Weekly Dose of Italian Culture #12
Welcome to the 12th edition of Weekly Dose of Italian Culture!
Italian Movie of the Week
Il Treno dei Bambini (The Children’s Train, 2024) is a compelling drama centered on a seven-year-old boy named Amerigo. Set in 1946, the story follows Amerigo as he leaves his impoverished family in Naples to live with a wealthier family in the North, part of a post-war initiative aimed at rescuing children from poverty. Recently released, this touching film is now widely available on Netflix.
Italian Song of the Week
Soli (Alone) by Marracash is an introspective track that explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the complexities of human relationships. It also pays homage to Uomini Soli, a classic Italian song by the pop group Pooh. Recently, in a Facebook post, Pooh gave Marracash their seal of approval for this new hit.
Famous Italian of the Week
Mario Magnotta was a school janitor in the Abruzzo region who became famous when prank phone calls made to him were recorded and widely shared, turning him into an unexpected cultural phenomenon.
The recordings showed Magnotta’s colorful personality and exasperated reactions often characterized by his strong dialect, fiery temper, and quotable sentences.
Over time, he became famous throughout Italy and was even interviewed on national TV (see video below).
Italian City of the Week
The city of the week is Verona. Arguably one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, Verona is renowned for its stunning architecture, rich history, and romantic allure. Known as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, it attracts visitors from around the world who come to see landmarks like Juliet's Balcony, the iconic Arena di Verona, and the picturesque Piazza delle Erbe.
Located in northern Italy (Veneto specifically,) Verona boasts a charming blend of Roman ruins, medieval buildings, and Renaissance art. Its historic center has earned it a spot as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the birthplace of Pandoro (more on this below).
Italian Landmark of the Week
The Verona Arena is a stunning Roman amphitheater in the heart of Verona, built in the 1st century AD. Once used for gladiatorial games, it’s now a world-famous venue for concerts and opera, including the Verona Opera Festival. Its incredible acoustics and rich history make it a must-visit landmark.
Geography Fact of the Week
Italy has 8 main winds, classified by the direction they blow from:
Tramontana: Cold, dry wind from the north, bringing clear skies.
Grecale: Cool, dry wind from the northeast, often stormy in the south.
Levante: Mild, humid wind from the east, bringing cloudy weather.
Scirocco: Hot, humid wind from the southeast, carrying Sahara dust.
Ostro: Warm, humid wind from the south, sometimes rainy.
Libeccio: Warm, stormy wind from the southwest, common on western coasts.
Ponente: Mild, humid wind from the west.
Maestrale: Cool, strong wind from the northwest, clearing skies.
These winds influence Italy’s weather, agriculture, and even culture.
History Fact of the Week
The name Italy derives from the Greek italos, which means calf. It was originally given to the region of Calabria by Greek colonists in the 8th century BCE and was later extended to the entire peninsula under the Roman Emperor Augustus.
Italian Dish of the Week
In Italy, there’s an informal culinary rivalry that comes alive during Christmas: Pandoro vs. Panettone. Pandoro, originating from the aforementioned Verona, is known for its sweetness and soft, buttery texture. It’s often plain or filled with creams like chocolate, custard, or pistachio.
On the other hand, Panettone, a Milanese creation, is slightly less sweet and traditionally studded with uva passa (raisins) and canditi (candied fruit).
Personally, I lean towards Pandoro though I can appreciate a good Panettone as well. Both are delicious symbols of the Italian holiday season!
Italian Proverb of the Week
Mogli e buoi dei paesi tuoi.
(Wives and oxen from your own land.)
This common Italian proverb suggests that it's best to choose a spouse (and traditionally livestock) from your local area, implying that familiarity and shared cultural roots lead to better harmony and relationships. My fiancée is Canadian so I hope this proverb is wrong. 😄
Italian Custom of the Week
Last week, we talked about Tombola, a beloved Italian holiday game similar to bingo. In southern Italy, particularly in Naples, there's a fascinating tradition tied to the numbers: each one is announced with an associated word or phrase. For example, the number 90 represents "la paura" (fear) or "la morte" (death), while 77 is humorously known as "le gambe delle vecchie" (old ladies’ legs).
But where do these number-word associations come from? They originate from La Smorfia, a book that assigns numbers to concepts, dreams, and events. It's commonly used by Lotto players and enthusiasts of games of chance to interpret dreams and turn them into numbers to play.
For example, if you dreamed of the police coming to your house at night to arrest your wife, you might look up the numbers associated with police, house, arrest, night, and wife, and use them in the Lotto.
This mix of superstition, humor, and tradition makes La Smorfia an enduring part of southern Italian culture.
I hope you enjoyed this 12th edition of Weekly Dose of Italian Culture! A presto!