News Fortiane - No 07

Magazine Overview

Title: NEWS FORTIANE
Issue: Anno 1 Numero 7 Rev. 1 (*)
Date: 02 Agosto 2008
Publisher: Centro Studi Fortiani
Focus: The world of mystery, UFOs, and unexplained phenomena.

The Pierfortunato Zanfretta Case: An Italian Abduction Becomes a Film

The lead story focuses on the Pierfortunato Zanfretta case, an alleged alien abduction that occurred thirty years prior and is now being developed into a film. Zanfretta, a former night watchman, recounts his terrifying encounter in 1978 with two large, green, wrinkled beings who pushed him to the ground. At the time, over 50 people reported seeing strange lights in the area, and Zanfretta was found by colleagues in a state of shock. His car was unusually hot, and a circle of burned grass was found on the lawn, along with "paw" prints. This incident was followed by ten more alleged abductions, including one where he was found 20 kilometers away from his service vehicle. His service car's steel chassis reportedly cracked as if lifted, despite no cranes being present. Coincidentally, after one abduction, Zanfretta mentioned aliens came from Spain, and the next day, European newspapers reported UFO sightings in Madrid. For twenty-seven years, these beings have not bothered him, though Zanfretta claims something was implanted in his neck, and he was given a box containing a transparent pyramid with three faces, which he must open monthly in a secret location.

Zanfretta, now 54, is described as a simple man with kind eyes. He lost his job and his wife left him with their four children due to the ordeal. He finds solace in his current job assisting people in a care facility, where he recently saved residents from a fire. He hopes for the abductions to end, stating, "I hope and wish for it all to end soon, I can't take it anymore." He also mentions that the 'magic box' became active in early 2008, with seven pairs of buttons, signaling that the aliens promised to return and reveal themselves to the world soon.

UK UFO Psychosis: A Majority Believes

This section reports on a poll conducted by the tabloid 'Sun' via the YouGov polling institute, indicating that a majority of Britons believe UFOs exist. The X-Files series is cited as influencing public perception. According to the poll, 52% of Britons believe UFOs are real, and 9% claim to have had close encounters with aliens. While 23% consider aliens "friendly," only 13% fear them, with 64% remaining unsure. The belief that aliens have visited Earth is supported by references to mysterious constructions like Stonehenge, the Pyramids, and crop circles. The article notes a recent surge in UFO sightings in Great Britain, with one day recording over two hundred alerts, a significant increase from the usual five to ten daily reports. Edgar Mitchell, a former Apollo 14 astronaut, is quoted as saying that UFOs exist, resemble E.T., and that governments have been hiding alien visits for 60 years, but he reassures that they are not hostile.

Enigmatic Symbols from the Bronze Age: The Mystery of the Tablets

An international project led by Italy is attempting to decipher mysterious symbols found on terracotta and stone artifacts from the Bronze Age, dating back to between 2100 and 1400 BC. These artifacts, known as "enigmatic tablets" or "Brotlaibidole" (bread loaf idols), are found across Central and Eastern Europe, with about 300 discovered so far. Their meaning and function remain unknown, with theories ranging from commercial records (like checks or bills) to talismans or ritualistic objects. The project, involving archaeologists from various European countries, aims to create a comprehensive online catalog of these tablets and gather new findings via a website (www.tavoletteenigmatiche.it). The tablets were likely used for preserving information and were known in diverse communities involved in agriculture and trade. The project plans to culminate in an exhibition and international conference in Cavriana in Spring 2010. It is speculated that the decline of these tablets' use may be linked to increased contact with the Eastern Mediterranean and the rise of the codified Mycenaean script.

Spontaneous Combustion: A Mystery in Ginestra Fiorentina

This article details a series of baffling incidents in Ginestra Fiorentina, Italy, where household items like mattresses, clothes, and furniture began spontaneously combusting. The fires occurred without any apparent source of ignition or flammable material, leading to investigations by the Carabinieri and firefighters. The incidents are compared to unexplained fires that occurred in Canneto, Sicily, four years prior, and the area's proximity to the site of the infamous 'Monster of Florence' murders is also noted.

Edgar Mitchell: UFOs and Aliens Exist, Governments Hide the Truth

Former astronaut Edgar Mitchell, who holds the record for the longest moonwalk, asserts that UFOs and aliens exist. He claims that aliens have visited Earth multiple times and that governments, particularly the U.S. government, have been concealing this information. Mitchell specifically mentions the alleged 1947 Roswell incident and the discovery of four alien corpses. He attributes the secrecy to initial uncertainty about the aliens' intentions and a desire to withhold information from the USSR during the Cold War. Mitchell believes aliens are not hostile, stating that if they were, humanity would have been exterminated long ago. However, UFO researchers like Don Berliner express skepticism, noting that Mitchell's claims lack concrete evidence or specific names.

Other Mentions

• Area di Confine: The August issue of this magazine, published by Acacia Edizioni, will feature research by Stefano Panizza on the history of crop circle appearances.
• Mystero Extra: The summer 2008 issue of this periodical from Mondo Ignoto focuses on occultism, with articles on the devil, satanism, and a surprising piece on Leonardo da Vinci as a prophet.
• Occulto!: A magazine featuring articles on Aleister Crowley, ghosts, sex, rock satanism, and Leonardo da Vinci's prophecies.
• Prato Unicorn Sighting: A report from La Repubblica about a sighting of a deer in Prato with a single horn in the center of its forehead, potentially explaining the myth of the unicorn.
• Yeti Pili Found: Tests on mysterious hairs found in an Indian forest suggest they may belong to the Yeti, also known as the 'abominable snowman'. Experts at Brookes University in Oxford are conducting genetic analysis.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of unexplained phenomena, extraterrestrial encounters, ancient mysteries, and government cover-ups. The editorial stance appears to be open to investigating and reporting on these subjects, presenting various perspectives and evidence, even if sometimes speculative or unconfirmed. There's a clear interest in cases that have gained public attention, such as the Zanfretta abduction and the ongoing debate about UFOs. The inclusion of diverse topics, from ancient history to modern alleged encounters, suggests a broad scope within the realm of mystery and the unexplained.