Notizie UFO - No 21

Magazine Overview

Title: NOTIZIE UFO
Issue: 21 (also referencing n.37 and 38 of "Notiziario stampa")
Date: December 1987
Publisher: CENTRO ITALIANO STUDI UFOLOGICI (CISU)
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of "Notizie UFO" marks the end of subscriptions and memberships for 1987. It announces that issue number 4 of "UFO - Rivista d'informazione ufologica" will be dispatched in January, with a delay attributed to the holiday season and efforts to improve the magazine's graphic design. The editorial expresses hope for a more active year in Italian ufology in 1988.

DALLA SEGRETERIA RICEVUTO (From the Secretariat Received)

The secretariat has received various materials from collaborators:

• Antonio RAMPULLA (Catania): An investigation report on a recent IFO case caused by photoelectric phenomena in Catania on November 11, 1987 (5 pages).
• ORGANISMO STUDI UFO (Cassino - FR): A detailed report on the observation of 3 luminous bodies in Cassino on January 18, 1986 (11 pages).
• Lorenzo BARTOLI (Reggio Emilia): A copy of the chemical analysis of ice samples that fell in Casalmaggiore (RE), completing a dossier on the case (2 pages).
• Giorgio PATTERA (Parma): Reports on the Castellina (PR) sighting in 1986 (4 pages) and investigations into cases in the Parma area on July 25 and August 14 (20 pages).

The newsletter also thanks numerous collaborators for sending clippings, foreign material, and studies, listing many names including Dario BARBANGELO, Marco BOTTAINI, Roberto CAPPELLI, Fulvio COLOMBO, Umberto CORDIER, Alessandro CORTELLAZZI, Marcello CRINO', Sebastiano DI GENNARO, Roberto and Marisa DRI, Angelo FERLICCA, Paolo FIORINO, Corrado GUARISCO, Giorgio IPPOLITO, Alberto LAZZARO, Matteo LEONE, Bruno MANCUSI, Lorenzo MASSAI, Fabio MATTIOLO, Mario PESCATORE, Perry PETRAKIS, Stefano POZZO, Giorgio RUSSOLILLO, Battista SCARAFIOTTI, Michele SISTI, Paolo TOSELLI, Massimo VALLOSCURO, and Maurizio VERGA.

RIVISTE RICEVUTE (Magazines Received)

• "G.A.U. NEWSLETTER" (Fabrizio Massi, Arezzo): An informative circular from January-June 1987, featuring an article by Fabrizio Massi on UFO phenomena and G.A.U. activities, as well as translations of articles by David Jacobs and Jerome Clark commemorating Joseph Allen Hynek.
• "CONTACT INTERNATIONAL ITALIA" (Rome): Volume XIV, issue 4, 1987, includes an intervention by Sergio Bianchi on ufological dissemination and a case from the Vicenza area in 1979.

The newsletter also notes the regular arrival of the contactism monthly "NONSIAMOSOLI" and "M", a Marche-based magazine of the unusual, with which CISU is establishing a collaboration.

"OSSERVATORE UFOLOGICO"

This section reviews the November 1987 issue of "L'osservatore ufologico," a semi-serious ufological satire magazine directed by Giuseppe VERDI. It notes improvements in graphic design and humor, and recommends subscribing due to a reduced price of 5,000 lire per issue.

COMUNICAZIONI IN BREVE (Communications in Brief)

• DEATH OF ELIO GROSSMANN: The newsletter reports the sudden death of Elio GROSSMANN, a correspondent from Sardinia, in a road accident on November 26. He is remembered for his constant use of a tape recorder and camera at ufological events.
• VIDEO SERVICE: Due to a high volume of requests for copies of titles previously listed in "Notizie UFO" n.20, there will be delays in duplication and shipping. Readers who have recorded the "Anthropos" program (dedicating to UFOs and Nazca) from Canale 5 on December 1 are asked to contact the secretariat.
• CORRECTIONS: Two errors are noted in "Notizie UFO" n.20: an interview with Fabrizio Massi was published in "Corriere Aretino" (not "La Nazione"), and the title of Larry Fawcett and Barry Greenwood's book is "Clear Intent - The Government Coverup of the UFO Experience" (not "Just Cause - The Cosmic Watergate").
• REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: Belgian ufologist Christiane PIENS is seeking information about a 1970s Italian television broadcast concerning a crashed aircraft near Aurora in 1897. Contact Bruno Mancusi.

