Archive for 'Culture'
Giugno Posted by Serena on Jun 2, 2011
The name of the month giugno (June) comes from the Roman goddess Juno, wife of the god Jupiter. Festività (Festivals): On the 2nd of June we celebrate la Festa Nazionale della Repubblica. In 1946 the Italian people held a referendum on whether to remain a kingdom or to become a republic. The decision was made…
I Figli Mammoni Posted by Serena on May 12, 2011
In Italian we have a word that describes a high percentage of young Italian men: un mammone (a mum’s boy), or literally ‘a big mum’. The typical mammone lives at home with mummy and daddy until well past the age of thirty (my youngest brother moved out when he was thirty six!), he doesn’t usually…
Maggio Posted by Serena on May 3, 2011
The name of the month maggio (May) comes from the Roman goddess Maia, mother of the god Mercury. Principali Festività (Main Festivals): On the 1st of May we celebrate la Festa del Lavoro or Giornata Internazionale dei Lavoratori (International Workers’ Day). This year il Primo Maggio (the First of May) falls on a Sunday and…
Colomba Pasquale Posted by Serena on Apr 22, 2011
Our traditional Easter cake is called la Colomba (the Dove). Similar to the Christmas Panettone in flavor and consistency, but baked in the form of a stylized dove, it is a symbol of peace. Although it’s the most popular Easter cake eaten in Italy, the tradition of la Colomba isn’t that old as it was…
Difesa dell’acqua pubblica e no al nucleare Posted by Serena on Mar 31, 2011
Here is an interesting topical article taken from the Italian newspaper ‘La Repubblica’. It reflects both the Italian public’s preoccupation with environmental issues, and their lack of faith in the ability of politicians to move beyond their internal disputes, power games, and ‘bunga bunga’ parties, and actually do something constructive! It is estimated that between…
Rapporto sulla Salute dell’Italia – part 2 Posted by Serena on Mar 27, 2011
WARNING, those of you who idealize the healthy Italian lifestyle and mythical Mediterranean diet may be disappointed! Adulti e bambini sempre più pesanti e grassi (Adults and children increasingly overweight) Every year in Italy about 50,000 deaths are related to obesity. Amongst adults 35.5% are overweight and 10% are obese, giving a total of 45.5%…
Rapporto sulla Salute dell’Italia – part 1 Posted by Serena on Mar 24, 2011
Tendenze demografiche (Demographic tendencies) In Italia, la popolazione residente (the resident population) is increasing. However, il tasso di fecondità (the birth rate) remains relatively stable, but below the 2.1 per couple which would guarantee a ricambio generazionale (renewal of the next generation). The current crescita demografica (demographic growth) is explained by immigration. L’Italia continua ad…