COPIA OMAGGIO • COMPLIMENTARY COPY EDIZIONI PRC

[Protagonisti]
D. ASCIONE
F. GRIFONI - OLYCOM
letana e quella araba, Afef e Marco Tronchetti
Provera fotografati
tunisina. Del resto, ad Anacapri la scorsa
estate in occasione
siamo tutti affacciati
della festa
di compleanno
sul Mediterraneo»,
di Luca Cordero
sottolinea.
di Montezemolo.
Mai avuta la tentazione
di comprare casa
at Anacapri
Afef and Marco
Tronchetti Provera
last summer
a Capri, come hanno for Luca Cordero
di Montezemolo’s
fatto i vostri amici
birthday.
Diego Della Valle,
che sverna a Torre Materita di Anacapri o
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo? «Il problema
è che Capri è scomoda da raggiungere per chi
vive a Milano. La riviera ligure è decisamente
più a portata di mano. Ma mai dire mai».
and Caravita di Sirignano), or a place to stroll
down streets like Via Camerelle.
And honestly, what could ever compare with
the gorgeous view of the island Afef can enjoy
from the deck of the Kauris, the 32-meter
sailing yacht owned by her husband, Marco
Tronchetti Provera? Nothing short of a floating
hotel. Indeed, Afef is not at all familiar with the
hotels on Capri’s terra firma. “The only one I
know is the Quisisana, where I have stayed
and do often stop at for an aperitivo,” she says.
“The rest of the time we dock at Marina Grande
or simply sail around the island. I’m a nomad
at heart: when I first came to Italy in 1989 I was
living in Paris, so I went back and forth. I’ve
spent my summers in Sardinia, mainly Porto
Rotondo; the Tuscan coast at Cala Galera;
and in Portofino. Water is one of my sources
of energy: I grew up in Lebanon; in Paris I
always strolled along the Seine; in Milan I haunt
the canals - the Navigli - and in Portofino I
have a Pirelli P Zero 420 inflatable. Of course,
Capri and its unique setting is something else
altogether. I go swimming, sunbathe, and revel
in that golden silence and utter freedom that
only a sailboat can guarantee you. Off-season,
if possible. By moonlight.”
But with all due respect for Capri’s version
of the iconic Arab medina, Afef, never an
excursion to the top of Monte Solaro, or out
to the Casa Rossa dear to Curzio Malaparte,
or even a jog to the lighthouse, say? “Sorry
to disappoint you! It’s Capri’s taxis I love, a
coffee in the Piazzetta, or the flat sandals I
buy at Da Costanzo: the last time I bought
two pairs of flip-flops, purple and gold. A
good summer alternative to my ballet flats.”
What about the island’s chocolate cake? “Not
for me. I prefer to eat light; I often go to the
restaurant Da Paolino: fish, seafood, pasta,
and pizza. No cheese or rich desserts.”
Mrs. Tronchetti Provera’s after-dinner scene
is much more daring: “We never miss the
lively Anema e Core owned by Guido Lembo,
a delightful person who taught me all I know
about Neapolitan songs; I adore them, though
I can’t sing them. I just follow along when
everyone in the room sings them in chorus
- it makes for quite an entertaining evening.
I’m probably a better dancer or tambourine
player.”
Afef Jnifen’s own top ten of Naples greatest
hits leads off with Cumm’è by Roberto
Murolo, made popular by Mia Martini. Next
are classics such as Funiculì Funiculà - Afef
helpfully hums the melody here - Reginella,
Torna a Surriento, O Sarracino. “I notice many
similarities between the music of Naples and
Arab and specifically Tunisian music. We all
do overlook the Mediterranean, after all, she
reflects.”
Has the thought of buying a house on Capri
ever crossed your mind? Like your friend
Diego Della Valle, who winters at Torre
Materita in Anacapri, or Luca Cordero di
Montezemolo? “The problem there is that
Capri is hard to get to if you live in Milan, while
the Ligurian Riviera is practically around the
corner. But never say never, right?”
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