Babel – Tutti i colori dell'Italia – was born on the 8th of November 2010 and it represents the first TV channel dedicated to the “new Italians”. Babel sets itself the goal to become a guide of Italy, in order to know the language, the laws and the ways of working and living at best. At the same time, Babel is an open window on the stories, the costumes, the traditions and the faces of the peoples living in Italy.
On Babel you can find something for everyone: the ones who have just arrived, the ones who have already become a “new Italian” and the ones who have always been Italian, but want to know the current hottest themes and watch unusual programs. Babel is a cross-channel, with info sections, examinations of the most important themes of the week and first runs of series and reality shows, subtitled in Italian.
Let's know Luca Artesi, Managing Director of Babel, better:
How did Babel come to be and who is it for?
Babel exists thanks to an intuition of its editor, TheBlogTV, and Sky’s enthusiastic endorsement of the project. The concept has been tested with success amongst the 5million “new italians” the network is dedicated to. Babel is also targeted towards those people that have always been Italian, and encourages the to peek through the curtains and discover cultures and worlds that are increasingly close to home.
Have you ever been a “migrant”?
I began “migrating” as a child, first by moving to Rome with my family. Curiosity and a passion for travel later brought me to wander the globe for work, Milan, France, Spain, India and Brasil. I consider myself a citizen of the world, but I maintain very strong ties to our country (Italy).
How important is one own’s food culture when moving to another country?
Important surely, but it should never be a limiting factor. Rather, inherited culture should be the starting point to discover new ways and traditions of which food is surely an important, and pleasant, aspect. The flavours, spices and dishes of a place can tell us many things about a people and culture, and helps enrich us with knowledge and understanding.
What is your favourite dish? And your favourite TV program?
I’ve always has a passion for natural and earthy flavours: pasta, fish, vegetables and fruit. I have a pleasant memory of tropical fruit in Brasil, sensual and colorful. Dona Flor di Amado, that i was fortunate enough to meet in Salvador di Bahia, is an excellent mix of literature, flavours and sensuality.
Babel will assign a special prize for the Film section of the IMAFestival. What suggestions do you have for young filmmakers that are looking to submit their ideas to the television and movie industry in Italy?
As in most industries, travel, international experiences and cultural exchanges are the keys for personal and professional growth. Together with passion and creativity these qualities make our job one of the most interesting and challenging ones.
