Traditions

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 …

On the 21st of April, Rome turned 2.773 years old, but this was a very strange birthday indeed. No one was around her streets celebrating, there were neither aperitivi nor strolls at the Pincio with your loved ones, enjoying these …

If you visited Italy in person, you are probably familiar with the fact your caffè al bar is often accompanied by a curious shot glass of water. In Piemonte and Liguria, basically every café will give it to you, while …

 San Gennaro, the Bishop of Benevento, met a tragic end as a martyr in 305 AD, persecuted for his Christian beliefs. Yet, his legacy lives on, immortalized in the city’s most significant religious festival: the heart of this celebration …

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 …

La Quintana di Ascoli Piceno is a historical reenactment event that takes place in the city of Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche region of Italy. The event is named after the Quintana, an ancient Roman equestrian game, and its first attestation dates to 1377. …

 Italy’s Salento region resonates with a rhythmic beat that brings a dance tradition to life: we are in the ancient area of the Grecìa Salentina, where a group of towns and villages, along with the Diego Carpitella Institute created, almost 30 …

The tradition of I dolci dei Morti or “Sweets of the Dead” in Sicily and other parts of Italy is observed during the festivities of All Saints’ Day and the commemoration of the deceased on November 1st and 2nd. These …

In Catholicism, the Cult of the Dead is very important. Who isn’t familiar, especially in America, with the traditional Mexican celebrations for El Dia de los Muertos? In Italy, too, religious events and spiritual moments of remembrance hold hands with …

There is something, in the beautiful and history-rich Tuscan town of Siena that, for centuries, brought its people together in shared anticipation, communal joy, and friendly rivalry. It’s a spectacle of beating drums, vibrant banners, and the rhythmical, thundering sound …