This presentation answers question K of the session "express yourself", which is one part of the application process required by IE business school. The question has been answered completely by Luca Ferrari.

1. Application IE Business School
Question K: If all of the world´s cultural heritage (sports, music, fashion, architecture, literature,
painting, etc..) was contained in a time capsule, what would you include to demonstrate the
legacy of your country?
Ferrari Luca

2. The role of
History
Italy, as well as other European countries, is
characterized by many ancient cultural heritage sites
and a lengthy and dramatic history. I believe it is safe
to say that Italy is world-wide famous for its tangible
cultural heritages such as the Colosseum and the Pisa
tower, and together with its customs, traditions,
values and yes, hand gestures, is one of the most
iconic country of the globe. History has great role in
determining the legacy of a country and Italian
history is very much extended and characterized by
so many events that is almost impossible to put
everything in a time capsule…

3. The role of history
…But something must be selected
and preserved in case there is a
need to preserve pieces of our
culture to be handed down to
future generations. To understand
our cultures and believes, history is
the best teacher and therefore I
selected some of the most
important historic periods from our
history, where I chose the most
representative objects to show what
should be conserved.

4. The Roman Ages
The Roman Emperor was one of
the first ones to develop an
organized society characterized by
politics, commerce, social life, and
laws. The Roman Emperor was vast
and powerful and had a strong
influence over the Italian
architecture, literature, and
language. The Colosseum, and the
Twelve Tables of Roman Laws,
which had, and still have, a huge
influence over our contemporary
civil laws, must be insert in the
capsule.

5. The Middle Ages
The middle ages was a dark period of our history characterized
by many wars and a slow cultural development. Religion played
a key role during this period, in fact the Papal State was born in
the middle age. Nowadays the Vatican City as well as the Papal
Residence and the Church headquarters are in Rome. The
Christian Church consolidated in the Middle ages and since then
it always influenced and sometimes even governed over the
Italian population and its politics. Italy it’s the country with one
of the highest number of churches and cathedrals, in fact, only
in Rome there are more than nine-hundred churches. Because
of the influential position of the Church in Italy and because
Italy, even if not officially expressed in the Constitution, is a
Catholic country where around 85% of the population practice
the Catholic religion I believe the Gospel is required when
demonstrating the country’s legacy.

6. The Middle Ages
Finally, during this period, the Italian poet Dante
Alighieri was born and with him the “Divina
Commedia”; probably the most important written
piece of literature ever written by an Italian author.
I would have to put a copy inside the Italian time
capsule.

7. The Renaissence Following the Middle Ages, it comes
probably the most splendid and creative
period in terms of the quantity of tangible
cultural heritages created, known as the
Renaissance.
Geniuses like Michelangelo and Leonardo
da Vinci characterized this age with their
innovative ideas and creativity.
Michelangelo’s architectural and
sculptural works such as “Santa Maria Del
Fiore” and the “David” are unique
treasuries which still today represent a
huge national heritage which deserve to
be put inside the time capsule.

8. The Renaissence
Leonardo’s inventions and paintings such as
the “Gioconda” and “Ultima Cena” are
mandatory when studying the Italian history of
art; they are tremendous proves of our Italian
legacy and therefore both artist’s works need
to be present in the capsule.

9. Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century
From these centuries, I mainly selected
two figures whose works were
inspirational for the future generations
and still today demonstrate the most
intellectual part of my country. The first
one, Guglielmo Marconi, was the pioneer
of the Radio Transmission and the second
one, the poet Giacomo Leopardi, was the
major exponent of the Italian romance
age. His poem “L’Infinito” contains
everything to understand this period.
Their scientific findings and literary
writings cannot be left unconsidered.

10. The Nineteen Hundred
This century has been characterized by two
World Wars and an exponential
technological and industrial development.
In Italy, after WWI, the fascist ideology
developed, and Mussolini dictatorship took
place. It is our responsibility to study it and
to be informed about it and not just to
pretend it did not happen. At the same
time, I think is vital to put something
representing the Partisans; the civilians
who courageously fought against the
dictatorship and following their democratic
ideals mainly contributed to the liberation
of Italy.

11. The Nineteen
Hundred
The Costitution entered into force with the
beginning of 1948.
Moreover the 2nd of June 1946 the Italian
Republic was born followed by the writing
down of the Italian Constitution.
The Constitution is an examle of what we
achieved as a country through history, and it
shows our values and deepest believes. It
must be placed inside the capsule.

12. The nineteen hundred
Beside the historic events, the nineteen hundred is also
the century in which the automotive industry had its
main breakthroughs. The Italian company FIAT
launched the famous Fiat 500 in those days, and
recently Lamborghini’s and Ferrari’s are between the
most beautiful luxury cars and most recognized brands
in the car industry.

13. Today Some objects today have an
intrinsic value which show the
word our spirit and traditions.
Even if they are only simple
objects they represent Italy in
all its shades. In the capsule I
will include a soccer ball;
soccer is the national sport and
represent our competitive spirit
and attachment to our home.
In addition, I will put a dish of
hand-made pasta, which better
than anything explains our
relationship with food and our
long-lasting tradition of sitting
together with the family.

14. Today
Italian stylists like Armani,
Versace, Valentino and Ferre’
began with designing simple
dresses and now produce one
of the most fashionable and
valuable product Italy has to
offer to the world. An
example of one of these
products I believe is necessary
to be inserted in the time
capsule.

15. Conclusions
Nowadays, it is hard to realize what piece
of our heritage will be considered to be
part of our legacy; as probably Dante didn’t
realize the impact that his work would have
had for the following generations.
I believe our goal, as students and future
generation of Italy, is to follow our passion
and believe in what we can achieve
through studying and learning. Who knows,
maybe the next Dante might be already
working on his Commedia.