Greek youths may be confronting the riot police on the streets of Athens again as the eurozone hurtles towards chaos, but in the more refined atmosphere of Frankfurt, the European Central Bank is busily celebrating a series of Italian "cultural days". Overseen by outgoing president Jean-Claude Trichet, and his (Italian) successor Mario Draghi – who don't have much else to think about at the moment – there will be film showings, talks and musical performances between now and mid-November.
For anyone looking for hidden omens about the future of the 17-member single currency as leaders gather for their make-or-break summit in Brussels this weekend, there's plenty of food for thought in the programme.
There will be a lecture about the "boundaries of identity", which might concern reluctant members of a new full-blown fiscal union; a series of six Italian films on the theme of "family affairs"; and, especially for those who think Europe's leaders are making it all up as they go along, an improvisational performance from Stefano Bollani, an "experimental jazz artist".
Fortunately, the ECB is also catering for those still hoping for a happy ending, though: it will be holding "fairytale sessions" for children.
