by Dianne Hales | Jan 4, 2022 | books on Italy, culture, Epiphany, history, Italian, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Religion, Sayings and expressions, Travel, Uncategorized, Web/Tech, Weblogs
Long after many Americans have taken down their Christmas trees and packed away the decorations, Italians continue to celebrate. The final feast is l’Epifania, on January 6, which commemorates the arrival of i re magi, the three kings who followed the bright Christmas...
by Dianne Hales | Dec 28, 2021 | books on Italy, Food and Drink, history, Italian, Italian folklore, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Language, Religion, Sayings and expressions, Social behavior, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
In ancient times, the new year began in the Spring. In 153 B.C., the Romans moved the start of a new year to January 1 and dedicated the first month to Janus, the two-faced god who looks back toward the old year and ahead toward the new one. For six days, Romans...
by Dianne Hales | Dec 7, 2021 | Books, books on Italy, Christmas in Italy, food, history, Italian, Italian folklore, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Language, Religion, saints, Sayings and expressions, Sicily, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
In the dark of December parts of Italy light up to celebrate a saint whose name derives from the Latin lux or lucis for light (luce in Italian). Lucia was a young girl who lived in Siracusa on the island of Sicily in the third century. According to various legends,...
by Dianne Hales | Nov 23, 2021 | books on Italy, culture, Italian, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Language, learning Italian, Sayings and expressions, Thanksgiving, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
There is an Italian name — la Festa del Ringraziamento — but no cultural equivalent for the day when the Pilgrim fathers (padri pellegrini) and the American native people came together to celebrate the harvest in the New World. Although turkey...
by Dianne Hales | Nov 16, 2021 | Books, books on Italy, culture, Education, Italian, Italian language, Italy, Language, Sayings and expressions, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
Several years ago I came across this clever and wise anecdote from il Gruppo Castelvetrano in Trapani, Sicily, and translated it into English. I’m sharing it again as we look toward Thanksgiving and the holiday season. A professor at an Italian university, standing...
by Dianne Hales | Nov 2, 2021 | Books, books on Italy, culture, history, Italian, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Language, love in Italy, Religion, saints, Sayings and expressions, Travel, Venice, Web/Tech, Weblogs, wine
Long ago on a cold and rainy November 11, a former Roman soldier named Martino came across a man stumbling and shivering on the road. Although he wanted to help, Martino had no money or blanket to offer. And so he took out his sword, slashed his cloak and gave half to...
