The Orgosolo murals emerged in the late 1960s. A group of students and artists decided to bring art directly to the people. The students were inspired by their teacher, Francesco Del Casino, an art educator who, together with them, painted the first mural in 1969 as a protest against the expropriation of land from shepherds. […]
Category: Italian Culture
There is a certain way the Italian Spirit reveals itself: an invitation to live life with curiosity. I was reminded of this during a trip to Taormina, Sicily. Taormina is breathtaking from every angle—the sea shimmering below, the dramatic cliffs, the layers of history woven into every stone. Its historic center is lined with elegant […]
What is a food desert? A food desert is an area with limited access to fresh, affordable, and nutritious food. It’s a serious challenge to health and well-being, especially in the United States, where processed and fast food often dominate. But in Italy, the concept of a food desert is almost foreign. Why? Because food […]
When people think about Italy, they often hear music: operas or ballads, or perhaps how the language flows. Italian is uniquely melodic, expressive, and full of emotion. My students tell me Italian doesn’t just communicate; it sings. For me, teaching Italian is a way of sharing history and connection. Every lesson is a bridge between […]
Most people associate opera with grand costumes, soaring arias, and dramatic love stories. But that is just one part of the Opera purpose: in Italy, opera has never been just about entertainment—it’s been a powerful voice in the country’s political history. It played an incredibly powerful role in shaping Italian political history—far beyond its reputation […]
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Journeys for Book Lovers
I adore books of all kinds, old and new. I love the smell of paper and ink, and the joy of getting lost in a bookstore or a library, but here are a few special bookshops I’ve discovered over the years. Venice, ItalyTucked in the heart of Venice, Libreria Acqua Alta is one of the […]
What are literary cafés? They are places where you can enjoy a cup of coffee while being immersed in culture. In these cafés, you’re not just sipping coffee—you’re stepping into a centuries-old cultural tradition. These establishments are cultural salons where revolutionary plans were whispered, poems were born, and ideas brewed stronger than the coffee. Coffee, […]
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La Tarantella
Vienna has the waltz; Italy has the tarantella. The waltz evolved from German peasant dances, becoming popular in Vienna and European courts through the work of professional composers including Johann Strauss and his more famous son, Johann Strauss Jr. The origins of the tarantella are different. It is a dance rooted in superstition, healing, and […]
Commedia dell’arte is a form of improvisational theatre that originated in Italy in the 16th century, designed to entertain people who could not afford tickets to the theatre. The first recorded performances of commedia dell’arte date back to Rome in 1551. It became popular across Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. These performances typically […]
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Rome and the Cats
The cat was a sacred animal in ancient Egypt, and its status has remained unchanged in many countries (e.g., Italy, Turkey). Examples of this can be found in Rome and Istanbul. “The cats of Rome are literary cats: they gather only in the most celebrated places. At the Pantheon and the Forum, unconcerned with the […]