LIFE & PEOPLE

If you grew up as I did, with grandparents who lived through the last world war, you know how incredibly resourceful they were. They could cook with almost nothing, they knew how to fix just about everything, and nothing went …

Compiano is a medieval village in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, located in the Apennines, about 50 miles southwest of Parma. It sits at an elevation of roughly 1,640 feet, and offers stunning views of the hills and fertile valleys that define …

Vietri sul Mare is a small town in southern Italy, along the Amalfi Coast. Located just about three miles to the east of Salerno, it is considered the gateway to one of the most famous stretches of coastline in the …

The 75th edition of the Festival di Sanremo concluded only a few days ago, with 23-year-old Olly from Genoa securing victory with his ballad Maledetta Nostalgia. As is customary for Sanremo winners, Olly’s track has swiftly ascended to the top …

A new initiative is in motion to have Italian comedy recognized as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, a move that aims to celebrate a tradition deeply rooted in the country’s artistic and social fabric. The idea, spearheaded by the …

We all know that Italians love to talk. It may be friends discussing soccer at a café, an elderly woman sharing stories at the market, or a businessman passionately debating politics over an espresso, it doesn’t really matter: conversation is …

The bond between Italian music and America has always been strong, with melodies and traditions crossing oceans and blending cultures. Among the many iconic songs linked to this connection, That’s Amore is probably among the most iconic. Performed by the …

Chances are that, if you watched a movie set in Sicily, you unknowingly heard the unmistakable, twangy sound of the scacciapensieri.  Small and unassuming, it is known as “jaw harp” or “Jew’s harp” in English, and produces a metallic vibration …

Giuseppe Verdi is one of Italy’s greatest composers, a symbol of national pride whose music has left an indelible mark on both the operatic tradition and Italian identity.  Born in 1813 in Le Roncole, a small village in Parma, Verdi …

If Termini Imerese, in the metropolitan area of Palermo, and Sciacca, in the province of Agrigento, compete for the title of the oldest Carnival in Sicily” while Aci Reale, in the metropolitan area of Catania, claims to host “he most …