{"id":15428,"date":"2018-01-04T21:30:44","date_gmt":"2018-01-04T20:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/italian\/?p=15428"},"modified":"2018-01-04T21:30:44","modified_gmt":"2018-01-04T20:30:44","slug":"italy-always-on-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/italian\/italy-always-on-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"Italy … Always On Holiday?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite the fact that many foreigners believe that us Italians are always on holiday, we only actually have 12 official holidays each year. Let’s find out what they are:
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

1.<\/span> – Capodanno<\/strong>
\nOn the first of January we celebrate Capodanno<\/strong> (New Year’s Day). The name comes from capo dell’anno<\/strong>, literally: head of the year. Does that make mid-June l’ombelico dell’anno<\/strong> (the bellybutton of the year) and the 31st of December l’alluce dell’anno<\/strong> (the big toe of the year)? Now that would be fun! Read more about New Year’s traditions in HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/span> and HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

2.<\/span> – Epifania<\/strong>
\nOn the sixth of January we celebrate l’Epifania<\/strong> (the Epiphany), which commemorates the arrival of i Tre Re Magi<\/strong> (the Three Wise Men) in Bethlehem, this, to the relief of many, marks the end of the\u00a0 Christmas period. Read more about l’Epifania in HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

3.<\/span> – Pasqua<\/strong>
\nEaster doesn’t have a fixed date because it’s the only Christian holiday linked to the lunar calendar. In 2018 it falls on the 1st of April, and that’s not a joke! Unlike many other countries, Venerd\u00ec Santo<\/strong> (Good Friday) is not an official holiday, so businesses will stay open.<\/p>\n

4. <\/span>– Pasquetta<\/strong>
\nDomenica di Pasqua<\/strong> is followed by Luned\u00ec di Pasqua<\/strong> (Easter Monday), better known as Pasquetta<\/strong> (Little Easter). La Pasquetta<\/strong> is probably the most popular aspect of Easter for most Italians, and the traditional way to spend it is by having una gita fuori porta<\/strong> (literally: a trip outside the town gates), which usually involves going out for a walk or a picnic with friends. Read more about Pasqua and Pasquetta in HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

5.<\/span> – 25 Aprile<\/strong>
\nThe 25th of April commemorates the end of the Second World War and the liberation of Italy from the Fascist and Nazis troops. Hence its official name: Festa della Liberazione<\/strong> (Liberation Day).<\/p>\n

6.<\/span> – 1\u00b0 Maggio<\/strong>
\nOn the 1st of May we celebrate la Festa del Lavoro <\/strong>(International Workers’ Day) with rallies organised by worker’s unions in most towns. The patron saint of 1\u00b0 Maggio<\/strong> is, of course, San Giuseppe lavoratore<\/strong>! (Saint Joseph the worker!). I’m not sure exactly what the desperate 37% of Italy’s young people who are disoccupati<\/strong> (without work) have to celebrate on this day! (Yes, really, 37%!!!)<\/p>\n

7.<\/span> – 2 Giugno
\n<\/strong> The 2nd of June commemorates la Festa Nazionale della Repubblica<\/strong>. In 1946 the Italian people held a referendum in which they decided to become a republic, transforming il Regno d’Italia<\/strong> into la Repubblica Italiana<\/strong>. Every year in Rome, on the 2nd of June, la sfilata delle forze armate<\/strong> (the parade of the armed forces) takes place, its highlight being a display given by the famous Italian air force aerobatic team le Frecce Tricolore<\/strong> (the three-colored arrows – reflecting the green white and red of the Italian flag).<\/p>\n