Archive for 'Uncategorized'
La Primavera di Botticelli Posted by Serena on Apr 18, 2013
Dopo un lungo e piovoso inverno che sembrava non voler mai finire, all’improvviso è scoppiata la primavera in tutto il suo splendore: sull’erba tornata verde mazzi di primule, narcisi e giunchiglie si alternano a violette e iris, mentre i prati sono bianchi, azzurri e gialli di margheritine, veronica e tarassaco. Contro il cielo azzurro si…
Genova – Via del Campo Posted by Serena on Apr 5, 2013
Following our recent trip to Genova, which we described in our last blog, I felt inspired to listen to some music by Genova’s most famous singer songwriter, Fabrizio De Andrè. The name of the song Via del Campo is taken from an old cobbled street in the Genova’s historical centre, not far from il Porto…
Genova, City of Surprises! Posted by Serena on Apr 2, 2013
L’ interessantissima città di Genova … Mercoledì scorso siamo andati a Genova per la prima volta. L’interessantissima città di Genova si trova nel punto centrale della Liguria, fra le due famose riviere di Levante (ad est) e di Ponente (ad ovest). Genova è schiacciata fra le montagne che la dividono dal Piemonte e il mar…
Le Frittelle Per La Festa del Papà Posted by Serena on Mar 18, 2013
On the 19th of March the Catholic Church commemorates San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph), the father of Jesus on earth, and therefore on this day we also celebrate La Festa del Papà (Father’s day). This festival wouldn’t be complete without the traditional zeppole or frittelle di San Giuseppe, a type of sweet fritter or doughnut, which…
Grazia Deledda Posted by Serena on Mar 8, 2013
Today, the 8th of March, we celebrate la Festa della Donna (International Women’s Day), and as is now my tradition, I’m going to dedicate today’s blog to a famous Italian woman. In the past I have written about educationalist Maria Montessori, and artist Artemisia Gentileschi, today’s blog is about the writer Grazia Deledda. Grazia Deledda…
Che Cavolo Mangiamo Oggi? Posted by Serena on Feb 24, 2013
We are reaching the end of the winter (hopefully), and the only vegetable that still survives on our sad orto (vegetable garden), all covered in snow, is il cavolo nero toscano (Tuscan black cabbage). With its tufts of long, dark green leaves that look almost black against the white wintery mantle, il cavolo nero is…
Il Cielo In Una Stanza Posted by Serena on Feb 15, 2013
Yesterday morning I woke up with un tarlo musicale (literally: a musical woodworm, a repetitive piece of music that sticks in your mind) in my head. It was the beginning of an Italian song called Il cielo in una stanza, written by singer and songwriter Gino Paoli in 1960. This old song, wonderfully interpreted by…