Outraged of Genoa
Sir: I am an Italian citizen, I live in Genoa and am not blind to the many and serious problems afflicting this city and its inhabi- tants, but, in my opinion, and in the opinion of all Spectator readers in my circle, Mr R K Bruce's article ('Visions of decay', 23 May) is no more than a vitriolic outburst that reminds me of comments usually made by bitter tourists who have had a bad personal experience and bear a personal grudge against the place they have visited.
I doubt that this long letter will ever be printed or mentioned or answered, but writing it helps counteract the burning feel- ing caused by reading Mr Bruce's notes on our 'sleazy' city.
Just for the sake of accuracy, I will point out the most blatant errors in the article:
Columbus's house is not in Piazza De Ferrari, which, especially following rebuild- ing or Teatro Carlo Felice and general restoration, is one of the most beautiful and important squares in the city. The alleged Casa di Colombo (Columbus's House) is in Vico Stretto di Ponticello.
Columbus's House is on my way home from my garage and, though I often return late at night (I am not engaged in illegal activities — strangely enough for an Ital- ian), I have yet to see anyone rolling a joint there. Genoa has undoubtedly a criminal and drug problem, recently complicated by the arrival of 'North African labour' on the market, but one can still walk through the streets at night and we hope it will never become as brutal a city as London.
I do not understand the point of search- ing for the Gulf of Poets in Genoa, when the breathtakingly beautiful gulf is in the La Spezia area (about 80 kms east of Genoa). I will add that it is a part of Liguria which is still unspoilt and is as magical as when it was loved by your great poets.
'No girl is spared a leering remark as she passes by.' This might have been realistic 35-40 years ago, but it is not true today. It is a cliché as empty and worn-out as the 'Nation of waiters', 'Spaghetti-eaters', 'Nation of singers', etc.
an older generation of men cruise in their Fiat 500s for prostitutes ... ' Fiat 500s? But when was this written?
Even after consultation with English 'A referendum would give us the chance to exercise our apathy.' friends (some of whom have been to the right schools, too!) I fail to understand the meaning of the observation about Genoese referring to their home as 'Piazza Carica- mente, chaos city' (it is Caricamento, by the way).
Piazza Cricamento (Square of Loading) is where most of the exhibition has been constructed and assembled; therefore, pre- ceding the inauguration, a great deal of constructing and consequent disorder did take place, but like most Italian projects it was ready at the last minute, and the result is rather pleasing, though it has some faults.
In fact, we are happy for this opportunity to see some of the old palazzi finally restored to their original glory (Palazzo Ducale in Piazza Matteotti, Palazzo S Gior- gio in Piazza Caricamento, etc.).
I must single out Miramare Hotel as the only Italian word spelt correctly in the arti- cle.
Maxim James Temperini
Piazza delle Erbe 6/5, Genoa, Italy
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