediterranean along the coasts.

History[link]

Prehistory[link]

Venosa: The Archaeological Area of Notarchirico

The first traces of human presence in Basilicata date to the late Palaeolithic Age, with findings of the Homo erectus. Late Cenozoic fossils, found at Venosa and other locations, include elephants, rhinoceros and species now extinct such as the Machairodus saber-toothed cat. Examples of rock paintings, from the Mesolithic have been discovered near Filiano. From the 5th millennium BC people stopped living in caves, and built settlements of huts up to the rivers leading to the interior (Tolve, Tricarico, Alianello, Melfi, Metaponto). In this period, the Homo sapiens sapiens lived out of cereals cultivation and animal husbandry (Bovinae and Caprinae). Chalcolithic sites include the grottoes of Latronico and the funerary findings of the Cervaro grotto near Lagonegro.

The first known stable market center of the Apennine culture on the sea, consisting of huts on the promontory of Capo la Timpa, near to Maratea, dates to the Bronze Age. The first indigenous Iron Age communities lived in large villages in plateaus located at the borders of the plains and the rivers, in places fitting their breeding and agricultural activities. Such settlements include that of Anglona, located between the fertile valleys of Agri and Sinni, of Siris and, on the Ionic Coast, of Incoronata-San Teodoro. The first presence of Greek colonists, coming from the Greek islands and Asia Minor, date from the late 8th century BC.

There are virtually no traces of survival of the 11th-8th century BC archaeological sites of the settlements (aside from a necropolis at Castelluccio) on the Tyrrhenian coast: this was perhaps caused by the increasing presence of Greek colonies, which changed the balance of the trades.

Ancient history[link]

Metaponto: the Temple of Hera

In ancient historical times region was originally known as Lucania, named for the Lucani, an Osco-Samnite population from central Italy. Their name might be derived from Greek Leukos meaning "white", Lykos ("Wolf"), or Latin Lucus ("Sacred Wood").

Starting from the late 8th century BC, the Greeks established a settlement first at Siris, founded by fugitives from Colophon. With the foundation of Metaponto from Achaean colonists, it started the conquest of the whole Ionian coast. There were also indigenous Oenotrian foundations on the coast, which exploited the nearby presence of the Greek such as Velia and Pyxous for their maritime trades.

The first contacts between the Lucanians and the Romans date from the latter half of the 4th century BC. After the conquest of Taranto in 272, the Roman rule was extended to the whole region: the Via Appia reached Brindisi and the colonies of Potentia (modern Potenza) and Grumentum were founded.

Middle Ages[link]

The Castle of Melfi

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Basilicata fell to German rule, which ended in the mid-6th century when the Byzantines reconquered it from the Ostrogoths. They also renamed the region as "Basilicata", from the Greek term basilikos, meaning "imperial". The region, deeply Christianized since as early as the 5th century, become part of the Lombard Duchy of Benevento in 568. In the following centuries, Saracen raids led most of the population to move from the plain and coastal settlements to more protected centers located on hills. The towns of Tricarico and Tursi were under Muslim rule for a period.^[3]

In 968 it was reconquered by the Byzantines, and the theme of Lucania was established, with the capital at Tursikon (Tursi). In 1059 Basilicata, together with the rest of southern Italy, was conquered by the Normans. Later it was inherited by the House of Hohenstaufen, who were ousted in the 13th century by Angevine domination: the expulsion of most of the "Saracen" population and the establishment of a strict feudal system hampered any hopes of an economic recovery for the region, which remained in abject poverty.

Modern and contemporary ages[link]

The Sassi di Matera

In 1485, Basilicata was the seat of plotters against King Ferdinand I of Naples, the so-called "Conspiracy of the Barons", which included the Sanseverino of Tricarico, the Caracciolo of Melfi, the Gesualdo of Caggiano, the Orsini Del Balzo of Altamura and Venosa and other anti-Aragonese families. Later, Charles V stripped most of the barons of their lands, replacing them with the Carafa, Revertera, Pignatelli and Colonna among the others. After the formation of Neapolitan Republic (1647), Basilicata also rebelled, but the revolt was suppressed. In 1663 a new province was created in Basilicata with its capital in Matera.

The region became part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1735. Basilicata autonomously declared its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy on August 18, 1860 with the Potenza insurrection. It was during this period that the State confiscated and sold off vast tracts of Basilicata's territory formerly owned by the Church. As the new owners were a handful of wealthy aristocratic families, the average citizen did not see any immediate economic and social improvements after unification and poverty continued unabated. This gave rise to the phenomenon of brigandage whereby the Church encouraged the local people to rise up against the nobility and the new Italian State. This strong opposition movement continued for many years. Carmine Crocco from Rionero in Vulture was the most important chief in the region and the most impressive leader in south Italy.^[4]

It was only really after the World War II that things slowly began to improve thanks to land reform. In 1952, the inhabitants of the Sassi di Matera were re-housed by the State, but many of Basilicata’s population had emigrated or were in the process of emigrating, which led to a demographic crisis from which it is still recovering.

