La vita italiana

Founded in 1895, La Biennale di Venezia is the oldest and most widely recognized contemporary art event in the world. While the Biennale’s roots are in the visual arts, its scope now encompasses theatre music, dance, film and architecture. The …

We all watched Paolo Sorrentino’s Academy Award-winning film The Great Beauty, and we all dreamed of walking with the protagonist through the Rome’s magnificent Renaissance architecture. One of the most beautiful spots celebrated by the movie and loved by tourists from …

While American youngsters put their shoes outside hoping that Saint Nick will leave them goodies, six-year old Filippo Brienza of Bologna put his shoes on to go see the Zampognari play.  He waited all year for the beginning of December …

On October 17th, a panel of 13 independent experts responsible for assessing Italian cities competing for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2019, selected Matera for the honor. This award started in 1985. Since then more than 40 …

Founded in 2014 by Luciano Lamonarca and Jere Palazzolo, the Saint Pio Foundation carries out several interesting initiatives that involve an increasing number of members and supporters. In this interview, Maestro Lamonarca offers an insight into the main activities and …

Halloween is becoming more popular in Italy than Carnival, thanks to American TV. Teenaged zombies startle tourists in piazzas and frighten seniors in alleys. These pranks are harmless enough, but the spectacle reminds me of a more sinister masquerade: Benito …

Spending the holidays with your group of Italian friends, you should be aware of the fact that they’ve most likely started planning New Year’s Eve celebrations at least a month in advance. In fact, Capodanno – the Italian word for …

How did Columbus determine the speed of his ship?  The ship’s speed was measured by throwing a piece of flotsam over the side at the bow of the ship. On the side of the ship were markers. As the ship …

During November, Americans bring chrysanthemums to Roman social events. These New England and Midwestern transplants mean well. What could brighten an autumn engagement party at Cul de Sac or a Thanksgiving banquet at AUR better than mums? Gasps of horror …

In a few months, the travelling exhibition of Michelangelo’s precious  drawings from Casa Buonarroti, Florence, will proceed to Nashville and Phoenix, after having had its only Canadian venue in Toronto, at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Michelangelo (1475-1564), was a …