La vita italiana

December, the month we celebrate Christmas, exchange presents with our friends and wish all “Buon Natale,” I got to thinking that some people, by their efforts, wind up enriching an entire community or in the case of Carlo DiRuocco, the …

Alberobello, city of the trulli, expresses sympathy to all the world’s cities that have been victims of the destroying force of terror-disseminating people. Only a few weeks to Christmas: our wish is that the light of love among peoples may …

It seems like fate has bestowed more than just the first name to Donati (13 April 1933) and Leone (3 January 1929 – 30 April 1989), both named Sergio and born in Rome, four years apart from one another. Together …

One Christmas day some years ago, as my family gathered around the Christmas tree, my granddaughter looked up at me and asked, “Grandpa, do you believe in Santa Claus?”  Without hesitation, I answered, “Yes … Of course I do!” I …

Those who have Neapolitan origins know what San Gregorio Armeno stands for: Christmas Nativity tradition. Wandering on the namesake street, in the heart of Campania’s city, searching for the best artisan figures is a must have experience for both locals …

Italian Natioanl broadcaster, RAI, has disclosed the list of singer who will participate in the 2016 edition of the Italian song contest, the so-called Festival di Sanremo.   The presenter Carlo Conti has announced the list of “Campioni” (well-known artists) …

Head to toe, you can meet your wardrobe needs on San Francisco’s Italian Block, a vibrant collection of shops on the streets of the City’s Union Square shopping district. Nine gorgeous shops offer the best in quality, luxury Italian made …

In the first half of this two-part discussion, we left off with the question, “How did St. Nicholas become Santa Claus?” I must answer by first explaining that the custom of gift-giving, especially to children during the Christmas Season, is …

Although things are changing fast, Christmas in Italy still is one, if not the most, traditional time of the year and many Italian households have a series of family traditions they like to repeat each year, no matter how old …

I met Gay Talese on a Friday afternoon in New York City, when the sun descends from its zenith and anxious pedestrians are walking briskly home to begin their weekend.  He had agreed to meet and talk about his Italian …