At the beginning of 1994, UNESCO declared Sassi di Matera a World Heritage Site. Meanwhile, Fiat Italian automobile manufacturer established a huge factory in Melfi, leading to jobs and an upsurge in the economy. In the same year the Pollino National Park was established.

Economy[link]

FIAT plant in Melfi.

Cultivation consists mainly of sowables (especially wheat), which represent 46% of the total land. Potatoes and maize are produced in the mountain areas. Olives and vines are also commonly found. A quality wine called 'Aglianico del Vulture' is produced around Rionero. According to the latest Census of Agriculture, there are large herds of cattle (77,711 heads in 2000).^[5]

Among industrial activities, the manufacturing sector contributes to the gross value added of the secondary sector with 64% of the total, while the building sector contributes 24%. Within the services sector, the main activities in terms of gross value added are business activities, distributive trade, education and public administration. In the last years, new productive sectors have developed: manufacture, automotive, and especially oil extraction: in 2009 people employed by Eni in this area were 230 (of which over 50% from Basilicata) and about 1,800 were employed in activities directly generated by Eni’s operations, distributed in 80 companies of which over 50% from Basilicata;^[6] the region produced about 100,000 bbl/d (16,000 m³/d), meeting 11 percent of Italy's domestic oil demand.^[7]

Demographics[link]

Although Basilicata has never had a large population, there have nevertheless been quite considerable fluctuations in the demographic pattern of the region. In 1881, there were 539,258 inhabitants but by 1911 the population had decreased by 11% to 485,911, mainly as a result of emigration overseas. There was a slow increase in the population until World War II, after which there was a resurgence of emigration to other countries in Europe, which continued until 1971 and the start of another period of steady increase until 1993 (611,000 inhabitants). In recent years, however, the population has decreased as a result of migration and a reduction in the birth rate.^[8]

The population density is very low compared to that of Italy as a whole: 59.1 inhabitants per km² compared to national 200.4 in 2010. There is not a great difference between the population densities in the provinces of Matera and Potenza.^[8]

Government and politics[link]

Administrative divisions[link]

Basilicata is divided into two provinces:

References[link]

5. Woetzel, Tina, Italian Emigrants, Italian Immigrants, Iuniverse, 2004.

External links[link]

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Basilicata.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Basilicata

• "Life is Beautiful - a travel music video
• Official website
• Map of Basilicata
• Pollino Walking Into The Wild Side of Basilicata
• Basilicata autentica
• Basilicata Tourist Office
• Palazzo Rinaldi Artists' Residences in Basilicata
• Basilicata Tourist Office (Sami)
• Documentary Film about the Sassi in Matera, Roba Forestiera, 44 min., 2004
• Sassi di Matera PHOTO Tour
• Basilicata's typical products
• Video introduction to Basilicata
• History, visit and spots of interest of art cities and villages of Basilicata

v t e Basilicata Provinces and places Matera Potenza Politics and government Elections in Basilicata List of Presidents of Basilicata

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Carlo Levi
Carlo Levi in 1947 (portrait by Carl Van Vechten)
Born	(1902-11-29)November 29, 1902 Turin, Italy
Died	January 4, 1975(1975-01-04) (aged 72) Rome, Italy
Nationality	Italian
Field	Painting, Literature, Medicine
Training	Self taught, University of Turin (for doctorate)
Movement	Contemporary
Works	Gli amanti (The Lovers) (1955)
Patrons	Felice Casorati
Awards	Senator of the Italian Republic

Dr. Carlo Levi (Italian pronunciation: [ˈkarlo ˈlɛːvi]) (November 29, 1902 – January 4, 1975) was an Italian-Jewish painter, writer, activist, anti-fascist, and doctor.

He is best known for his book Cristo si è fermato a Eboli (Christ Stopped at Eboli), published in 1945, a memoir of his time spent in exile in Lucania, Italy, after being arrested in connection with his political activism. In 1979, the book became the basis of a movie of the same name, directed by Francesco Rosi. Lucania, now called Basilicata, is historically one of the poorest and most backward regions of the impoverished Italian south. Levi's lucid, non-ideological and sympathetic description of the daily hardships experienced by the local peasants helped to propel the "Problem of the South" into national discourse after the end of the World War II.

Early life[link]

Levi was born in Turin, Piedmont, to wealthy Jewish physician Ercole Levi and Annetta Treves, the sister of Claudio Treves, an important socialist leader in Italy. Levi graduated from high school (Liceo Alfieri) in 1917. Upon graduation, Levi attended the University of Turin, where he studied medicine and, in 1924, graduated with high marks. While at university, Levi had become friends with Piero Gobetti who sparked Levi's interests in political activism that would continue throughout his life. Soon after graduation from the University of Turin, Levi exhibited some of his works at the XIV Venice Biennale.^[1]

Levi never completely abandoned his medical studies and served as assistant to Prof. Micheli at the University of Turin's Clinic from 1924 to 1928, working on research involving hepatopathy and diseases of bile tract. From 1924 to 1928, Levi continued his specialization studies in Paris with Professor Bourguignon among others, although by 1927 Levi had decided to dedicate his life to painting. Levi's early time in Paris, as a painter and as a student of medicine, brought him into contact with many notable personalities of the 20th century, including Sergei Prokofiev, Igor Stravinsky, Alberto Moravia, Giorgio de Chirico, and others. Levi lived almost exclusively in Paris from 1932 to 1934 and even attended the funeral in 1933 of his uncle (his mother's brother), Claudio Treves.^[2]

Political activism and exile[link]

In 1929, along with Carlo and Nello Rosselli he founded an anti-fascist movement called Giustizia e Libertà, becoming a leader of the Italian branch along with Leone Ginzburg, a Russian Jew from Odessa who had emigrated with his parents to Italy.

