Small Dose of Italian Culture #31
Welcome to the 31st edition of Small Dose of Italian Culture!
Italian Movie
Il mostro (The Monster, 1994) is a hilarious comedy starring Roberto Benigni and his wife, Nicoletta Braschi. The plot revolves around a serial killer who has been on the loose for years. Due to a series of misunderstandings, the police come to suspect Loris (played by Benigni) of being the killer. To catch him in the act, they send an undercover policewoman (played by Braschi) to seduce him and provoke an attack.
Remarkably, the film is available for free with English subtitles on YouTube. I highly recommend you watch it.
Italian Song
A powerful Italian song I recommend is La canzone di Tom by Il Teatro degli Orrori. While it's far from mainstream, it has a devoted indie following thanks to its raw intensity. If you're into rock with a theatrical and dramatic edge, I’d give it a listen.
Famous Italian
Giacomo Leopardi (1798 — 1837) is one of Italy’s most celebrated poets and authors. Every student in Italian schools spends countless hours studying his work, with L’Infinito and A Silvia being two of the most widely memorized and analyzed poems.
His life was marked by suffering and isolation, which deeply influenced his writing and led to his death at a relatively young age. If you’re ever near Recanati, I highly recommend visiting his childhood home, which has been turned into a museum.
Italian Landmark
L'Anfiteatro Campano is the second-largest amphitheater in Italy, after the Colosseum in Rome. Located in Santa Maria Capua Vetere, it’s a stunning sight yet an often overlooked gem of Roman architecture. Unlike the Colosseum, which is crowded year-round with tourists, this amphitheater receives relatively few visitors, making it an ideal destination if you're looking to explore history at a relaxed pace.
It’s not far from Caserta, so if you are in the area, make sure to visit it along with the outrageously beautiful Reggia.
Italian Dish
Il babà napoletano is a traditional Neapolitan dessert, famous for its rich flavor and soft, sponge-like texture soaked in rum. Though it's technically a pastry, it's often enjoyed as a luxurious dessert.
I don’t usually like alcohol, but even I have to admit that this one is an absolute delicacy. The balance of sweetness and warmth from the rum makes it truly unique. If you ever find yourself in Campania, particularly in Naples, you should definitely try a freshly made one from a local pasticceria.
Italian Proverb
Chi va con lo zoppo, impara a zoppicare.
(He who goes with the lame, learns to limp.)
It is a popular Italian proverb meaning that the people you surround yourself with strongly influence your behavior, positively or negatively. And this isn’t just folk wisdom; it’s backed by science.
It’s often said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.
Italian Custom
Today is my onomastico, the feast day of the saint I'm named after: Sant'Antonio di Padova. In Italy, particularly in the south, onomastici are a big deal. In some areas, they're even more important than birthdays. In the north, they tend to be less celebrated unless your family is deeply Catholic. If your name doesn't correspond to a specific saint, you can still celebrate on November 1st, which is Tutti i Santi (All Saints' Day).
I hope you enjoyed this 31st edition of Small Dose of Italian Culture. A presto!