Archive for 'Culture'
A Blue Moon In Italy Posted by Serena on Nov 16, 2016
Last night, they told us that we’d see a very special, extra large full moon, the sort of moon that you only see una volta ogni morte di Papa (once in a blue moon). Geoff, who was out on the terrazzo gazing up a silvery disk in the limpid night sky, asked me to go…
A Brief History Of Spoken Italian Posted by Geoff on Oct 31, 2016
Although Italian has existed for centuries as a standard written language, it wasn’t until the advent of television and the spread of mass education in the 1950’s that it became widely spoken. Latino Volgare Spoken Italian is a lingua neolatina (new Latin language) which has evolved from Latino volgare, the everyday spoken Latin of the…
An Italian Knight’s Tale Posted by Geoff on Sep 12, 2016
Variety, as they say, is the spice of life, and we do endeavour, dear readers, to bring you plenty of it in our articles. That’s why we’re always on the lookout for interesting guest bloggers who are able to share their own personal experiences and passions, and bring you new perspectives on life in Italy…
Italian General Knowledge Quiz Posted by Serena on Aug 26, 2016
Are you ready to test your knowledge of Italian culture and history? Here are 19 tricky questions divided into 4 categories. See how many you can get right. We’ll publish the answers next week Names 1. Which contemporary Italian sculptor, famous for his bronze spheres, is named after a fruit? 2. What was the nickname…
Treading Grapes Posted by Geoff on Aug 22, 2016
I recently asked my Italian friend and student of English, Stefano, to practice his English by writing about some of his childhood memories for me. I liked what Stefano wrote so much that I asked him to rewrite it in his mother tongue so that I could share it with you. Here are a few…
At The Bar In Italy Posted by Serena on Aug 10, 2016
The bar is an essential institution in Italy. A meeting place, somewhere to pass the time of day, to top up your caffeine levels or the credit on your cellulare. At the bar you can read the provided daily paper, play lotto, buy cigarettes, fare la colazione (have breakfast), una merenda (a snack) or, in…
The Biggest Liar In Italy! Posted by Geoff on Aug 8, 2016
Italy is well known for its many traditional festivals, from grandiose medieval pageants and world famous events such as Il Palio di Siena to the smaller scale sagre based on traditional regional recipes and wines. But for the last 40 years a rather unusual, yet none the less typically Italian Festival has taken place in…