La vita italiana

Ah, l’Italia! Paese di Santi, navigatori e poeti! Have you ever asked yourself why, historically, the people of Italy are seen as such? It seems to be particularly apt this time of the year, the fact that — according to …

Before midnight, the tide turned. Jubilation spread from the Baths of Caracalla to the Quirinal. Romans in nightshirts and slippers poured into the streets, braying whatever English they knew. “Weekend!” one old man repeatedly shouted. “Weekend!” The Stars and Stripes …

Thanks to months of rigorous lockdown, continuous monitoring and strict regulations, Italy is finally able to return to some sort of normality after Covid-19 hit its shores last February. This is truly great news for all Italians, who are able  …

Beauty and ingenuity. Italy is loved and admired for the many structures and monuments that sets it apart from the rest of the world. Our artists and craftsmen made history, they laid down the foundation of aesthetics and technique. Our …

What a peculiar summer this is: if it weren’t for the unbearable heat, it wouldn’t feel like a summer at all. Don’t get me wrong, Italians didn’t renounce to their Ferragosto-by-the-sea tradition, in fact, they’ve been letting loose a tad …

Dear Readers, October, the month your “Italian Connection” usually devotes to Christopher Columbus. Discovery Celebration related matters are being downsized a bit this year, therefore, I thought I would share some other October dates of general interest in addition to our longtime October honoree …

With its history connected to the mysterious Knights Templar, the walled village of Alberona could easily be used as the set for a neo-noir film. This atmospheric and depopulated Puglia borgo 30 minutes from Foggia would be perfect for an …

Kings of the internet, rulers of our homes, cats have also another important role in Italy: they  are emperors of the Città Eterna. If you visited Rome, you know felines are revered and respected around its streets and that they …

Whenever my secretary Antonio pesters me for another collection of satires, I reply: “Beware, my son. Of the making of books there is no end.” If this seems jaded, it is only because I have witnessed so much ballyhoo and …

Dear Readers, July jottings with an Italian  Connection: America’s first lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1933-1945), in a Fourth of July, Hyde Park, N.Y. parade, rode in a FIAT Roadster.  Why would a tall woman like Eleanor squeeze herself and her hefty chauffeur Tubby Curnan into a FIAT …