Notizie CUN - No 02

Magazine Overview

This issue of "NOTIZIE C.U.N." (Issue No. 2, May 1984) is an informative circular from the Secretariat of the National Ufological Center (C.U.N.), based in Turin, Italy. The publication is a direct communication channel for members, aiming to reflect their daily activities and foster greater information sharing and connection.

Secretariat Activities and Received Materials

The Secretariat reports a slight delay in this issue due to extensive archival and secretarial work in preparation for the annual assembly in Florence and the National Congress in Genoa. These events facilitated personal meetings and the collection of requested materials.

The circular highlights the growing interest and active participation of individuals in ufology across Italy, further confirming the success of the "Notizie C.U.N." initiative. It encourages all members to continue contributing their work, sending in material, and reporting their activities to enhance collective information and connection.

Special thanks are extended to G. Neri, G. Giannini, A. Lazzaro, and L. Bartoli for their financial contributions, which have supported the publication of this circular, as it currently lacks any economic sponsorship.

Material Received:

• Alessandro Cortellazzi (Trento): Submitted an 18-page report on the Tiarno di sotto case from January, including an interview transcription, maps, and attachments.
• Paolo Toselli (Alessandria): Provided six detailed investigation reports: two on sightings in Alessandria (June 6, 1983, 24 pages), one in Govone (June 9, 1983, 7 pages), and three on recent cases from the Vicenza area (February, 32 pages).
• Silvio Formilan (Schio -VI): Sent the transcription of an investigation into a close-range sighting on the Serenissima highway between Bergamo and Brescia in May/June 1963 (10 pages).
• Vittorio Crosa (Busalla - GE): Submitted a report on cases in Sassello (September 1978, 4 pages) and further documentation on the IR-3 case at Lago Bruno (Piani di Praglia, November 1980, 2 pages).

Regional Catalogs

Several regional catalogs of ufological cases have been received:

• Como: Maurizio Verga compiled a 48-page volume with codes, summaries, sources, typologies, and evaluations of 70 cases from 1952 to 1983.
• Pistoia: A 21-page document with codes, sources, typologies, and summaries of 39 cases from 1948 to 1980, curated by Marco Bottani.
• Florence: Fabrizio Villa and Calogero Orlando compiled summaries of 137 cases from 1946 to 1980 (43 pages).
• Livorno: Sandra and Giuliano Lenzi provided a 23-page summary of 71 cases from 1945 to 1983.
• Ravenna: Simone Monte updated the Emilia catalog with 41 cases, including essential data, codes, and sources (4 pages).

Received Publications

Several publications from various groups and C.U.N. branches are highlighted to promote their diffusion:

• NUOVE REALTA' NOTIZIE: Supplement to Nuove Realtà, No. 2, May 1983 (11 pages of news, reviews, and articles on ufology and the unusual). Contact: Lorenzo Massai, Prato.
• NUOVI ORIZZONTI: Year IV, No. 1, January 1984 (20 pages of ufological cases and articles). Contact: L. Valleriani and F. Passeretti, Rome.
• IL SENZATITOLO: Year VII, No. 1, Jan-Feb 1984 (13 pages on ufology, Fortean topics, and other themes). Contact: Alberto Lazzaro, Udine.
• SOLARIS: No. 1, January 1984 (15 pages dedicated to ufology, priced at L. 1,500). Contact: Daniele Lolicato, Catania. The publication "UFOLOGIA ITALIANA" (an anthology of Italian ufological writings) can also be requested from this address for L. 15,000. The first part (14 pages) of this anthology, focusing on an article by P.L. Sani, has been received.
• SKY WATCH: Year V, No. 8, January 1984 (ufology newsletter). Contact: Roberto Balbi, C.U.N. Genova branch.

Press Archive

There has been an increase in submitted articles and attention to the press archive. Contributions have been received from Gianfranco Bussacchini, Massimiliano Colnaghi, Michele Sisti, Antonio Chiumiento, Marcello Crino', Giorgio Russolillo, Luigi Di Ruzza, Daniela Giordano, Fabrizio Villa, Alessandro Cortellazzi, Alessandro Le Foche, Pier Luigi Sani, Massimo Ferrante, Angelo Iacopino, and Lorenzo Bartoli. The archive is seeking more contributions. A journalistic review of articles concerning the recent National Congress in Genoa is available for L. 2,500.

Activities

Sound Archive and Radio-TV Recordings:

A new sector, the Sound Archive, has been established within the Documentation Bank to collect tapes and cassettes of ufological investigations, radio-TV programs, congresses, and conferences. The focus will initially be on ufological radio and television programs. A "telephone network" is planned to coordinate recording efforts. The Secretariat can record radio programs directly (Gian Paolo Grassino, tel. 011-76.69.76), and Massimo Greco in Brescia has a video recorder available (tel. 030-30.4.72). Members with recording equipment or interest are encouraged to contact the Secretariat. The issue lists recorded programs: RAI Radio 2 (Dec 14, 1983), RAI-TV 1 (Mar 12-13, 1984), and EuroTV (Apr 23, 1984).

Anyone who has recorded other programs is invited to provide copies, with costs credited according to standard practices. Specific requests are made for recordings of programs featuring CUN Board members, including RAI Radio (May 5, 1984), RAI-TV 1 (May 3-5, 1984), RAI-TV 1 (May 26, 1984), and RAI Radio 2 (May 28, 1984). A complete recording of the National Congress in Genoa is also available, thanks to Lorenzo Bartoli and Elio Grossmann.

