Ferragosto recalled

Mid-August was always a high point of the summer at Cap d'Agde in the days when my summer break always saw me on the shores of the Mediterranean. The Italian invasion for the duration of the long weekend brought special flair to the resort. One was inclined to puzzle over the fact that even divested of their fashionable attire, the visitors from Turin, Milan and Genoa remained somehow... ineffably elegant!

Those of us from northern climes were fascinated. The musicians in the bars and restaurants played a repertoire suited to the weekend invasion and for days afterwards we were still humming along...

Lasciatemi cantare perche' ne sono fiero
sono un italiano un italiano vero