World’s Oldest Complete Torah Scroll Discovered In Bologna Library

“Mauro Perani, professor of Hebrew at the University of Bologna, said experts and carbon dating tests done in Italy and the United States dated the scroll as having been made between 1155 and 1225. The scroll, which has been in possession of the Bologna University Library for more than 100 years, had been previously thought to be from the 17th century.”

Italy’s Literati Battle To Save Writers’ Favorite Trieste Coffee Bar

“In its heyday the Caffè San Marco was one of the fixed points on the vibrant intellectual map of Trieste, frequented by James Joyce, the writer Italo Svevo and the poet Umberto Saba. … Locals fear that either AG will decide to give up on the San Marco, or new management will be found that has a different vision for the venue.”