ITACAT: Italian Landing Catalog:

Maurizio Verga has been working for seven years on cataloging landing cases (Vallée's Type 1 classification) in Italy. He has produced about thirty catalogs and studies, many unpublished. The first part of his "ITA-CAT" catalog, covering the period 1912-1976, has been released. It includes an introduction of 24 pages and summaries of 190 Type 1 cases, totaling 70 pages plus 60 pages of notes and sources. Verga is seeking further information for the second part of the catalog and can be contacted at his address in Cermenate (CO).

Local Dissemination

• Paolo Toselli: Following his relocation to the Vicenza area, Toselli has been conducting investigations and published his new address in an interview in "Il Giornale di Vicenza" (April 4, 1984).
• Alberto Lazzaro: After moving from Reggio Emilia to Udine, Lazzaro has been active. A conference was held by Antonio Chiumiento on March 3rd, and Lazzaro received media coverage in Friulian and national newspapers ("Messaggero Veneto," "Il Tempo," April 5, 1984).
• C.U.N. Turin Branch: Held a conference at the Institute of Applied Psychology I.D.M. on May 29th, publicized in "La Stampa." They also secured an interview with Hynek for "Stampa Sera" (March 16, 1984).

Members are encouraged to report their local dissemination activities, as this helps in gaining visibility and finding interested individuals.

Information

Assembly in Florence:

The annual C.U.N. assembly was held in Florence on April 7th, with 24 members present and 40 represented by proxy. The approval of the 1983 balance sheets and social appointments was on the agenda. The 1983 financial year closed with a profit of L. 204,000, a significant improvement from previous losses, largely due to the cessation of "Quaderni UFO" publication.

The Board of Directors requested to be reconfirmed without discussion of past management, citing the need to complete ongoing initiatives like the new editorial management of "Notiziario UFO" and the national congress in Genoa. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the negotiation with the publisher Violin, particularly concerning the transfer of social membership fees as subscriptions, which effectively eliminates C.U.N.'s economic income for 1984. The Board defended these decisions, anticipating substantial revenue from the upcoming Congress.

• Voting results for alternative candidacies were:
• A. Chiumiento: 44 votes
• G. Neri: 43 votes
• C. Malanga: 38 votes
• M. Cingolani: 35 votes
• R. Pinotti: 31 votes
• E. Russo: 30 votes
• G.P. Grassino: 20 votes
• R. Farabone: 26 votes
• R. Balbi: 6 votes

Notiziario UFO:

Issue No. 102 (Jan-Feb 1984) of "Notiziario UFO" has been distributed. The magazine's format has been technically and economically modified by the publisher VIOLIN to 15x21 cm with approximately 200 pages. This format will be maintained for the current year. Annual subscriptions are L. 50,000 for 6 issues (No. 103 to No. 108). Subscribers who have already paid (around a hundred) and those who submitted forms by the end of May '84 (around 400) will pay L. 30,000. Issue No. 103 (March-April '84) is in print and expected to be mailed by mid-June.

Interview Methodology:

The issue recommends William H. Banaka's book "L'INTERVISTA IN PROFONDITA'" (published by Franco Angeli, Milan, 1981, approx. 200 pages, L. 8,500) for those interested in investigation methodology. The book provides a theoretical model for interpersonal relationships and practical advice on preparatory work and interview techniques. The C.U.N. can procure copies for L. 1,000 (including shipping) and is interested in reader comments.

National Congress of Genoa:

The third National Ufology Congress was held in Genoa on May 4th and 5th, focusing on "UFOs and mass media: for correct information." The program, initially planned for three days, was significantly altered due to the absence of numerous speakers. The event included presentations on the "Problem of UFOs in public information," "private research," testimonies from pilots, politicians, and scientists, and a round table with journalists. The discussions largely revolved around the media's role in ufology, with a notable absence of journalists participating in the dialogue, instead focusing on interviews. Cases involving sightings at military bases in the Veneto region were a prominent topic.

Saturday's sessions included continued presentations and an intervention by astronomer Croce and meteorologist Bini. Hynek's presentation on the US ufological scene was moved to the afternoon. The round table discussion turned into a series of questions directed at Hynek by the audience, including "cultist" elements.

Attendance was around a hundred people, peaking at 300 during Hynek's presentation. A photographic exhibition, managed by Emi and Roberto Balbi, Massimo Giovine, and Giorgio Pattera, attracted a larger audience (500 tickets sold). The participation of C.U.N. members and collaborators was limited to about twenty.

Journalists received a 100-page dossier of documentation on official commissions and government involvement worldwide, available for L. 10,000. The General Secretariat produced a 4-page flyer explaining ufology, the C.U.N., and its activities, which can be requested for future use in public events. Both the dossier and the flyer were used as a basis for journalistic reports on the Congress.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Notizie C.U.N." strongly emphasizes the importance of information sharing, documentation, and archiving within the ufological community. The C.U.N. actively collects and disseminates reports, regional case catalogs, and publications, aiming to build a comprehensive understanding of ufological phenomena in Italy. The editorial stance is one of active engagement, encouraging member participation and collaboration. The publication also highlights the challenges of funding and the efforts made to maintain operations and disseminate information, particularly through the "Notiziario UFO" and various archival projects. The coverage of the National Congress in Genoa underscores the ongoing dialogue between ufology and the media, and the C.U.N.'s role in facilitating this interaction.