Weekly Dose of Italian Culture #16
Welcome to the 16th Edition of Weekly Dose of Italian Culture! A series that takes you on a journey through Italy and its culture.
Italian Movie of the Week
Incompreso (Misunderstood, 1966) is a drama about a widower and his two sons. After the passing of their mother, the older boy begins acting out. He feels misunderstood and is treated harshly, while the younger boy is coddled. It’s an emotionally difficult film to watch but holds significant cultural significance in Italy.
Italian Song of the Week
This week's song is Una lunga storia d’amore by Gino Paoli, a beautiful romantic ballad.
Famous Italian of the Week
Alfredo Rampi (1975–1981), simply known as Alfredino, was a young boy who tragically fell into a well near Frascati, Lazio. His fall prompted a massive rescue operation that was broadcast live for 18 hours straight on the RAI public television, capturing the attention of 21 million viewers (a significant portion of Italy’s population at the time.) Despite extensive efforts, Alfredino could not be saved, shocking the nation and sparking widespread speculation and debate.
In 2021, the story was revisited in Alfredino – Una storia italiana, a four-episode fiction mini-series that highlighted the events and their impact over 40 years later.
Italian City of the Week
The Italian city of the week is Orvieto, a stunning hilltop city in the region of Umbria, known for its rich history, artistic heritage, and breathtaking architecture. Perched on a volcanic tuff cliff, it offers wonderful panoramic views of the countryside—an excellent choice for a day trip from Rome!
Italian Landmark of the Week
The Duomo di Orvieto is one of Italy's most beautiful cathedrals. A Gothic masterpiece is famous for its intricate facade, frescoes, and its richly decorated interior. The Duomo should be the centerpiece of your Orvieto visit.
Geography Fact of the Week
Did you know that Italy has the longest coastline in Europe? Its 7,600 kilometers (4,722 miles) of coastline touches five seas, namely, the Ligurian, Mediterranean, Adriatic, Ionian, and Tyrrhenian Seas.
History Fact of the Week
In the summer of 1972, while snorkeling off the coast of Riace in Calabria, Stefano Mariottini, a Roman engineer on holiday, stumbled upon an extraordinary find: two ancient Greek bronze statues lying on the seabed.
Initially, he saw a hand sticking out of the sand and thought that he might have discovered a corpse, prompting him to call the police. These statues, now known as the Bronzi di Riace (Riace Bronzes), are celebrated for their exceptional craftsmanship and lifelike detail and represent a significant archaeological discovery.
Today, the Riace Bronzes are housed in the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia in Reggio Calabria, one of the most extraordinary museums for ancient Greek artifacts.
Italian Dish of the Week
If you visit Italy and ask for Pasta Bolognese, you might be met with some puzzled looks. What we do have is the authentic and beloved Ragù bolognese, (often simply referred to as Ragù) a rich and flavorful meat sauce traditionally served with fresh egg tagliatelle, lasagna, or even polenta.
The star of this tomato-based sauce is the slowly simmered ground beef, often complemented with a touch of pancetta and vegetables. It’s a labor of love, taking hours to prepare, but the results are unquestionably worth it.
In my opinion, the North American "Bolognese Sauce" is only a distant cousin to the amazing original Ragù from Bologna.
Italian Proverb of the Week
Chi dorme non piglia pesci.
(Those who sleep won’t catch fish.)
It’s a common proverb that reminds us of the importance of working hard to achieve your goals; those who are lazy won’t catch any “fish”.
Italian Custom of the Week
Here’s a quirky one for you: Italians can be quite superstitious! If you see an ambulance or a hearse pass by, don’t be surprised if some men discreetly reach for their groin. While it is crude, this gesture is believed to ward off illness or death.
Of course, it’s not something you’ll see in polite company, but if you do happen to notice it out and about, just chalk it up to superstitions and not more shady motivations.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of Weekly Dose of Italian Culture.
A presto!