Weekly Dose of Italian Culture #15
Time flies and we are now at the 15th edition of Weekly Dose of Italian Culture!
Italian Movie of the Week
Chiamami col tuo nome (Call Me by Your Name, 2017) is a coming-of-age movie covering the romance between Elio and Oliver, two young men. Interestingly, Timothée Chalamet who interprets Elio in the movie, learned Italian for this role.
Italian Song of the Week
This week's song is Quelli che benpensano by Frankie hi-nrg, a sharp critique of consumerist society.
Famous Italian of the Week
Vincenzo Muccioli (1934-1995) became a prominent figure in Italy for founding San Patrignano. This free rehabilitation community helped tens of thousands of heroin addicts at a time when institutional resources were scarce. However, his cult-like leadership and strict methods, which were linked to a few deaths, divided public opinion in Italy. A recent documentary about his life is available on Netflix.
Italian City of the Week
The Italian city of the week is Ischia, located in the metropolitan area of Naples. This island, steeped in history, boasts stunning beaches and renowned thermal spas, making it a must-visit destination. As my entire family is from Ischia, this place holds a special place in my heart. Compared to the nearby island of Capri (which is also worth a visit), Ischia is more affordable and features actual sandy beaches. I highly recommend visiting during the spring or summer months to fully enjoy its charm and crystalline waters.
Italian Landmark of the Week
The landmark of the week is the stunning Castello Aragonese (Aragonese Castle). Perched atop an islet, it is connected to the main island of Ischia by the Ponte Aragonese (Aragonese Bridge). Remarkably, this castle has been owned by my extended family since the early 20th century. While I didn’t personally grow up with the wealth often associated with such heritage, this connection adds a layer of personal significance to this stunning landmark.
Geography Fact of the Week
Did you know that Italy has over 450 islands? While the most famous ones like Sicily, Sardinia, Elba, and Capri often steal the spotlight, many Italian islands are tiny and uninhabited, with unique stories of their own. For example, the island of Montecristo, made famous by Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo, is a protected nature reserve off the Tuscan coast and only allows a handful of visitors each year through a special permit.
History Fact of the Week
Did you know that thermometer, barometer, battery, and radio were all invented by Italian inventors?
Thermometer – Developed by Galileo Galilei in the early 1600s, later improved by Santorio Santorio in 1612.
Barometer – Invented by Evangelista Torricelli in 1643.
Battery – Specifically the electric battery, invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800.
Radio – Invented by Guglielmo Marconi in 1895.
Italian Dish of the Week
Risotto alla milanese is a rich dish from the Lombardy region of Italy, specifically Milan. It is distinguished by its yellow/golden color, which comes from saffron, a key ingredient that distinguishes it from most Italian risotto recipes.
Italian Proverb of the Week
Il lupo perde il pelo ma non il vizio.
(The wolf sheds its fur but not its bad habits.)
It’s frequently used in a cynical or resigned way to comment on someone’s unchanging negative traits. For example:
“Sono disperata, mio marito mi ha tradita per la seconda volta.”
("I'm devastated, my husband has cheated on me for the second time.")“Mi dispiace. Ma lo sai che il lupo perde il pelo ma non il vizio.”
(“I'm sorry. But you know that a wolf sheds its fur but not its bad habits.")
Italian Custom of the Week
When you visit Italy, you might be surprised to find an extra porcelain fixture in the bathroom, alongside the toilet and sink. Yes, that’s the bidet. It’s something that’s hard to give up once you’ve experienced it, as it’s an excellent way to stay clean and fresh after using the toilet. We Italians can’t live without it and find it strange that most countries haven’t adopted it.
I hope you enjoyed this 15th edition of Weekly Dose of Italian Culture.
Alla prossima!