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Every year on the 2nd of June, a wave of green, white, and red sweeps across Italy as the country bursts into vibrant celebrations for the Festa della Repubblica, or Republic Day. This national holiday commemorates one of the most …

The Festa della Sensa is a traditional Venetian celebration that takes place on the Sunday following the Ascension, which is usually in May or early June. The festival commemorates the historical and spiritual importance of Venice as a maritime power and highlights the city’s …

Today’s word, sottosopra (soht-toh-soh-pra) has never been so popular!  Sottosopra translates with “upside down” and it is the way Italians call the terrifying alternative universe of an incredibly popular Netflix series set in the 1980s — I am sure I need to …

Montegrappa was founded in 1912 in Bassano del Grappa, a town in the Veneto region of northern Italy, by Austrians Edwige Hoffman and Heinrich Helm: their goal was to produce high-quality fountain pen nibs using precious materials such as gold and …

 In the realm of language, few words possess the nuanced grace of our word of the day, insinuare (een-see-noo-ah-rai), which we translate in English as “to insinuate” or “to suggest.” This verb traces its origins back to the Latin verb insinuo,  meaning “to introduce” …

Along Italy’s Adriatic coast, you’ll find a unique seaside construction, the trabocchi (or trabucchi): they are a traditional type of fishing machine, popular in the regions of Molise, Puglia, and especially Abruzzo, specifically along the Costa dei Trabocchi, a stretch of coastline between Ortona …

As the sun dips below the horizon, bathing the Madonie mountains in a soft, orange glow, the village of Gangi looks even more charming. The first settlement here was founded around 1200 BC by the Cretans and called Engyon. After its destruction, a new …

Ferrara, a city steeped in history and graced with architectural marvels, harbors a jewel within its urban fabric — the Palazzo dei Diamanti or, to say it in English, the “Diamonds Palace.” As one of Italy’s most unique and recognized buildings, Palazzo …

The innovative construction of Venetian chimneys stands as a testament to the city’s unique approach to addressing the challenges posed by its specific geographical conditions. With high humidity, salt air, and densely packed dwellings of varying heights, the Venetians needed ingenious solutions …

The Italian word sfogarsi (sfoh-gahr-see) carries a pretty deep emotional meaning because, in the realm of emotions and psychology, the act of sfogarsi plays a vital role in interpersonal relationships and self-care.  The verb sfogarsi comes from the noun sfogo, meaning “relief” or “outlet,” and it encompasses …