An anonymous comment left on the website during the summer was part of the catalyst that has spawned a new feature on barganews. The comment lamented the fact that according to him or her, there was more to Barga than just the historic centre and so barganews should be publishing articles from further afield and not just articles on art exhibitions, jazz musicians and the goings-on at Aristo's bar.
Actually if anybody asks me for advice on where to go in Barga to get the real taste of life here, I always say, spend some time sitting in Aristo's bar and Barga will come to you. It is without a doubt, the unofficial cultural centre of Barga. So, we proudly present the new comic strip for barganews: DA ARISTO. It is based around the daily life, characters and stories from Aristo's bar.
Guest_2354 : b4 u changed the format barganews was interesting since then it is as if Barga only exists in and around Aristos because it is all jazz , art and opera Barga has so much more to offer to the tourist industry the just the arts it is a larger town than what is shown on Barganews and as I said b4 the revamp Barga was a larger city than the immpression created now I have brought many many people to Barga that can not wait to return and no one has seen the opera or bargajazz or looked at a painting
There is now a talented group of writers working on this project so over the next few weeks we should start to see in which direction the story progresses. A link at the bottom of the front page on the left-hand side will take you directly to DA ARISTO
Aristo’s is the only thing worth going to Barga for. You can forget the rest, as what is that exactly? A view of a big hill, some roads, a load of rich expats in big villas and some not so rich yocals trying to survive daily life under the current economic crisis we all find our selves in. Sure, outside of the walls there’s life, but not as we know it…
I would suggest that the comment is incorrect. Having read Barganews for many years and spent many as many hours in Aristo’s bar as I have in this cyber version I must say that the criticism is unjustified. There are just plenty of articles ranging from all kinds of subjects, many of which are outside of the old walls of the town. More over I’m less and less interested in what is going on in the Tuscan hillsides, what with the over development and greed selling to an English middles class lets get a second home in the hillside tourist industry brings. Its fake. It breaks down real tradition. This site is the only place to find the real culture, the real traditions and how these changes are effecting it and yet at the same time also being advanced. This is Aristo’s bar. Where you can bang on a drum to the sound of music or bang on the bar to the sound of political discussion. Its where lovers meet, where workers drink, where men, women and children come together as one collective unit. The community, alive and well and not hiding behind locked doors in hilltop mansions. Sitting all together drinking wine and sharing cheese and salami. I’d rather not leave Aristo’s bar, and its only because I always get kicked out at closing time am I forced to venture down into the new plastic town, with its sterile atmosphere and almost like ‘city’ mentality.
Great news about the strip. If you need any help just let me know. Would be happy to write a few eps.
I remember the protest at Aristo’s 2 or 3 years ago. Keane and a number of others (including myself) came for lunch, only to find Aristo had taken an unannounced vacation. Tables and chairs were gathered from around the piazza and placed in front of his bar. We all brought wine, bread and cheese and proceeded to munch away. Glasses were raised and a friendly toast was made (amongst bursts of laughter) to Aristo.
This summer, I brought (6) martini glasses, bottles of vodka and dry vermouth to Aristo’s at cocktail hour. His face dropped as I made him and a few others their first martini. Shortly thereafter, there was dancing in the piazza.
Need I say more? Aristo’s is the place to be.
I certainly agree with Rory. Barganews is as good as they get when it comes to charting the daily life, the ups and downs, of a community. And Aristo’s is the best barometer available. The key point is not who does or does not frequent Aristo’s; it is the fact that almost everything that happens in Barga comes under close, and sometimes fierce, attention there. The proposed cartoon strip is a brilliant way to make even better use of that asset.
Regarding the debate over Barganews content, I do have one suggestion: Put the weddings in a place of their own, apart from the principal front page coverage. With few exceptions, no one is interested except the newlyweds themselves and their families — fewer and fewer of whom have any connection to Barga.
Umm.. Your getting married and don’t want anyone to know hey, Monacu.
Sei sempre geloso, Deety.
Aristo’s is pure bliss, or about as close as one may hope to find on this planet. What more can you ask for? Diverse crowd with openness and passion, and occasional out-of-bounds twistedness (whether for real or just for show). Fresh wine so cheap you can yell “Vino per tutti!” over and over again and still have enough change in your pocket to take home another liter (or 2). Tasty bread, cheese, meats, and conversation. Spontaneous singing AND musical instruments that anyone–ANYONE!–can pick up and abuse, like 100s before them (although occasionally someone with great chops takes over, and it’s like: shut up!). Many languages spoken (or shouted) but held together by the common tongues of refreshment and laughter. A stunning site. History and ghosties. A museum of memories and relix. A gallery of art and self-expression. Irregular hours for irregular routines and souls. Controversial reputation. Killer lighting (while the sun goes down, or around, or in and out–and the clouds slow-dance in the mountains). Proximity to Paradise, or at least pretty good pizza. Tuscan authenticity without Tuscan ‘tude or tariffs. Immediate AND old friends who get it, and I mean “IT”! Oh, and did I mention Saint Aristo? I don’t know much about Catholicism, but I do believe Saints stand among us, and include boat swobbers, bus drivers, and bartenders. He (and his countless apostles) turned many trips to Italy (a couple of them with mega-month stopovers) into some of the best memories of my life. That’s my B/W 11-14 portrait of the Man Himself, smiling, suave, and smart, right behind the Bar Itself. My tiny offertory–assuming some over-devoted and drunken fan hasn’t absconded with it. (Please take a look and send me a trans-global toast.) I’ll be back for communion one day, God willing. But next time, it may take even more masses of bread and wine; been away too long–which may call for much repentance. The Good News: At Aristo’s, redemption comes easy, everyone is filled with Spirit, and, for a few fleeting moments, there is peace in the world, or at least in the hearts of those who gather and know enough to leave the world behind now and then. Come just as you are. Leave filled with love and laughter. If I remember correctly, the sign on the door hearkens, “From wine what sudden friendships spring!” Amen. Thanks for listening. Thanks or everything. Miss you much. Your friend,
*kirk
Nice words, Kirk, and true as they come. A hell of a lot of us feel we found paradise in that caffe.
I’m looking forward to my 3rd visit to Italy and my first visit to Barga later this summer having visited it many, many times electronicaly on this site. We’re seriously considering moving to Italy or France from the UK, and the community spirit found on this site – and the longish comment above – is one of the main reasons. I can’t help being English (although my family name originates in the western Scottish lowlands and I may have Scotts ancestry) but I don’t want my kids (we have 3) being brought up in the UK’s current thuggish knife-weilding and binge-drinking climate. I’m ashamed to be British sometimes, but I can’t change that. I’m looking forward to visiting Aristo’s, does he have a bass there? I love jamming – blues mainly but I’m rubbish really. Only been playing 26 years! The wife and kids have ‘told’ me I’m NOT allowed to spend the whole 2 weeks in the bar though. Don’t know what they can possibly be infering!