Ghost Mail Weekender

Happy Sunday Voornaam,

The beauty of writing is that it can be done from anywhere. Neither of us have been in South Africa for the past week, but Ghost Mail went out each day and here we are in your inbox as usual for Ghost Mail Weekender as well.
The reason for the travel? Not just to burn those Randelas in our pockets, which is frighteningly easy to do overseas. No, the reality is that you can't write about global companies and business trends unless you're willing to go see them in action. And of course, our commitment to giving you this break each week from SENS as a valued Ghost Mail reader means that we want to highlight wonderful stories from the world around us.
After the hyperinflationary emerging market experience of Istanbul, it was time to go to European hubs where industries like luxury goods and European automobiles are on full display, not to mention major consumer chain stores and FMCG products.
After hearing a smorgasbord of exotic accents in airport queues, restaurants and hotel lobbies, it's going to be great to land back in Cape Town later today to the sounds of Joburgers planning to climb Laan's Head. All is well in the world.
Speaking of accents - did you know that even babies cry with an accent? In a 2009 study, researchers listened to the cries of 60 newborns - 30 French and 30 German - and found that they sound distinctly different. French babies tend to cry with a rising tone, while German babies have more of a descending cry. These tonal shifts align with the sounds of their native languages. Turns out, even when they’re wailing, babies are already picking up on the rhythms and nuances of their mother tongue!
Dominique was just about ready to cry from joy at the Biennale in Venice this past week. This is the world's premier art exhibition, best thought of as the Olympics of art. There was some incredibly powerful stuff on display, reflecting much of what the world is currently dealing with (as art should). Read on for a short history of this famous exhibition.
In her column this week, Dominique brings you her experience of gentrification, gondola rides and far too much gelato in Venice. No matter how much they try to maintain those traditions, there are still pineapples on the pizzas these days. Thankfully, the gondolier traditions are still strong.
And as you've probably guessed by now, the Fast Facts section is called Obviously Italy. Because, obviously.
Have a magnificent Sunday and try to resist the temptation to start Googling hotel options in Venice!

The Finance Ghost (follow on X) | Dominique Olivier (connect on LinkedIn)

Gentrification, 400 gondols and too much gelato

A short history of the world’s biggest art exhibition

TL;DR: Dubbed “the Olympics of Art”, the Venice Biennale is as much a showcase of art as it is a finger on the pulse of the world.
The Venice Biennale, now celebrating its 60th edition, holds the title of the world’s longest-running international art exhibition, spanning an impressive 129 years. This is just a background story, with Dominique's column next week digging into the full experience of attending the event.
First held in 1895 - long before the internet, and even decades before commercial air travel - it coincidentally opened the same year the first projected celluloid film was shown to the public. Throughout its history, the Biennale has served as both a cultural and political stage, adapting and evolving alongside seismic global shifts, including the rise and fall of European fascism, the Cold War, and the emergence of groundbreaking art movements like Futurism, Abstract Expressionism, and Pop Art.
The inaugural exhibition took place in the Giardini di Castello, a public garden created by none other than Napoleon. Initially, the art was housed in a single central pavilion, featuring artists from various European countries. However, in 1907, Belgium decided to break away and build its own pavilion, inspiring other countries to follow suit. By 1914, the Giardini was home to pavilions from Britain, France, Hungary, Germany, Russia, and the Netherlands, laying the groundwork for the national pavilion structure we see today.
But art wasn’t the only thing on display at the Biennale. Under Mussolini's rule, the exhibition became a political tool for the fascist regime. During this period, the Biennale was filled with government-approved classical art and even works celebrating military power, making it a propaganda stage for Mussolini’s fascist Italy.
The Biennale’s role as a political battleground continued in the turbulent 1960s. In 1968, student protests erupted across Europe, and the Biennale became a symbol of both political and cultural rebellion. Protesters flooded Venice, occupying pavilions, turning artworks toward the walls, and clashing with police. The unrest led to significant institutional reforms in 1973, fundamentally reshaping the Biennale’s structure, which had remained unchanged since Mussolini’s time.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Biennale to adapt once again, with the 2020 edition postponed and only the central pavilion open for a special exhibition titled “The Disquieted Muses.” The 2021 Art Biennale was also delayed until 2022, but it was notable for being curated by Cecilia Alemani, the first Italian woman to lead the event.
In 2024, the Ukrainian pavilion featured a collaborative project called "Net Making" (an incredibly moving piece that floored me), while Russia's pavilion featured guest artists from Bolivia rather than any Russian art. On top of that, the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has made its mark on this year’s edition. Activists petitioned to ban Israel from participating, gathering over 23,000 signatures. Although Italy’s culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, condemned the petition as “shameful,” the Israeli pavilion remained closed during the media preview, with its artist and curators stating they would not open it until a ceasefire and hostage release agreement had been reached.
Powerful stuff, just as art should be.

Dominique's fast facts: Obviously Italy

An assortment of facts that will take you only a minute to read.

Italy has 58 UNESCO World Heritage Sites - more than any other country in the world. These include cultural landmarks like the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the entire historical centres of cities like Florence, Rome, and Venice.

​Venice is built on an archipelago of 118 islands, formed by about 150 canals in a shallow lagoon. The city has over 400 bridges.

While pasta dates back to ancient and mediaeval times, it became widespread in Italy during the 13th century. Today, there are over 350 different pasta shapes that you might encounter while dining in Italy.

There are over 250 different hand gestures that Italians use in everyday conversation. These gestures are so unique and intrinsic to Italian communication that they've been the subject of countless studies.

Italians have one of the highest life expectancy rates in the world, often attributed to their Mediterranean diet, which emphasises fresh vegetables, olive oil, fish, and wine. The village of Acciaroli is especially famous for its centenarians and has been the subject of numerous studies.