Italian Prime MInister gives a less-than warm welcome to Turkey's President, February 5th, 2018

Italy's Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni gave a less-than warm welcome to Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at Rome's Palazzo Chigi on February 5th, 2018. 

(Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti awaits the arrival of Turkey's president). 

  
(Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano and Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti await the arrival of Turkey's president). 

 
Amid tight security, with more than 3,000 police officers on hand plus overhead helicopters, Erdogan came to Rome for a 24-hour visit to also meet with Pope Francis and Italian President Sergio Mattarella (it seemed that security in Rome was righter than for Donald Trump's visit to Rome lasy year). 

Given the current turmoils in Turkey with imprisoned journalists plus the Kurdish question, not to mention deteriorating relations with both Syria and the U.S., the reception on behalf of Italian officials was somewhat "cold-shouldered", to say the least. 

 

Raphael’s “The Madonna of Esterhazy”

Raphael’s “The Madonna of Esterhazy” is currently on exhibit at Rome’s central Palazzo Barberini museum until April 8^th, 2018.  It hails from a museum in Budapest.

Details in the background of scenes from Rome where Raphael had come to work.
 

Italy’s Cultural Heritage Minister Dario Franceschini at the Rome Cinecitta’ film studios

Italy’s Cultural Heritage Minister Dario Franceschini was at the Rome Cinecitta’ film studios January 30th, 2018.  

He toured the glorious 80 year-old film studios that have been founded under Benito Mussolini along with three-time Oscar winner Dante Ferretti.  Many a famous movie was shot there, such as the original "Ben Hur", "Cleopatra" and the "Gangs Of New York", just to mention a few.  

Franceschini was on hand to discuss new financial assistance to the “Hollywood On The Tiber” as it’s also been called.

 Dario Franceschini (beard) with three-time Oscar winner Dante Ferretti (left)