Notizie UFO - No 42

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Notizie UFO", number 42, published in October 1993 by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), serves as an informative circular detailing recent activities and findings in the field of ufology. The publication highlights a significant increase in UFO sightings in Italy during the summer of 1993, noting media attention, the success of the film 'Fire in the Sky', and a rise in interesting and problematic sightings.

From the Secretariat

The "Dalla Segreteria" section reports on materials received by the secretariat. Giuseppe Stilo from Florence submitted a report on a daytime object sighting from the mid-1970s in Tonfano di Viareggio. Marco Bianchini from Siena provided a detailed report on a luminous body observed during a football match in 1978, along with historical case files from the 'Circolo Culturale F. Tozzi'. Antonio Cuccu from Sassari has continued his work cataloging Sardinian UFO sightings, adding numerous new reports for 1992 and 1993, including lights in transit, moving lights, nocturnal objects, and lights following an aircraft. Antonio Rampulla from Catania submitted two reports from 1992 concerning a luminous object observed over the sea near Catania and a 'drop-shaped' luminous body.

The secretariat also thanks a long list of individuals for sending clippings, news, and other ufological material that enriches the CISU archives.

New Issue of the Magazine

"Notizie UFO" announces the publication of issue number 12 of their main magazine, which was released in July (though distribution was delayed to late August). This issue features extensive articles on ufology, including coverage of the Soviet Union, the late Aimé Michel, and 'crashed flying saucer' incidents. It also includes results from CISU investigations, with material from less cooperative sources like law enforcement and the military.

Address Changes

Several address changes for CISU members are noted: Alessandro Cortellazzi has moved to Trento, Arcangelo Cassano to Bari (with a special note for larger packages), and Antonio Rampulla has also relocated.

CISU Directives

A meeting of the CISU directive council took place in Milan on June 20th. The meeting reviewed the membership campaign (showing a slight decrease) and ongoing activities. It was decided that the seventh national convention in November in Bologna would focus on UFO investigation.

Activities

Case Catalogues: The Puglia regional UFO sighting catalog has been completed with a third volume. Arcangelo Cassano has also produced a booklet of statistics on Puglian sightings from 1950-1979. Umberto Cordier has updated the Ligurian regional catalog, which now contains 670 computerized cases. The provincial catalog for Viterbo, 'Gli avvistamenti nella Tuscia dal 1954 ad oggi', compiled by Angelo Ferlicca, is also mentioned. A new provincial catalog for Siena is currently in progress, curated by Marco Bianchini and Roberto Cappelli.

Local Outreach: CISU is highlighted as a leading organization in media outreach in Italy, aiming to connect with witnesses and potential collaborators. Several members' outreach activities are detailed for the first six months of the year. Massimo Valloscuro's press releases were published in local newspapers, and he contributed a regular column on UFOs. Edoardo Russo was interviewed on various radio and television programs, including RAI GR2 and Radio 105 Network, following a UFO flap on January 19th. CISU press releases were widely distributed by news agencies and covered by national media, including TG3 RAI. Other members' activities include lectures, interviews, and contributions to local media.

UFO in Italy 1993

This section provides a summary of UFO sightings in Italy during the first five months of 1993. Reports include a bright light observed in Varese, a fiery object descending near Tarvisio, a Venus sighting mistaken for a UFO in La Salle, yellow lights observed near Sassari, elongated objects flying at high altitude near Menfi, and a luminous flash and trail observed near the Maiella mountain. Similar phenomena were reported near Assergi. A glowing triangular object was sighted over Parma, and a silvery, hemispherical object with red reflections was observed near Sopramonte. A green luminous trail was seen near Vaneze, and a red light was reported in the same area. The month of March had no reported sightings. In April, three luminous globes near Darfo Boario Terme were identified as reflections from a discotheque's laser lights. May sightings include a curious case of a humanoid encounter near Pretare (AP).

Two para-ufological cases are detailed: a circular track discovered near Tassignano airport with flattened grass and a burnt center, and a report of an ovoidal reflection from a discotheque's beacon near Castiglioncello and Livorno. A red signal flare was also observed near Livorno.

The issue notes that a significant 'mini-wave' of sightings, including traces and entities, began in June and continued into July, with further details to be provided in the next issue.

Radio-TV Listening Center

This section lists national television programs that discussed UFOs in the first half of 1993, based on data collected by Paolo Toselli. Programs mentioned include various TG and GR reports, 'TG3 Leonardo' featuring an interview with Tullio Regge and a CISU service, and 'RAIUNO Big' with a segment on ufology. Other media appearances include interviews on Rete 4, Canale 5, and RAIDUE. Films and telefilms with ufological themes broadcast during this period are also listed.

In Videotheque

A new videocassette titled "UFO: dossier Europa - dal terzo Reich ai filmati 1980-1990" has been released, featuring various segments on UFO cases in Finland, Belgium, England, the Soviet Union, and Italy, as well as theories about Nazi UFOs and the Billi Meier case.

New Books

Italian Books: The issue announces the launch of "I libri dell'ignoto," a series of 50 fascicles on mysterious topics, including several on ufology, translated from a Spanish series. Two books by Salvador Freixedo, "Storia del fenomeno UFO" and "Contattati dagli UFO!", are highlighted.

'Fire in the Sky' Film: The Italian release of the film 'Fire in the Sky' is discussed, noting its inspiration from the Travis Walton UFO abduction case. The article details the film's plot, its deviations from the real-life events, and its critical reception and popularity in Italy. It is considered the best cinematic product on ufology in the last fifteen years.

French Books: Three French books are mentioned: Thierry Pinvidic's collective work "OVNI: vers une anthropologie d'un mythe contemporain," Jean-Jacques Velasco's "OVNIs: la science avance" (co-authored with Jean-Claude Bourret), and Renaud Marhic's "L'affaire Ummo: les extraterrestres qui venaient du froid."

International CISU

CISU's international presence in 1992 is detailed, with articles by its members appearing in various international ufological publications. CISU members Paolo Toselli, Gian Paolo Grassino, Edoardo Russo, Nico Sgarlato, and Edoardo Russo are cited in foreign journals and books. CISU's activities and publications were also featured in the 'UFO Research Directory of organizations and publications for the 1990s'.

International Symposium in San Marino

The 1st International Symposium on UFOs and anomalous aerial phenomena was held in San Marino from April 2nd to 4th, organized by the Dicastero Telecomunicazioni e Trasporti in collaboration with the Centro Ufologico Nazionale italiano (CUN). The symposium, titled "Ricerca e prospettive in Europa" (Research and Perspectives in Europe), featured numerous Italian and foreign scholars. Key international speakers included Michel Bougard (Belgium), Jean-Jacques Velasco (France), Javier Sierra (Spain), Antonio Ribera (Spain), Ion Hobana (Romania), and Richard Haines (USA). The event aimed to provide a platform for the CUN's proposal, supported by physicist Tullio Regge, to establish a European UFO research center. Despite limited media coverage, the symposium was considered a success for the organizers, fostering exchange among ufologists.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Notizie UFO" reflects a proactive stance in documenting and disseminating information on UFO phenomena. The editorial focus is on reporting recent sightings, research activities, publications, and media coverage within Italy and internationally. The CISU actively engages in public outreach and collaborates with various media outlets to raise awareness and gather data. The magazine emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and cataloging of cases, while also acknowledging the growing public interest fueled by films and media reports. The recurring themes include detailed case reports, updates on CISU's organizational activities, reviews of new literature, and summaries of ufological events and media appearances. The overall tone is informative and aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the ufological landscape.