Traditions

After a quite disastrous 2014, a time when most wine producers in Italy lamented very poor harvests due to the inclement weather, it seems like 2015 will be the complete opposite: thanks to perfect weather conditions and high temperatures, the …

You probably know about Bologna’s rich culinary traditions, miles of porticoes, terracotta medieval buildings and the oldest university of the Western World; but did you know about the time the great  Michelangelo lived and worked in Bologna? Could you have …

The Assumption Day, the Italian national holiday celebrated on August 15, is held all around in Italy when businesses and shopsare closed. Most museums and tourist sites are open on August 15. Many Italians spend the day at the beach …

It’s summer in the city and although two of San Francisco’s Italian themed festivals have come and gone, there’s still more serious festeggiare (celebrations) to come.  On June 13th and 14th we enjoyed the 61st annual North Beach Festival in …

Today, the Selva contrada won the Siena Palio, which has run a day late because of bad weather.   Selva, meaning wood, is the most successful postwar contrada with 16 wins: the winning horse, Polonski, was brought home in the …

Italians are portrayed as authorities in a wide variety of occupations and vocations, including artists, designers, entrepreneurs of all types, chefs, and any number of other colorful occupations, including farmer.  You know the word, contadino. If we take a look …

Before theaters existed, plays were conducted in the courtyards of inns, open spaces and on common land. In Italy, the Greeks and Romans left an indelible mark with great amphitheaters, but in other parts of Europe, like England, the idea …

Street musicians, free performances and the excitement of never knowing who is going to perform around the corner: buskers’ festivals are gaining popularity worldwide and attract thousands of visitors no matter where they take place. Ferrara, one of Emilia Romagna’s …

The Palio del Daino is an event held in Mondaino at the end of August. This year, it will happen between August 20 and August 23, when the whole town relives the Middle Ages. For four days, the local districts …

It seems like myths and legends thrive in volcanic towns. Red-hot lava against ashen, black rock and billowing smoke evokes mysticism and the reminder that we are merely humans, that nature is a powerful force which we cannot control, which …