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The Italian word aggeggio (A-dje-djo) is a delightfully versatile term that refers to a gadget, contraption, or small device, often of uncertain or questionable use. Its flexibility in meaning and usage makes it a staple of colloquial Italian, suitable for …

Sant’Agata Feltria is a village  in the hills of Emilia-Romagna, a place where you can meet history and charm at every corner; it’s the kind of place that makes you feel a tad like you’re on a stage, with its …

Ortisei, known as Urtijëi in Ladin and St. Ulrich in German, is a charming town in Italy’s Val Gardena, within the Dolomites of South Tyrol. Approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Bolzano, the provincial capital, Ortisei is famous for …

The Regata delle Befane is a cherished Venetian tradition held annually on January 6th, coinciding with the celebration of the Epiphany. It is a whimsical event featuring veteran rowers from the Reale Società Canottieri Bucintoro, Venice’s oldest rowing club, founded …

The tradition of compiling comprehensive works of knowledge, known today as encyclopedias, finds its origins in ancient Rome. Roman scholars worked to systematically gather and document the breadth of human understanding, laying the foundation for an encyclopedic tradition that has …

Family-owned company Ponti has been synonymous with premium vinegars and condiments since its inception in 1787. Giovanni Battista del Ponte, a farmer in Sizzano, Piedmont, began producing wine and wine vinegar, laying the foundation for a business that would endure …

The Italian word gelo (dje-loh) refers to intense cold, typically at or below 0°C (32°F), which causes water to freeze into ice. It derives from the Latin word gelu, meaning “intense cold” or “ice.” The word is used in various …

Founded in 1919 by Alfonso Bialetti in Crusinallo, a small town in Italy’s Piedmont region, Bialetti began as a workshop specializing in aluminum semi-finished products. Originally called Alfonso Bialetti & Co., the company laid the foundation for a brand that …

The new year is just around the corner and, for many, it is customary to reflect on their  achievements and experiences. In Italian, the term resoconto (rai-soh-cohn-toh) aptly delivers the meaning of this practice.  Derived from the combination of reso …

Given the challenges faced by firefighters in Los Angeles while battling the ongoing wildfires, it seems both timely and fitting to honor their bravery, dedication, and commitment by looking into the origins of their profession, origins that have a very strong …