by Dianne Hales | Jun 23, 2020 | Books, books on Italy, Fellini, Film, history, Italian language, Italian movies, Italy, Language, movies, Social behavior, Travel, Weblogs, wine
In a business built on dreams, Federico Fellini, born a century ago, may have been the biggest dreamer of all. As a boy in Rimini, he kept a sketch pad by his bed so he could record his vivid fantasies. His lifelong passion was transforming his visions into stories...
by Dianne Hales | Jan 3, 2020 | books on Italy, Christmas in Italy, creche, culture, history, Italy, Language, Nativity scene, Sayings and expressions, Travel, 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 (Epiphany), on January 6, which commemorates the arrival of i re magi, the three kings who followed the...
by Dianne Hales | Dec 16, 2019 | Books, books on Italy, Christmas in Italy, creche, culture, history, Italy, Language, Naples, Nativity scene, Rome, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
Centuries ago, in 1223, San Francesco (Saint Francis), the charismatic friar of Umbria, wanted to bring to life the story of the birth of Baby Jesus. In the little town of Greccio, he placed a manger in some straw and added a living Madonna, San Giuseppe (St....
by Dianne Hales | Dec 10, 2019 | Books, books on Italy, history, Italy, Language, Religion, Sayings and expressions, Social behavior, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
Lucia, whose name derives from the Latin lux or lucis for light (luce in Italian), was a young girl who lived in Syracuse on the island of Sicily in the third century. According to various legends, this saintly virgin would wear a wreath of candles as she carried food...
by Dianne Hales | Dec 4, 2019 | Books, books on Italy, culture, history, Italy, Language, Social behavior, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
In some parts of Italy the feast of San Nicola, patron saint of Bari, ushers in the Christmas season with the giving of gifts on the eve or morning of December 6, his onomastico (name day). Although many stories of San Nicola’ s life may be mythical, he did inspire...
