Giorgia Capozzi
Born in Catania, Sicily, in the year of the dragon 1988, Giorgia made Munich her new nest after earning a master’s degree in classical philology, playing the piano for 10 years, and spending a short time in Krakow teaching Italian language and literature. Words, social media and pun-ic attacks are her daily bread and butter.
You write about a variety of subjects for amexessentials.com. What most inspires you about the topics you cover?
Inspiration strikes the moment I realise the dichotomy between the useful and the beautiful can be solved in a handshake protocol. A careful eye on life’s bizarreness usually provides me with some worthwhile material (by the way, who said that what we use to call quirkiness isn’t instead the real deal?).
What kind of details do you look for?
Being, myself, the kind of person who is usually inclined to disregard the big picture in favour of itty-bitty details, I would say that anything – from an unconventional statement to a sauce stain on a light blue T-shirt – that disrupts any too balanced pattern piques my interest and triggers my lateral thinking.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve covered?
I believe that would be my chat with Indian kalaripayattu master Sankar Lal, in which I delve into the world’s first martial art and discover how it also finds application in the daily training of a contemporary theatre company.
How do you relax?
“When” do I relax would be a more apt question… Yet, if I must answer, I’d say dimming the lights to create a cosy atmosphere, playing one of my vinyl records and either dancing, singing to it or skimming the libretto and underlining some eloquent verses, if it’s an opera. On some days, simply perusing any supermarket flyer would do.
Books or ebooks?
Old-school print books, no ifs, ands or buts. For some years now, I’ve had a new addiction: audiobooks.
Wine or beer?
On the advice of my beloved grandpa Andrea, I’d go for two fingers of red wine at Sunday lunch to promote healthy blood pressure. Living in Munich has clearly made me a beer guru – Schlenkerla smoked beer from Bamberg is my ambrosia – though I’d never give up wine for the convivial ritual behind it.
Street food or fine dining?
Nothing dwells longer in your memory than a quick bite at a local street vendor. It tastes of roots and authenticity.
Favourite place?
Oh, definitely Catania’s Fish Market (the Pescheria): set in the heart of my beloved hometown and surrounded by buildings in baroque style, with its friendly, funny vendors shouting in the local dialect and the fresh products coming from the Ionian sea. It’s the place where I get the warmest hug before heading back to Bavaria.
Your secret travel tip?
Never miss the chance to strike up a conversation with locals: if you’re struggling with the language or feel somehow ill at ease, always remember that nothing can go wrong if you start off with a genuine smile.
Other articles written by Giorgia Capozzi
