CCR Walks: Popeless! - November 30, 2025

A new exhibition entitled "Il Giubileo senza papa" (The Jubilee Without a Pope) at Trajan's Market charts the ways in which jubilees shaped the medieval image of Rome, focusing particularly on the second popeless Holy Year, held in 1350, amongst Black Death (Bubonic Plague) and earthquake survivors in Rome. The pope at that time was in Avignon, so he could not preside over the celebrations.

When: Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025

Time: 10:30 (please arrive by 10:15)

Meeting Place: registered participants will be informed of the exact spot by email. 

Cost: Guided visit for CCR members €10, non-members €15. MIC card holders eligible for free admission to Trajan's Market. Make sure your card is up-to-date and already valid before the weekend. For others, the cost of admission to Trajan's Market for residents of Rome (with ID confirming this) is €13. Non-residents €17.50.

RSVP: ATTN Joe at canadarome@gmail.com

CCR Book Club - December 14, 2025

The CCR Book Club's Christmas-themed gathering will be a jovial lunchtime potluck around a discussion of the novel "The Berry Pickers" by Amanda Peters. In this story, a four-year-old Mi’kmaq girl goes missing from the blueberry fields of Maine, in a mystery that haunts the survivors, unravels a community, and remains unsolved for nearly fifty years. Themes include the search for truth, the shadow of trauma, and the persistence of love across time.

When: Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025

Time: 1 p.m.

Where: Private residence of CCR member (Villa Pamphili area). Exact address sent to confirmed participants by email. Open only to current members of the CCR. 

Potluck: Please let Lucy know what food you'll be bringing.

Further info & RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Lucy. As space is limited, reservation is compulsory.

CCR Wine Tasting: Rare Vintages from Humble Roots to Triumph - November 22, 2025

Italy possesses an extraordinary wealth of native grape varieties -- a living archive of viticultural biodiversity stretching back centuries. Yet for decades, many of these indigenous cultivars fell into obscurity and were overshadowed as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and other international varietals swept across the Italian countryside. Now, a determined group of winemakers deeply rooted in their ancestral terroir are reclaiming this legacy. They are reviving forgotten native grapes unique to their regions, coaxing them back from near extinction and crafting distinctive wines that capture the authentic character of the land. The result is a collection of rare vintages virtually unknown beyond Italy's borders, expressions that tell stories of place, tradition, and a commitment to the preservation of this wine heritage.

When: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

Time: 7 p.m. 

Where: Residence of CCR members – Villa Patrizi area (exact details will be sent to registered participants).

Cost: €35 for members (€40 for non-members); advance payment required to confirm your place. A light dinner will follow the wine tasting.

RSVP to Linda; payment by Monday, Nov. 17 at canadarome@gmail.com. Please note that you are financially responsible for your reservation.

We are pleased to have Canadian-Italian sommelier Cindi Emond lead this wine tasting in English. Following years of dedicated wine studies, Cindi completed WSET and three diploma levels, and has certifications from Fondazione Italiana Sommelier and the Worldwide Sommelier Association. With her background in education and as a fine art and documentary photographer, Cindi combines technical knowledge with the gift of storytelling, making wine accessible and entertaining.

Book Presentation: Eric Reguly - December 11, 2025

Eric Reguly, European bureau chief for The Globe and Mail, will present his book on the life and work of his father, renowned war correspondent and investigative journalist Robert Reguly, and the impact his career had on their relationship. The senior Reguly reported on the Vietnam War from very close range and was deeply affected by the experience. Hard-hitting political coverage and investigations throughout his career also won him accolades for decades.

Eric Reguly, who is a long-time resident of Rome, was born in Vancouver and grew up in Toronto, Washington, D.C., and Italy. "Ghosts of War: Chasing My Father's Legend Through Vietnam" tells the story of father and son, both united and divided by journalism. Copies of this memoir will be available for purchase and signature. Eric will also tell us briefly about his most recent book on Gaza.

This talk and Q&A will be moderated by CCR friend Jeannie Marshall, another Canadian who has reported for numerous Canadian and international newspapers and sites.

When: Thursday, December 11, 2025

Time: arrival starting 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. presentation begins.

Where: residence of CCR members – Villa Patrizi area (exact details will be sent to registered participants). Light refreshments will be provided.

Cost: free.

RSVP to canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle by noon Dec. 9th, or earlier if all places booked.

Noël Celebration - December 1, 2025

We're returning to our favourite Sardinian seafood restaurant for a festive feast to welcome the holiday season! Just take a look at the menu below and make your booking with family and friends. 

As always, seasonal attire is very welcome. We will have a carol singalong and a holiday quiz!

Appetizers

Oysters, scampi and shrimp 

Truffle-scented salmon

Salmon marinated in orange

Seared tuna with balsamic vinegar and soya sauce

Sea bream (spigola) carpaccio

Mussels sautéed with tomatoes

Fried baby octopus

Gateau of Sardinian crisp bread (Pane Carasau), pecorino (sheep) cheese and swordfish

Pasta dishes

Paccheri tube pasta with kingfish (ricciola) and Pachino cherry tomatoes

Creamy risotto with zucchini flowers and shrimp

Mains

Baked sea bass (branzino) with potatoes en croûte

Grilled scampi and prawns

Raw vegetables with Italian oil dip (Pinzimonio)

Sweets

Sorbet

Tiramisù 

Traditional Italian Sweet Loaf (Panettone) and bubbly

White wine: Sardinian Vermentino

Water, coffee, digestives

A special menu may be prepared for people who cannot eat fish or seafood, but this and any other dietary restrictions must be communicated in advance to the CCR.

When: Monday, Dec. 1, 2025

Where: Ristorante Eleonora D’Arborea, Corso Trieste 23

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Cost: CCR members €45; non-members €60.

RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com with the names of members of your party by email and proof of payment. Deadline 12 noon, Fri. Nov. 28, 2025. Please note that those arriving without reservations and payment will not be accommodated.

NB: Payment must be made in advance and will not be refunded for no-shows or late cancellations. Please inform us of any dietary requirements upon reservation and no later than Nov. 28th.

CCR Book Club & Author Chat - November 16, 2025

CCR members and friends already know that a special exhibition of Italian and Canadian artist Sveva Caetani's work is currently underway at Rome's MAXXI museum, and for the November book pick the CCR Book Club has chosen "Little Fortress," written by Laisha Rosnau, who is an award-winning Canadian poet and the executive director of the Caetani Centre in Vernon, British Columbia. The novel tells the story of the family's life when leaving their noble origins in Italy, during the years of isolation in their Vernon home after the death of Sveva's father, and Sveva's artistic rebirth later in life.

This month the meeting format will be an afternoon tea/early aperitivo in order to accommodate a videocall with Laisha, who will be in Vancouver, joining the meeting remotely at 4 p.m.

When: Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025

Time: meeting at 3:30 p.m., starting videocall with the author at 4 p.m.

Where: Private residence of CCR member (Monteverde Vecchio). Exact address sent to confirmed participants by email. Open only to current members of the CCR. 

Potluck: Please let Lucy know what food you'll be bringing.

Further info & RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Lucy. As space is limited, reservation is compulsory.