Columbus Day and Veterans Day will no longer be days off for Stamford students after a vote by the Board of Education Tuesday night. Both days, which are currently days off from school in Stamford, had been proposed as in-school days last year as well. But after push-back from local veterans and Italian-Americans, both remained untouched.  Neither...

Rarely do you hear the words “snake” and “festival” used together, but in one Italian village, the two have more in common than meets the eye. Cocullo, in the Abruzzo region, uniquely comes to life every year on the first of May. It’s the day when the village hosts its peculiar and fascinating Serpari Festival. In a celebration like no other, serpe...

The Fiera di Sant’Orso in Aosta is a centuries-old tradition that celebrates the region’s rich craftsmanship and folklore. It is held annually on January 30th and 31st and is one of the most important events in the Aosta Valley’s calendar. The event traces its origins back to over a millennium ago — the fair’s first documented mention dates to 1000...

You may know her from the “scandalous” Sicilian dessert, or at least have seen it in photos. Small mounds, covered in a layer of sugary, white marzipan and adorned with a candied cherry on top. It’s also popular in iconic religious imagery, with a painting revealing the saint who is holding a pair of cakes on a plate. Some say these mini cassate re...

Ivrea is a small town at the foot of the Piedmont Alps. Located a 40-minute drive from Turin, the city is famous for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the glorious history of the Olivetti factory, but even more so for its characteristic Carnival. The Historic Carnival of Ivrea is the oldest historical carnival in Italy, dating back to th...

An explosion of colors with confetti, masks, parades, floats and cheer. The Carnival in Italy is a unique experience, which has its roots in the Middle Ages (about VIII century) and has taken on different nuances in each region over the centuries. In addition to the most typical and characteristic costumes, also gastronomic specialties are a must y...

The Carnival of Mamoiada in Sardinia is a unique cultural event that recounts the traditions and origins of a people, but it is also a moment of conviviality and unity. There is no shortage of food stands with typical local sweets and cannonau wine in the streets of the village. The traditional event of the Carnival of Mamoiada in Sardinia is among...

Cantù is a city in the province of Como with over 40,000 inhabitants, famous throughout Italy for its traditions related to craftsmanship, such as the artistic production of furniture, the "Cantù lace" from a textile point of view, which have allowed it to great economic development over the centuries and the exciting Carnival of Cantù. Thanks to i...

The Cerrito family of Wellington (FL) held a 60th birthday celebration for Thomas Cerrito on Saturday, Dec. 9 at the family home in Wellington. More than 150 guests were on hand to enjoy a party with an “Italian Festival” theme, complete with booths serving different authentic Italian specialties, along with Italian musical entertainment. The event...

Festa Italiana Inc. of New Britain (CT) has donated a total of $12,000 to four local charities: $5,000 to the Festa Italiana Scholarship Fund administered by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain; $5,000 to Saint Joachim Parish in New Britain; $1,000 to Boys & Girls Club of New Britain; $1,000 to YWCA New Britain. Festa Italiana is a fede...