CASISTICA ANNI '80 (Case Files 1980s)

With Massimo NEBBIA's return to Turin, the archiving of UFO/IFO case documentation from the 1980s within the CISU Ufological Database has resumed. The 1981 and 1982 archives have been reviewed, and a catalog of Italian sightings from 1980-1987 is planned. Researchers and groups are thanked for their contributions, and others are encouraged to send in reports, clippings, and documentation.

SPECIALE QUARANTENNALE (Special Fortieth Anniversary)

This section announces the publication of issue n.36 of "Notiziario Archivio Stampa," a 22-page special on the National Week of Ufological Information and related events. The price is 3,000 lire for non-subscribers and 2,000 lire for subscribers.

CONSIGLIO DIRETTIVO (Board of Directors)

The CISU Board of Directors met on December 8 in Salsomaggiore. Key discussions included the activity program for 1988, the membership campaign, and appointments. Plans for 1988 include organizing at least two study meetings in central Italy and decentralizing some activities like monograph coordination and book distribution. A new CISU publication, "Rassegna Casistica," dedicated to sighting reports, will launch in 1988, leading to increased membership fees (25,000 lire for collaborators, 30,000 lire for members). A "supporter" option of 50,000 lire is introduced. Agreements with other ufological associations for mutual subscription benefits were approved. New members, regional coordinators, and archival curators were appointed, along with members of the jury for the first "CISU Prize" and a committee of scientific consultants.

ATTIVITA' (Activities)

CATALOGO EVENTI "FORTIANI" (Catalog of "Fortian" Events)

Umberto CORDIER proposes a new research direction focusing on "Fortian" phenomena, inspired by Charles Fort's work. This encompasses mysterious, anomalous, and unexplained events, including strange astronomical, geophysical, and meteorological phenomena, unusual object falls, mysterious animal sightings, and paranormal events. The goal is to create a specialized archive and catalog of Italian "Fortian" cases, potentially with a computerized version. Interested individuals are invited to contact the project coordinator.

LAVORI IN CORSO (Work in Progress)

• CATALOGHI REGIONALI (Regional Catalogs): The "Progetto cataloghi regionali" is being reorganized, with collaborators to receive a provisional list of sightings for their provinces and an invitation to participate. New, updated editions of the Liguria and Tuscany catalogs, by Umberto CORDIER and Marco BOTTΑΙΝΙ respectively, have been prepared.
• VARIOUS WORKS: Marco BOTTΑΙΝΙ is creating a new edition of the "BIBLIOBANK" catalog for foreign ufology books. Matteo LEONE (Torino) and Leonardo PIANEZZOLA (Dueville VI) have completed translations of articles from foreign magazines and have indexed Italian cases from "Il Giornale dei Misteri" (1979-1980).
• TELEPHONE SECRETARIAT AND DATABANKS: The Rome telephone secretariat (06) 512.75.66, provided by Stefano INNOCENTI, is operational. Maurizio VERGA is promoting the installation of the CISU "UFO BBS" databank on various Bulletin Board Systems across Italy.

BUONA E CATTIVA DIVULGAZIONE (Good and Bad Dissemination)

This section critiques the media's portrayal of UFOs. While weekly magazines generally repeated common misconceptions, some local publications in Reggio Emilia and Novara provided a better service. "Il Meridiano" in Trieste is praised for an objective report based on an interview with Michele SISTI. The "Gli Argonauti" group in Montalcino (SI) is noted for its articles in local press. Piedmontese initiatives include a photography exhibition and debate in Novi Ligure organized by Sebastiano DI GENNARO, and a lecture in Chieri by Gian Paolo GRASSINO. Radio programs in Biella by Federico PAVIGNANO are also mentioned.

