Archive for 'Culture'
Easter In Italy Posted by Geoff on Apr 14, 2017
In Italian we say: ‘Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi’ (Christmas with your family, Easter with whoever you like). Nevertheless, Domenica di Pasqua (Easter Sunday) is usually spent with the family, engaged in the traditional act of stuffing oneself with food, and then regretting it … Da Mangiare c’è … Traditional Easter fare consists…
Romeo, Romeo, Perché Sei Tu Romeo? Posted by Geoff on Apr 7, 2017
If Shakespeare rewrote his Romeo and Juliet in 2017 …. (inspired by a visit to La Casa di Giulietta in Verona) …. Romeo: She speaks. O, speak again, bright angel, for thou art As glorious to this night, being o’er my head, As is a winged messenger of heaven … Juliet: Romeo, Romeo, wherefore moveth…
Avvisi Divertenti – Ai Padroni Maleducati Di Cani Posted by Geoff on Mar 29, 2017
Wandering around the back streets of romantic Verona I spotted a notice which seemed to express the innate poetry of the Italian soul: Dear Bubi, We note, with pleasure, that your organism expresses itself with daily regularity right here in front (of our house). We would like he who holds your lead, to become aware…
Le Studentesse – English Translation Posted by Geoff on Mar 24, 2017
Salve a tutti! Here’s my translation of Serena’s blog Tales From The Bar – Le Studentesse I bar aprono la mattina presto, verso le sette, sette e mezzo e studenti e lavoratori ci vanno a fare colazione e rinfrancarsi prima di affrontare la giornata lavorativa. Quando io vado a badare mia mamma a Pontremoli, mi…
Tales From The Bar – Le Studentesse Posted by Serena on Mar 22, 2017
Il bar is an essential part of everyday life here in Italy. It’s important to clarify that an Italian bar isn’t like a bar in an English or American pub, club or hotel. The bar is a place to go for a coffee, breakfast, a snack, an aperitivo, to socialize, to top up your cell…
Tenue Sole di Marzo Posted by Geoff on Mar 20, 2017
The Italian word primavera has interesting and ancient origins. It’s composed of the two terms: ‘prima‘ (before, or first) and ‘vera‘, which has its roots in the sanscrit word vas-, meaning ‘ardere‘ (to burn) or ‘splendere‘ (to shine), and by extension also ‘l’estate‘ (the summer). ‘Prima-vera‘ therefore is ‘la stagione prima dell’estate‘ (the season before…
Giallo Zafferano Posted by Serena on Mar 17, 2017
Zafferano (saffron), from the Arabic word zafaran, it’s a spice obtained from the dried stigmas of the Crocus sativus. Originally from Persia and the Near East, it is widely cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region. In Italy it is cultivated mainly in the regions of Abruzzo and Sardegna. The quantity of saffron obtained from each flower…