As a result of his activism and involvement with anti-fascist movements, Levi was arrested and exiled to Aliano (Gagliano in the book), a town in a remote area of Italy called Lucania from 1935 to 1936. There he encountered a poverty almost unknown in prosperous northern Italy. While there, Levi worked on the side as one of the doctors for the villagers, although he had never practiced medicine after graduating from medical school. During his exile he spent much of his time painting.

After his release, he moved to France and lived there from 1939 to 1941. In 1941, he returned to Italy, and was later arrested in Florence and imprisoned in the Murate prison. He was released following Benito Mussolini's arrest and sought refuge across the street from the Pitti Palace, where he wrote his Cristo si è fermato a Eboli.

After World War II, he moved to Rome and served for a time as the editor of Italia libera, the publication of the Partito d'Azione, an anti-fascist organization that grew out of the republican tradition. He continued to write and paint, exhibiting in Europe and the United States. His written works include L'Orologio (The Watch) (1950), Le parole sono pietre (Words Are Stones) (1955), and Il Futuro ha un Cuore Antico (The Future has an Ancient Heart) (1956). In 1963, he was elected to the Senate as an independent on the Communist Party ticket; he was re-elected to the Senate in 1968 and served there until 1972. He died of pneumonia in Rome on January 4, 1975. He is buried in Aliano. The 'Persiana' Gallery in Palermo exhibited his last work, Apollo and Daphne, executed on a goatskin drum the day before he was admitted to hospital.

Works[link]

Tile autographed by Carlo Levi at Alassio.

Below is a list of important works written by Carlo Levi. Publisher (where appropriate) and date of publication follow each work^[3]:

• Paura della pittura (1942)
• Cristo si è fermato a Eboli (Einaudi, 1945)
• Paura della libertà (1946)
• L'orologio (Einaudi, 1950)
• Le parole sono pietre (Einaudi, 1955)
• II futuro ha un cuore antico (Einaudi, 1956; won the Premio Viareggio)
• La doppia notte dei tigli (Einaudi, 1959)
• Un volto che ci somiglia (Ritratto dell'Italia) (Einaudi, 1960)
• Tutto il miele è finito (Einaudi, 1964)
• Quaderno a cancelli (Einaudi, 1979; published posthumously)
• Coraggio dei miti (Scrìtti contemporanei 1922-1974) (De Donato, 1975; published posthumously)
• Carlo Levi inedito: con 40 disegni della cecità, Donato Sperduto (ed.), Edizioni Spes, Milazzo, 2002.

Levi also wrote numerous prefaces and introductions for many authors throughout his lifetime. There have also been collections of Levi's works published after his death, notably essays, miscellaneous writings and poetry.

Essays[link]

• Levi, Carlo, Roma fuggitiva: una città e i suoi dintorni. Saggi. Roma: Donzelli, 2002. (ISBN 879896954)
• Levi, Carlo, Fleeting Rome: In Search of the Dolce Vita. Essays. John Wiley & Sons, 2004. (ISBN 978-0-470-87183-6)
• Levi, Carlo, Stanislao G. Pugliese, and Carlo Levi. Fear of Freedom: With the Essay, "Fear of Painting". New York: Columbia University Press, 2008. (ISBN 0-231-13996-9)
• Carlo Levi inedito: con 40 disegni della cecità, Donato Sperduto (ed.), Edizioni Spes, Milazzo, 2002.

References[link]

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (June 2009)

Eleonora Daniele
Born	(1976-08-20) August 20, 1976 (age 35) Padua, ITA
Nationality	Italian
Occupation	TV Host

Eleonora Daniele (born Padua, Italy on 20 August 1976) is an Italian television presenter.^[1] She currentlty hosts the early morning program, Unomattina, on Rai Uno.

References[link]

This article may be expanded with text translated from the corresponding article in the Italian Wikipedia. (March 2009) Don't speak Italian? Click here to read a machine-translated version of the Italian article. Click [show] on the right to review important translation instructions before translating. Google's machine translation is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into English Wikipedia. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. After translating, {{Translated|it|Folco Quilici}} must be added to the talk page to ensure copyright compliance. For more guidance, see Wikipedia:Translation.

Folco Quilici
Born	(1930-04-09) April 9, 1930 (age 82) Ferrara, Italy
Occupation	Film director, screenwriter
Years active	1952 - 2005

Folco Quilici (born 9 April 1930) is an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed 22 films between 1952 and 2005.^[1]

Selected filmography[link]

• Tom Toms of Mayumba (1955)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Folco Quilici at the Internet Movie Database

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