INFORMAZIONI (Information)

AVVISTAMENTI RECENTI (Recent Sightings)

A decrease in autumn sightings is noted, with a shift towards southern regions. Several sightings were reported in Friuli-Venezia Giulia on September 7-8, 1987, involving luminous objects and a silent object with a luminous trail. A false alarm in Perugia was attributed to a hot air balloon. Other sightings include a luminous object in Palermo on October 1, a multi-colored glow in Udine on October 5, a black triangular object near Naples on October 12, and a circular object emitting bright light near Roseto degli Abruzzi on October 13.

NUOVI LIBRI DI UFOLOGIA (New UFO Books)

• "VISIONI - APPARIZIONI - VISITATORI ALIENI" by Hilary EVANS (Armenia editore, 400 pages, L. 23,000): A comparative overview of apparitions, from religious to folkloric, seeking common origins.
• "ANNI LUCE - Le esperienze e i contatti extraterrestri di Eduard Meier" by Gary KINDER (Armenia editore, 266 pages, L. 22,000): Examines photographs and artifacts related to Swiss contactee 'Billi' Meier.
• "INTRUDERS" by Budd HOPKINS: Dedicated to family abduction cases. Its Italian publication (Rizzoli) is delayed until March.
• "COMMUNION" by Whitley STRIEBER: Italian publication (Rizzoli) is delayed until March.

ARRIVANO I VISITORS ? (Are the Visitors Coming?)

This section criticizes private television networks for sensationalizing UFO topics as entertainment or folklore. It discusses programs like "Italia Misteriosa," "Lupo Solitario," and "Visitors: stanno arrivando" on Italia 1, which mixed journalistic intent with sensationalist presentation. The commentary notes the involvement of Italian ufologists and contactees, suggesting that such portrayals ridicule the UFO phenomenon and abduction issues.

ESTERO (Abroad)

UN'ONDATA EUROPEA (A European Wave)

August 1987 saw a significant increase in UFO sightings across Europe, particularly in Great Britain (over 50 in a month, including an abduction and IR-3 case) and Switzerland (80 sightings in Ticino). France also reported sightings. These European wave cases will be detailed in CISU's new publication, "Rassegna Casistica."

DUE INTERESSANTI LIBRI (Two Interesting Books)

• "IL CASO VALENTICH" by Richard Haines: Available through CISU's Foreign Library Service, this book details the 1978 disappearance of a plane in Australia after the pilot reported seeing a UFO. Price: L. 20,000 (L. 18,000 for CISU members).
• "ENCICLOPEDIA DEGLI INCONTRI RAVVICINATI CON OVNIS" by Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos and Juan Antonio Fernandez Peris: A comprehensive encyclopedia of close encounters based on a study of 220 cases in Spain and Portugal. Price: L. 25,000 (L. 22,000 for CISU members).

CISU INTERNATIONAL

CISU's international activities are highlighted: Edoardo RUSSO becomes an Italian correspondent for the English magazine "Magonia," and Maurizio VERGA is appointed Italian correspondent for the "Progetto UNICAT" (a database of unexplained cases). Verga also becomes the European director for the American "Computer UFO Network" (CUFON), making American CUFON materials available in Italy. CISU's "UFO - Rivista di informazione ufologica" has received positive reviews and mentions in foreign publications. CISU has secured translation rights for articles with the "International UFO Reporter" and has strengthened ties with BUFORA (UK), with plans to publish "UFOs 1947-1987" in Italy. Edoardo RUSSO coordinated the Italian section of the "UFO Lexicon" project.

ANCORA SULLE "ABDUCTION" (More on "Abductions")

The publication of books by Strieber and Hopkins on UFO abductions continues to generate interest in the US. New books on the topic are anticipated, including one by David JACOBS on the history of ufology since 1973 and another by ethnologist Thomas BULLARD analyzing 300 known abduction cases. Philip KLASS is also publishing a volume on the subject.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings and related phenomena in Italy and abroad, the dissemination of ufological information through publications and media, and the growing international collaboration within the ufological community. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious research and documentation, while also acknowledging and sometimes critiquing the sensationalist or inaccurate portrayal of UFOs in popular media. There is a clear effort to promote CISU's activities and publications, and to foster a more organized and professional approach to ufology.