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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Italy Depressed by News Story Calling Italy Depressed

Portrait of Italian malaise hits a nerve

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(Newser) – In a self-referential moment, the New York Times interviews its own reporter, Ian Fisher, about the nationwide soul-searching set off in Italy by Fisher's Dec. 13 article that depicts Italians as wallowing in a collective funk. Fisher's description of a dispirited national mood has prompted an impassioned response from all corners.

Fisher has seen reactions from Umberto Eco, Sophia Loren, and the Catholic Church, among many others. Most ordinary Italians who e-mailed him about the article, Fisher says, "thanked me for writing it," while politicians slammed the article as "parody" and non-Italians who'd vacationed in Italy wrote insisting that Italians are very happy people.

Italian movie legend Sophia Loren waves to the photographers as she walks on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival, Friday, Oct. 19, 2007. Loren was among the many prominent Italians who commented publicly on Fisher's article. (AP Photo/Sandro Pace)
Italian movie legend Sophia Loren waves to the photographers as she walks on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival, Friday, Oct. 19, 2007. Loren was among the many prominent Italians who commented...   (Associated Press)
AC Milan's President Silvio Berlusconi holds the FIFA Club World Cup soccer championship trophy upon arrival at Milan's Malpensa airport, Italy, Monday, Dec. 17, 2007. AC Milan won the FIFA Club World Cup soccer championship final against Boca Junior 4-2. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
AC Milan's President Silvio Berlusconi holds the FIFA Club World Cup soccer championship trophy upon arrival at Milan's Malpensa airport, Italy, Monday, Dec. 17, 2007. AC Milan won the FIFA Club World...   (Associated Press)
Italian comedian Beppe Grillo shows a sheet of his petition prior to meeting with Italian Senate President Franco Marini in Rome ,Friday, Dec. 14, 2007. Grillo delivered to the Senate a petition with about 300.000 citizen's signatures demanding a new law called
Italian comedian Beppe Grillo shows a sheet of his petition prior to meeting with Italian Senate President Franco Marini in Rome ,Friday, Dec. 14, 2007. Grillo delivered to the Senate a petition with...   (Associated Press)
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